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MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will definitely be buyer
Submitted by seestyle » Wed 27-Jul-2022, 18:22Subject Area: GeneralKeywords: MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi, MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi, MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi, MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi, MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi, MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi, MLB trade rumors Five NL teams that will defi | 0 member ratings |
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As we mentioned , this year's trade market is going to be a bit strange.
The first place to look for potential midseason trade acquisitions is at the list of potential after-the-season free agents. Well, that list is pretty bare. Front offices will have to get creative.
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But the needs will be there. Teams have playoff pushes to make. On Wednesday, we looked at that will be buyers at the non-waiver trade deadline (it's Aug. 1 this year, because July 31 falls on a Sunday).
Today, we'll look at five NL teams who will be scouring the trade market in search of upgrades. from the Padres. The White Sox game him on Sa ... ay for two prospects and cash considerations.
You'll probably notice the Cubs and Giants aren't here, but that's mostly because they're both (with 9.5 and 5.5-game leads, respectively) and 25-man rosters that are pretty much rock solid (for the Giants, that's applicable from Starling Marte Jersey his hamstring injury in August).
The teams listed here are in more precarious playoff situations, to varying degrees.
Dodgers
Their situation: After a ma sively mediocre May, the Dodgers entered play Sa ... ay in second place in the NL West, 5.5 games behind the Giants. They're a game out of the second wild-card spot.
What they need: Pitching. Lots and lots of pitching. The Randy Johnson Jersey top of the rotation is solid with legend Clayton Kershaw followed by Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda but the last two spots have been a story of injuries and inconsistency. At least there are in-house options, especially if Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-Jin Ryu rebound from "minor" rehab setbacks and rejoin the big club in late June or early July. So for now, we'll focus on the team's need to find more quality relievers behind stud closer Kenley Jansen. That's been an area of much frustration.
Potential targets: The Dodgers won't be the only team looking for relievers leading up to the trade deadline, of course. The race to fortify bullpens is an annual event for contenders. As we looked at earlier this week, guys like Rockies closer Jake McGee or rejuvenated Padres closer Fernando Rodney will likely be top targets. Considering the Dodgers' World Series-or-bust level of expectations and the money they've already put into their payroll, it makes sense they'll be in with whatever big names are out there. Don't be surprised to see them make multiple acquisitions, though, so le s-costly veterans on non-contending teams (like Alexei Ogando in Atlanta or Blaine Boyer in Milwaukee, for example) will probably be considered. Outs in the sixth and seventh innings are important, too.
Mets
Their situation: The Mets entered Sa ... ay owning the first wild-card berth, two games behind the Nationals in Bryce Jarvis Jersey the NL East.
What they need: Their immediate needs are a little different than their long-term needs. For now, we'll look at those of the short-term variety, specifically the absences of first baseman Lucas Duda (back) and catcher Travis d'Arnaud (shoulder). The East division race will be tough all season, and games lost in June count just as much as those lost in September. At the moment, the Mets have six guys on their active roster with a batting average under .200. Yep.
Potential targets: Jonathan Lucroy makes so much sense for the Mets, especially if they were to trade for him sooner than later. While both Duda and d'Arnaud are on the DL, he can play either first base or catcher and be a pretty ma sive temporary upgrade at either position (not to mention he's basically making peanuts, with a $5.25 million club option for 2017). Would it create playing time i sues when both Duda and d'Arnaud come back? Sure, maybe, but the Mets' chances of winning the 2016 (and 2017) World Series would be Steven Souza Jersey better with Lucroy on the roster than without him. The problem is, because Lucroy has that very affordable option for 2017, the Brewers don't have to trade him now (or in July), so the cost won't be cheap. A more reasonably priced option at first from Milwaukee: Chris Carter.
Pirates
Their situation: They're well back of the Cubs in the NL Central (9.5 games entering Sa ... ay), but they own the second NL wild card.
What they need: The Pirates are in an interesting spot in their franchise evolution. After many, many years of being afterthoughts, they've established themselves as perennial playoff contenders (three postseason berths in a row). But the postseason has been an exercise in frustration; they've yet to get to the NLCS. Is this team, as constructed, good enough to get to October? Yes, though is is far from a sure thing (it'll be a tight race to the end of the wild-card chase). To take that next October step, it makes sense that the Pirates need a rotation upgrade. After Gerrit Cole and his 2.72 ERA, the other four members of the rotations have ERAs of 4.33 or above (and FIPs of 4.41 or above). They could bank on exceptionally talented prospects like Jameson Taillon or Tyler Glasnow (both are dominating at Triple-A right Arizona Diamondbacks Jersey now) being those pieces, or they could choose to find veteran rotation upgrades.
Potential targets: They don't need a No. 4 or 5 starter. They need a guy capable of providing seven shutdown innings in a playoff game. They make sense as a team that could go after Atlanta's Julio Teheran, an exceptionally talented right-hander with 112 career MLB starts under his belt. He's under an opt-out free contract that pays him a very reasonable $25.3 million from 2017-19, with a $12 million club option for 2020. That kind of security would be more comforting for the Pirates if they decide to deal a top prospect.
Nationals
Their situation: They're in first place in the NL East by a couple games over the Mets, and have the third-best record in the NL (behind the Cubs and Giants).
What they need: Dusty Baker's team is set up pretty darn well. Its rotation is outstanding, and the bullpen has been excellent. Nats starting position players have been pretty good, with a couple exceptions. Shortstop Danny Espinosa has struggled with the bat (he's hitting .197), but the Nats have a pretty good in-house replacement in rookie Trea Turner, should Baker be forced to play him regularly. Center field has been a problem, though. Manned primarily by Michael Taylor and Ben Revere, Washington's center fielders have a .186 batting average this season (last in the majors) and .535 OPS (next to last). It stands to reason those guys will be better going forward, but if not, something might have to be done.
Potential targets: Should the Astros continue to struggle, they could be willing to deal either Colby Rasmus (who hit .412 with four homers in six playoff games last year) or Carlos Gomez (who has Matt Szczur Jersey struggled this season but w
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