The All-Star Game is in the past and we come to the heart of the trading season.
With the July 30 trade deadline to two weeks, all 30 teams will be evaluating players of all levels, in an attempt to strengthen their roster for the final part of the campaign or improve for the following season and beyond.
Nothing increases a player’s value more than recently, so with the start of the second half of the campaign, we’ll take a look at those who have been looking good since the beginning of July. Here are nine players whose names could be brought up in various conversations as we near the end of the month.
Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Marlins
The Marlins made one of the first moves of the trading season, sending Corey Dickerson to the Blue Jays on June 29, but Miami isn’t done. Dominican Starling Marte may be his most prized piece, but Venezuela’s Jesús Aguilar has had a great season, leading the National League with 62 RBIs and an .800 OPS. He is barely owed $ 2 million for the year and it comes with an additional season of control.
Possible destinations: Indians, Red Sox
Tyler Anderson, LZ, Pirates
Anderson has been relatively consistent in 2021. A third of his total runs allowed have been in a pair of starts and he has a 2.66 ERA in his last four. The Pirates seem destined for last place, putting general manager Ben Cherington in a position to make the most of Anderson’s courage.
Possible destinations: Angels, Mariners
Javier Báez, SS, Cubs
The Cubs appear to be on their way to sell, and given the Puerto Rican’s impending free agency, Javier Báez appears to be an obvious candidate for change. Despite a slow start to the season, Baez has been on fire lately, hitting .346 / .379 / .731 with three homers and seven RBIs in all seven games this month. Chicago may have to pay part of its contract (it is owed about $ 5.5 million).
Possible destinations: Athletics, Indians
Cron has had a solid season with the Rockies, who signed him for a year and $ 1 million for this season. Cron has hit 12 home runs and has an .834 OPS in 74 games in 2021, but his .960 OPS in nine games in July could boost his value considerably.
Possible destinations: Brewers, Rays
Eduardo Escobar, 2B / 3B, D-backs
Escobar was reportedly on his way to the White Sox a couple of weeks ago, but the two teams haven’t reached an agreement yet. Given his performance so far in July – 1,061 OPS with three homers and seven RBIs with just four strikeouts in 10 games – there must be multiple scouts in Arizona games to monitor the Venezuelan, who is owed $ 3.50. million this year, before entering free agency.
Possible destinations: White Sox, Giants
The Rangers’ gunner has been really fired up in the last month, leading the majors with a 1,488 OPS in July, butting in five home runs with an impressive .333 / .529 / .958 batting average in eight games. Several teams must be interested in Gallo, as he is under the club’s control until 2022.
Possible destinations: Yankees, Pirates
Robbie Grossman, LF, Tigers
The Tigers rebuilding process is accelerating thanks to their young pitching staff, but the lineup has been in trouble. Grossman is one of the best players, but he is 31 years old and is not part of the club’s future plans. He has had a very productive July, posting a 1,046 OPS with two home runs, 13 walks and has struck out only five times in nine games.
Possible destinations: Braves, Cardinals
Charlie Morton, LD; Braves
It would have seemed crazy to think that the Braves would be sellers seven days ago, but Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the year, forcing general manager Alex Anthopoulos to change his 2021 plans if things don’t. they get better in the next two weeks. Morton has been solid, posting a 3.64 ERA in 99 innings over 18 starts. He has tied his opponents to a 1.91 ERA in his last 33 innings.
Possible destinations: Angels, Yankees
Carlos Santana, 1B, Royals
The 35-year-old Dominican continues to shine when it comes to reaching bases, hitting .368 this year, despite hitting just .246. He has been better in July, averaging .303 / .425 / .545 in 10 games. Santana’s veteran presence could help a contending team. It is not a rental. The ambidextrous is owed just under $ 3 million this year and $ 10.5 million in 2022.
Possible destinations: Red Sox, Yankees
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