It’s that time of the year when we sort out teams that have legitimate shots at a World Series title AKA trade deadline sellers and underperforming/mediocre clubs, which simply need some convincing for them to realize that this isn’t the year for them to dream of going to the Fall Classic AKA those teams that should selling. With that said, let’s proceed to a brief review of some of the teams we deem as buyers and sellers.
The Red Sox are on top of the American League East right now. But with only a game ahead of the New York Yankees, you could say that Boston remains in a precarious situation. They’ve gone just 5-8 since the All-Star break and 1-4 in their last five. While they’re still priced at +300 to win the AL pennant, the Red Sox could use an upgrade on the hot corner. That need for a third baseman becomes too obvious when presented with the fact that the Red Sox third basemen have the lowest OPS in the majors per Fangraphs. Too bad for them, the Yankees beat them to former Chicago White Sox slugger, Todd Frazier.
New York Yankees
Speaking of the Yankees, the Bronx Bombers, as mentioned, are hot on the heels of Boston in the AL East and are at +650 to ultimately rule the league. Acquiring Frazier from the White Sox boosted the club’s power but that move doesn’t completely solve the Yankees’ first base woes. The Yankees have the worst first base OPS in the big leagues along with the lowest batting average that currently stands at .182.
Milwaukee Brewers
Go ahead and call the Brewers the surprise team of the season after exceeding expectations—at least during the first half of the season. Projected to win around 73 games prior to the season, the Brewers are now trending towards an 81-81 finish to go with a hopeful 24 percent chance of clinching a postseason berth (per FiveThirtyEight). Surprising performances from the likes of Eric Thames and Jimmy Nelson (DUDE DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION) have made it possible for the Brewers to look like contenders in a season that’s mostly about rebuilding but here they are looking to seize the unexpected opportunity.
Sellers
Baltimore Orioles
With a six percent chance of making the playoffs according to FiveThirtyEight, the Orioles could be thinking of trading some assets and calling it a day. Then again, they’re still in the mix for an AL wild card slot, which could be holding the Birds back from pulling the trigger. Still, there must be tempting offers coming from other contenders in need of bullpen help. The Orioles have Zach Britton and Darren O’Day to dangle in front of those clubs in exchange perhaps for something that would help Baltimore’s starting rotation better since the Orioles’ starters have the worst ERA in the majors.
Toronto Blue Jays
It might be hard for Blue Jays to stomach the fact that their Blue Jays suck these days after some years of relative success and postseason appearances. But at only 48-54 this season and sulking at the bottom of the division along with the Orioles, Toronto might have to start thinking of their long-term future at the expense of this season’s World Series title hopes, which looks grim in the first place.
New York Mets
Has there been an unluckier team in baseball this season than the Mets? The team has been ravaged with injuries to many of its key players—a big reason why the Mets have sunk to 13.5 games behind of the Washington Nationals for supremacy in the National League East. With the way the Nats are playing right now, catching Bryce Harper and company is next to impossible for the bumbling Mets, who’ve already fired a shot signaling their seller status at the trade deadline by giving away Lucas Duda to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a pitching prospect.
