The trade deadline looms, and these five trade candidates could all be dealt at a moment’s notice.
A flurry of trade deadline deals is just waiting to be unleashed with MLB’s annual moratorium on trading looming at 4 pm on Wednesday. Unlike in years past, there will be no waiver-wire deals in the month of August. This is the last chance for contending teams to bolster their roster for the pennant race and postseason. Due to the sheer number of teams still within arm’s distance of a playoff spot, action has been slower to develop than usual this year. That’s going to make for a more action-packed July 31 than usual.
The Cleveland Indians really kicked the action off last night by trading Trevor Bauer to the Cincinnati Reds for Yasiel Puig and also getting the San Diego Padres involved to bring in Franmil Reyes. The Indians are the first team ever to acquire two players with 20-plus home runs in the same deadline deal. The move gives them the outfield depth they have so desperately been seeking.
MLB does still have the best trade deadline of the four major sports, and deals should soon be popping up all over your newsfeed. One big name that will not move is Noah Syndergaard, who has been pulled from the block by the New York Mets. There won’t be a shocking blockbuster deal for the big right-hander, but the following five stars could all find themselves traded fairly quickly and unexpectedly if their clubs receive the right offer.
5. Will Smith
The San Francisco Giants run back up the standings hit a roadblock over the past week and the front office has returned to considering selling off key assets at the trade deadline. The team’s most intriguing chips are All-Star closer Will Smith and franchise icon Madison Bumgarner. Both have a healthy trade market, but the Giants haven’t left themselves much time to get a deal done.
Thanks to their recent run of winning ball, the Giants are unlikely to sell off completely. Whether or not that’s the right move is open for debate. Management will likely want to retain some semblance of a playoff hope, however slim it may be. With a weak rotation but relatively strong bullpen, that could make Smith easier to part with. The closer market isn’t packed with great options this year, and the left-hander’s value will be high despite his status as a rental.
Smith made his first trip to the All-Star Game this year, but has struggled in the second half. He has two multi-run outings in nine games since the break and has yielded a .256/.310/.564 line with three home runs allowed in 10 innings with two blown saves.