Chronicling the AL Contenders as the Trade Deadline Approaches
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The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is at 4 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 31. As that time grows nearer, let's take a look at what buyers and sellers could be doing up until the deadline, starting with American League contenders.
Boston Red Sox
Needs: Second base/third base, bullpen, catcher
Top Prospects (per MLB.com): 3B Michael Chavis, LHP Jay Groome, RHP Tanner Houck, RHP Bryan Mata, 1B Sam Travis
It's difficult to say that a team on pace for 112 wins has many needs. However, 2B Dustin Pedroia is on the disabled list, and there's a chance that he's done for the season. 3B Rafael Devers just returned from the DL yesterday, but he's been statistically modest even when he's been healthy. Tack on a knee injury to utility man Brock Holt (which has his status in limbo) and a down season from Eduardo Núñez, and it becomes clear that the team could use a boost on the infield. It is worth noting that the Red Sox signed veteran Brandon Phillips to a minor league deal in late June, although his current batting average in AAA is .192.
It never hurts to strengthen the bullpen. Their top four relievers (Craig Kimbrel, Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree), have each pitched at least 42 of 100 possible games, making their work rates worth monitoring down the stretch. In order to do so, the rest of the cast will likely need to be beefed up. Then again, when their starting rotation is at full strength, they tend to have six guys for five spots and wind up pushing one to the bullpen as a long man. Also, Tyler Thornburg (whom hadn't suited up for them since he was traded for prior to last season) is finally healthy, and any production from him would be welcomed with open arms, especially if he ascends back into a setup role.
Catcher is more of a want than a need, given the strength of the rest of the lineup and the fact that the men they have in place are strong defensively. With that said, starter Christian Vázquez (who is now on the DL) has a pedestrian .213/.249/.300 slash line, and neither Sandy León nor Blake Swihart have provided much of an upgrade in that area, if any at all.
Houston Astros
Needs: Catcher, bullpen, outfielder
Top Prospects: OF Kyle Tucker, RHP Forrest Whitley, OF/1B Yordan Alvarez, RHP J.B. Bukauskas, SS/3B Freudis Nova
Truthfully, the Astros may not need to do anything at the deadline. Many of their deficiencies can be fixed internally or with realistic improvement from players already in place. The lone spot where that may not hold true is catcher. Brian McCann is aging, as his production will indicate, and he's currently on the DL. Evan Gattis and Max Stassi have acquitted themselves well in his absence, but the former is ideally used as a designated hitter and the latter shouldn't be counted on as more than a backup and is likely due for regression.
The bullpen is good, but not great. There is an easy solution, though — Ken Giles returning to his old form when he returns from his minor league wake-up call.
The team's outfield production has dipped a bit, including a rotation of players in left field. However, Tony Kemp has taken on a role similar to Marwin Gonzalez's last season, and No. 1 prospect Kyle Tucker was recently promoted to take over everyday duties. It's hard to imagine the outfield won't improve, even though it hasn't been that much of a weakness to begin with.
New York Yankees
Needs: Starting pitcher, bullpen, bench bat (possibly internal)
Top Prospects: OF Estevan Florial, LHP Justus Sheffield, RHP Albert Abreu, RHP Chance Adams, RHP Luis Medina
Luis Severino is 14–2, but the rest of the rotation leaves much to be desired. CC Sabathia is a serviceable but not flashy No. 2, Masahiro Tanaka has a tendency to get guys out but still give up too many runs (as evidenced by his 1.13 WHIP and 4.54 ERA, both of which top last year's totals), Sonny Gray has not returned on the investment they made in him since being acquired from Oakland at last year's deadline, and the No. 5 spot has been a revolving door.
The Yankee relievers haven't been as taxed as their rival club's, and the core is stronger. It's also very young, and in turn untested. The back end (Dellin Betances, David Robertson and Aroldis Chapman) should be trusted, but the rest will be a game of wait and see entering the postseason. Adding one more quality veteran could do them some good.
Their lineup is great, and they have solid options behind it. However, at least in their eyes, some of their bench options (particularly Clint Frazier and Brandon Drury) are too good to be on the bench. There may be something to that based on their talent, but they also haven't been optimal in their current roles, causing them to be shuttled between AAA and the big leagues in order to gain some extra reps. That, in turn, has forced Aaron Boone to give Neil Walker more play time than he has deserved, although his versatility certainly helps.
Seattle Mariners
Needs: Center field, first base, catcher, bullpen
Top Prospects: OF Kyle Lewis, 1B Evan White, RHP Sam Carlson, OF Julio Rodriguez, OF Braden Bishop
The Mariners are an exciting story, but they are also rather incomplete. Their biggest need, which wouldn't be a need at all if Robinson Canó hadn't been suspended, is center field. Dee Gordon debuted there, but moved back to second base (where he has played most of his career) in Canó's absence. In his place, Ben Gamel and Guillermo Heredia have gotten the bulk of the reps in center. If you could take Gamel's bat and Heredia's glove and create a player with them, you'd have the answer, but America doesn't have that technology yet.
