2021 MLB Trade Deadline Plans for All 30 Teams

        As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, many teams are still trying to figure out whether they will be buyers or sellers. Based off the current standings and where I project each team to be as the month of July unfolds, I have identified players who I would trade for or trade away if I were in charge of each of the MLB teams. The teams are broken down into three categories: Buyers, Holders, and Sellers. The Buyers are teams I believe will be in the postseason race for the entire season, and will be looking to acquire MLB talent to help them pursue the Commissioner's Trophy this fall. The Holders are the teams I believe are close enough to the playoffs right now, but will fall out of the race eventually. The Sellers are the teams that are too far behind in the standings this year and should start preparing for next season.

Buyers (Record on morning of July 2, 2021)

Boston Red Sox (51-31)

The Red Sox are in a great spot to contend for a World Series, and they are hoping to get ace Chris Sale back after the All Star break. They should look to acquire another starting pitcher, a bullpen arm, and a first baseman.

Players to target: Danny Duffy, Hector Neris, Anthony Rizzo

Tampa Bay Rays (47-34)

The Rays were expected to take a step back after they traded their ace Blake Snell this offseason. They have surprised many by staying near the top of a loaded AL East. They should look to acquire a starting pitcher, bullpen arm, and a solid bat.

Players to target: Danny Duffy/Robbie Ray, Hector Neris, Nelson Cruz

Chicago White Sox (48-32)

The White Sox have lived up to expectations so far this season, but it feels like they are a few pieces away from winning the World Series. They should focus on acquiring a replacement for Nick Madrigal, a bullpen arm, and an outfielder.

Players to target: Adam Frazier, Darren O'Day/Steve Cishek/Kendall Graveman, Starling Marte

Houston Astros (49-33)

The Astros are doing their best to hold off the A's for the AL West this season. With Verlander, Greinke, and Correa all set to test free agency following this season, this might be the best chance the Astros have to compete over the next few years. They should be fairly aggressive to acquire talent that is controllable for a few years beyond this one, as well as a rotation arm.

Players to target: Ketel Marte, Joey Gallo, Robbie Ray

Oakland Athletics (48-35)

The A's have a chance to push the Astros for the division title this year. But for a small market team, it does not make too much sense to trade a ton of assets for potentially a one game playoff in the wild card game. The A's need to target a shortstop, rotation arm, and bullpen arm.

Players to target: Marcus Semien, Robbie Ray, Mychal Givens

New York Mets (41-36)

The Mets have surged to the top of the division with an incredible starting rotation. There have been some problems with the offense. They should focus on getting some bullpen help and an impact bat.

Players to target: Richard Rodriguez, Nick Castellanos/Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber

Atlanta Braves (39-41)

I do not have any worries about Freddie Freeman leaving in free agency, so Atlanta will still have a solid core for next year. They should focus on getting a controllable piece so they can shoot for the World Series for the next few years, or go for a decent rental. They could use an outfielder, reliever, and starting pitcher.

Players to target: Richard Rodriguez, Whit Merrifield, Matthew Boyd

Milwaukee Brewers (49-33)

This might be the best season for the Brewers to compete for a World Series for many years to come. I think they should go all in this season and lean on a strong starting rotation. They should go for a depth starter to follow Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. They should also go for an impact bat.

Players to target: Danny Duffy, Kyle Gibson, Trevor Story

San Francisco Giants (50-30)

The Giants have been a pleasant surprise this season leaning on a quality starting rotation. They should be looking for some bullpen help and a bat in the infield and outfield.

Players to target: Daniel Hudson, Adam Frazier, Starling Marte

Los Angeles Dodgers (50-31)

The Dodgers are looking like the favorites to win the title again in 2021 but they might be a rotation arm short of doing so. They could also look to add an infielder to the mix. They should look to acquire a starting pitcher to go in the middle of the rotation and a solid infielder.  Acquiring a star at the right price should also be on the table.

Players to target: Max Scherzer, Marcus Semien, Whit Merrifield

San Diego Padres (49-34)

The Padres have done a fantastic job of team building coming into this season, but there seems to be a slight hole in the bullpen. They should look to add a few more bullpen arms to help them get over the hump in the NL.

Players to target: Brad Hand, Craig Kimbrel, Zack Britton

Holders

Toronto Blue Jays (41-38)

The Blue Jays are headed to the Wild Card Game at best this year, so it makes sense to trade anyone who will be a free agent at the end of this season. They should gain some prospects that could be traded in the offseason or next year to help them contend in a loaded AL East.

