The MLB season marches on past Memorial Day. By now, teams have played about two months, or a third of the season, and they’re sorting themselves into clear groups. That includes the group of teams that need to be ready to sell at the trade deadline.
There is, of course, still some time before the trade deadline. It’s not until Aug. 3 at 6:00 p.m. EST, after all. However, it’s impossible to ignore how the season is going for several teams.
Not every team is willing to admit it yet. Many will hope for a turnaround. However, these five teams need to be ready to sell off players and reset.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are in a difficult position. At 22-30, they’re in last place in the AL East, but only three games back in the wild card. On top of that, when CBO Craig Breslow fired manager Alex Cora, he was adamant that this team could still compete. So, do they buy or sell at the trade deadline? Sell.
The truth is, the Red Sox have too many gaps in a poorly constructed lineup that need filling. One new bat, as they’re reportedly searching for, won’t fix that. So, hit the reset button once again in Boston.
San Francisco Giants
It’s been a disastrous season for the Giants under first-season manager Tony Vitello. Sitting at 22-32, they’re 12 games back in the NL West and 7.5 back in the wild card. Only the Colorado Rockies have a worse record in the NL, and there’s no reason to think that’s going to change.
Worse, the Giants have several veteran players who are underperforming their massive contracts. Add to that the 19th-ranked farm system, and it’s hard to be optimistic about the future. So, selling off some big names, eating contracts or parts of contracts for prospects and going toward a youth movement may be in the cards.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles are in a similar spot as the Red Sox. At 24-30, they’re effectively out of the AL East race, yet they’re also just two games out of the wild card. It would be easy to hold on and hope for their fortune to turn, but it’s smarter to be ready to sell at the trade deadline.
What’s unique is that the core in Baltimore was supposed to be a championship one. It even played like that for a couple of seasons, but its regression is a major concern. Still, there is value in finding which young stars to keep and which to move.
Detroit Tigers
Coming into the year, the Tigers were a popular pick to compete for the AL pennant. Now, they’re 21-33, have the second-worst record in the AL and Cy Young pitcher Tarik Skubal is injured.
Detroit could call it bad luck and run back most of their roster. That would be a mistake, though, because Skubal is a free agent after the season. The Tigers need to get him back, prove he’s healthy and then trade him for the best value possible. Otherwise, they risk losing him while getting nothing in return.
New York Mets
It’s been a disaster of a season for the Mets. Owning the highest-payroll in baseball, the Mets are now 22-32 and buried in both the NL East (14 GB) and wild card races (7.5 GB).
So, it’s time to sell. The question is what pieces should they sell off? Players like Juan Soto are there to stay. Not everyone is untouchable, though, and there is talent the Mets can move.