Trade Deadline Approaches as Teams Scramble for Last-Minute Deals

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is just around the corner, with only two weeks left before the August 3rd cutoff. As we approach the midpoint of July, 23 teams are still in legitimate contention for a playoff spot, leaving just seven sellers to fuel the trade deadline. This is shaping up to be a monster seller’s market, with teams lining up to snag the best pitchers and position players available.

Cubs Eye Mets’ Peralta

The Chicago Cubs, who are struggling to keep pace with the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central standings, have their eyes on Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Peralta, a free agent after the season, has had a mixed season, going 5-8 with a 4.66 ERA (90 ERA+). However, the Cubs believe that part of the blame lies with the Mets’ poor defense, which ranks 22nd in the majors. In contrast, the Cubs have a top-notch defense, ranking second in the majors in defensive efficiency and first in fielding run value.

The Cubs are reportedly interested in reuniting Peralta with manager Craig Counsell, who spent six seasons together in Milwaukee. Peralta’s reunion with Counsell could be a key factor in the Cubs’ decision to pursue him.

White Sox Watching Holmes

The White Sox, who are tied atop the AL Central, are in need of rotation help and have their eyes on Mets starter Clay Holmes. Holmes has been down since May 15 with a broken fibula, but he’s soon to return to the majors. Before the injury, he was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (175 ERA+) and 45 strikeouts in 52 ⅔ innings. Holmes would be a nice veteran addition to the top of the Sox rotation alongside Davis Martin and Sean Burke.

Angels Expected to Make Soriano and Detmers Available

The Angels, who are one of the surefire sellers this season, have a few starting pitchers that should be of interest to contenders. Both righty José Soriano and southpaw Reid Detmers are expected to be available in the trade market. Soriano has been inconsistent, but has shown great flashes, including a 0.24 ERA in his first six starts. He’s under team control through 2028. Detmers, on the other hand, has struggled with a 4.16 ERA, but has shown promise with a 1.36 ERA in 33 innings from May 24 to June 16.

Red Sox in ‘Complicated’ Spot After 12-Game Winning Streak

The Red Sox, who were left for dead a few weeks ago, have now won 12 games in a row and 17 of their last 19. This has pushed them above .500, and they now sit in the final American League wild card spot. However, Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is cautious, stating that there’s still a lot of uncertainty, even with their own personnel. Breslow believes that the next 10 days will be critical in informing their decision, as they watch their injured players, including Ranger Suarez and Connelly Early, return to action.

Breslow also noted that saying their goals have changed drastically implies that there was a set position 12 days ago. Instead, they want to give themselves as much time as possible to see who they are and watch their identity emerge, as they believe it can change quickly.

This is why so many teams wait as long as they can before the deadline. So much can change, and the Red Sox are no exception. Perhaps they stay hot, and look to add and make a run at the pennant in a wide-open AL. On the other hand, what if they fall apart? The Cubs, for example, followed a 20-3 stretch with a 10-game losing streak this season. There’s also the cautionary tale of the 2018 Pirates, who were 40-48 on July 7, but then got scorching hot, only to cool off and miss the playoffs.