The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner. I’m always ready for trades that make sense. There are a few teams that have major holes that need to be filled and some that can acquire someone for stability. Here are three MLB trades I need to see that would go along way to deciding who are the real contenders.
Giants trade LHP Madison Bumgarner and LHP Will Smith to the Twins for OF Alex Kirilloff, LHP Lewis Thorpe, 2B/3B Jose Miranda and C Ben Rortvedt.
The Twins are on the verge of something special I think, and they need a boost to the pitching staff. Jose Berrios and Jake Odorizzi have been good, but Bumgarner is a free agent after this year. Bumgarner seems to me he still has a fire burning and needs a change of scenery. He is one of the top post season pitchers of all time and if he wins a title for Minnesota look out.
Smith would also stabilize the bullpen that could use it. Quick, name me a Twins reliever, yes I thought so. Smith would be a great closer in October to negate a lot of lefties even though it seems he is better against righties this year.
The Giants would get an outfielder in Kirilloff who would be an exciting addition to a loyal fan base. Thorpe eventually could be a solid starter that the Giants need.
Red Sox trade CF Jackie Bradley Jr, RHP Hector Velasquez, RHP Marcus Walden, RHP Bryan Mata and OF Nick Decker to the Mets for RHP Zack Wheeler, and RHP Jeurys Familia.
All right hear me out on this one. I have been a loyal die-hard Red Sox fan since 1985. I know they won the World Series last year, but there has been a bigger hangover that I wasn’t expecting. Everyone seems to have regressed horribly, (Chris Sale I’m looking at you!) and it seems nothing is working. I know Wheeler is a free agent , but I am telling you that when he gets around pitchers like Sale and David Price, he will want to stay.
Wheeler will re-sign says this writer.
Rick Porcello is a free agent after this year, and I like Wheeler better. Familia would be a welcome addition to the bullpen that they sorely need. Bradley Jr has been his own worst enemy. The guy might be the best Center Fielder in baseball, but boy that bat just seems to never catch up .
I know he was ALCS MVP last year, but it just seems he will never hit above .230 on a consistent basis. The Mets fan would fall in love with him, and he would be under less pressure to produce there. Velasquez would be a solid starter and Walden and Mata would be eventually decent relievers.
Diamondbacks trade RHP Zack Greinke to the Phillies for prospects OF Adam Haseley, SS Luis Garcia, and LHP Ranger Suarez.
I know this might be a risky trade, but isn’t every trade? Greinke is under contract til 2021 and he has 62.5 million dollars that is being deferred in installments til 2026. He is actually only taking home 21 million this year.
The Phillies need another starter. Aaron Nola has seemed to find it again and Jake Arrieta will never be what he once was. The Phillies could eat a portion of this contract and Greinke seems like he would fit in nicely with the Phillies culture.
Adam Haseley and Luis Garcia could become stars and the DBacks could use a youth injection. They would be franchise players and would definitely get fans to come.
So what do you all think? Is there a trade you would make? Let us know @BellyUpBaseball!
