Predicting Each Team's Approach to the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline
With only six weeks remaining until Major League Baseball's August 1 trade deadline, it's time for another prognostication on which teams will be buying and which teams will be selling.
But instead of simply offering up a boring "buyer" or "seller" designation for each team, we're taking it old school by asking a Magic 8 Ball whether each team will be a buyer at the trade deadline.
OK, no, we didn't actually ask a Magic 8 Ball, but that 20-sided die floating in blue goo had 10 "yes," five "no" and five "ask again later" responses. And that 50/25/25 split is pretty well in line with the current breakdown of buyers, sellers and TBDs.
For the buyers, we've offered an early guess on what they'll be buying.
For the sellers, it's an early guess on who they'll be selling.
And for the teams currently on the fence, we'll talk about why that's the case, and also mention what they might do if they buy and who they could move if they sell.
Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
"Projected Wins" and "Playoff Percentage" for each team are the average of the projections from PECOTA, Baseball Reference, FanGraphs and Team Rankings as of Saturday morning. (Actual records are current through Sunday morning.) Whether a team figures to be buying or selling is based on a combination of those projections and its perceived/historical willingness to spend money.
Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles
1 of 10
Arizona Diamondbacks
Current Record: 42-28
Projected Wins: 86.3
Playoff Percentage: 62.6
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Outlook good.
The forecasting models still haven't bought into the Diamondbacks as a serious threat to win the NL West. As of Friday morning, they were 7.5 games ahead of San Diego, but narrowly behind the Padres in both projected wins and playoff percentage.
Surely this team is on track to be a buyer, though, and it could use an outfielder. The D-Backs have spent most of June starting Jake McCarthy in center and Pavin Smith in right, even though neither one is hitting the ball well or providing any real value.
Arizona could also use another starting pitcher, as none of the young arms have emerged as a reliable third fiddle behind Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
Atlanta Braves
Current Record: 45-26
Projected Wins: 96.6
Playoff Percentage: 98.3
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Without a doubt.
With Michael Harris II coming around as of late, Atlanta is good on bats. Might look to add a versatile backup who could both provide some injury insurance and occasionally give Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies or Austin Riley a day off, but the starting lineup is in great shape.
Likewise, no worries in the starting rotation, provided Max Fried (July) and Kyle Wright (August) remain on track to return from the 60-day IL well before the postseason begins. With that duo, Charlie Morton, Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder at their disposal, Atlanta almost has too many options for its postseason rotation.
But this team already needed bullpen help before losing its most reliable reliever (Jesse Chavez) to a shin contusion last week. Atlanta will be looking to add relievers. Several of them.
Baltimore Orioles
Current Record: 43-27
Projected Wins: 87.1
Playoff Percentage: 45.4
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Most likely.
As with Arizona, the computers are still skeptical here, putting Baltimore's postseason odds squarely in "shrug emoji" range, still projected to finish fourth in the AL East despite holding the third-best record in the majors.
That said, we're going with "most likely" here, because one can never rule out the possibility of the Orioles simply opting not to spend any more money.
They desperately need to upgrade the starting rotation. And recent injuries to Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle have served as a vivid reminder of the lack of depth in the lineup. (At least Aaron Hicks has been great since they scooped him off waivers to fill in for Mullins, but does anyone really expect that to last for long?)
But we shall see if they actually loosen the purse strings to make those improvements in pursuit of a World Series.
Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox
2 of 10
Boston Red Sox
Current Record: 35-35
Projected Wins: 81.0
Playoff Percentage: 10.2
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Reply hazy, try again.
If forced to pick a buyer/seller camp for the Red Sox today, seller would be the choice. They've had a respectable season, but they are dead last in the best division in baseball and they're already five games out of the wild-card picture. Plus, since returning from more than two years on the IL, impending free agent James Paxton has made six starts with a 3.09 ERA and could be a hot commodity.
But unless Adam Duvall starts hitting like he did before fracturing his wrist and missing two months, Boston doesn't have much else to put on the trade block.
Maybe they make a few minor budgetary moves if they fall somewhat hopelessly out of contention, but Boston figures to more or less sit on the sideline for this trade deadline.
