With the contenders beginning to separate themselves from the pack, it will soon be time for the contenders to look for ways to upgrade their rosters to make a push towards the playoffs. Here are 10 players who could be available in the trade market and why it would make sense for their current teams to trade them:
1. Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Angels
The Angels aren’t expected to make the playoffs this year, so as the deadline approaches, expect them to make Jansen available to teams looking for late-inning upgrades.
2. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Sandy has had a rough season so far, but as a former Cy Young award winner, he will have value on the trade market for pitching-hungry teams.
3. Luis Robert, Chicago White Sox
Robert is the White Sox biggest star, and the fact that they are a last-place team, it would make sense for them to trade him for future assets.
4. Cedric Mullins, Baltimore Orioles
Unless the Orioles have a drastic turnaround, this will be a lost season for them. Mullins is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, so trading him for future assets is the right move.
5. Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates
Reynolds has been a mainstay in Pittsburgh for years, but he is getting older, and he won’t be part of their next competitive team. Trading him to a playoff contender in need of a switch-hitting OF or DH is smart.
6. Kyle Finnegan, Washington Nationals
Finnegan is toward the league lead in saves this season, and once the Nationals come to the realization that they won’t be making the postseason, they will look to trade him to potential contenders.
7. David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates
Bednar had a tough start to the season but has since returned to be a solid back-end of the bullpen arm. Playoff teams can never have enough quality pitching in the bullpen, so some contender will want to add him.
8. Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies
He is one of the few veterans on the Rockies who has any trade value. He can play 3B, 1B, and 2B, and is a great defender at all three positions. Anyone looking for a left-handed veteran bat will be in the market for McMahon.
9. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
This one seems kind of unlikely due to how large Trout’s contract is, however, if the Angels are willing to pay some of it down or the cost to acquire Trout is lowered because of his salary, moving him to a contender would be the smart move for a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in many years.
10. Charlie Morton, Baltimore Orioles
Morton hasn’t pitched well for the Orioles, but he does have plenty of playoff experience and success and would be a cheap, veteran addition, whether it be at the back end of the rotation or in middle relief for a contender.
