MLB 2021 trade deadline: 10 potential deals, including Bryant, New York landing Gallo and a Red Sox reunion

Baseball’s annual trade deadline is less than two weeks away and we’ve seen some movement already. The Brewers added Willy Adames and Rowdy Tellez, the Blue Jays added Adam Cimber and Trevor Richards, the Braves added Joc Pederson and Stephen Vogt, and it looks like more deals could happen at any time. There is no shortage of motivated sellers and motivated buyers.

With that in mind, here are 10 deals we’d love to see before the deadline. Come with me, don’t you?

1. Bryant at the Mets

The Mets already have three players who can play at third base (JD Davis, Luis Guillorme, Jonathan Villar), but none can impact the game like Kris Bryant, who would also balance New York’s lefty-heavy lineup. The Cubs can give Bryant the post-season qualifying offer, so you have to give up something worth at least one extra first-round draft pick to get it, and that’s a prize the Mets can (and should be prepared) to pay. The Mets are among the worst performing teams in baseball and Bryant would be a huge boost.

2. Cruz in athletics

Mitch Moreland was injured and ineffective, so Athletics received one of the worst DH productions in the league. Nelson Cruz would be a massive upgrade in the middle of the lineup and the A’s aren’t afraid to make a splash at the deadline. The Twins are out of the question and it makes no sense to hold on to a recently shot 41-year-old DH. Cruz is an obvious business chip for Minnesota and Oakland is in dire need of DH.

3. Frazier at the White Sox

The White Sox are expected to recover Eloy Jiménez and Luis Robert in the coming weeks, but Nick Madrigal is finished for the year after hamstring surgery, and Adam Frazier has been among the best second basemen in the game this season. As an added bonus, he’s in the squad’s control as a player eligible for refereeing next year, and Chicago could put him in the outfield in deference to Madrigal at second base next season (Frazier has played a lot outfield in his career). The Pirates are in full rebuild mode and Frazier is their best trading chip.

4. Gallo at the Yankees

The “left-handed batter will hit 50 home runs at Yankee Stadium!” the idea is overkill, but could Joey Gallo? At the very least, he would give the Yankees a much-needed left-handed stick, and he would be a defensive improvement in the outfield as well. Gallo is also under the squad as a player eligible for refereeing next year, so even if the Yankees continue to disappear from the race, they would have him next year. The Rangers may never be able to get more for Gallo than they are right now, in the world of post-foreign substance repression.

5. Gibson to the Cardinals

The Cardinals are having a pitching crisis. They have four starters on the injured list (Jack Flaherty, Dakota Hudson, Carlos Martínez, Miles Mikolas) and currently start Wade LeBlanc every five days. Even though St. Louis has come off the playoff race well, Gibson is under contract for just $ 7 million next season, so he’s not a tenant. Very productive and very affordable. Texas waited too long to trade Mike Minor and maybe even Lance Lynn. Trading two Gibson playoffs rather than one (like Lynn) makes perfect sense.

6. Kennedy at the Astros

There’s not much the Astros can do to improve at this point. They are one of the most successful teams in baseball and their rotation is excellent as well. The bullpen is a weakness, however, and while Ian Kennedy isn’t the sexiest name, he’s still very effective, and he would free manager Dusty Baker to use backup ace Ryan Pressly in places. highly leveraged earlier in the game rather than marrying him in the ninth inning. Kennedy is a future free agent, so there is no reason for the last-place Rangers to keep him.

7. Kimbrel at the Red Sox

It’s almost certain that the Cubs will trade Craig Kimbrel, who is enjoying an All-Star season, so how about a reunion with the Red Sox? Boston closest Matt Barnes is also an All-Star, but there aren’t too many good relievers, and Barnes recently signed a multi-year contract extension. He no longer has to worry about reducing his earning potential by giving up his role of closest. Plus, if the BoSox are feeling frisky, Kimbrel’s contract includes a $ 16 million club option for 2022. He doesn’t need to be a tenant.

8. Marte aux braves

Ronald Acuña Jr. is done for the season and Marcell Ozuna could also give his investigation into ongoing domestic violence, which means the Braves are considering a combination of Ehire Adrianza, Abraham Almonte, Orlando Arcia, Guillermo Heredia and Ender Inciarte in the outfield alongside recently acquired Pederson. It’s not going to fly. Intra-division trading is always tricky, but Starling Marte is a hire, and the Marlins shouldn’t worry about dealing with him in the NL East. Get the best possible return. Atlanta has a major need in the outfield and Marte is arguably the best outfielder in the trade market.

9. Rodríguez at the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have one of the best point differentials in baseball, but they still hover around 0.500 because the bullpen has been such a weakness. Too many leads have escaped in recent weeks. The last thing a rebuilding team like the Pirates needs is a big draw, and Richard Rodríguez is a big draw. He is also in the squad’s control as a player eligible for refereeing until 2023, so he would be a long-term addition for a rising Blue Jays side. It’s such an obvious and sensible adjustment.

10. History of the reds

We are now in the second half and the Reds remain within striking distance in NL Central. They don’t have a real shortstop on the roster – their leaders in games played in this position are a catcher (Kyle Farmer) and a third baseman (Eugenio Suárez) – and they have received an under production. replacement at position level. Trevor Story is one of the best shortstops in the game, so this is an obvious upgrade, and he’s an impending free agent the Rockies should be motivated to trade.