This Year’s MLB Trade Deadline Has More Finality, and More Players Could Be on the Move

Major League Baseball’s trade deadline in July has always been more of a guideline than a hard deadline. Trades were always still allowed in August, as long as the players involved cleared waivers first before being traded.

That longtime rule no longer exists, though, so 4 p.m. on July 30 this year will serve as an actual deadline for teams that want to either improve or hasten a rebuild before the season ends.

The new rule obviously could have some impact not only on MLB odds in the form of pennant races, as no player can be exchanged via trade in August anymore. That’s a significant change, as historically several franchise-altering trades have been made past the July “deadline” in August of previous seasons.

It will require teams to make quicker evaluations on what they’re needs are, whether they’re buyers or sellers, and, perhaps, hasten a more active July deadline than has existed in the recent past. With several division races also close, there are a lot more teams than normal who consider themselves contenders right now.

One trade has already happened as teams start to emerge from the All-Star break. The Atlanta Braves acquired Joc Pederson from the Cubs for prospect Bryce Ball. The Cubs are eight games back in the NL Central and fading fast – they lost eight of their last 10 games heading into the All-Star break.

Atlanta, meanwhile, still has a rotation and lineup capable of contending. They’re four games back in the wide-open NL East, they have solid starting pitching, and although Pederson doesn’t address their immediate need of better bullpen play, he does address a pressing one. The Braves lost star Ronald Acuna Jr for the season due to a knee injury. Pederson won’t replace his production, but he’ll help.

Pederson is hitting just .230 with 11 home runs this season, but he’s still just 29 and hit 36 home runs for the Dodgers in 2019, so he can help replace some of Acuna’s power.

Here are five other players who could get traded as the July 30 deadline approaches.

Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel, Chicago Cubs

Trading Pederson has already tipped Chicago’s hand that they’ll be selling at the deadline, and Bryant could be the next big-name veteran that gets moved.

Bryant is hitting .271 with 16 home runs this season. He’s also just 29 and entering free agency in the offseason, so a team acquiring him would be taking a big gamble that he might only be a short-term rental as many teams will be interesting in signing him after the season ends.

The New York Mets are reportedly interested, though. New York has an elite, championship-caliber pitching staff and a pedestrian offense. They’re unafraid to gamble on an impending free agent, and they also have the resources to offer him a big contract if the fit is good if they acquire him in a trade.

Cubs stars Kimbrel and Anthony Rizzo could also be candidates to be moved if Chicago commits to a big rebuild rather than just a retooling. The Boston Red Sox reportedly have interest in Kimbrel.

Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies

Colorado already parted with one star in the offseason when they sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis. Many MLB executives believe they’ll look to move Story next to add to their rebuild.

The Rockies have been adamant they won’t trade him, but that won’t stop other teams from assuming he’s available and making offers.

Story is hitting just .249 this season, well below his career average. But he had 37 and 35 home runs respectively in 2018 and 2019. He’s just 28, and he’s clearly one of the biggest impact players on the market.

Story has been a fixture in trade rumors, which could contribute to his down numbers. Expect him to perk up if he’s moved into a pennant race. He also has the talent to swing a race in favor of whatever team acquires him.

Joey Gallo, Texas Rangers

Although he’s said he wants to stay, he probably doesn’t fit in the long-term plans for the rebuilding team. He’s a great power hitter who has 24 home runs this season, and he could help any of several power-deficient teams still in contention.

The New York Yankees are hanging on the fringes of contention, eight games out in the AL East, and are also dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak on their team. They reportedly are interested in trading for Gallo in an effort to save what has been a disappointing season.

Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

Washington is probably in no rush to trade one of the most successful players in franchise history and a key part of their recent World Series win. But Scherzer is aging, he’s an impending free agent, and Washington has lost eight of their last 10 games.

The problem for the Nats is that, even with their struggles, they still are only six games out in the competitive NL East. So they’ll have to evaluate whether it is better to hang onto Scherzer and hope a hot streak can vault them back into contention or risk losing him for nothing and still not having enough to catch the Mets in the division.

The Braves, Cardinals, Giants, and Yankees are among the teams that have some level of interest in trading for this year’s NL All-Star starter. The Nats did recently trade a veteran reliever in Kyle Lobstein, so that could signify they might be more inclined to sell than buy at the deadline.