Chicago Cubs
Current Record: 33-37
Projected Wins: 79.0
Playoff Percentage: 25.8
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Better not tell you now.
For a minute there 10 days ago, the Cubs definitely looked like sellers. They were 26-36 and falling apart at the seams, seemingly only able to win games started by this year's biggest trade chip, Marcus Stroman.
But then they took two out of three from the Giants and swept a three-game series with the Pirates to get right back into the mix to win a rather pathetic NL Central.
Even though their current playoff percentage puts their postseason odds at roughly +300, can't imagine the Cubs would be sellers if the trade deadline was tomorrow.
If they do fade and decide to sell, though, Stroman and Cody Bellinger (both with player/mutual options for 2024) would be top trade targets, while impending free agent Michael Fulmer—who has struggled this season, but was a rock-solid reliever in 2021 and 2022—would surely generate some interest.
(If the Cubs are buying, they figure to be on the hunt for both a closer and a first baseman.)
Chicago White Sox
Current Record: 31-41
Projected Wins: 74.4
Playoff Percentage: 4.9
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Concentrate and ask again.
Like the Cubs, the White Sox seem destined to finish the season at least a few games below .500, but they still have a playoff pulse in a division where the first-place team might not even post a winning record.
Of the two Chicago teams, though, the White Sox are much more likely to be sellers, both because they have the worse record and because they have so many players headed for free agency.
Lucas Giolito is the biggest one by far, but there's also Yasmani Grandal, Keynan Middleton, Reynaldo Lopez and Elvis Andrus on the list of unrestricted free agents, plus Tim Anderson, Mike Clevinger, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and Liam Hendriks who have either club or mutual options for 2024.
There has also been a lot of scuttlebutt about Dylan Cease possibly being on the trade block, but he doesn't hit free agency until after the 2025 season. Getting rid of him would be a serious, multi-year waving of the white flag.
Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians and Colorado Rockies
3 of 10
Cincinnati Reds
Current Record: 36-35
Projected Wins: 75.1
Playoff Percentage: 8.4
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Very doubtful.
Cincinnati's run over the past two weeks has been some kind of awesome, to the point where we've all marveled at their quest to get back to .500 while somewhat taking for granted Philadelphia and San Diego simultaneously doing the same.
But the 2023 Reds are basically the 2022 Orioles, in so much as they've exceeded expectations with a young roster, will have basically every key contributor back for at least another season after this one and would have to spend so much on pitching to become a serious contender this year that they're almost certainly just going to let it ride with what they've got.
Cleveland Guardians
Current Record: 32-37
Projected Wins: 80.3
Playoff Percentage: 27.3
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Cannot predict now.
At last year's deadline, the frugal Guardians were four games above .500 and one game back in the AL Central...and they did a whole lot of nothing, merely trading a backup catcher for a minor-league reliever. Moreover, they already made a much bigger offseason splash than usual in bringing in Josh Bell, so they may have already spent all they are willing to spend on the current campaign.
If they do find some spending money, though, look for all of it to go toward someone who can actually hit the ball out of the park, as the Guardians are dead last in home runs hit this season.
If they go the opposite route and become sellers, Bell has a $16.5 million player option for next season while Amed Rosario is an impending free agent. They've both been disappointing this season for Cleveland, but were both quite valuable in recent seasons.
My guess, though, is that Cleveland once again does a whole lot of nothing, content to try to overtake the Twins with what is already on the roster.
Colorado Rockies
Current Record: 29-44
Projected Wins: 64.3
Playoff Percentage: 0.0
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Don't count on it.
The Rockies certainly should be sellers. They are projected for the worst record in the National League, and they are practically drowning in intriguing players approaching free agency.
C.J. Cron was the big name heading into the season, but Randal Grichuk is having the much better season at this point. They also have Jurickson Profar and Charlie Blackmon among their hitters on expiring deals, as well as Brent Suter, Pierce Johnson and Chase Anderson on the list of pitchers who could have suitors.
But it's the Rockies, so who knows? Getting nothing in return for tradeable assets is sort of their thing.
Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals
4 of 10
Detroit Tigers
Current Record: 29-40
Projected Wins: 69.3
Playoff Percentage: 0.8
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Very doubtful.
It has barely been three weeks since the Tigers were one game below .500 and one game back of first place in the AL Central standings. But they proceeded to lose 13 out of 15 games and are now back to trying to figure out what they can do with Eduardo Rodriguez and Javier Báez.
Rodriguez has three years and $49 million remaining on his contract. Báez has four years and $98 million left on his deal. They both hold player options after this season, with the prevailing assumption based on their performance thus far being that Rodriguez will opt out and Báez will opt in. (Got to think they'd love to trade both away and just start over fresh in 2024 with Miguel Cabrera's contract finally ending.)
Beyond that duo, they also have Michael Lorenzen, Jonathan Schoop, José Cisnero, Matt Boyd, Jake Marisnick and Chasen Shreve hitting free agency, so the Tigers could be very busy if and when they embrace a fire sale.
Houston Astros
Current Record: 39-32
Projected Wins: 91.1
Playoff Percentage: 75.2
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Yes definitely.
With the Astros, it's not a question of "if" they'll be buying, but "what" they'll be buying.
Even that isn't much of a question, as the answer is pretty clearly a starting pitcher.
They've got a solid 1-2-3 punch in Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and Hunter Brown, but it gets iffy in a hurry from there, even with José Urquidy likely to return from the IL by the All-Star Break.
Brandon Bielak and J.P. France have filled in admirably since Urquidy and Luis Garcia (out for the year) got hurt, but Houston figures to be aggressive in its pursuit of Marcus Stroman and/or Lucas Giolito.
Kansas City Royals
Current Record: 19-51
Projected Wins: 54.9
Playoff Percentage: 0.0
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: My reply is no.
After all the talk about Oakland being the worst team in MLB history, the A's recently didn't even have the worst record in this season anymore. That crown of thorns temporarily fell to the Royals, who just snapped a 10-game losing streak.
As far as what they have to offer...
Aroldis Chapman is the clear top name on the list. He started hot before a two-week mini-skid, but has been on fire again for the past month. He's arguably the top reliever on the trade block, even without factoring in his low $3.75 million salary.
Also, Matt Duffy has been hitting well in a limited role and could be a good target for a team in need of a versatile backup. Atlanta could trade for both impending free agents.
(I've seen Zack Greinke mentioned as a trade candidate, but he has a full no-trade clause and has made it pretty clear he has no interest in leaving Kansas City. Would be a surprise to see him on the move.)
Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins
5 of 10
Los Angeles Angels
Current Record: 40-33
Projected Wins: 86.0
Playoff Percentage: 36.5
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: As I see it, yes.
With Shohei Ohtani just a few months away from hitting free agency, it's now or never for the Angels, who are smack dab in the middle of the wild card picture, and not that far behind the Rangers for the AL West crown.
Not only are they trying to win in what might be their final year with Ohtani, but they want to prove to him that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win with him, in hopes of maybe convincing him to sign his impending massive deal with them. (If they can even afford to do so, with Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon owed more than a combined $75 million in each of the next three seasons.)
As far as needs go? A starting pitcher. Maybe two. And a first baseman. Go all-in. Unicorns don't grow on trees.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Current Record: 39-31
Projected Wins: 92.4
Playoff Percentage: 93.2
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Signs point to yes.
In the context of solely the current season, the Dodgers absolutely profile as a buyer. They have underachieved a bit, but they could be just one acquisition away from overtaking the Diamondbacks to win the NL West and very likely lock up a first-round bye in the playoffs.
However...
The Dodgers currently have a $228 million payroll, with the luxury tax threshold at $233 million. And staying below that threshold is of the utmost importance to the Dodgers, as it would reset the current multiple-time luxury tax offenders to what would be "first-time" luxury tax offender status for 2024, when they hope to be paying Ohtani a ridiculous sum of money—and preferably not immediately getting taxed out the wazoo for it.
So, Los Angeles might be a "buyer," but it won't be a "spender."
That said, I believe the Dodgers could afford to take on the prorated salary of a roughly $14 million player without going over the luxury tax. That means Tim Anderson ($12.5 million) or Lucas Giolito ($10.4 million) could be in the cards here if the White Sox admit defeat and blow it up.
