Important Trade Deadline Deals

By Justin Raley, Senior Baseball Analyst

We are nearing the start of July and the MLB trade deadline is fast approaching. Teams that are on the borderline of a playoff run might need that one piece that could help boost them into a wild card spot or to be able to take their division. Sometimes these additions could be one season rentals, like the Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs trade, or long-term additions. Either way, the trade deadline can make or break you. Here are a few deals that I think need to be done at the deadline if that teams wants to be playing in October.

Manny Machado to the Arizona Diamondbacks:

At this point, the Orioles are losing value the longer they hold on to Machado. During the offseason, the Orioles wanted a ridiculous package for him and still do now. The longer they wait, the less they will get for him. The D-backs are a team that desperately needs productions from the left side of their infield. Shortstop Nick Ahmed is hitting .216 and third baseman Jake Lamb is hitting .228. Lamb, was a monster last year and has quickly taken a plunge downward. The Dbacks could make a giant upgrade at each position with the addition of Machado. They could afford to give up top position-player prospect, Pavin Smith, who is blocked at first base by Paul Goldschmidt. This move could give the Diamondbacks the edge they need to win the NL West or lockdown a wild card spot.

Jed Lowrie to the Boston Red Sox

As someone who’s spent time in Boston before, Lowrie would be the perfect infield rental. With Dustin Pedroia hurt and Eduardo Nunez posting a horrific .634 OPS, the Red Sox could use a cheap upgrade and Lowrie could very well be that. He would only be a rental, so the Sox won’t have to use the top tier of their farm systems. He is hitting .281 with 11 home runs. He would provide some steady offensive production to give the Red Sox some more consistency.

Houston Astros acquire some left-handed bullpen help:

The Astros bullpen ranks second in Major League Baseball with a 2.64 ERA. However, this good bullpen has only one left handed option, Tony Sipp. They don’t necessarily need the help, but another arm coming out of the bullpen could only better an already stacked team. The most likely option is Brad Hand of the San Diego Padres. He owns a 2.82 ERA, 21 saves and 13.1 strikeouts per 9 innings. He also has an affordable contract that goes through 2021 with a team option. The price to get him could be high. The reward could even be higher.

Los Angeles Angels acquire a starting pitcher:

The Angels had a solid starting rotation until Shohei Ohtani and Garrett Richards landed themselves on the DL. In order to fight for a wild card spot, the Angels might go shopping. One possible acquisition could be Pittsburgh Pirates right handed pitcher, Ivan Nova. He struggled to start the year but has quickly turned it around in the month of June with an 0.92 ERA. He is signed through 2019 and wouldn’t likely force the Angels to go to deep into their farm system.

Yankees vs. Red Sox: Trade Deadline Edition

The Red Sox and Yankees are neck and neck and have been all year. The trade deadline could be a very important separation point for the two. I think whoever wins the trade deadline will win the division and possibly have the edge in the playoffs. In my mind, the Red Sox need to bring in a good infielder (Jed Lowrie or Manny Machado) and the Yankees need to acquire a solid bullpen arm or a starter. Whoever goes out and makes the move could very well see themselves passing the other.