We are only days away from the 2021 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and there are some serious names that could be changing uniforms in the next 4 or 5 days. The moves have, in fact, already begun with Nelson Cruz heading from the Twins to the Rays and Adam Frazier, a versatile player having a career year who can play infield and outfield, moving from the Pirates to the Padres. So, let’s jump into the 10 biggest names still remaining- where they could be heading and how this could effect the playoff hunts as we enter into the dog days of August.
10. Joey Gallo, Rangers
Joey Gallo is a 2021 All Star who has already smashed 24 home runs this season. Although he strikes out a lot and his batting average is nothing to write home about at .222, he knows how to work a walk and leads the league in that category, helping him achieve a .380 on-base-percentage despite the low average. He can play both corners and the outfield, making him a fit for a variety of teams. He would be more than a rental as his contract runs through this season and next.
A lot of people have asked me if the Giants would be a good fit and when you think about his walk rate, his power, his defense which won a Gold Glove last year, he actually would be a nice addition. However, again, because of that extra year in his contract, he won’t come cheap at all. The Red Sox would be an interesting destination as well and they have a fairly deep farm system and Hunter Renfroe who they could throw in as a nice package deal. The Yankees could also pick him up as they as usual need reinforcements due to injuries. I’ve heard some other rumors involving the Brewers and White Sox but ultimately I’m going to guess he either signs an extension with the Rangers or ends up going to the Boston Red Sox.
Destination: Boston Red Sox
9. Kendall Graveman, Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are just 1 1/2 games out of the wild card and just won three games in a row against the A’s, making it more likely they will not be sellers. However, one reliever who has been having a career year is Kendall Graveman and he is on a one year deal for just $1.25 million and incentives that would max it out at $3.75 million. With a 0.84 ERA this season and 32 strikeouts in 32 innings, this is the type of reliver that buyers dream about landing.
His velocity is up this year, his sinker is absolutely deadly and Kendall Graveman could be a main piece of a bullpen come playoff time. I’ve heard lots of rumors involving the Reds, who still may be buying this season despite being 6 1/2 games out in the central and 5 1/2 out of the Wild Card. The Dodgers and Blue Jays could also be interested, but based on the season he’s having and the Mariners still having playoff hopes, I’m guessing he stays put.
Destination: Stays Put
8. Ian Kennedy, Rangers
So another I think the Jays and Dodgers will have a much better chance to land is Ian Kennedy, who went from signing a minor league deal entering 2021 to having 15 saves, a 9.5 strikeout per nine ratio and a 2.59 ERA as we get close to the deadline. He is on a salary of $2.15 million and will be a free agent at the end of the year, making him an ideal rental.
The Dodgers bullpen hasn’t been awful this year, but they’ve had some injury issues along with some worrisome performances from Kenley Jansen recently. The Giants have also had some problems holding games but overall them bullpen performance has been stellar. With what we’ve seen from Jay Jackson, Jarlin Garcia, Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers recently, I don’t see the Giants offering more for a reliever than the Dodgers can, and so I’ve got Kennedy signing with the LA Dodgers.
Destination: Dodgers
7. Kyle Gibson, Rangers
However, the Giants could use an extra starter and that’s where Kyle Gibson comes into play. Since his first start of the year in which he was shelled, Gibson had been excellent and had an ERA near 2 until recently as he has been hit hard in 3 starts since the break. Still, Gibson has a 2.87 ERA with a 6-3 record including his first All Star Selection.
He’s not a strikeout pitcher and shouldn’t be expected to take over as the Ace for any one, but for a team like the Giants who have a solid rotation but not much depth behind it, he would be a nice addition in case of an injury to some one in the rotation, which is almost guaranteed. If he’s not needed as a starter, Gibson could be moved to the bullpen as a long relief arm. The Yankees and Red Sox have also been rumored to be interested, but one team I believe is looking to add another arm as well is the Cardinals.
Their rotation has been hit hard with injuries and even though they expect Jack Flaherty back soon, another starter wouldn’t hurt. I could definitely see Gibson being moved to St. Louis, the city where he was born at the deadline and although I’d like to see him come to San Francisco, my prediction is he goes to the Cards.
Destination: Cardinals
6. Richard Rodriguez, Pirates
Next up is relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez, who is under contract all the way through 2023. He’s not exactly a flamethrower with a fastball in the low 90’s, but he hits his spots, throws strikes and gets the job done. Rodriguez has only 5 walks all season long while striking out 33 in 38 and closing out 14 games for the Pirates. He has been consistent throughout his career and can be a very reliable bullpen arm for a variety of teams down the stretch and throughout the next few seasons.
The good news for any inquiring team is that his salary this year is just $1.7 million and he shouldn’t be too expensive in arbitration for the upcoming years. Nearly every competing team has shown interest including the Dodgers, A’s, Yankees, Brewers, Phillies and Blue Jays. I am going to say the A’s make it happen as they will want Rodriguez not only for this season but also for the coming seasons with both Sergio Romo and Yusmeiro Petit coming off the books.