First base and catcher are much the same. Ryon Healy has gotten the bulk of the work at first, while Mike Zunino has been the go-to man behind the dish. Both are young and possibly underdeveloped, and both have put up serviceable yet less than desirable numbers. They recently promoted Daniel Vogelbach to spell Healy, but neither he nor the team's reserve catchers will likely fix much.
One side note: when Robinson Canó returns, it has been stated that he will split time between first and second base, which would half-fill two of the noted holes (with Gordon moving back to center when necessary). However, he will be ineligible to participate in the postseason, should they get that far. Insert Asdrúbal Cabrera, and that problem may be solved.
The bullpen appears to be weaker than the previously mentioned contenders. It's anchored heavily by closer Edwin Díaz, who is on a record-setting pace for saves. The tradeoff to his success is the fact that he has pitched in 49 of their 99 games. The question of whether he can hold up at that rate during the playoff chase shouldn't even be asked — the answer is no. Short of recently-acquired setup man Alex Colomé, they lack reliable depth, and will have to address it.
Cleveland Indians
Needs: Outfielder, bullpen, bench bat
Top Prospects: RHP Triston McKenzie, RHP Shane Bieber, 3B Nolan Jones, 1B Bobby Bradley, SS Willi Castro
Michael Brantley has returned to nearly his old form after an extremely injury-riddled pair of seasons. The organization definitely has its collective fingers crossed that he holds up, especially considering the struggles of the rest of the outfield. Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall has missed significant time with injuries to both of his calves and could be sidelined for the next two months. The Indians have gotten well below league average production from their center fielders this season. Now, they not only have to fill that hole, but also Chisenhall's. Rajai Davis' better days appear to be behind him, but unless they receive a major revival from any two of Davis, Bradley Zimmer, Brandon Guyer, Tyler Naquin, Greg Allen or recently promoted Melky Cabrera, they'll have to add here.
Scratch that. Zimmer, the most talented of the group, underwent shoulder surgery on Saturday and may be done for the season. Now it's almost certainly a need.
Following the acquisition of Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from San Diego, the bullpen isn't as weak as it once was, and it will only improve when Andrew Miller (who is on a rehab assignment) returns. They also are notorious for shortening the unit immensely during the postseason and using Miller and closer Cody Allen heavily. Hand can now be added to that mix. Nonetheless, their relievers have the worst collective ERA in baseball. Drastic times call for drastic measures, and that could mean adding more than the two pieces they already have.
The need for a bench bat speaks more to the fact that depth in their lineup is inexplicably lacking. José Ramírez and Francisco Lindor are fringy MVP candidates, and Brantley has been solid, but their top OPS otherwise is Edwin Encarnacion's .791 mark, which is above average, but not where it should be. Jason Kipnis has improved every month this season, but still only has a .221/.309/.364 slash line overall, and posted similar marks last season. They may have just promoted a partial resolution in 3B/OF Yandy Díaz, but they likely need more.
Oakland Athletics
Needs: Starting pitcher, center fielder, high-profile bat
Top Prospects: LHP Jesus Luzardo, LHP A.J. Puk, C Sean Murphy, SS/OF Jorge Mateo, OF Austin Beck
As tends to frequently be the case when the A's are good, it's fair to question how. Nothing jumps off the page. This year, much of the answer lies in the bullpen, highlighted by All Star closer Blake Treinen and setup man Lou Trivino (who each have an ERA just over 1.00). That strength is only bolstered by their just-completed trade for Jeurys Familia.
With that said, other areas are lacking, starting with the rotation. Four starters — or at least players they view as such — are currently on the DL, but none of them, nor any of their healthy options, appear suited to be an ace. Sean Manaea may be some day, but he's no more than a No. 2 at this stage in his career, and the rest of their options are borderline replacement level. If they want to make up ground (they're currently three games behind Seattle for the second wild card birth), they have to add a quality arm, and maybe more than one.
The A's lack a solid center fielder, much like the team they're chasing, and they also don't have three All Star position players elsewhere. Jed Lowrie made the team as an injury replacement, and that was it. Khris Davis, in particular, has value as a slugger, but their top hitter for average, excluding Lowrie's .280 mark, is Stephen Piscotty, and he's only hitting .263. Enough said.
Up next, we'll analyze contenders in the National League, where there appears to be a more expansive list of teams, followed by a peak at some of the top available players who could be acquired and logical fits for them.