We’re just days away from the Major League Baseball trade deadline, and there are several players around the league who reportedly could be on the move.
We’ve already seen marquee talent find new homes, as Jose Quintana was shipped to the Chicago Cubs and Todd Frazier joined the New York Yankees. But by Monday’s deadline, there figures to be at least a few more headline-generating moves around the baseball world.
Here are five (hypothetical, for now) blockbuster trades we’d like to see to happen before the MLB trade deadline.
Detroit Tigers Trade Ian Kinsler To Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers are one of the season’s biggest surprises to this point, as they’ve spent the bulk of the 2017 campaign near the top of the National League Central standings. However, the Brew Crew will need to make a move in order to take over the Cubs and win the division. The addition of Kinsler would be a major upgrade from current second baseman Jonathan Villar. A veteran presence, along with a strong glove and quality bat, could help vault Milwaukee into the postseason.
San Fransisco Giants Trade Johnny Cueto To Houston Astros
It’s been a lost season for the Giants, and they should look to cash in on valuable trade chips in order to bolster their farm system. The Astros have a stranglehold on the American League West but would benefit from improving their starting rotation come playoff time, especially given the injury issues they’ve had this season. Cueto and Dallas Keuchel would give Houston a strong 1-2 punch and make the Astros the favorite in the AL. If Cueto exercises his option at season’s end, the veteran right-hander is on the hook for $21 million for the next four seasons so it would be quite the investment.
Texas Rangers Trade Yu Darvish To Los Angeles Dodgers
The Rangers look prepared to move Darvish, but the right-hander has a list of 10-team no-trade list. One team not on that list? The Dodgers. L.A’s rotation took a hit with Clayton Kershaw going down with injury, but the team still should handily be able to win the NL West. Darvish and a healthy Kershaw in October would give the Dodgers as good a chance as any to make a World Series run.
Oakland Athletics Trade Sonny Gray, Yonder Alonso To Yankees
The A’s reportedly have shopped Gray for quite some time, and the Yankees most certainly could use his services. New York’s starting rotation has surprised this season, but Michael Pineda’s season-ending injury has proved to be costly. Adding Gray undoubtedly would help the Yanks make a run at the postseason.
As for Alonso, he would give New York a true identity at first base. The team has been employing a platoon system at the position, but Alonso would be able to take the reins. Not to mention, his powerful left-handed bat surely would find great success at Yankee Stadium.
Detroit Tigers Trade Justin Verlander To Cubs
The Cubs already addressed their rotation with the addition of Quintana, but adding Verlander would further strengthen their chances of repeating as World Series champions. It might require a sizable financial commitment on the Cubs’ behalf, as Verlander is due $56 million over the next two seasons with a vesting option for a third. But Chicago, who might lose Jake Arrieta in free agency this winter anyway, can afford him. Verlander not only would help the Cubs in the postseason this year, but also seasons to come.
Thumbnail photo via Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports Images
