MLB Buyers and Sellers: Time To Go “All In”
The MLB teams that go “all in” are usually the teams with the best records. Contenders will seek to gain any advantage they can in order to position themselves for postseason success. A few teams who will be looking to buy are the Yankees, Twins, Dodgers, and Braves.
The Bronx Bombers’ Pursuit of Contact
The Yankees are currently battling the Tampa Bay Rays for sole possession of first place in the AL East and could use another player who can hit for average with a high on-base percentage. The Bronx Bombers have three attractive assets they could put on the market. Infielders George Lombard Jr., Dax Kilby, and pitcher Carlos Lagrange are considered to be their top minor leaguers. The Yanks could decide to trade multiple prospects in order to get what they need for the stretch run. They could definitely use a boost in batting average and have also struggled to accumulate hits.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has a reputation for being aggressive on the trade market. A player who could immediately contribute is Luis Arraez. Bringing in the three-time batting champ should boost the team’s overall average and increase their hit total, as he hardly ever strikes out. It gives the team a dependable bat and would also provide protection for Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
A Critical Deadline Decision For the Twins
The Minnesota Twins will have to decide what direction to take before the deadline. Their approach will depend on their postseason outlook. The AL Central is still up for grabs, and if they fail to catch up in the division, making the wild card is still a possibility. They are in contention with the Royals and Guardians, and could recapture the division lead if they can add another quality arm or two to the rotation. The rotational depth has been affected by injuries, as their two best pitchers have recently been on the injured list.
Can the Dodgers Get Any Stronger?
As if the Los Angeles Dodgers don’t already have enough talent, they could be active in the trade market. Any moves made would be geared toward success in the postseason, and like they know from experience, pitching is key in the playoffs. They are one of a few teams who could put together an attractive package in an attempt to get Tarik Skubal, Sandy Alcantara, Freddy Peralta, and Robbie Ray, just to name a few. Adding a frontline starter to their rotation would make them a difficult matchup for any team, as we can expect the front office to pursue upgrades aggressively.
Why the Braves Need to Add at the Deadline
The Atlanta Braves are the most likely threat to the Dodgers in the National League. They have the bats and the arms to compete with the defending world champs, but they will try to upgrade the roster at some point. The team should focus on obtaining depth for the rotation. They shouldn’t be in the market searching for an ace, but a pitcher or two who can eat up innings would be ideal. A reliable fourth or fifth starter would prevent overuse of the bullpen, keeping them fresh for the stretch run.
The front office may also acquire an outfielder who could spell Ronald Acuna Jr. and Michael Harris whenever they need rest. Taylor Ward may be available and is capable of being a “plug-and-play” fit. He would balance the depth and give the Braves a solid option if one of their core players is injured. Byron Buxton is also a player worth considering. The former two-time MLB All-Star would not only provide solid depth but would also provide another power bat in a lineup already stacked with elite hitters.
