MLB TRADE DEADLINE DEALS

SportsBeat!

Written by Aaron Cantin

MLB Trade Deadline is tomorrow, Friday, July 30th. Not the fake trade deadline baseball has had in the past, like when Justin Verlander went to the Astros in the waning moments of August. This time if executives plan on making a move they need to do it by 4:00 EST on Friday. This is sure to make deadline day more exciting and I personally can’t wait. In light of the big day, I’ve compiled a list of big names supposedly on the trading block and I’ll also give you my guess as to where they are playing on Saturday.

Source: MLB| Photo from Getty Images

Max Scherzer - Starting Pitcher - Washington Nationals

There is plenty of interest in the Nationals ace. The Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Astros, and Mets are known to be interested in Max Scherzer, according to multiple sources. The Yankees have also checked in on Scherzer but it does not seem likely. In all likeliness, I don’t see Scherzer going anywhere. The 37-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is making over $34 million this season. That eliminates nearly half the interested parties right there. The Dodgers and Yankees can never be counted out when someone of his caliber is on the market but if anyone scoops him up I think it will be the Astros.

Kris Bryant - Third Baseman - Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have already made one notable trade sending slugger Joc Pederson to the Atlanta Braves. There really is no reason why the Cubs would hold on to Bryant and a couple of others. The Cubs have gone just 9-22 since June 14, the reality of a looming rebuild has become that much clearer. As for the suitors? Numerous teams will be interested in the righty despite his mediocre season for his standards. The Tampa Bay Rays stick out for me. The Rays are reportedly in on every player available which is very un-Rays like. The Mets may also look to make a move. Still, though, I think Bryant will be hitting dingers out of Tropicana Field come this weekend.

Javier Baez - Shortstop - Chicago Cubs

This may sound hypocritical seeing as just above I explained why the Cubs will be sellers at the deadline, but I think Baez is a piece for the Cubs to grow around. It may seem even crazier when you check his stats this season. Baez is hitting just .245 this year albeit with 22 home runs as well. The main reason why I think Baez will stick around is that the Cubs still have other pieces they can move and get enough pieces to kickstart a rebuild in return. Anthony Rizzo has not been at his best for the past couple of seasons but there are no doubt teams will inquire about the first basement.

Craig Kimbrel - Closer - Chicago Cubs

Craig Kimbrel has been on fire this season with an ERA below 1.00. The solidified closer will have plenty of interest and the Cubs will surely look to cash in. I see Kimbrel staying in the National League. The Giants’ bullpen has been solid this season but still, the unit would look much stronger — and perhaps be a real separator in the stacked NL West — if San Francisco added Kimbrel to the back-line. The Giants have proven this year’s team is worth investing in, and contacting the Chicago Cubs about their All-Star closer would put them right up there with the top contenders if they weren’t already.

Byron Buxton - Outfielder - Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton should feel the most upset about the 2021 season. The man was on an MVP-caliber tear before injuring himself in May. After being sidelined for over six weeks, he returned for one week only to break his thumb off a wild pitch. There is still no timetable for his return making it very difficult to move him. The only thing though is he is on the last year of his contract and if the Twins cannot come to an agreement with him, they may choose to cash out. I can see this happening and the price for Buxton being relatively low. Look for the Oakland Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, and Cincinnati Reds to be interested. However, I can see Buxton playing with the Mets on Saturday.

Jon Gray - Starting Pitcher - Colorado Rockies

I firmly believe the Rockies will cash in on Jon Gray. The franchise set itself up for failure in 2021 when they dealt with franchise icon Nolan Arenado in February. Sure enough, failure has found them, as they've gone 42-54. Because Gray will be a free agent at season's end, there's a ticking clock at play with his trade value that's heightened further by the highs and lows of the 29-year-old's performance. Though Gray has a 3.68 ERA, he had a 6.69 mark last year and has generally had issues with both injuries and inconsistency throughout his career. Such things make him a textbook definition of a sell-high guy. I think a team desperate for pitching will make a bid. Look for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Oakland Athletics to be interested. With Gray though, I can see an outside team swooping in at the last minute.