Post #61627 - 03/03/2023 08:06:51

MLB trade candidates One hitter and one

The old baseball adage is Memorial Day is when you can begin to obse s over the standings, and this year's division races are unusually close. No division leader had more than a 3 1/2-game lead on Memorial Day this year, and four of the five divisions were within 1 1/2 games. Close division races make for an exciting summer. They also make for an interesting trade deadline. The trade deadline is July 30 this year -- moved the deadline up one day because July 31 is a Saturday with several day games, making trade logistics a headache -- and the tight division races should make for many motivated buyers. That said, Damian Lillard Jersey even with all the close division races, there are plenty of rebuilding teams out there with pieces to sell at the deadline. With that in mind, here are one hitter and one pitcher each team with sub-1.0 percent postseason odds on Memorial Day (per ) should look to trade prior to the July 30 trade deadline. The teams are listed alphabetically. NYM 3B #10 Hitter: IF . The .270-ish on-base percentage the last two years is an eyesore, but Escobar is a switch-hitter with power (top 10 in the NL in homers) who can play second and third bases. He's also a rental ($7.5 million salary this year), so there's not much of a reason for the D-Backs to keep him. The case can be make Arizona should listen to trade offers for and , though they have long-term control, and keeping them would be justifiable. Escobar has a reputation for being an A+ clubhouse guy and is an obvious trade candidate. The and stand out as potential trade suitors. CBS Sports HQ Newsletter Your Ultimate Guide to Every Day in Sports We bring sports news that matters to your inbox, to Carmelo Anthony Jersey help you stay informed and get a winning edge. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. By pre sing sign up, I confirm that I have read and agree to the . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. Sorry! There was an error proce sing your subscription. Pitcher: RHP . Kelly is sneaky valuable. Even after thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, he's a league average innings guy making relatively little this year ($4.25 million) with an affordable club option for next year ($5.25 million). Kelly is not someone who will swing the balance of power in a postseason race, but he represents an upgrade in the No. 4 or 5 rotation spot for many teams, contenders included. His extreme pop-up ways would fit wonderfully with the and all the foul territory in RingCentral Coliseum. PHI SS #8 Hitter: SS . The O's have had a thing for getting better than expected offensive performances from glove-first middle infielders the last few years ( , , etc.), and Galvis is the latest example. The general rule of thumb is don't pay for outlier performance, and Galvis' offense this year is an outlier compared to the rest of his career. That said, it only takes one desperate team to make a trade. Galvis is on a one-year contract and may have played his way into some trade value. The A's and could use him. Pitcher: LHP . A suming ace is off-limits, Scott is the next best trade chip on the pitching staff. Lefties who touch triple digits are always in demand, and Scott's career-long control i sues suggest he's not nece sarily someone to build around going forward. Inevitably, there will be teams that believe they can get Scott's command in order and turn him into an elite lefty reliever. He's under control through 2024 and would appeal to contenders and rebuilders alike. BOS SS #10 Hitter: SS . The obvious trade candidate. , though it doesn't sound like it will sideline him long-term. Although he's having a down year by his standards, Story's track record as a high-end all- Gary Trent Jr. Jersey around player is well-established, and I'm gue sing more than a few contenders would be willing to bet his performance will tick up away from a toxic Rockies environment. Rentals don't fetch ma sive returns anymore, even elite players, but whatever Colorado can get at the deadline figures to be better than the draft pick they'll receive when Story signs elsewhere this winter. The Athletics jump to mind as a club that could use an upgrade as shortstop, and it would be impo sible to upgrade more than with Story. Pitcher: RHP . At this point every player on Colorado's roster should be available, including ace . Mrquez Nassir Little Jersey is under contract through 2023, however, with a club option for 2024, so there's no rush to move him. Gray will become a free agent after the season though, and, at best, he's on the qualifying offer fence. Recouping a draft pick should he sign elsewhere is hardly a guarantee. Gray has rebounded nicely from an ugly, injury-shortened 2020 season, and I'm certain there are several teams eager to see what he looks like outside Coors Field. He's a great under-the-radar target for clubs looking to improve their rotation. DET SP Hitter: OF . The Tigers don't have much to offer at this point. contract is un-tradeable and I don't think they're ready to move younger players like and . Gro sman it is. The switch-hitting on-base guy is owed $10 million total from 2021-22, so he's not a rental nor is he expensive, making him a fit for every contender. You could do a lot worse than plugging this guy in as your leadoff hitter. The , , and currently have a Gro sman-sized hole in their outfield. Pitcher: LHP . Detroit mi sed the opportunity to trade Boyd for maximum value a few years ago, though he's pitched well enough this year, and his spin rates suggest a more analytically inclined organization can help him get to another level. The fact Boyd is under team control next year as an arbitration-eligible player has added appeal. Just about every contender could use Boyd in the rotation. The have a thing for fixing pitchers ( , most notably) and they did originally draft and develop Boyd, so there's a history here. It's a fit. WAS DH #23 Hitter: DH . It has to be Cruz Mario Hezonja Jersey , right? He turns 41 next month and is presumably looking to win his first World Series ring, and I have to think the Twins would be willing to help facilitate that should they remain far out of the race come the deadline. Cruz is still an impact hitter and a great clubhouse leader. The only problem is he's limited to DH, which shrinks the pool of potential trade partners. I'd like to see the Blue Jays get in on this. They need pitching, but there's nothing wrong with adding to a strength, and there would still be plenty of at-bats for , Jr., , , et al even with a Cruz trade. Ther