With the MLB trade deadline approaching, let’s go back in time to glance at my predictions from March. and how those teams will play a role in the trade market.
American League East: I picked Baltimore.The Orioles started a little slow, but caught the Yankees struggling again before the break. This lineup is young and talented. I could see them adding another starter. They have to add another starter. Griffin Canning seems like a good fit.
Central: I picked Detroit. This team is the opposite of the Orioles. Their young talent has not taken that next step.Tarik Skubal? Will he or won’t he be traded will be the calling card for the Tigers. Detroit is 14 games behind the Guardians and seven games behind in the wild card.
West: I went back to the well and picked the Mariners. A month ago, I was riding high with this pick, but the Mariners are doing Mariners things, and I am not sure they have what it takes offensively to hold off the Astros. Tampa Bay might be in sell mode, so Diaz, Paredes or even Arozarena could be a target. This team is in dire need of quality bats.
Wild Cards: I will start with Toronto. They are a terrible team with great talent. Sell while you can. I would be shocked if Vladdy and Bichette don’t have new addresses soon. The Jays are out of the East and 9.5 in the wild card with plenty of veteran pitchers. Toronto would be foolish not to press reset now.
Rangers: I like the young talent this team has, but this year’s team seems to lack last year’s charge. The Rangers have some valuable vets that some teams would love to add, especially Nate Eovaldi.
Houston: The panic button was pressed early and often, but once it was fixed, they took off. The Astros have the championship pedigree to win the west again. Adding Cody Bellinger would solve their first base problem.
World Series Prediction: My pick for the series was Baltimore and Philadelphia. No need to change that. I picked the Phillies to win the series. Both teams are in a buy position at the deadline, and I am confident that both will do just that.
Once the first domino finally drops, the chaos of the deadline will follow.
