Top AL East Trade Bait
It’s the best time of the year for some fans, they feast and get that adrenaline from the July 31st trade deadline. It’s exciting. Your team can go from playoff hopeful to submitting vacation days for the first round playoffs. Your team can also go from boring and just awful to watch, and all of a sudden a renewed interest in next year … or the year after.
We’ve already seen the Indians cash in early with grabbing Brad Hand, the Dodgers struck it rich with Manny Machado, and now there’s rumors that Bryce Harper could be traded? What?!
Calm down, calm down. Let’s just stick with the most likely trade candidates in the AL East for this series. Stay tuned for the rest. Each day, we will release another division.
AL EAST
Baltimore Orioles
- Adam Jones – While he would command a kings ransom, the Orioles have made it known they are in full rebuild.
- Mark Trumbo – Will stick in the American League and has come on hot recently. Wouldn’t require top prospects to secure him.
- Andrew Cashner – He just got activated off the DL, if he pitches well, could find him self on a NL team. Say, the Brewers?
- Kevin Gausman or Dylan Bundy – Either could be traded, but likely won’t command much.
Toronto Blue Jays
- Steve Pearce – He’s having a fantastic season and would serve great as a DH or PH role.
- Justin Smoak, Morales, or Solarte – All could work well as a reserve or bench spot. Likely won’t command as much, although, Solarte could get a top 100 prospect at best.
- Tyler Clippard, Seunghwan Oh, Ryan Tepera – Relief pitchers are premium.
- J.A. Happ – Having another good season and should find himself on another team on August 1st.
- Marcus Stroman – Bounce back candidate that could be a solid five or big upside for next year.
Tampa Bay Rays
- C.J. Cron – Known for bad second halves which will damper his stock.
- Blake Snell – Would drastically help the Rays rebuild faster.
- Chris Archer, any reliever, and anyone else – is this the year they finally commit to rebuild?
The most interesting team would be the Rays, they have the most valuable long term pieces if they are willing to part with them. Besides if they trade Happ and Adam Jones, the Blue Jays and Orioles aren’t netting any top prospects.
