MLB Trade Deadline Approaches With Buyer-Heavy Market
AI-generated image · US National Wire
With only eight teams more than 3.5 games out of playoff contention, front offices face pressure to buy despite varying levels of competitiveness.
The Major League Baseball trade deadline arrives Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET, and according to CBS Sports, the landscape is skewed toward buyers. Due to the 2022 playoff field expansion and a mediocre group of wild-card contenders, only eight teams—four in each league—sit more than 3.5 games out of a postseason spot.
CBS Sports identifies the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays as obvious buyers. Other likely buyers include the Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers.
However, some teams remain in a gray area. The Detroit Tigers are 3.5 games behind the third wild card and face a decision regarding Tarik Skubal, who hits free agency after the season. The Minnesota Twins are one game behind the final wild card, while the Miami Marlins could shift positions depending on their current losing streak. The Baltimore Orioles, led by Mike Elias, and the Washington Nationals also occupy a middle ground.
Likely sellers include the Toronto Blue Jays, who are 5.5 games back, and the St. Louis Cardinals, where president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom must decide whether to stick to his plan. The Cincinnati Reds are five games back from a berth. CBS Sports lists the Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants as obvious sellers, as none are closer than nine games to a playoff spot.