Miami Marlins
Current Record: 40-31
Projected Wins: 82.9
Playoff Percentage: 36.8
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Ask again later.
Miami has been on fire over the past few weeks, but they've been feasting on bottom-feeders, sweeping Oakland, sweeping Kansas City and winning series against the White Sox and Nationals.
Though they would be in the postseason right now with some room to spare, let's check those standings again in a month, after the luckiest team in the majors (18-5 in one-run games) has gone through Toronto, Pittsburgh, Boston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
If they're still in the postseason mix, they'll be on the hunt for someone other than Luis Arráez who can get on base, and someone other than Jorge Soler who can homer.
But if they've faded a month from now, Soler (who has a $9 million player option for 2024) would be one of the biggest names on the trade block. Part-time closer Dylan Floro and first basemen Yuli Gurriel and Garrett Cooper could also be intriguing impending free agents.
Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins and New York Mets
6 of 10
Milwaukee Brewers
Current Record: 36-34
Projected Wins: 82.7
Playoff Percentage: 58.0
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: As I see it, yes.
The Brewers are in the same spot the Chicago White Sox were in at the trade deadline last season, treading water at .500 in a winnable division while already starting to worry about the sheer volume of players who will be hitting free agency 16 months from now.
And after watching the White Sox do nothing at the deadline and subsequently come nowhere close to a playoff spot, got to believe the Brewers will at least try to address some of their shortcomings.
The biggest shortcoming is the lack of a designated hitter. Per Baseball-Reference, that spot in the lineup is batting .195/.282/.288 with five home runs—none of which came from primary DH, Jesse Winker, before he got injured.
If the Marlins end up selling, Milwaukee should do everything in its power to go get Jorge Soler. The Brewers should also try to add a starting pitcher, though, Brandon Woodruff nearing a return from more than two months on the IL will provide a major boost on that front.
Minnesota Twins
Current Record: 36-35
Projected Wins: 84.9
Playoff Percentage: 70.9
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: You may rely on it.
Minnesota's pitching has been great, and the Twins do have a decent stockpile of hitters who can swat the ball a long way.
But they need guys who can reliably get on base, as darn near this entire team is flirting with the Mendoza Line.
As of Saturday morning, eight of the 11 team leaders in plate appearances had an OPS+ below 100, with Joey Gallo leading the team in that department (122), despite a .196 batting average.
This was a rather predictable problem when they traded away Luis Arráez and replaced him in the lineup with Gallo and Michael A. Taylor, but let's see if they can fix it.
New York Mets
Current Record: 33-37
Projected Wins: 82.8
Playoff Percentage: 37.8
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Yes definitely.
What?
You thought Steve Cohen was going to just throw in the towel on the most expensive season ever?
No way.
The only throwing he'll be doing is more money onto this fire.
Despite spending roughly $130 million on the starting rotation, the Mets need pitching. José Quintana is rehabbing his way back to hopefully make his 2023 debut shortly after the All-Star Break, but they may well need more than just that.
Adding a slugger to serve as the DH is a strong secondary goal, as they haven't gotten much out of their bats, aside from those belonging to Pete Alonso and Francisco Alvarez.
New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics and Philadelphia Phillies
7 of 10
New York Yankees
Current Record: 39-31
Projected Wins: 91.9
Playoff Percentage: 80.4
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: It is certain.
Carlos Rodón is finally on a rehab assignment and might be able to make his Yankees debut before the All-Star Break. His return looms large for a team that has gotten very little out of the non-Gerrit Cole portion of what was supposed to be an outstanding starting rotation.
They need more than just Rodón, though, as both Luis Severino and Nestor Cortes have fallen well short of expectation, while both Domingo Germán and Clarke Schmidt have been just OK.
This could be a good spot for Eduardo Rodriguez, provided he can make it back from that ruptured tendon in his finger well before the deadline.
Oakland Athletics
Current Record: 19-54
Projected Wins: 53.7
Playoff Percentage: 0.0
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: My sources say no.
