Every baseball season, there are moves made leading up to the trade deadline that dramatically shift the landscape of Major League Baseball. This year marks the first time in many that the Colorado Rockies are in position to buy at the deadline. However, rumors surrounding the club have been trifling. Last week, the Rockies reached out to the Orioles about starting pitchers Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. They are also said to be in contention for Miami Marlins reliever A.J. Ramos, along with a bevy of other contenders.
While the Rockies’ trade activity has been limited (they made a move for Zac Rosscup in early July and minor-leaguer Will Lamb this week), that is not the case for other contenders in the National League. Teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, Nationals and Diamondbacks have all either already made a blockbuster trade or have been involved in discussions for one. As the teams that the Rockies are competing with continue to strengthen, Jeff Bridich and company may be forced to make a move just to stay afloat. Here is a look at what NL contenders are doing as the trade deadline approaches.
Los Angeles Dodgers
For the first time in a long time, all is not well in Hollywood. Though the Dodgers have won eight of 10 since the All-Star break and own the best record in all of baseball, Clayton Kershaw‘s recent injury has caused concern throughout Los Angeles. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and current MLB leader in ERA and wins is expected to miss four to six weeks with a back injury.
According to reports, the Dodgers have been linked to multiple starting pitchers. Texas Rangers’ ace Yu Darvish has generated interest from multiple teams, the Dodgers being one of them. More importantly, the Rangers announced they are ready to trade Darvish, provided a team meets their understandably lofty requirements.
Justin Verlander is another target that the Dodgers could pursue. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Detroit Tigers are aggressively shopping Verlander on the trade market. If they decide to add a frontline pitcher to the rotation and miss out on Darvish, Verlander could be next in line. Regardless, the Dodgers have shown that they are buyers this deadline as they look to strengthen what is already one of the best teams in baseball.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs made the first blockbuster deal leading up to the deadline in acquiring Jose Quintana from their crosstown rivals. Less than one week before the trade deadline, the Cubs don’t appear to be finished. More so than the Dodgers, the Cubs have connections to Verlander in Detroit. Even prior to the Quintana addition, Theo Epstein has reached out to the Tigers about Verlander and catcher Alex Avila. Already 34 years old and owed $56 million through 2019, the Cubs will have to decide if the veteran is worth the steep price.
Chicago also has ties to Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton. Britton has solidified himself as one of the best closers in baseball over the past two seasons, and his addition to the Cubs’ bullpen alongside Wade Davis would wreak havoc on National League lineups. Per Feinsand, an industry source thinks that the Cubs will trade for Britton given the minor league talent in the farm system. Just like the Dodgers, the Cubs are definitely buyers while they continue to regain their World Series form from a year ago.
Washington Nationals
Leaders of the NL East, the Washington Nationals are eyeing Sonny Gray before the deadline. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Nationals have maintained interest in the A’s young right-hander. Having already acquired Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the A’s earlier this month, the two teams have obvious trade connections. Stephen Strasburg recently exited a start early due to forearm stiffness, and the Nationals are ready to make a trade if the injury develops into a long-term concern.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D-Backs have already made what is likely to be their biggest splash at the deadline by trading for slugger J.D. Martinez. Arizona traded away three prospects for Martinez, who owns a .300/.383/.628 slash line this year with 17 home runs and 42 RBI. Martinez provides a massive upgrade for a D-Backs offense that already ranks sixth in the MLB in runs scored. The team is also one of many to have reported interest in Ramos along with the Cubs, Nationals and Rockies.