The trade deadline marks the point where teams look at themselves and ask the question: Are we buyers or sellers? For the sellers, the trade deadline sometimes means the end of an era for star players and fan favorites, all in an effort to bring in younger pieces.
These sellers could begin the rebuilding process this month, trading away the past in return for the future. Here’s a look at some teams that should start the process now, blowing up their rosters to commit to the future.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have a handful of players that have been in trade talks over the past few weeks, including Cole Hamels, Chase Utley and Cliff Lee. Each player is over 30 and on the decline, but still has value in the trade market.
The Phillies are 10 games out of first place in the NL East and don’t look to have any momentum going. And after two straight non-winning seasons, the team could use these pieces to pick up key prospects.
With the team’s average age at 29.7, fifth in the league, the Phillies need to get younger quickly. This trade market should be the first step. Visions of the 2008 World Series are in the rearview mirror and the Phillies know that.
New York Yankees
The Yankees are in prime position for a makeover, as they have the highest team age (30.6), but there a few pieces that can be built around. New signings like Jacoby Ellsbury and Masahiro Tanaka, along with Brett Gardner could form a nucleus that the Yankees could feature for years to come.
The Yankees are struggling in part because their veterans are struggling mightily. Mark Teixeira, Brian Roberts and Carlos Beltran are aging and batting under .250 for the season. Not to mention, these players are taking million out of the team’s budget.
Then there’s the pitching staff. CC Sabathia is been vastly disappointing this season, given he’s still under his eight-year, $182 million deal. With a young core of starters, including Tanaka, Chase Whitley, Michael Pineda and Shane Greene, the Yankees could afford to say goodbye to Sabathia. However, the realistic time to blow it up is 2017, where both Teixeira and Sabathia will be free agents.
Boston Red Sox
Yes, it’s true: The Yankees and Red Sox should both begin to rebuild. It seems unusual that the reigning World Series champions should rebuild, but the Red Sox are 9.5 games back of first place in the AL East and aren’t getting younger.
The Red Sox are the fourth-oldest team in baseball and have many veterans that are disappointing this season. David Ortiz and Shane Victorino are batting under .260 this season, leading to a 25th-ranked offense.
If the Red Sox were to move them or Mike Napoli before the trade deadline, they could get a few prospects in exchange. Pitchers like Jake Peavy and John Lackey could also factor into trade talks before the end of July.
With future stars Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts in the fold, the Red Sox already have a foundation to work with. Trading away key pieces to this roster could put the team in World Series contention in the near future.