The A's are clearly going to be sellers rather than buyers. But as is the case with fellow basement dweller Kansas City, it's unclear what they have left to offer at this point.
Ryan Noda is having a great season, but would they trade away their 27-year-old rookie? Or would they try to sell high on Brent Rooker, who doesn't hit free agency until a half-decade from now?
Oakland only has a handful of players reaching free agency either this November or in November 2024, and none of those players is doing anything worth mentioning.
The one guy to keep an eye on is Paul Blackburn. He still has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining after this season, but he was an All-Star in 2022, has pitched reasonably well since making his season debut in late May and could be the type of player/situation that a team would be willing to spend a lot to acquire.
Philadelphia Phillies
Current Record: 37-34
Projected Wins: 84.8
Playoff Percentage: 52.4
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Most likely.
If the Phillies had not rallied from sitting at seven games below .500 on June 2, they could have done a fair amount of "cleaning house" to get their current $242.6 million payroll down below the $233 luxury tax threshold.
But after reeling off 12 wins in 14 games to surge very much back into the early wild card mix, they might as well embrace the luxury tax in pursuit of the World Series title they narrowly missed out on last October.
A corner infielder would be wonderful, as the Phillies have spent the whole season hodge-podging their 1B/3B situation after losing Rhys Hoskins to a torn ACL late in spring training.
They figure to also be in the market for a reliever or two, as they have not gotten much good out of their bullpen, save for Andrew Vasquez and José Alvarado.
Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants
8 of 10
Pittsburgh Pirates
Current Record: 34-35
Projected Wins: 75.8
Playoff Percentage: 11.8
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Outlook not so good.
Pittsburgh is neck and neck with Milwaukee and Cincinnati for first place in the NL Central and is highly unlikely to be a seller as things currently stand.
But that doesn't mean the Pirates will be a buyer.
Pittsburgh's Opening Day payroll was already $18 million higher than it was in any of the previous three seasons, and it's possible—if not downright probable—they have already spent all that they are willing to spend on this year's team.
It'd be one thing if they were having a Tampa Bay Rays type of season and could solidify reasonable odds of winning the World Series by spending a little bit. But given where they actually are and what their postseason likelihood is, they'll likely stand pat and treat getting both Ji-Man Choi and Oneil Cruz back from the 60-day IL as their big deadline "acquisitions."
San Diego Padres
Current Record: 33-36
Projected Wins: 85.1
Playoff Percentage: 47.5
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: You may rely on it.
The Padres can't possibly have much money left to spend after substantially increasing their payroll in each of the past three offseasons, but they are also in no position to simply rest on their laurels, as they are nowhere close to winning the NL West and have serious work to do just to get back into the postseason conversation.
If they can get a quality hitter, they could certainly use one at DH, where each half of the Nelson Cruz/Matt Carpenter platoon has a sub-.700 OPS. At least they now have Gary Sánchez hitting well at catcher, but getting so little out of the DH slot while both center fielder Trent Grisham and catcher Austin Nola were providing next to nothing at the plate was brutal.
San Diego might also be in the market for a starting pitcher, but they could be fine in that department if Seth Lugo both returns soon and looks good.
San Francisco Giants
Current Record: 37-32
Projected Wins: 84.7
Playoff Percentage: 52.4
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Signs point to yes.
It was barely a month ago that the Giants were six games below .500 (17-23) and on the fast track to a fire sale. And with seven impending free agents and four other guys with player/club options for 2024, it could have been quite the sale.
But the Giants have gone 20-9 since May 14 and are now much more likely to buy than sell.
They recently called up highly touted prospect Luis Matos with Mitch Haniger landing on the IL with a broken arm. And if Matos plays well in the coming weeks, San Francisco is probably all set on hitters.
They need starting pitching, though, as the trio of Alex Wood, Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea has been unable to stay healthy or effective.
Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays
9 of 10
Seattle Mariners
Current Record: 34-35
Projected Wins: 81.8
Playoff Percentage: 13.4
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Reply hazy, try again.
This season hasn't gone according to plan for the Mariners, but there's no chance they're going to have some sort of fire sale. They only have four players hitting free agency this winter and the only member of that quartet with any tangible trade value is Teoscar Hernández.
That said, he could be a big trade chip if they do decide to give up on this season, as Hernández has caught fire since the calendar flipped to June—an annual tradition for him.
If they're close enough to go for it, though, the Mariners are a prime candidate for one of this year's two-month-rental starting pitchers, like Lucas Giolito, or one of the about-to-be-mentioned Cardinals arms.
St. Louis Cardinals
Current Record: 28-43
Projected Wins: 74.9
Playoff Percentage: 7.5
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Don't count on it.
At a certain point, you kind of just have to accept that teams are what they are. And at 16 games under .500 through 70 games played, we may be at the point of accepting that the Cardinals aren't going to figure things out this season.
And if St. Louis does wave the white flag, it has quite a lot to offer.
Both Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty are impending free agents and could be top-five starting pitchers on this year's trade block. Chris Stratton has also put up solid numbers out of the bullpen this season, albeit almost entirely in low-leverage situations.
The big one, though, is Paul Goldschmidt.
The reigning NL MVP is making $26 million this season and is due the same amount in 2024, and the Cards could look to move him for...not quite a king's ransom, but a pretty penny, for sure. Goldy would instantly become the biggest name on the trade block, assuming Shohei Ohtani isn't going anywhere.
Tampa Bay Rays
Current Record: 51-23
Projected Wins: 101.0
Playoff Percentage: 99.3
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Yes.
A simple "yes" is all we really need here.
Of course the team with the best record in baseball will be a buyer at the trade deadline.
Buying what, though?
Barring a rash of injuries in the next six weeks, Tampa Bay doesn't need any hitters.
With Tyler Glasnow back, the starting rotation is in a respectable spot, which would get even better if Drew Rasmussen is able to return from the flexor strain injury which sent him to the 60-day IL in mid-May.
And just about every active member of the bullpen has been solid.
Hence the best record in baseball.
They'll probably look to add one starting pitcher, if only for depth purposes.
Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals
10 of 10
Texas Rangers
Current Record: 43-27
Projected Wins: 90.1
Playoff Percentage: 67.2
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: It is decidedly so.
The Rangers are having a fantastic season, with a lineup every bit as loaded as Tampa Bay's, if not more so. The starting rotation has also been stellar, despite losing Jacob deGrom for the year.
But in order to remain ahead of both Houston and Los Angeles in the AL West, Texas is definitely going to be a buyer, and it is definitely going to be buying bullpen arms.
The Rangers have racked up nearly as many blown saves (10) as successful saves (13). Closer Will Smith has been solid, going 12-for-13 in save opportunities. But aside from Smith and Josh Sborz, the Rangers pen has been kind of a mess as a whole.
Toronto Blue Jays
Current Record: 39-33
Projected Wins: 90.0
Playoff Percentage: 68.6
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: Outlook good.
Though currently fourth in the AL East, the Blue Jays are right in the thick of a four-team logjam for what would be the last two wild-card spots if the season ended today.
What Toronto needs to figure out in the next month and a half is whether Alek Manoah (after a horrific first two-plus months) and/or Hyun-Jin Ryu (when he returns from Tommy John surgery) can be counted upon down the stretch.
If not, the Blue Jays will be one of many contenders looking to add a starting pitcher.
If they do believe in Manoah/Ryu, though, focusing on adding another bat would be nice, as Brandon Belt recently landing on the IL exposed a lack of depth in this lineup.
Washington Nationals
Current Record: 27-42
Projected Wins: 65.3
Playoff Percentage: 0.07
Magic Eight Ball's Buyer Synopsis: My reply is no.
Jeimer Candelario has become an intriguing trade candidate, both because he is having a bounce-back year and because there aren't many (if any) other third basemen likely to hit the trade block. Could spark something of a bidding war for Candelario's services.
C.J. Edwards is another impending free agent who should draw a fair amount of interest. His strikeout rate is a far cry from what it was while with the Cubs in the 2016-18 timeframe, but he is still an effective relief pitcher who has a sub-3.00 ERA dating back to the start of last season.
That might be all the clearly selling Nationals have to offer, though.