Players to trade away

• Marcus Semien

Semien has been very good for the Blue Jays this year, providing Toronto with a great all around bat and some defensive versatility. There does not seem to be a long term fit with the Jays, so Toronto should trade Semien and be able to get a decent return even though he is a rental. I would trade Semien unless the division seems in reach.

• Robbie Ray

Ray has put together a very nice season with elite strikeout numbers. He could be a nice middle of the rotation arm elsewhere. The Jays could explore trading him now and then trying to bring him back in free agency in the offseason.

• Steven Matz

Matz has turned in a decent season in 2021. Matz has not seen much action out of the bullpen in his career, so he could be a back end of the rotation starter down the stretch.

New York Yankees (41-39)

The Yankees will need a roster overhaul in the offseason. They should make an effort to unload some of the unfavorable contracts they have on the books during the winter. Trading players now for prospects that could later be attached in trades of players like Stanton and Hicks should be priority for the Bronx Bombers.

Players to trade away

• Zack Britton

Britton got a late start to the season because of his recovery from an elbow injury. If he pitches anything like he did from the last few years, he will be in demand as a late inning left handed relief arm. He has an expensive club option in 2022 but the Yankees should move him for younger pieces if they fall in the AL East any further.

• Darren O'Day

O'Day should be another Yankees reliever who should be moved. He also has a club option in 2022. If declined, the Yankees could always look to bring him back, but for a team on the fringe currently, they should look to move the veteran reliever.

Cleveland Indians (42-36)

The Indians are in a tricky spot right now. They have a good enough roster to compete right now with stars like Shane Bieber and Jose Ramirez. Bieber is eligible to be a free agent in 2025, while Ramirez has club options in 2022 and 2023. With a Wild Card berth seeming like the best case scenario this year, they should look to compete hard next year, before they have to consider moving Ramirez.

Players to trade away

• Eddie Rosario

Rosario should be traded only if the Indians feel they will not make the playoffs. He is a free agent at the end of the year and could be a useful left handed bat for another team. With Bieber as the ace, the Indians should feel confident if they have to play a one game playoff. If they are heading in this direction, they should hold on to their MLB assets.

Washington Nationals (40-39)

The Nationals have taken a step back this season. They are used to getting off to slow starts, but this year has a different feel to it. There are too many problems in the starting rotation besides Max Scherzer. Strasburg has struggled to stay healthy, and Patrick Corbin has a 5.56 ERA through 16 starts. It is time for the Nationals to retool before they try to compete next season.

Players to trade away

• Max Scherzer

Scherzer has shown incredible durability and production throughout the entirety of the contract he signed with the Nationals. He helped them capture the World Series title in 2019, but now it is time for the organization to move on. The starting rotation seems too weak to help them compete this year. Scherzer could bring back a massive haul because he is the best starting pitcher available on the market.

• Daniel Hudson

Rental relievers are always in demand at the deadline, and Hudson could help lengthen a contending team's bullpen. He should be moved to help the Washington system out.

• Brad Hand

Hand could close games for a team needing help in the 9th inning, or he could be a decent left handed reliever the rest of the season. 

• Kyle Schwarber

This could be a surprise to move Schwarber, but who wouldn't want a left handed power bat in the middle of their lineup down the stretch. This seems like a great time for the Nationals to sell high on Schwarber.

Chicago Cubs (42-39)

The Cubs are in the position to gain the most back out of every team in the MLB at the deadline this year. It seems unlikely for many of these players below to resign. With the Brewers slowly pulling ahead in the NL Central, now seems like the time to retool by trading away some of the players who helped break the curse.

Players to trade away

• Anthony Rizzo

Rizzo is a guy who could make his way back to Chicago in the offseason. But since he has already played for a team other than the Cubs, there is no extra incentive to keep him around for life. He should be moved to a team looking for a solid defender and a solid left handed bat at first base.

• Craig Kimbrel

At the beginning of the contract, Cubs fans were worried this would turn in to a disaster of a signing. Kimbrel has improved tremendously this year and has put the Cubs in position to gain a haul back for the proven reliever. He has a team option in 2022 so he does not need to be treated as a rental. Kimbrel's value will never be higher so now is the time to move the All Star.

• Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant is one of those players that could be a Cub for life. But with no extension worked out, it is very likely he will be headed elsewhere in 2022. Now is the time to trade him for a team looking for a middle of the order bat.

