MLB

MLB Trade Deadline 2019: Best hitters who could move

The trade market is light on big bats this season as the deadline approaches, but these players could still have a big impact for a contender down the stretch.

The 2019 MLB trade deadline is less than a week away, and unlike years past, there has been very little movement in the weeks leading up to the July 31 moratorium on player movement. Teams have typically tried to get a jump on the trade market by starting to make moves two weeks out of the deadline, but there has been no action whatsoever this year. There are likely several factors behind the inaction.

This is an interesting trade deadline for baseball fans, as 2019 is the first season where there will be no waiver wire deals allowed in the month of August. July 31 is every contender’s last chance to find a bat or an arm that will put them over the top. With so many teams in each league still in the playoff picture, every front office has been forced to wait until the last possible moment to decide to buy or sell.

An offensive explosion across the league has diminished the trade value of rental hitters. With balls just flying out of the park at a dizzying pace, teams don’t need to fork over the ridiculous packages required to acquire hitters on team-friendly deals like Kansas City’s Whit Merrifeld. There are also no marquee free agents hitting the open market next winter.

We will break down the top hitters most likely to move at the 2019 trade deadline. That does not include Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, who may be available. The Rockies might make the All-Star available, but shouldn’t rush a deal. Blackmon is more likely to be traded this winter when Colorado can engage more teams in trade talks.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 27: David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a double against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fourth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 27, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

8. David Peralta

Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta’s name has begun popping up in trade rumors as the deadline approaches, but his status as a potential trade target for a contender is complicated by lingering shoulder soreness that has limited him to only 73 games this season. The 31-year-old will be out until at least the beginning of August. That doesn’t leave him much time to get ready for the playoffs.

Peralta had a career year in 2018, hitting 30 home runs and winning the Silver Slugger. He is a late bloomer, who was out of organized baseball from 2007 to 2013. Arizona has one more year of team control before Peralta hits free agency and can afford to hold onto him until next season if health concerns minimize his trade value this year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *