The trade deadline is fast approaching, and this year, there are a few teams in the mix that most did not expect to do much damage in 2023.
In the National League, those teams are the Cincinnati Reds, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Miami Marlins.
On MLB Network, Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo discussed these three teams and how they have been surprise contenders, as well as what to expect from them at the deadline.
He also made an important prediction, that these three teams are going to be in the spotlight in the coming weeks as the deadline inches closer.
This year’s trade deadline takes place on Tuesday, August 1.
These 3️⃣ NL teams will be in the spotlight as the trade deadline approaches! ⬇️#HighHeat | @MadDogUnleashed pic.twitter.com/zoWkwQqgeL
—MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 23, 2023
Russo first discussed the Reds and how playing in a weak division has helped them out some.
He noticed that the ownership group and the fanbase don’t always see eye to eye, but that this could be an opportunity for them to regain the fanbase’s trust.
The Reds are in need of bullpen help and a starting pitcher or two and they have the prospects to pull something off, as Russo notes.
Russo then focused on the D-Backs, who were expected to be better than they were last year, but not in the position they’re in now.
Arizona leads the NL West and owns the second-best record in the NL.
Russo pointed out that starting pitching is their biggest weakness and that they need to build a better rotation around Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
With the Marlins, their offense is “sporadic,” as Russo put it.
They also could use a little pitching.
They added Luis Arraez in the offseason, who is hitting around .400 at the moment.
Russo predicted that these teams are going to be teams to watch as the deadline approaches.
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