• Javier Baez

Javier Baez has put together a very interesting season. He has shown impressive power as usual, but the strikeout numbers are absurdly high. I do not think the return will be that great on Baez, but I would have no interest in resigning him if I am the Cubs. That means I would trade him and get what I can for him.

Sellers

Baltimore Orioles (27-54)

The Orioles are still a few years away so they should still be focused on acquiring young talent and trading away pieces who will not be around for the next time they contend.

Players to trade away

• Trey Mancini

Mancini has been a great comeback story this season and has put together a solid campaign. The O's should move him to open up first base full time for Ryan Mountcastle.

Detroit Tigers (36-45)

The Tigers have slowly built their minor league system up, but are still years away from contending. They should continue to acquire young talent through the draft and trades.

Players to trade away

• Matthew Boyd

It seems like it has been years of us hearing Boyd's name in trade rumors. Suddenly he becomes a free agent in just two years, in 2023. Now would be a good time to trade Boyd and open up another rotation spot for all the young arms coming up to Detroit.

• Jonathan Schoop

Any team looking for a power hitting second baseman should call the Tigers up for Schoop. With him being a free agent at the end of the year, the Tigers should trade him for some more young talent.

Minnesota Twins (33-46)

The Twins have been potentially the biggest disappointment this year so far. They still are going to look to compete next season, but this year is a lost cause. They should trade away players who can walk in free agency after this season.

Players to trade away

• Nelson Cruz

Cruz is going to be heavily pursued as we near the deadline. It doesn't make any sense for Minnesota to hang on to him, so he should be flipped for some prospects.

• Andrelton Simmons

Simmons is another guy who is a free agent at the end of the year. He will always be an elite defender, so someone will at least pursue him as a defensive minded bench player. If the bat picks up this year, the return to Minnesota will be even greater.

Kansas City Royals (33-47)

The Royals looked ready to surprise a lot of people at the start of the season. They have since gone cold and have fell in the standings in the AL Central. They are still a few years away from being consistent contenders so they should look to move on from a few players.

Players to trade away

• Danny Duffy

Duffy has been magnificent this year for the Royals, and even though the team has slowed down, he has not one bit. He could be moved to a contender looking for a very good left handed starter.

• Whit Merrifield

Merrifield is a player that should probably remain a Royal for life. The only problem is whether or not he would resign with them. The Royals should look for a cheap extension to add on to the club option in 2023. If they get hung up, the Royals should move him and help advance this rebuild quicker.

Seattle Mariners (43-39)

The Mariners have been stuck in limbo for a while and have never seemed to complete the rebuild process. They should continue to acquire prospects that will help them in the future.

Players to trade away

• Mitch Haniger

Haniger is running out of years of control and will not be around for the next time the M's are ready to compete. He should be moved to a contender looking for a corner outfielder.

• Kendall Graveman

Graveman has been a very pleasant surprise for Seattle this year and has turned into a nice bullpen arm. A team looking for a rental reliever could look to acquire the former A's starter.

Los Angeles Angels (39-41)

Another year of Mike Trout's prime has been lost by the Angels. There is going to be no rebuild as long as Trout is around. They should move the pieces that will be testing free agency in the offseason.

Players to trade away

• Jose Iglesias

Any team looking for a solid defender at shortstop could look to add Iglesias. The return won't be massive at all, but it will give the Angels some assets to try and contend next season.

• Steve Cishek

Here is another rental reliever available at the deadline. Cishek has a side arm delivery and he throws a heavy sinker. This could be a good change of pace arm for a contending bullpen.

Texas Rangers (32-49)

The Rangers have struck out on a few of their top draft picks over the last few years so they are in need of acquiring some young prospects to inject into the system. Trades of players who will not be around for the next time they contend should be the plan for Texas.

Players to trade away

• Kyle Gibson

Gibson has put together a solid season and is controllable for an extra year in 2022. I do not believe he will be able able to replicate this type of production next season, so now is the time to move him.

• Joey Gallo

The power hitting lefty has found his home run stroke over the past few days. With Gallo being eligible for free agency in 2023 he will not be on the team when the Rangers are trying to compete in the AL West. A trade now would help out their prospect pool and accelerate a rebuild.

• Ian Kennedy

Kennedy has been very productive since his move to the bullpen in 2019. There is no reason for the Rangers to keep a rental reliever. He should be moved to gain a low level prospect.

