The MLB commerce deadline is July 30 at 6 p.m. ET and since a number of groups are within the combine for a wild-card spot, it guarantees to be essentially the most intriguing day of the season.
The NL West hasn’t lived as much as expectations this season, however each group exterior of the Colorado Rockies continues to be within the combine for a playoff spot. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will certainly be two of the extra energetic groups forward of the commerce deadline. The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants, in the meantime, should show within the coming weeks why their entrance places of work ought to bolster their rosters.
With that in thoughts, right here is one transfer every NL West group should make forward of the commerce deadline.
(All statistics and data are by way of Tuesday’s video games.)
Arizona Diamondbacks (41-44)
The transfer: Commerce RHP Paul Sewald
After making a miraculous run to the 2023 World Collection, the Diamondbacks entered the season with the very best Opening Day payroll in franchise historical past. Nevertheless, accidents and inconsistent performances have resulted in Arizona limping to a 41-44 document, placing the group in a precarious place with the commerce deadline quickly approaching.
There’s nonetheless time to show issues round, particularly with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) anticipated to return earlier than the deadline. Even so, with the Diamondbacks proudly owning the third-most tough remaining schedule in the majors, GM Mike Hazen ought to unload items if his group cannot shortly get on observe. Arizona has a couple of intriguing commerce candidates, together with speedy outfielder Jake McCarthy, but when the group decides to promote, it ought to solely half with gamers who aren’t underneath contract long-term.
The 34-year-old Sewald, an impending free agent, would immediately be one of many high rental arms on the commerce market if the Diamondbacks made him accessible. Sewald was sidelined by an indirect pressure earlier this season however has pitched properly since coming off the injured checklist, posting a 1.56 ERA with 11 saves in 19 video games. Contending groups might get determined for relievers on the deadline, so capitalizing on Sewald’s worth might web Arizona a worthwhile acquisition able to serving to the group for the foreseeable future.
Colorado Rockies (29-56)
The transfer: Commerce second baseman Brendan Rodgers
The Rockies’ playoff aspirations are primarily lifeless, as they’re one among simply two groups to be greater than 5.5 video games again of the third and last NL wild-card spot. Colorado is often quiet across the commerce deadline and this season does not seem like any totally different. It might be smart for the membership to discover Ryan McMahon’s market, however Patrick Saunders of the Denver Submit lately reported there’s “practically zero” probability Colorado trades the third baseman.
Nonetheless, Colorado desperately should add pitching – each within the beginning rotation and bullpen – and the one method to make a considerable improve is thru the commerce market. Rodgers, who will hit free company in 2026, could be a compelling goal for groups trying to find middle-infield assist.
In 68 video games this season, the 2022 Gold Glove Award winner is slashing .282/.325/.407 with 5 house runs and 28 RBI. Contemplating they’ve a number of MLB-ready arms ready within the minor leagues, the New York Yankees could be a great commerce associate for the Rockies if the Bombers wish to finish the Gleyber Torres experiment at second base.
Los Angeles Dodgers (53-33)
The transfer: Purchase Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena
The Dodgers aren’t any strangers to creating splashy deadline acquisitions and after occurring an enormous spending spree this previous offseason, they need to have one other noteworthy transfer up their sleeve. On paper, Chicago White Sox starter Garrett Crochet and Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette look like excellent matches, although neither is essentially the most practical choices. Los Angeles might get outbid by the Baltimore Orioles for Crochet whereas buying and selling for Bichette poses a serious danger, contemplating he is hitting a career-low .227 with 4 homers and 28 RBI this summer season.
Regardless of being a dangerous addition in his personal proper, Arozarena is well worth the gamble for the Dodgers, who’ve obtained minimal manufacturing from outfielders apart from Teoscar Hernandez. Arozarena is slashing an uncharacteristic .196/.305/.353 with 11 house runs, 28 RBI and 10 stolen bases, however his stellar June offers optimism that he is returning to All-Star kind. In 25 video games final month, Arozarena hit .291 with three house runs and 9 RBI and posted an .893 OPS.
Provided that Arozarena is underneath group management till 2027, he will not be low-cost to amass. That stated, regardless that Los Angeles’ farm system is not as robust because it has been in recent times, the group has greater than sufficient gifted prospects to strike a take care of Tampa Bay.
It is a World Collection-or-bust season for the Dodgers. Including a confirmed playoff performer like Arozarena could possibly be the important thing to attaining their final objective.
San Diego Padres (46-43)
The transfer: Purchase Rockies catcher Elias Diaz
President of baseball operations A.J. Preller is one other govt who enjoys taking massive swings on the commerce deadline, but it surely would not be stunning if he took a extra reserved strategy this time round. The Padres cannot proceed to intestine their farm system to amass expertise, although Diaz would not price a lot to amass and would instantly improve the group’s catcher state of affairs.
Catcher Kyle Higashioka hit eight house runs final month, however Luis Campusano – who’s on a rehab task resulting from a thumb harm – has struggled defensively. Campusano has not solely been the worst catcher in baseball, however he is additionally statistically been the worst general fielder, posting -12 defensive runs saved.
It is doable Higashioka will assume nearly all of the begins at catcher for the rest of the season, but it surely would not damage to herald the rental Diaz to shoulder the load. Diaz, the MVP of the 2023 MLB All-Star Recreation, is slashing .307/.352/.439 with 5 house runs and 28 RBI in 58 video games.
San Francisco Giants (42-44)
The transfer: Purchase Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette
As talked about, Bichette is off to the worst begin to a season of his profession and there is not any telling whether or not a change of surroundings will change that.
Nonetheless, he is a 26-year-old, two-time All-Star who’s underneath contract by way of the 2025 season and (extra importantly) is best than San Francisco’s present choices at shortstop. The Giants have been trying to find a real successor to Brandon Crawford with little success, as 5 shortstops have mixed to put up 0.7 bWAR this season, the seventh fewest on the place amongst groups.
San Francisco wants greater than only a stopgap at shortstop. Though the group’s No. 3 prospect, Marco Luciano, impressed along with his bat throughout his 10-game stint earlier this season, his protection casts doubt that he is the Giants’ long-term reply. Bichette is not an elite fielder by any means, however he is competent defensively, as evidenced by his 58th-percentile rating in fielding run worth, in keeping with Baseball Savant.
With the way in which he is performing on the plate, Bichette is not a great addition for many contending groups, however he could possibly be a low-risk, high-reward acquisition for the Giants, given their state of affairs. If Luciano nonetheless has sufficient identify worth to function a headliner in a possible deal, San Francisco should not hesitate to flip him for Bichette.