It’s finally trading season, and as trading activity begins to pick up, we took another round of subscriber questions on Tuesday in preparation for the final weekend before trading season. Trade DeadlineWe discussed the seller’s market, teams that surprised me, updates on big-name targets, and more.
Note: Questions have been edited for clarity and length.
With a strong seller’s market, do you foresee any surprise teams or players joining the mix? — Jake M.
I agree that it’s definitely a seller’s market. The Rays, Marlins and Nationals are all Randy Arozarena, AJ Puk and Hunter HarveyThe team that was most surprised by the switch to sales was: Cubs and GiantsThe Cubs have had numerous discussions with teams regarding starting pitching. Jameson Tyrone Relief pitcher Hector Neris and Mark Leiter Jr. The Giants are in limbo Blake Snell, Alex Cobb, Mike Yastrzemski, Michael Conforto and Wilmer FloresSuch.
What would trade look like? Cardinals Will the Giants acquire Snell? — Patrick R.
I think there must be a key player in the Snell trade that will be named later, because it’s unclear if he will receive his 2025 salary ($30 million) or go back to free agency. And that decision will likely depend on how he pitches late in the season and whether he can come off the disabled list for the remainder of the season. As for the question of a possible move of Snell to St. Louis, the first return could be one of the Cardinals’ top pitching prospects, such as Gordon Graceffo or Brian Holidayand perhaps include one of the minor league table-setters, such as an outfielder. Travis HoneymanAs well as PTBNL, who was selected in the third round in 2023. Astros, twins and Red Sox That would make the most sense as a landing spot for Snell if he were traded.
What do you think the Giants will do next? — Johnny M.
I don’t think the Giants are going to make the playoffs, so they should sell, which is exactly what they’re doing now. Garret Crochet Currently, it is unlikely to be traded. DetroitAsking price for Tarik Skubal Snell is probably too expensive to move, but he could be the best starting pitcher available at the trade deadline, so a trade would make a lot of sense. The Giants are the fourth-best team in the NL West and I don’t see that changing this year, so now is the time to lower their salary for the rest of the year and restructure for 2025 and beyond.
of Mets The big turnaround will make them a team to watch over the next few days. Could they be aggressive buyers? — Sam Z.
The Mets are playing like a playoff team, so they need to shift to acquiring an upgrade to their starting rotation like Snell rather than making minor purchases for a relief pitcher at the deadline. Jack Flaherty Or Erik Fedde.
Together Latest trends in crochetDo you think he’ll be traded before the deadline? White Sox Wait until the offseason? – Julian W.
I don’t think any team is going to sign him now that he doesn’t have to sign a five-year contract in the offseason, so I think there’s a good chance he’ll stay. Dodgers And I wouldn’t be opposed to them making a trade to acquire him and paying him whatever he wants, but my guess is he’ll stay with the White Sox through the winter.
Going deeper
Trading for Garrett Crochette: Which team (and prospect package) could acquire him?
What do you think will happen to Flaherty in the end? — Louis G.
Of all the starting pitchers traded at the deadline, I think he’ll be the best pitcher for the rest of the season. He’ll fit on any team that’s contending for a championship. If he gets traded, the three most likely teams are the Astros, Braves, or Dodgers.
you Blue Jays Trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Beau Bichette By deadline? — Name Unknown
They’re not going to trade Guerrero or Bichette at the deadline. That’s it. No further discussion. Let’s move on!
I love the Front Office Show! I watch it every week! I’m a big Tigers fan, but I’m worried that they won’t take any steps at this trade deadline to make the team better in the future. What are the chances of the trade you proposed? Tarik Skubal trades to the Orioleswhat will happen? — John G.
Thank you for supporting our award-winning Front Office Show, which airs Sundays from 10am-1pm on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio. I appreciate it! I’m glad you liked my trade ideas, but apparently Orioles I wasn’t too keen on Skubal as he will likely remain with the Tigers, but I think Detroit would get a strong return for Flaherty and is probably closer. Jason Foley.
Who are the players no one is publicly talking about that are going to be moved? And if there are, will the front office do something to “surprise” fans? (The Cubs, for example, have hinted at taking a “play 25 years” approach, but anything could happen.) Christian Yelich injury –And then all of a sudden, they were told to zig-zag and they zig-zag. –Chad C.
Chad, I like that question. Brandon Lowe of Raise or Brian de la Cruz of Marlins I’ll answer the first part. And for the second part, Red Maybe they could surprise fans with a “buyer vs. buyer” type deal.
Pirate Acquisitions: CF Jazz Chisholm Jr., OF Brian De La Cruz, RHP Declan Cronin
Marlins acquire: SS Mitch Jebb, LHP Michael Kennedyof Torres GonzalesC.F. Bae Ji Hwan and RHP Josh Fleming
— Michael A.
The Marlins said no, which isn’t good enough for their side of the proposed trade.
