MLB Trade Deadline Insider Q&A: Shohei Ohtani, Padres, Cardinals, Brewers

Here’s FanSided’s MLB Insider Robert Murray breaking down the latest as we’re less than two weeks away from the baseball trade deadline.

The MLB Trade Deadline is on Aug. 1, now less than two weeks away. And the buzz is highly palpable.

Will Shohei Ohtani be traded? Are the Padres, Cardinals or other disappointing teams going to sell — and to who? What other teams are ones to watch otherwise?

FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray has the answer to all of your questions about MLB Trade Rumors and the buzz he’s hearing with this trade deadline Q&A.

MLB Trade Rumors: Q&A on Shohei Ohtani, Cardinals, Padres, Brewers and more

Question from @SotoPlsOppoHit: Are the Padres planning on selling or buying?

The Padres haven’t committed to a trade deadline path and are preparing for multiple scenarios.

If they buy, expect general manager A.J. Preller to target rotation and bullpen reinforcements and another bat. If they sell, that’s when things could really get interesting.

Preller could dominate a seller’s market with free-agents-to-be Josh Hader and Blake Snell, who would be the best reliever and starting pitcher on the trade market if they become available. And if they are open to discussing Juan Soto, who is under contract through 2024, they would also have the best hitter on the trade market.

The Padres’ preference has been to be buyers. But at 46-50, and 9.5 games back in the National League West, they may soon have to be real with themselves.

Question from ClaseInSession (@ClaseInSession): Any word on the Guardians and if they’re going for a big time bat?

Shane Bieber isn’t going anywhere after being placed on the Injured List with right elbow inflammation, and that complicates what they can accomplish at the trade deadline.

A scenario that made sense before Bieber’s injury, as Zack Meisel of The Athletic pointed out, was trading the right-hander for a controllable outfielder. Perhaps they can trade another starting pitcher — Aaron Civale? — to acquire an outfielder, but with Bieber and Triston McKenzie sidelined, such a scenario feels unlikely.

Trading Amed Rosario, who’s a free agent at the end of the year, would make sense and open up opportunities for Gabriel Arias and Tyler Freeman.

Question from Mike Berry Sr. (@MichaelBerrySr): What do you foresee the Cardinals doing?

The Cardinals will sell, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. But they want to compete in 2024 and that would make any trade involving Paul Goldschmidt or Nolan Arenado incredibly unlikely.

Among the Cardinals’ trade candidates include outfielder Tyler O’Neill, Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Ryan Helsley, Jordan Hicks, Chris Stratton, Dylan Carlson. I’d expect all the pending free agents — Montgomery, Flaherty, Hicks and Stratton — to be playing elsewhere after August 1.

The Cardinals are seeking major-league talent or prospects that will play in the majors in 2024, as Katie Woo of The Athletic reported. Their primary focus going forward will be upgrading their pitching staff for next season and beyond.

Question from Rene Van der velden (@ReneVanderveld8): Are the Angels buyers or sellers?

The Angels are still figuring that out.

On one hand, they are nine games back in the American League West and 4.5 games back of the third wild card spot. On the other hand, owner Arte Moreno has typically avoided rebuilding, and selling – and punting on the 2023 season – would seem to dwindle their chances at retaining Shohei Ohtani when he becomes a free agent in the offseason.

Regarding a possible Ohtani trade: Arte Moreno, the Angels’ owner, isn’t ready to move Ohtani and is hesitant to trade a historically great player in the middle of an all-time great season. Could that change? Of course. Moreno is one of the most unpredictable owners in baseball. But my best guess, a little less than two weeks before the trade deadline, is that Ohtani is not traded.

Question from Josh Klimek (@Joshk198907): What realistically do you see the Rays doing at the deadline?

In late June, Rays general manager Peter Bendix told the Tampa Bay Times: “We’re going to be doing everything we can to make this club stronger, give it the best chance to win a World Series.”

Early indications are that the Rays are closely monitoring the starting pitching market, having already been publicly connected to Cardinals starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, as well as Cubs starter Marcus Stroman. They are also in the market for another reliever, with their bullpen ranking 11th in baseball with a 3.84 ERA.

Question from Bjorn (@BjornIron7): When will the big deals be made?

I’d recommend being patient. The trade deadline is 12 days away… and there’s a lot of uncertainty. I’ve talked to a few teams who, when I ask about their deadline plans, respond with either a “🤷🏼‍♂️”or a “Big week ahead, not sure what we’re gonna do.”

There will be plenty of action, but I don’t know if we’ll see a blockbuster like we have in previous years where Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Trea Turner and Max Scherzer-level players were dealt. I view a Shohei Ohtani trade as unlikely right now. Things could always change if the Padres decide to sell, though.

Question from Carson (@notcars8n): Hello, Mr. Murray. Think the Brewers do anything interesting?

The Brewers view the returns of Brandon Woodruff, Aaron Ashby, Justin Wilson and Tyrone Taylor off the Injured List as impactful additions in the second half of the season.

But the Brewers will be buyers at the trade deadline and general manager Matt Arnold has stated the team will do so “responsibly,” which would seemingly rule out a big trade. Expect them to target offensive upgrades – perhaps a first baseman or right fielder – as well as bullpen help.

I’ll leave you with this: It’s unlikely, but it isn’t impossible that top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski debuts at some point this season. He was recently promoted to Double-A and while he’s still refining a few things, I had a talent evaluator recently tell me: “You know I’m not prone to hyperbole, but I legitimately think he has the best stuff in the minors.”

Whether he debuts in 2023 or 2024, the Brewers believe Misiorowski has the potential to be really, really good.