Destination: Athletics
5. Jose Berrios, Twins
The next possible star on the move is a two-time All Star pitcher for the Twins, Jose Berrios. Berrios is having another solid season this year with a 3.48 ERA, 9.3 strikeout ratio and 7-5 record. He has one extra year of team control, meaning he would be more than just a rental. The Toronto Blue Jays, who have a rotation full of lefties, could be very interested. They would also love to have him for 2022 as their young core of players should be even better.
I highly doubt the Twins even answer the phone when Farhan Zaidi calls after the Giants pulled off an amazing trade, picking up Lamonte Wade Jr. for Shaun Anderson, who has since been released and last I checked was with the Orioles. However, other National League West teams have been rumored to be very interested - and that means the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams even have an injured starter who could bring big value for the Twins in future seasons - Dustin May for L.A. and Adrian Morejon for the Pads. I can see either team pulling it off too. I’ll say Berrios ends up with San Diego.
Destination: Padres
4. Craig Kimbrel, Cubs
Next up is Craig Kimbrel, who is having a big resurgence this season with the Cubbies after two horrific seasons. His ERA is .5 and his strikeout ratio is through the roof at 15.4 per nine, helping him make his 8th All Star Team. Kimbrel comes with a club option for 2022 or a $1 million buyout. Nearly every competing team would love to have Kimbrel.
The National League East has been heavily connected to him in the rumor mill. The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly interested but understandably not eager to include top pitching prospect Mick Abel in any package. The other team showing heavy interest is the New York Mets, whose bullpen has been good this year, but perhaps a little scary, especially after a rough stretch last month for closer Edwin Diaz who blew three save opportunities in a row.
I do think this is probably the best available player who the Giants can actually afford financially and get without trading away any of the prized top prospects, especially since the Cubs still want to compete in 2022 and will be willing to accept certain players who already have MLB experience, and the Giants have plenty, maybe too many position players who have all shown something special this year. It’s not out of the realm of possibility in my opinion that the Giants could land Kimbrel but I’m going to guess it doesn’t happen and instead he goes to the Phillies, who will find a way to make it happen.
Destination: Phillies
3. Kris Bryant, Cubs
Sticking with the Cubs, they also have superstar Kris Bryant possibly on the trade block. He will be a free agent at the end of the year, can play the outfield now as well as the infield, and is a former MVP having a great year, making the All Star Team and hitting .266 with 17 bombs so far. The San Francisco Giants have been heavily talked about in connection with Bryant. The Giants would have to make a few more trades and transactions to fit him on the team with so many position players contributing, especially once Longo and La Stella come off the Injured List, but it could be done. Such a deal would also involve the Giants giving up some key prospects - names like Joey Bart and/or Marco Luciano would certainly be involved.
I’ve heard a lot of White Sox fans predicting he ends up going to the South Side but I don’t really see the Cubs trading away a guy like Bryant to their crosstown rivals. I’ve heard the Brewers talked about but I just have a hard time seeing that although it’s possible. The New York Mets would also love to add Bryant and I could see it happening, even if they get Kimbrel. The Mets are in first place and with the new front office they are definitely dedicated to winning it all in ‘21 and based on all the rumors and odds, it looks like they’re the favorite right now. Although I like predicting outside the box, I really can picture it happening so I’m going to guess Bryant ends up a Met, probably in the same trade with Kimbrel.
Destination: Mets
2. Trevor Story, Rockies
Trevor Story is next up and he will be a free agent at the end of the season and has already expressed he’ll be signing elsewhere, meaning the Rockies are already guaranteed to get some draft picks, because they’ll be offering him the qualifying offer. This means that whoever they get in a trade has to be more valuable to them than those draft slots and the potential to draft whoever they want. Story’s batting average is a little down this year but overall he’s still one of the better overall players in the game.
The Chicago White Sox have reportedly checked in on Story a few times as the deadline approaches, but the team most rumored is the Yankees. It would reunite him with his best friend D.J. LeMahieu and really strengthen that Yankees infield. However, the Yankees currently look to be a Wild Card team at best and may not be willing to offer up a good enough trade for the Rockies to part ways with Story. I’m going to say that he either stays put, or the Chicago White Sox step up and make the trade happen, especially with the season-ending injury to infielder Nick Madrigal.
Destination: White Sox
1. Max Scherzer, Nationals
The final name on the trade block for this video will be Max Scherzer. His case a little more complicated than most as he has a no-trade clause which he is willing to waive reportedly, but also may want an extension as part of any potential deal. The bottom line is he will have some say in what team he gets traded to assuming there are multiple deals on the table. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star has pitched to a 2.83 ERA with a brilliant 35.1 percent strikeout rate and a 6.1 percent walk rate in 105 innings this season.
The Mets and Mariners have been rumored but I don’t see that happening. The Giants aren’t going to give up the prospects it would take to land Scherzer, especially if he demands a big extension. The Red Sox could definitely use him but I don’t see their front office making the deal for similar reasons. The Yankees might be - even as a Wild Card team, meaning they could be out of the playoffs 3 hours after it started - the most likely destination. Having a one-two punch of Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer would be amazing and the Yanks certainly can afford to make it happen. I’m going to say that the Nationals don’t get what they want and, just like with Bryce Harper, do not trade him at the deadline. He stays in Washington.
Destination: Stays Put