As of publishing this, we are under a week until the MLB trade deadline.
Will we see some big names move area codes? Will one of them be Shohei Ohtani? Shouldn’t the Los Angeles Angels trade him if they’re not going to re-sign him in the winter?
OK, it’s not just about Ohtani (although the buzz is mostly about him). It’s also about which teams can get the most in deals for those aforementioned big names, and which contenders can upgrade in the hopes of winning a World Series.
With that in mind, it’s time for our annual take on what every team should do: Buy now, sell now, or hold on to what they’ve got?
Let’s go:
1
Baltimore Orioles: Buy
There is a time to hold on to all your prospects, and then there’s a time to shove all-in when you’re contending in a tough division. Now’s the time for the latter, especially with a deep farm system.
2
Tampa Bays Rays: Buy
They need pitching and they’re contending. Easy call.
3
Toronto Blue Jays: Hold
Feels like they don’t need much right now despite the fact that they’re in third place in the AL East.
4
Boston Red Sox: Sell
They just sent Kike Hernandez to the Dodgers, which might reveal what they’re doing by Tuesday. But this is a team in the Wild Card hunt … so why sell? Because are they really going to win a title this year? If they miss the playoffs in a hotly contested Wild Card race, they may look back and regret not trading someone like Adam Duvall.
5
New York Yankees: Hold
I say you hold here. Aaron Judge is coming back … at some point. You can’t buy too much and you can’t be a seller (there aren’t a lot of attractive trade pieces there right now). So, stay.
6
Minnesota Twins: Buy
If you lead your division now? It’s time to upgrade.
7
Cleveland Guardians: Buy
Despite a 50-51 record, they’re in the thick of the AL Central. Go get an offensive upgrade!
8
Detroit Tigers: Sell
A GREAT time to sell with Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Lorenzen pitching well. That said, this team is better than you think!
9
Chicago White Sox: Sell
They’re 20 games under .500. If it ain’t nailed down, sell it.
10
Kansas City Royals: Sell
See above. SELL SELL SELL.
11
Texas Rangers: Buy
They’re so good already but could use more.
12
Houston Astros: Buy
If they want to keep up with the Rangers, they need arms. Badly.
13
Los Angeles Angels: Sell
This is going to come down to Tuesday. If they’re below or around .500, it’s easier to pull the plug. But they need to trade Shohei Ohtani if they’re not certain they can re-sign him. I made a case for this weeks ago.
14
Seattle Mariners: Buy
With a caveat: Not TOO much buying. But they could get hot and be a dangerous playoff team if they get to the postseason.
15
Oakland A's: Sell
Yep.
16
Atlanta Braves: Hold
I mean, they could paint at the fringes with their roster, but generally this team is primed to make a run.
17
Philadelphia Phillies: Buy
They’ve done just enough to get into the Wild Card mix, so adding some depth should help.
18
Miami Marlins: Buy
It’s been the same story for them for years: The pitching is good, the hitting is not. And maybe they buy for the first time in a while.
19
New York Mets: Sell
Welp. An awful season means it’s time to sell off whatever they can. Someone’s going to want Max Scherzer and/or Justin Verlander (if he waives his no-trade clause to allow it).
20
Washington Nationals: Sell
Yep. They stink. Sell whatever you can, including Jeimer Candelario.
21
Milwaukee Brewers: Buy
Got to keep the Reds away from their No. 1 spot in the NL Central somehow.
22
Cincinnati Reds: Buy
They have SO MANY good prospects, many of whom are with the big league club. But they may have to trade Jonathan India for some rotation help.
23
Chicago Cubs: Sell
An intriguing team … in a couple of years. Best to sell now.
24
St. Louis Cardinals: Sell
It’s a FIRE SALE!
25
Pittsburgh Pirates: Sell
Sadly, they may have to trade closer David Bednar now, the return could be REALLY good.
26
Los Angeles Dodgers: Buy
Hey, how about a deal for that Ohtani guy?
27
Arizona Diamondbacks: Buy
This is what they SHOULD do. WILL they do it? Hmmm.
28
San Francisco Giants: Buy
How does this team keep doing this every year? And now they need to buy if they want to stay in the Wild Card race.
29
San Diego Padres: Sell
Like the Mets above, it’s time to sell off in a disappointing season.
30
Colorado Rockies: Sell
Ugh. Trade every vet you can.
