One of the biggest issues buyers will have at this year's MLB trade deadline is answering the question who are going to be the sellers.
While one might argue this has been a challenge in past years, I think as you read through this you will agree this year has some even greater challenges.
American League
Let's start in the American League with the division and wild card standings of last night.
I am showing the division leaders in red and also the Fangraph.com projected standings. The Rangers and the aStros project to be in an epic battle.
The teams shaded orange would be projected to be the wild card teams.
In the wild card standing teams that may see themselves out of the division race are in the wild card race still (Toronto).
In the American League there are two teams that I would label super buyers. Here is how I would classify the AL teams:
Super Buyers- Texas Rangers (2016 last PS), Baltimore (2016 last PS)
Buyers- Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins (limited), Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels (they probably should not be
Not Clear- New York Yankees (listed as sellers but not sure), Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians
Sellers- Seattle Mariners (Confirmed 7/31), Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics
National League
If you thought the AL was complicated, the NL is equal to the task. Here are the division and wild card standings and projections for the National League. The Central race is up for grabs.
The NL current projects to a tie for the last wild card.
The NL wild card race projects to be completely wild with teams like the Padres charging and the Reds trying to hold on.
So, with all of the disclaimers here are my bold predictions of buyers and Sellers in the NL:
Super Buyers- None too much chaos
Buyers- Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs (mistake?)
Not Clear- Arizona Diamondbacks (Buyers?- Confirmed 7/31), Philadelphia Phillies (Buyers?), San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers
Sellers- St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals (not sure), New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates
This means there are eleven sellers and ten buyers, and two super buyers motivated to outbid everyone. There are many teams that I think may move tomorrow.
Folks, what I am telling you is that assuming the Astros CAN get what they want that can help the team in a significant way is difficult at best this year.
Tell me what you think.
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