We are less than two weeks into the season, and most teams still have playoff aspirations. What better time to examine which players are prime candidates for the MLB Trade Deadline. It’s hard to say for certain which teams will be selling and which teams will be buying. However, the following players could be up for grabs by the August 1st trade deadline.
Bryan Reynolds – OF Pittsburgh Pirates
It is completely possible that by the time you read this, Reynolds is inked to a brand new $100+ million extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The two sides did reportedly agree to the money when it came to a new deal. However, at the time of this article there is no deal and Reynolds did request a trade in the offseason after all.
There are multiple reasons Reynolds is such an attractive trade piece for an interested team. Reynolds has a career .284 batting average and multiple 20+ home run seasons. He is also under team control through the 2026 season. The reason Reynolds is so attractive to potential buyers is the exact reason the Pirates haven’t been willing to trade him up to this point. It was rumored in the offseason the Pirates had a “Soto like” asking price for Reynolds. Reynolds’ hot start to the season makes things interesting for all parties. It could be tougher for the Pirates to extend him, and keep their asking price high in any trade. Reynolds is 28 years old, and the Pirates would love to keep him as a core member for the foreseeable future to go along with current teammates Oneal Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes.
A league-best FIVE homers in seven games to start the season for Bryan Reynolds! pic.twitter.com/4kY6c9mCQV
—MLB (@MLB) April 7, 2023
Corbin Burnes–SP Milwaukee Brewers
Corbin’s inclusion on this list may be a bit of a shocker to some. Why would a team that made the playoffs four out of the last five years look to trade their ace and former Cy Young winner? For starters, Corbin Burnes is a free agent in 2025. It seems unlikely the Milwaukee Brewers will sign him longterm considering their payroll restrictions. Seemingly every contender is looking for starting pitching at the deadline. The Brewers could have the most sought after player in Burnes if made available. But it’s more than just his contract that makes Burnes a potential trade candidate.
This past offseason, Burnes voiced his displeasure of the way his arbitration case was handled by the team. Burnes stated that it seemed the Brewers blamed him for their missing out of the 2022 playoffs. There is no doubt that other teams’ antennas went up hearing this. Even if the Brewers are still in playoff contention at the deadline, they may feel the pressure to cash in on their ace’s value while they can.
Every fear that going to an arbitration hearing against Corbin Burnes could harm his relationship with the Brewers was founded.
“There’s no denying that the relationship is definitely hurt from what [transpired],” Burnes said. pic.twitter.com/Xv8DFyiKde
—Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 16, 2023
CJ Cron – 1B Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are in a confusing position. Last offseason they spent big on free agent Kris Bryant. However, they are in the same division as the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. Many have the Rockies picked to finish last in the NL West, and early play suggest that to be a fair pick. The Rockies also have a fairly weak farm system, and don’t have a ton of trade pieces to help that. This is where CJ Cron comes in. Cron is coming off an All-Star season in which he hit 29 home runs. He is also on the final year of a two-year deal he signed last year. The Rockies could look to strengthen their farm system by moving the power-hitting first baseman. There should be no shortage of suitors, as many teams will be looking for a right-handed power bat to lengthen their lineup.
Congratulations, @CCron24! pic.twitter.com/vAYs8v2NHU
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 3, 2023
Jesus Luzardo – SP Miami Marlins
Like the Rockies, the Marlins are in a tough spot. They spent money last offseason, bringing in Avisaíl García and Jorge Soler. They probably have buyer’s remorse for both contracts a year later. The Marlins are flush with starting pitching, and have been looking for bats. They traded away Pablo López in the offseason for Luis Arraez to help their lineup, but that’s not enough. They are still a ways away from contending with division rivals New York Mets, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. Jesus Luzardo may help close the gap.
Luzardo is a young left-handed pitcher with electric stuff, and isn’t a free agent until 2027. The Marlins have been hesitant to spend recently outside of Soler and Garcia. Trading a controllable asset like Luzardo may seem counterproductive. However, similar to Burnes, Luzardo would bring in a haul that could strengthen an already decent farm system as well as impact major leaguers. The Marlins would have every right to request an impact bat or two (like Arraez), and a couple top-tier minor leaguers. A team with World Series aspirations may see Luzardo as the missing piece to their rotation. If that’s the case, they may be willing to meet the high asking price the Marlins would have.
Jesus Luzardo, Back to Back 99mph ⛽️⛽️✝️🦎 pic.twitter.com/0d0YLUbqEB
—Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 5, 2023
Tim Anderson – SS Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox were one of the most disappointing teams of 2022. They were a popular pick to make and/or win the World Series, and fell well short at 81-81 and missing the playoffs. This year there is renewed hope with the firing of Tony La Russa in the offseason, and hopes of a healthy season from a few key contributors. However, they have already had to place Eloy Jiménez on the IL, and are in a tough division with the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians. So what happens if the White Sox fight once again?
Shortstop Tim Anderson has a club option of $14 million for next season, and is set to be a free agent after the 2024 season. The two-time All-star could be a prime candidate at the trade deadline if the White Sox find themselves out of contention. The White Sox don’t have a strong farm system and may find more value in potential trade returns for Anderson than keeping him around another season. The team could look to either strengthen their farm system, or bring in major league ready talent to try and compete again next year. After all, the White Sox have a roster that if healthy should be able to compete with anyone. Although it may seem unlikely to trade the heart of the team, it wouldn’t be surprising.
Tim Anderson doubles off the wall, steals third and then Andrew Vaughn drives him in… 1-0 Sox pic.twitter.com/AeXNos88Bm
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) April 7, 2023
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