Stay or go? Six big-name MLB trade candidates and whether their team should deal them - The Athletic
Tarik Skubal, Vladmir Guerrero Jr., and Mason Miller will be among the top names on the market, if their teams make them available.
We all want a blockbuster, a real eye-popping, jaw-dropping deal that shakes up the league. But unfortunately, these types of trades are becoming rarer. Fans are all too familiar with the excuses that team officials hide behind, refusing to trade their Precious Prospects™ and make a big move. They want to protect their "years of control," avoid "mortgaging the future," and build a "sustainable contender."
However, there are a few bold executives who dare to defy the risk-averse nature of the current baseball landscape. GM A.J. Preller and his counterpart, Jerry Dipoto, stand out as exceptions. They are willing to make moves that could potentially transform their teams' fortunes.
With the trade deadline approaching, several teams face difficult decisions regarding their top players. Here's a look at six trade candidates and whether their respective teams should stay the course or make a deal:
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers: Stay
In a market lacking ace pitchers, Skubal is a coveted target for teams desperate for rotation help. The 27-year-old left-hander is having a stellar season and is a leading Cy Young Award contender. With two more years of club control at projected below-market salaries, why would the Tigers even consider trading him? The only reasonable explanation would be the fear of Skubal getting injured, given his past Tommy John and flexor tendon surgeries. However, the Tigers are showing signs of life after seven losing seasons, and trading away their current ace would keep them stuck on the hamster wheel of mediocrity.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays: Go
Despite their underwhelming performance and postseason struggles, the Blue Jays insist they want to keep Guerrero and compete in 2025. But with a talented roster that includes aging veterans and expensive stars, this upcoming season may be their last chance to make a real push. Guerrero, a top slugger with impressive durability, could fetch a hefty return on the trade market. It might be time for the Blue Jays to concede that this group has fallen short and focus on retooling for the future.
A.J. Puk of the Oakland Athletics: Go
Rival executives are puzzled by the A's reluctance to trade Puk, their 100 mph closer. While the A's believe they are making progress, the reality is that they are a last-place team with a reliever who has a history of elbow injuries. Puk's value is incredibly high right now, and the risk of keeping him outweighs the challenges of finding a suitable replacement. The A's should take advantage of his value and use a potential trade to build a stronger rotation for the future.
Hoyer Steele of the Chicago Cubs: Stay
The Cubs have confirmed their intention to focus on the 2025 season and beyond. With that in mind, trading away their ace, Steele, would be counterintuitive. The Cubs have struggled to develop starting pitching talent, and Steele represents a rare commodity—a pitcher to build around. With three additional years of club control, the Cubs should prioritize signing Steele to an extension rather than entertaining trade offers.
Luis Robert of the Chicago White Sox: Stay
Robert, a five-tool center fielder with three years of club control at reasonable salaries, is an enticing trade candidate. However, the White Sox believe they may receive better offers for him during the offseason due to his injury history. With a position player, it's worth taking the chance that he stays healthy and performs, providing more opportunities to explore trades in the future.
Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers: Go
The defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, should be sellers at this trade deadline. Their playoff odds are slim, and their offensive struggles don't inspire much confidence. Eovaldi, a proven postseason performer, is just 57 innings away from vesting his $20 million player option for next season. However, he may prefer to decline the option and test free agency or negotiate an extension. With his relationship with Rangers GM Chris Young and his preference for pitching close to home, a trade now doesn't rule out a reunion in the future.
However, there are a few bold executives who dare to defy the risk-averse nature of the current baseball landscape. GM A.J. Preller and his counterpart, Jerry Dipoto, stand out as exceptions. They are willing to make moves that could potentially transform their teams' fortunes.
With the trade deadline approaching, several teams face difficult decisions regarding their top players. Here's a look at six trade candidates and whether their respective teams should stay the course or make a deal:
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers: Stay
In a market lacking ace pitchers, Skubal is a coveted target for teams desperate for rotation help. The 27-year-old left-hander is having a stellar season and is a leading Cy Young Award contender. With two more years of club control at projected below-market salaries, why would the Tigers even consider trading him? The only reasonable explanation would be the fear of Skubal getting injured, given his past Tommy John and flexor tendon surgeries. However, the Tigers are showing signs of life after seven losing seasons, and trading away their current ace would keep them stuck on the hamster wheel of mediocrity.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays: Go
Despite their underwhelming performance and postseason struggles, the Blue Jays insist they want to keep Guerrero and compete in 2025. But with a talented roster that includes aging veterans and expensive stars, this upcoming season may be their last chance to make a real push. Guerrero, a top slugger with impressive durability, could fetch a hefty return on the trade market. It might be time for the Blue Jays to concede that this group has fallen short and focus on retooling for the future.
A.J. Puk of the Oakland Athletics: Go
Rival executives are puzzled by the A's reluctance to trade Puk, their 100 mph closer. While the A's believe they are making progress, the reality is that they are a last-place team with a reliever who has a history of elbow injuries. Puk's value is incredibly high right now, and the risk of keeping him outweighs the challenges of finding a suitable replacement. The A's should take advantage of his value and use a potential trade to build a stronger rotation for the future.
Hoyer Steele of the Chicago Cubs: Stay
The Cubs have confirmed their intention to focus on the 2025 season and beyond. With that in mind, trading away their ace, Steele, would be counterintuitive. The Cubs have struggled to develop starting pitching talent, and Steele represents a rare commodity—a pitcher to build around. With three additional years of club control, the Cubs should prioritize signing Steele to an extension rather than entertaining trade offers.
Luis Robert of the Chicago White Sox: Stay
Robert, a five-tool center fielder with three years of club control at reasonable salaries, is an enticing trade candidate. However, the White Sox believe they may receive better offers for him during the offseason due to his injury history. With a position player, it's worth taking the chance that he stays healthy and performs, providing more opportunities to explore trades in the future.
Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers: Go
The defending World Series champions, the Texas Rangers, should be sellers at this trade deadline. Their playoff odds are slim, and their offensive struggles don't inspire much confidence. Eovaldi, a proven postseason performer, is just 57 innings away from vesting his $20 million player option for next season. However, he may prefer to decline the option and test free agency or negotiate an extension. With his relationship with Rangers GM Chris Young and his preference for pitching close to home, a trade now doesn't rule out a reunion in the future.