MLB Players Who Could Be Traded At Deadline

Even without Ohtani, we still have a ton of top talent who could play for a new team this time next week and a mountain of MLB news surrounding the deadline.

Let’s jump right into the candidates who could be traded by the deadline and MLB odds predictions for post-deadline World Series futures.

Blake Snell, LHP San Diego Padres

It’s hard to predict whether the Padres will be sellers or not at the trade deadline. They are currently eight games back in the race for the NL Wild Card but have the roster to go on a run at any moment. With guys like Manny Machado, Juan Soto, and Xander Bogarts, it’s a wonder that the Friars aren’t far higher in the standings or have better MLB lines to win the World Series.

The truth is they could just as easily be buyers over the next week. It all depends on how their next two series go.

Regarding Snell, he’s been one of the best arms in baseball for most of the season. In his previous 11 appearances, Snell amassed 96 strikeouts in 62 innings while allowing just 10 runs.

Blake Snell since May 25:

9 GS, 53 IP, 4 ER (0.68 ERA), 22 BB, 84 SO 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OoclKCIFLi

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 9, 2023

Even with Ohtani in the mix, Snell could be the best pitcher on the trade block this deadline with higher Las Vegas MLB Odds to win the Cy Young Award.

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B St. Louis Cardinals

We already know that the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals, John Mozeliak, is planning to sell at the deadline. While Goldy isn’t a free agent until the end of next season, the franchise is focused on winning in 2024 and might be better off with a package of prospects than the reigning NL MVP.

It helps that Goldschmidt hasn’t been nearly as good as he was last season and is entering his age-35 season. He is talented, consistent, and reliable, but father time remains undefeated, and the Cardinals would probably trade him next season for less if they end up waiting.

Paul Goldschmidt goes deep against his former team. pic.twitter.com/VLwknJb7mq

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2023

Trading Goldschmidt would also free up a spot for rookie Jordan Walker. The Cardinals want his bat in the lineup, but the outfielder is a risk in the field. St. Louis would be better off moving him to 1B and finding somebody else to play in the outfield.

Lucas Giolito, RHP Chicago White Sox

Giolito will almost certainly be traded before Tuesday’s deadline for three reasons. One, he will be a free agent at the end of the season, and the White Sox will get nothing for him when he inevitably chooses to sign with a better team. Two, the White Sox are nowhere near as good as they need to be and are looking to dump talent and rebuild.

Third, and most important, Giolito is one hell of a pitcher.

Lucas Giolito, 93mph Fastball and 85mph Slider, Overlay pic.twitter.com/gau28Ri4rd

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 23, 2023

Giolito is having a down season, but he’s not fooling anyone with a 6-6 record and 3.79 ERA. The lack of wins comes down to a lack of offense to back him up, and his ERA isn’t that bad. Just what you would expect from a guy playing on a bad team.

The righty continues to be a prolific strikeout pitcher with 131 punchouts in 121 innings this season. He’s issued just 42 walks in that time.

Potential landing spots for Giolito include teams who need a boost in starting pitching, like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and Arizona Diamondbacks.