Philadelphia Phillies (37-41)

The Phillies have had a very disappointing start to the year in a loaded division. It is going to be difficult for them to get back in the race this season, so they should trade away some players who will be eligible for free agency to help build up their system for next year.

Players to trade away

• Hector Neris

After a rough 2020, Neris has rebounded nicely this season and should be a desirable back of the bullpen arm. The Phillies should move him and pick up a few pieces that could help them next season.

• Vince Velasquez

I think Velasquez is a back of the rotation arm that a few contending teams could target. He could also pitch out of the bullpen as a multi-inning reliever.

Miami Marlins (34-45)

The Marlins are in the same boat as the Phillies, where they have put together a solid team but have had a rough start in a very good division. They should move on from any pieces who are eligible for free-agency and go for the division again next season.

Players to trade away

• Starling Marte

With Corey Dickerson being traded away, the outfield in Miami has gotten a little thinner. I would trade Marte as well, though, because the return Miami could get for a 5 tool player like Marte would be too hard to pass up. 

Cincinnati Reds (40-40)

The Reds could very easily stand pat with the team they have as they have no major contributors leaving for free agency. They do have to worry about an opt out clause on their MVP candidate though.

Players to trade away

• Nick Castellanos

Castellanos has put together an incredible season for the Reds, but he has an opt out clause after this year. He might have played his way into exercising the opt out and testing the market again. The Reds cannot afford to lose him for nothing so they should move him and retool to compete for the NL Central next season.

St. Louis Cardinals (40-42)

The Cardinals have had a disappointing year after bringing in star infielder Nolan Arenado. As long as Nolan and Goldschmidt are manning the corner infield spots, this team will try to compete. The only player they should look to move is a former playoff hero and free agent at the end of the year.

Players to trade away

• Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller could be a guy that is a depth option in a contending team's bullpen. He has experience in the postseason and can add a left handed reliever to a team that needs it.

Pittsburgh Pirates (29-51)

The Pirates are very far away from contending. Since they have no chance of signing big free agents, they have to build their club from their minor league system. They have a few players that should help get them some quality pieces for the future,

Players to trade away

• Adam Frazier

This seems like the most obvious player that will be moved before the July 30 deadline. Any contending team would love to have Frazier in their lineup, with the capability of moving to a few different defensive spots.

• Richard Rodriguez

Rodriguez has pitched himself out of Pittsburgh this year with a solid campaign of closing ballgames for the Pirates. He is not a free agent until 2024, so the return would have to be a good one. But at 31 years old already, the Pirates should look to move on from him.

Colorado Rockies (35-47)

The Rockies gave up on contending when they traded franchise icon Nolan Arenado for an underwhelming package. They should move on from a few franchise stars to help continue this rebuild.

Players to trade away

• Charlie Blackmon

Charlie has slowly been declining in production for years now, and if a team is desperate to find a left handed outfielder, the Rockies should definitely pull the trigger on a trade to give them some salary relief.

• Trevor Story

The player that will bring in the biggest return potentially, Trevor Story has recovered from a slow start in the year to produce at a high level. He will not be returning to Colorado following this year and should help the Rockies accelerate their rebuild.

• Jon Gray

Gray is a name that has been on the trade block for a few years now, but just has not pitched well enough to be moved. At this point in the year, he could be a good depth starter on a contending team.

• Mychal Givens

Givens is a classic rental reliever who is in the middle of a solid year. The Rockies should not wait to move him because there is a surplus of relievers on the market.

Arizona Diamondbacks (23-60)

The Diamondbacks do not have many assets this season that they must trade away, but there might be a few teams to try and acquire some of their players. Since the Diamondbacks are probably a few years away from being consistent contenders, no player should be untouchable.

Players to trade away

• Kole Calhoun

Calhoun could be a left handed bench bat or fourth outfield the rest of the year for a contending team. As a free agent at the end of the year, the price tag will be very low.

• Eduardo Escobar

Escobar should be moved to a team looking for some pop from the left side of the plate. Escobar is capable of playing multiple infield positions and is a free agent at the conclusion of the season.

• Ketel Marte

There are some contending teams, and maybe even some teams who are aiming for next year, that would love to acquire the switch hitting Marte. There is no rush to move Marte because of his club options in 2023 and 2024. If a team is willing to pay a lot for Marte, the D-Backs have to be willing to pull the trigger.