Pittsburgh needs hitting and bullpen reinforcements and has a lot of pitching talent on the way, so why not send in a right-hander from the Pirates? Braxton Ashcraft and LHP Hunter Vulko As a relief pitcher for the Nationals Kyle Finnegan Outfielder Lane ThomasI think the framework for this trade would work, even if it meant swapping a Pirates pitcher for another in the prospect pool. — Joseph G.
I think this trade is good for both teams. Great idea, Joseph G!
Hello, Jim. Final mailbagI asked Rangers You said they could have pulled off an upset when they were down by six games, but probably not given the position they were in at the time. After winning five straight, they’re now down by 2.5 games. weak Mariners Astros: How much do you think their stance will change going into the trade deadline and who do you think they’ll target? Brent Rooker or Yandy Diaz— Liam M.
The Rangers are certainly looking for a hitter — perhaps a left-handed outfielder or designated hitter, or maybe a right-handed platoon hitter — and possibly adding a relief pitcher.
Which trade candidates are Yankees Who is most likely to be acquired? And what assets will they offer in exchange? — Moishe U.
The Yankees’ biggest offensive need is a third baseman, and the Rays Isaac ParedesRockies Ryan McMahon And the Marlins Jake Burger It’s possible, but in the long run they could target a player like the Reds’ second baseman. Jonathan India Or the Marlins Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Orioles Ryan Mountcastle and Judd Fabian To the Astros for Ryan Pressly and balance-of-ball candidates? — Jacob S.
Good for the Orioles, bad for the Astros. If I were Houston, I wouldn’t trade Pressly. Instead, I would use all my trade assets to acquire another starting pitcher and possibly another relief pitcher. Additionally, I think it’s more likely the Astros will acquire Yandy Diaz in a trade with the Rays to improve their first base situation.
Many division leaders have posted losing records recently. Will this change the front office’s approach? Guardian Specifically (but I’m curious about the topic in general). – Kyle M.
Don’t worry about the recent winning or losing streak of the division leader. They are in first place, and their wins and losses will be a rollercoaster of ups and downs throughout the 162-game season. If they are in first place today, they can win the division, and nothing will change in the big picture. (Of course, as a GM, you are always gathering information on the team and making adjustments.) That being said, if the Guardians want to sleep easy, they need a starting pitcher and another middle hitter in the lineup. Twins vs. Royals It won’t go away.
It makes sense for the Cubs to be sellers. But what if they do the opposite and trade away some minor league surplus players who are blocked at the major league level to get a slugger like Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? We may never get a starting pitching staff this good again. Who knows what will happen if they make the playoffs. What do you think? — Eric M.
I don’t agree with the Cubs’ decision to give up and sell their season. They entered Friday just 5.5 games out of a wild-card spot in a National League dominated by mediocrity. Their starting pitchers have the third-best ERA in the National League. If they addition Adding two relief pitchers and two hitters, plus an offensive upgrade at catcher, should put the Cubs in a playoff spot. They’re about the same number of games behind the Rays and Giants in the standings, but they’re on a much better path than either of them. I’m not saying the Cubs should trade top prospects to get these players, but trading mid-level prospects to improve is the route I’d take.
As for Guerrero, he won’t be traded, and even if he was, the Cubs would have to trade their best prospect to acquire him, which would contradict what they’ve done as a franchise for the last five years.
Do you think it would make sense for the Yankees to evaluate the trade market? Clay Holmes Then they’ll use some of the prospects they acquired for him (and some of their own players) to replace him with a young closer who can strike out batters. Mason Miller From the Athletics? I don’t think the Yankees should sign Holmes to a long-term deal to be their closer after this season. — Joe L.
Trading Holmes is not the answer. Tanner Scott Or angel Carlos Estevez Besides Holmes, Miller is the Yankees’ top play right now, and he also won’t be traded at this year’s trade deadline.
What are the rules for teams to use the “Player to be named later” designation? Mariners and Rays— Mike B. … Good question. I’ve always been curious how much flexibility teams have in deciding who their PTBNL is. — Lance R.
Players to be named at a later date must be identified within six months of the trade taking place. In most cases, the teams agree on a list of potential players the receiving club can choose from. There may be multiple lists for the club to choose from depending on whether the traded player does not go on the disabled list, the team makes the playoffs, wins a playoff series, or wins the World Series. The PTBNL cannot be a player on the IL at the time of the trade, nor a player who was on the 40-man roster the previous season; the player becomes a minor league prospect or questionable player. There is also another clause that allows for a cash consideration to be exchanged instead if the teams cannot agree on a player, which must be renegotiated before any deal involving the PTBNL can be finalized.
Going deeper
Bowden: Seven trades to see at the deadline, starting with the big Yankees-Rays trade
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MLB Trade Deadline Q&A: Bowden discusses trade scenarios and latest buzz
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MLB All 30: One week left, bold trade deadline predictions for each team
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MLB front offices are feeling the most and least pressure this trade deadline
(Photo of Blake Snell by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
