We're days away from the 2023 MLB trade deadline. So, let's meet the sellers.
These are the five selling teams that will define 2023 deadline day is and control where the top trade candidates end up:
5. Washington Nationals
This will be the Nationals' third-straight deadline as obvious sellers, but it won't be as fun as the previous two. In 2021, the Nats moved Max Scherzer and Trea Turner before swapping Juan Soto to San Diego last deadline. With all the core pieces traded away, Washington's left with role players and expiring contracts to move.
Names To Watch: INF Jeimer Candelario, OF Lane Thomas
4. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels could define this deadline if they wanted. But, the reason they're not higher on the seller rankings is because of the unknowns.
Los Angeles just swept the Yankees moved back over .500 and sit just 4.5 games out of a playoff spot. There's a reasonable claim to be made the Angels should buy, not sell. But, if they choose to trade pending-free agent Shohei Ohtani, all eyes will be on Anaheim.
The Angels are heavily favored to keep Ohtani at -475 but the Dodgers are the top destination if he's moved, per the odds.
Names To Watch: SP/DH Shohei Ohtani, RP Carlos Estevez, OF Hunter Renfroe
Sources: The Angels are not close to a decision on whether to trade Shohei Ohtani. They’re likely to wait until the final 24-48 hours before the Aug. 1 deadline. Teams continue to contact the Angels and express interest in Ohtani, because why wouldn’t they? @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 20, 2023
3. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are falling out of it, droping to 7.5 games out of a playoff spot and the NL Central race. And with two of the top pending free agents in the game — Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman — they could be big-time sellers.
The question in the north side is, re-sign or trade? With almost $90 million already tied up in Seiya Suzuki, Jameson Taillon, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ next year, can the Cubs afford to bring back Stroman and Bellinger? Or, are they better off recouping the prospects and continuing to build for the future?
Per MLB trade deadline odds, the Yankees are the favored destination for both Stroman and Bellinger, if both players are moved.
Names To Watch: SP Marcus Stroman, OF Cody Bellinger
2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cards entered the season with World Series aspirations. Now, they're decidedly sellers.
With team president John Mozeliak coming out and saying the Cards will be trading players, prepare for a busy August 1st deadline in the midwest.
Pending free agents like Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, and Jordan Hicks are nearly locks to go. But, the bigger question in St. Louis is if NL MVP candidates like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt will stick around?
Names To Watch: Everyone. Nobody is safe.
The Cardinals are going to be sellers at the trade deadline pic.twitter.com/sdyFlTQtpp
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 12, 2023
1. Chicago White Sox
Even with big names like Bellinger and Ohtani on the market, this 2023 trade deadline will run through the White Sox.
If your favorite team wants a rental, they'll be talking to the White Sox. Yasmani Grandal, Mike Clevinger, Lucas Giolito, and Keynan Middleton are all pending free agents. Lance Lynn, Liam Hendriks, Joe Kelly, and Tim Anderson also have team options that could send them to the open market, too. Oh, you're looking for a controllable starter? Try about Dylan Cease.
The White Sox have a player who could fill basically every contending teams' needs. And, sitting 17 games below .500, there's no chance they aren't blowing it up on deadline day.
As the biggest fish on the south side, Giolito is favored to be traded to the Dodgers to address Los Angeles rotation woes.
Names To Watch: SP Lucas Giolito, SP Dylan Cease, Tim Anderson, and more...
Bonus Sellers: The New York Teams
Two X-factors for this year's trade deadline are the teams in New York. The Yankees took a nose dive out of the break (and are reportedly looking to duck under the luxury tax) while the Mets continue to sit well out of a playoff spot. Will either of these two proud organizations actually sell?
