Five Names To Watch As MLB Trade Deadline Approaches

Manny Machado, Brad Hand and Zach Britton have all been moved since the All-Star Game as baseball’s annual mid-summer deal-making bonanza has kicked into high gear. With the trade deadline less than a week away, here is our look at five names to watch as the big day approaches:

J.A. Happ, LHP, Toronto Blue Jays

A well-traveled lefty, the 35-year-old J.A. Happ is currently in his second stint with the Toronto Blue Jays. Happ was selected to his first All-Star Game this year and is having one of his best seasons.

Happ is currently 10-6 with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. In 114 innings he has 130 strikeouts against 35 walks and has allowed just 99 hits. A lefty starter who can consistently get outs is always a hot commodity at the deadline and the Blue Jays have been asking a hefty price for him.

Happ is in the final year of a three-year, $36 million deal, so he’ll be a rental wherever he winds up. As a result, Toronto’s asking price may be dropping as the deadline nears.

The New York Yankees are the presumed leader for Happ, but the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and Chicago Cubs have all been in the mix for him.

Mike Moustakas, 3B, Kansas City Royals

Need a powerful left-handed bat? Mike Moustakas is likely the best available this summer. Though he couldn’t find a long-term contract this offseason, Moustakas has been tearing it up for the Kansas City Royals.

The 29-year-old third baseman is currently hitting .249 with 20 home runs, 62 RBI, a .776 OPS and a 1.7 fWAR. Moustakas is also crushing right-handed pitching, boasting a .815 OPS, with 16 home runs and 44 RBI. Moustakas launched 38 home runs last season, so there’s plenty of power in his bat for a contender in need.

A two-time All-Star with a World Series ring, Moustakas would be a valuable, veteran presence in any clubhouse.

The Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies have all been connected to him.

Adam Jones, OF, Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are in full tear-down mode and currently have the worst record in baseball. With Machado and Zach Britton already traded, Adam Jones is the last big-name piece the team has left to move.

The 32-year-old Jones is a known commodity around baseball and given his impending free agency, he could make an attractive rental. In 96 games this season he’s slashing .277/.304/.422 with 10 home runs and 38 RBI. The five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glover obviously isn’t having his best campaign, but given how awful his team is, a trade to a contender could revive him.

Jones is great in the clubhouse and the community, so he could be seen as a great character addition for a stretch run. His peak days are likely behind him, but it’s not hard seeing him as a clutch player in a playoff chase. Especially after what he did at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians have both been connected to Jones.

Cole Hamels, LHP, Texas Rangers

Another veteran lefty who can eat innings, Cole Hamels may finally be moved by the Texas Rangers this summer. The 34-year-old has struggled over his last five appearances, but was having a solid season before his recent slump. In fact, in five June starts, Hamels posted a 3.34 ERA, while in four May starts he boasted a 3.20 ERA.

A four-time All-Star who earned World Series MVP honors in 2008, Hamels has been a fantastic big leaguer for a long time. His current contract has a $20 million club option for next season, but he can be bought out for $6 million. So a team acquiring him could choose to keep him around.

Given his age, the money he’s due and the fact that the Rangers are going nowhere, a team might be able to get Hamels without giving up much in return.

The New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners are in the mix for Hamels.

Chris Archer, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays

Chris Archer’s name seems to surface at the deadline every year, but this might actually be the time the Tampa Bay Rays move him.

Archer isn’t having his best season. In fact, he’s 3-4 with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. The 29-year-old hasn’t posted a sub-4.00 ERA since 2015 and his WHIP has risen in each of the past three seasons. That said, he flashes ace-level stuff at times and his contract is insanely team-friendly. That’s why he’s so valuable.

Archer is due $7.7 million in 2019, then has club options for $9 million and $11 million in 2020 and 2021. He can be bought out for $1.75 million in 2020 and $250,000 in 2021. Oh, and he should fire whoever negotiated that contract for him.

The San Diego Padres have inquired about Archer, as have the New York Yankees. The Rays have also reportedly fielded interest from a ton of undisclosed teams, so we’ll just go ahead and assume that everyone in contention is interested.