These World Series Contenders Are One Trade Away
The Major League Baseball trade deadline is a month away and teams are analyzing their needs and how to fill a weak spot before the post season. Sellers are beginning to slowly accept their dismal chances, while contenders are identifying what positions they need to support and who could be available in the next month. The likely contenders are beginning to solidify their division lead, but several of them have a weak spot that can only become more productive by a trade next month.
Here are some leading contenders and what positions they need to improve over the course of the next month.
Boston Red Sox – third base
At the start of the season, the Sox anticipated that Pablo Sandoval would be ready to be the answer but were not ready for the poor results at third base. Hoping that Sandoval would look more like the one who starred for the San Francisco Giants, the Sox hope to fix their third base weakness with a veteran player trade if Sandoval cannot produce.
Sandoval hit just .212 with four home runs before landing on the disabled list, and his replacements have been even worse. On the whole, Boston’s third basemen have hit under .200 this season.
There are a few places the Red Sox could look to upgrade — the bullpen and another starting pitcher would be welcomed — but the black hole at third base is holding the team back. They’re probably not going to get a star during midseason but a veteran name like David Freese or Mike Moustakas could occur if their teams elect to sell. Both players would be a clear upgrade with the experience to play third base better than the existing players who were unproductive.
Chicago Cubs – starting pitching
The Chicago Cubs have put themselves in a uneasy position. The big problem that has led to their underwhelming season has been a lack of offense, with no regular starter hitting anywhere near .300. Kyle Schwarber, expected to be a key contributor at the start of the season, was recently demoted to the minors. Kris Bryant is nursing a sprained ankle. The Cubs are not going to replace guys like Anthony Rizzo and Addison Russell this year for any new acquisitions. The other solution is to acquire another starting pitcher.
Their league best rotation from last year was Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey, and Kyle Hendricks, but Arrieta has been pitching hurt and off course, Hendricks is on the DL, and Lackey just has been ineffective and not consistent. The Cubs won in 2016 because of their rotation which needs a supporting arm. They don’t need an ace, but a stabilizing presence would probably be a big step as they try to capture their division title which is up for grabs.
Houston Astros – starting pitching
The Astros are passing the rest of the American League but a few tweaks could make them even better.
They have two really reliable starting pitchers with ace Dallas Keuchel, who is currently on his second DL stint of the season. The other is Lance McCullers who has a very impressive arm with his performance this year.
Keuchel and Lance McCullers have been awesome, and Mike Fiers has stepped up to provide some solid innings as well. The rest of the rotation is their problem. Injuries have plagued Charlie Morton and Joe Musgrove. David Paulino has not been effective enough as a starter. The Astros know a pitching trade is necessary for post season as they need to shore up some of their rotation concerns.
If Houston is too reliant on Keuchel, it could prove to be their undoing in the playoffs if his recurring injury problems keep him on the bench. They need another steady option in that rotation.
