JUAN SOTO
SAN DIEGO PADRES
TRADED W/ JOSH BELL TO PADRES FOR VOIT & FIVE PROSPECTS INCLUDING ABRAMS, GORE, HASSELL III, WOOD, & SUSANA
WHY: The Padres have the right prospects to get the Nationals to accept trading away a generational talent. On top of that, they don’t want to lose out to the Dodgers again.. who will make life miserable for them for the next decade. They would then watch the Machado/Tatis Jr tandem win zero NL West titles and fans would not be happy. Now imagine how happy the fans would be to have a Machado/Tatis Jr/Soto middle of the order for the next decade..
CORRECT!: Getting Josh Bell for Luke Voit makes the trade even better for San Diego. They did send Eric Hosmer to Boston for cash and some low end prospects but still this trade is an absolute Home Run and Padre fans have got to be excited!
CARLOS RODÓN
NEW YORK YANKEES
WHY: Rodón is purely a rental player. The Yankees don’t mind paying up for a guy that will only appear for them a handful of times if it means they get to another World Series. That’s not to say they will deal their top prospect Volpe but I’m sure they’d be willing to send San Francisco number two prospect Oswald Perez. Lefty starters have tremendous value this time of year so that’s what it’s gonna take to get Rodón in pinstripes.
PABLO LOPEZ
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
WHY: Toronto is on fire as of late and although they made a big trade this time last year for Jose Berrios they could still use another starter. Manoah is a certified Ace and Gausman is great number two starter in any rotation. Berrios has struggled this season and doesn’t quite cut it for a contending team as the #3. Insert Pablo Lopez for a couple major leaguers and a prospect or two and the Blue Jays are a legitimate threat in the American League. He’s also under team control for 4 more years and it’s gonna take a hefty package to get him but I think Toronto is All In!
DREW SMYLY
MINNESOTA TWINS
WHY: Smyly is another rental player but much more affordable. He’s also a lefty which is something the Twins need desperately and he’s a good back end of the rotation pitcher for a contender. Now he maybe used as more of a middle of the rotation guy with the Twins rotation in the shape it’s in. I believe he can be had for a prospect like Spencer Steer or Matt Canterino.
FRANKIE MONTAS
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
TRADED TO NEW YORK YANKEES FOR FOUR PROSPECTS
WHY: Other teams had all offseason and season to make a deal happen for Montas and no one pulled the trigger. So I expect the Dodgers to show em how it’s done and acquire a front line starter for a top prospect to strengthen an already solid staff. You can never have too much pitching especially in October.
WRONG!: I was wrong here as I thought the Yankees would get Rodón but maybe the asking price was too high. The Yanks gave up four middle to upper tier prospects here including three pitchers and a second baseman with 35 stolen bases. They also acquired something called Lou Trevino in the deal as well..
J.D. MARTINEZ
NEW YORK METS
WHY: The Mets are unwilling to deal a top 5 prospect for a rental, which is what Boston is looking for. Now reports say Boston has dropped its asking price and the Mets would love to add a bat the caliber of Martinez to make a deep playoff push. Especially if Degrom comes back healthy and pitching like himself.
Now I’ll run through a few quick ones:
TYLER MAHLE
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
TRADED TO MINNESOTA TWINS FOR THREE PROSPECTS
WRONG!: I’m thrilled to be wrong on this one, instead of the team one came back Minnesota getting Mahle the Twins make their second trade of the day for pitching help. Trading infielder Spencer Steer is a fairly high price to pay but to have control of Mahle through 2023 makes it worth it.
JOSE QUINTANA
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
TRADED TO ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
WRONG: So far the only move by the Cardinals which is surprising and no news out of Chi Town for now.
NOAH SYNDERGAARD
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
WILSON CONTRERAS
HOUSTON ASTROS
WHY: I see the Astros sending Jose Urquidy who is an excellent starting pitcher, a position the Astros have a ton of depth.
WRONG!: With the Astros trading two middle tier prospects for Boston catcher Christian Vázquez I think the Contreras trade is dead.
IAN HAPP
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
WHY: You can never have enough veterans with postseason experience and I think he can be had for a fair price. This would be the cherry on top for me to put a bet down on Toronto to win it all.
DAVID ROBERTSON
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
WHY: Also could go to either New York team but the Dodgers front office is more savvy and gets a deal done first.
TOMMY PHAM
TAMPA BAY RAYS
TRADED TO BOSTON RED SOX
WHY: The Rays don’t usual break the bank in trades and this isn’t gonna cost them much as the Reds are reloading their roster. I like the fit and it gives them a punchers chance in the playoffs with that rotation.
WRONG!: Didn’t see this coming.. I guess Boston upgrades their left field position but Pham is a free agent after this season, I’m assuming they intend to sign Pham to an extension this off-season. It only took a low end prospect to acquire the solid hitting, speedy Pham so I’d say it was a good trade.
JOEY GALLO
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
TRADED TO LOS ANGELES DODGERS FOR MINOR LEAGUE PITCHER CLAYTON BEETER
WHY: The Yankees are done with him after the Benintendi trade and the Brewers need sticks but remain unwilling to break the bank. I’d love to see them get Nelson Cruz and that is a real possibility.
WRONG!: I thought the Brewers could use the affordable bat in their lineup as you see the Dodgers gave up just one Double A pitcher for Gallo. Even just to pinch hit he’s an asset for any team. Kudos to the Dodgers.
JOE MANTIPLY
MINNESOTA TWINS
WHY: A lefty reliever is just what the doctor ordered for the Twins and with their walk off win last night why not get a reliever that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg..?
NATHAN EOVALDI
MINNESOTA TWINS
WHY: I’m desperate for the Twins to make a move for some pitching. Eovaldi has playoff experience and is a World Series champion. He pitched well last night versus a dangerous Astros lineup (6.1 IP 6 Ks 0 ER) so maybe his season isn’t done just yet. Another guy that could be had for an affordable deal. Acquiring Eovaldi and Smyly as two middle rotation starters and Mantiply as a lefty to come out of the Pen would get me excited about the Twins again.. Also watch for Kenta Maeda to be another bullpen arm we can lean on if we make it to the postseason.
ANDREW CHAFIN
NEW YORK METS
WHY: Lefty relievers are huge commodities and although the White Sox and other teams have interest, I feel like the Mets will pay the highest price.
PREDICTION RECORD: 1-5
TOTAL TRADES PREDICTED: 17
8 SPs, 6 Position Players, 3 Relievers
TRADED: 2 SPs, 4 Position Players, 0 Relievers