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MLB Trade Deadline Tiers: Buyers & Sellers Revealed
1 Jul
Summary
- MLB teams are grouped into buyers, sellers, or 'hinge' teams for the deadline.
- Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, and Braves are aggressive buyer candidates.
- Tigers' Tarik Skubal is the biggest potential trade chip available.
With the MLB trade deadline approximately one month away, teams are being strategically categorized into tiers: aggressive buyers, typical buyers, trending buyers, 'hinge' teams, trending sellers, typical sellers, and aggressive sellers.
In Tier 1, the Yankees lead American League buyers due to their strong World Series odds and financial flexibility. The National League sees the Phillies, Cubs, and Braves positioned as aggressive buyers, aiming to capitalize on their current standings and competitive windows.
Tier 2 includes typical buyers like the Dodgers, Mariners, Guardians, Brewers, and Rays, who are expected to make moves to improve their rosters. This group, largely composed of smaller-market teams, has consistently performed well and possesses prospect capital for potential acquisitions.
Several teams are trending towards the buy side in Tier 3, including surprising contenders like the White Sox and Cardinals, alongside the Pirates, Marlins, Rangers, Astros, and Athletics. Their decisions could significantly impact the trade landscape.
The 'hinge' teams in Tier 4, such as the Nationals, Twins, Red Sox, Orioles, and Padres, have the potential to sway market dynamics. Their choices will be critical in defining the trade season's direction.
Teams trending towards selling include the Tigers, who possess a top trade chip in Tarik Skubal but face challenging playoff odds. Typical sellers like the Rockies, Mets, and Royals are expected to move players.
Finally, aggressive sellers in Tier 7, including the Giants, Reds, and Angels, may look to overhaul their rosters by trading significant assets to retool for the future.
