It’s time for action.
When the 2021 MLB Draft wraps up and All-Star Game festivities commence in Colorado, all eyes and attention within the sport will be on the June 30 trade deadline.
Which stars will get moved? How much will it change the pennant races? Can a World Series be won or lost with a move between now and the deadline? Answers to all those questions are coming.
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Here are five blockbusters (including big deals by the Yankees and Mets) that should go down between now and the trade deadline.
Rockies’ Trevor Story to Yankees
This makes too much sense not to happen. The Yankees need an infusion of talent, offense and a way to alter a suspect defense. The Rockies, once the All-Star Game moves out of town, need to face reality. Story isn’t likely to return in free agency, so his value to the franchise is diminishing by the day. Much like when the Los Angeles Dodgers landed Manny Machado in 2018, Story likely will be dealt for much less than his individual star and talent would seem to dictate. A buy-low move on a superstar sounds like a Brian Cashman move, even if it costs a young player with promise.
Cubs’ Kris Bryant to Mets
Here comes the Cubs fire sale. Chicago hung out in first place earlier this season, but a recent 11-game losing streak brought everyone back to earth quickly. The Cubs aren’t built to win this year, and have to unload players before they all hit free agency at once. Enter the Mets, a team in on the Bryant sweepstakes before the season began. We’re talking about a versatile slugger that can play infield or outfield, balances out the lineup, grinds at-bats and has World Series experience. He checks every box. I’d guess Sandy Alderson is on the phone trying to get him as you read this.
Cubs’ Craig Kimbrel to Astros
Does the best team in the American League really need more? Yes, if they want to get back to a World Series. Houston’s torrid run in the first half surprised me. I didn’t think this franchise was still set up to be this good. The offense is incredible, and clearly championship worthy. There’s more starting pitching than I gave them credit for. But the bullpen still should give Astros backers pause. It’s good, not great. It’s missing a piece. Enter Kimbrel, a dominant closer in the midst of one of his special seasons.
Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo to Brewers
A trade between rivals? While it would cause Chicago sports radio lines to light up, I don’t think modern general managers frown upon this kind of thing like in the past. While it might be strange to watch Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer gift Brewers general manager David Stearns the NL pennant with one more bat and excellent glove, the return is all that really matters for Chicago. Milwaukee struck gold with an early-season trade for Willy Adames. Now Rizzo could be the missing piece to winning it all.
Twins’ Jose Berrios and Taylor Rogers to Giants
Now here’s an out-of-nowhere blockbuster. When you start thinking about the needs each contender has, the Giants are tough to peg. A deep 40-man roster and lack of urgency (San Francisco is at least a year or two early in their revival under general manager Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler) make the Giants true wild cards in this trade market. So why not enhance two areas (rotation and bullpen) for multiple pennant chances? Berrios and Rogers are each under team control through 2022, giving the Giants the rope to deal away legitimate prospects to win now. I wouldn’t want to face a Kevin Gausman-Berrios-Anthony DeSclafani trio to start a playoff series in October.
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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com.
