Deals That Could Happen With The MLB's Trade Deadline Looming

Forbes

6 days ago

Earlier in the week, I looked at three potential deals that make sense before the MLB trade deadline on Thursday.
Now, with the deadline less than 24 hours away, let's look at three more trade scenarios that could help contenders bolster their rosters and non-contending teams add young players.
Miami Marlins-Chicago Cubs
The Marlins trade right-handers Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara to the Cubs for third baseman Matt Shaw, corner infielder/corner outfielder prospect Jonathon Long, and middle infield prospect Ed Howard.
The Cubs need pitching depth as they battle the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Central title, and Cabrera and Alcantara would improve their rotation for the stretch run and beyond. Cabrera won't be eligible for free agency until 2027, and Alcantara has another year left on his five-year $56-million contract and a club option for $21 million in '27.
Cabrera, 27, is having a good season with a 4-5 record with a 3.35 ERA in 18 starts. The 29-year-old Alcantara won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 but missed last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery and has struggled this year, going 6-9 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 starts.
The Marlins would get a long-term solution at third base in Shaw. The 23-year-old rookie is hitting .223 with six homers and 14 stolen bases in 74 games, but was ranked by Baseball America as the game's No. 35 prospect coming into the season.
Long, 23, has been overshadowed in a prospect-laden lineup at Triple-A Iowa, hitting .313 with 16 home runs in 98 games while being ranked as the Cubs' No. 7 prospect by Baseball America. Howard, 23, was the Cubs' first-round draft pick in 2020 but could use a change of scenery after hitting .219 in 271 minor-league games during an injury-plagued career.
Minnesota Twins-Boston Red Sox
The Twins trade right-hander Joe Ryan to the Red Sox for right fielder Roman Anthony.
This deal would send shockwaves throughout baseball because Anthony was universally considered the top prospect in baseball at the beginning of spring training.
However, the Red Sox need a starting pitcher as they try to reach the postseason since 2021, and president of baseball operations Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora have both emphatically said the organization's days of rebuilding are over.
What makes Ryan attractive is that he is under contractual control through 2027 and could pair with left-hander Garrett Crochet at the top of the rotation. The 29-year-old Ryan was also selected to the All-Star Game for the first time this season and has a 10-5 record and 2.82 ERA in 21 games (20 starts).
It would be hard for the Red Sox to part with Anthony, but they have substantial outfield depth with left fielder Jarren Duran, center fielder Cedanne Rafaela, and right fielder Wilyer Abreu. The 21-year-old Anthony has a .275 batting average and two home runs in 42 games as a rookie and would give the Twins a cornerstone player to build around.
Baltimore Orioles-Milwaukee Brewers
The Orioles trade designated hitter/first baseman Ryan O'Hearn to the Brewers for right-handed pitching prospects Bryce Meccage and Coleman Crow.
The Brewers would like one more potent hitter for the stretch run, and Hearn was the starting designated hitter for the American League in the All-Star Game. O'Hearn is batting .283 with 12 home runs in 93 games in his last season before reaching free agency.
The Orioles' organization is top-heavy with hitters and could use some pitching.
The 19-year-old Meccage is ranked as the Brewers' No. 25 prospect by Baseball America and is 1-3 with a 4.14 ERA in 17 starts for Low-A Carolina. Crow, 24, was recently promoted to Triple-A Nashville after going 4-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 10 starts for Double-A Biloxi and would be an interesting target at the MLB trade deadline.