All-Star voting has come to an end signaling that the mid-summer classic is right around the corner. The home run derby and MLB’s showcase of stars isn’t the only thing to be excited about as the game approaches because as we inch closer and closer to the game we also get closer to the trade deadline.
This deadline is sure to be full of rumors and not a lot of movement because so many teams believe they are still in it thanks to the second wild card spot, but there will be moves from many of the teams in the cellar. Here are a few teams that I think are clear buyers and sellers, and their biggest need and asset to trade.
Buyers
Toronto Blue Jays
The Jays are one of the most powerful offenses in all of baseball, but the starting rotation has been suspect. They have been rumored to be in talks with the Cubs in the past and if they can’t finally figure it out with the Cubs I expect them to make a run after the Tampa Bay Rays top arm too.
Baltimore Orioles
Another team with a powerful offense in need of pitching. If Bud Norris, last season’s trade deadline acquisition, wouldn’t have gotten injured I would have expected them to stand pat and hope Ubaldo Jimenez came around in the second half, but with Norris down I expect them to make a move for a second tier veteran starter.
New York Yankees
The Yanks are hovering right around .500, and should probably focus on rebuilding after their second consecutive mediocre season, but this is Derek Jeter’s last run and Brian Cashman could be in jeopardy of losing his job. Expect Cashman to make any move he can, because this team has a lot of holes.
Kansas City Royals
While most of the teams looking for help this trade season need help on the mound, the Royals need serious help in the lineup. Third base is the primary need, but any bat that is a power threat and they can find a way to get it in the lineup. They took a shot with aging Raul Ibanez, but they are going to need a lot more than him to fix their issues.
Los Angeles Angels
Like most teams the Halos need pitching. C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver haven’t been the same pitchers they use to be and the bullpen continues to be the biggest issue with the team. If they can find either a solid lefty reliever or a good to ace quality starter you better believe they will pull the trigger.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have quite a few pieces to trade to get what they want this trade deadline. There have been many rumors that they are very interested in David Price to form a dominant trio with the M’s two current ace quality pitchers, but it’s another veteran bat that more consistently get on base seems like a bigger need, and if they still do not want to part with Taijuan Walker they may be able to snag the bat they need with Nick Franklin.
Atlanta Braves
Pitching. They thought they found it with veteran Aaron Harang, but the National League is beginning to figure him out again after a tremendous start. Expect the Braves to be in on every starting pitcher that’s out there, especially ones who are on expiring contracts as they hope to get their two Tommy John victims back for the 2015 season.
Cincinnati Reds
With the return of Mat Latos the Reds have one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball, but they do not have a true 2-hole hitter. If they can find someone available that makes solid contact to hit behind Billy Hamilton and in front of Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips that plays either shortstop or left field they could have one of the most potent offenses in the league to go with that pitching staff.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Edinson Volquez was a gamble to begin with, and they rolled snake eyes on this one. On top of that bust, Francisco Liriano has looked less like the guy who led the team last season and more like the guy the Minnesota Twins couldn’t wait to get rid of. The offense is finally clicking on all cylinders for the Pirates and it has put them back in the running. If they can find the one pitcher to solidify this rotation they will be back in the postseason.
San Francisco Giants
If the Giants hope to win another championship in the era of Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain they are going to have to make a move and make it now. Their mix and match second base job worked great until recently and fixing that has to be a priority if Marco Scuturo is not going to make it back this season. You can also expect them to be rumored in on all of the top arms out there to replace Ryan Vogelsong who has struggled all season and could be a valuable long man out of the pen.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers very well should be in my list of possible buyers who would be just fine standing pat, but these are the new Dodgers who are never satisfied. Their big spending ways combined with the fact that they may make trades just to keep their rival Giants from getting who they need make me believe they will be buyers at the deadline.
Possible Buyers
There are five teams in the playoff hunt that I believe stand pat. Any of the four could make a move for a minor addition, especially if they suffer a tough injury. The Oakland Athletics (recently acquired Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel), Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers all have solid teams all-around and could easily make a run at the playoffs without making a move at all.
Sellers
Tampa Bay Rays
9.5 games out of first place and 12 games under .500. It is safe to say this is a lost season for the Rays and they have a lot of pieces teams will be interested in at the deadline. Look for names like the aforementioned Price and Erik Bedard to be floated around for teams looking for starting pitching as well as struggling closer Grant Balfour for teams in need of help in the bullpen. They also have hitters Ben Zobrist and David DeJesus who could bring back good prospects.
Houston Astros
The Astros always seem to be sellers, and although I think they won’t be soon they sure are this season. The have two veteran arms, Scott Feldman and Chad Qualls, who could be on the move and in a surprise I think they could move Chris Carter as well now that they have Jonathan Singleton at first and the outfield seems to be set. While it could be unlikely that they trade Carter who is still five years away from free agency, his power could bring back a huge haul if they do not want to pay him in arbitration this offseason.
Chicago Cubs
Jeff Samardzija was the prize in the bottom of the cracker jack for most teams looking for pitching help and the cubs always seem to have veteran position players that could help a team out. Now that he has been traded with Jason Hammel to the A's, the Cubs still have a few players available.
Nate Schierholtz isn’t having the same season that made him a hot commodity last trade deadline, but he could be a name floated around along with Ryan Sweeney for teams in need of solid outfielders. James Russell was another name that was hot last trade deadline that could be floated around this season because of the need for solid lefties in nearly every bullpen in the league.
San Diego Padres
The Padres fired their general manager in the middle of the season and whoever takes over will be tasked with rebuilding this team, and fast. Their most notable players that they may be willing to trade aren’t going to bring back the haul they once would have, but they could get nice returns from Ian Kennedy and closer Huston Street.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies made some moves this offseason in hopes of making some noise in the National League West, but like it seems to do every season the injury bug reared its ugly head. Expect hitters Michael Cuddyer (If he can get healthy in time), Justin Morneau, Brandon Barnes and Drew Stubbs to be floated around. The only notable pitcher they have that teams may be interested in, and they might be willing to trade, is closer LaTroy Hawkins.
Possible Sellers
There are a lot of teams that could make moves but may be close enough at the break that they don’t make a move. The Minnesota Twins may move Josh Willingham, but with his struggles they may not get what they want for him. The Philadelphia Phillies will be rumored to be trading multiple of their veterans, but if the past is an indication of the future they will stand pat again.