2023 MLB Trade Deadline Buyers-Sellers: NL West Edition
We are days away from the trade deadline, even though some teams have already started the process of buying and selling. I think it’s still worth it to go over the teams that haven’t while also covering the moves which have happened. The NL West is always a tough division that is very active at the trade deadline.
Dodgers: Buy more
The Dodgers have been one of the most active teams at the trade deadline. They traded for Kike Hernandez, then followed that by bringing in Amed Rosario. Then earlier today they went and traded for Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly.
It’s been a very busy deadline for the Dodgers but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been a great one either. None of the acquisitions move the needle much. Hernandez has been horrible; Rosario is a solid hitter but will never give you close to elite production. Lynn, meanwhile, has been abysmal, and Joe Kelly will probably be the most impactful addition L.A. has made. The Dodgers need pitching as a result of being hammered by injuries. Maybe Lynn can help with that, but I just don’t see that being the case.
The Dodgers don’t need to do much to find themselves in the World Series, but another solid arm could really help solidify that.
Giants: Buy another arm
When looking at this Giants team, there aren’t too many glaring holes. They have been good at all aspects of the game, evident by their surprising 55-47 record. But one area where they can improve in their rotation, specifically bringing in another top-end arm. Logan Webb and Alex Cobb have been great at the top of the rotation, but aside from them, there isn’t a whole lot. A name like Dylan Cease or even Blake Snell would work wonders for this Giants team and give them a real shot at the NL West crown. The Giants aren’t usually big buyers, but when you have a chance to catch the Dodgers you can’t pass it up.
D-Backs: Buy but not aggressively
For what seems like the first time in my lifetime, the D-Backs should be legit buyers at the deadline. They have been one of the more surprising teams thus far and are right in the thick of the tough NL West. Despite this though, the D-Backs need to make sure they don’t get too aggressive. They have one of the best farm systems in MLB and would be foolish to dip into that pot for a run this year. They realistically only need some bullpen help which shouldn’t require any top prospects to bring in. Another bat could benefit them but overall they don’t really NEED all too much. Stay patient Arizona, your time is coming very soon.
Padres: Start slowly selling
You may be a little bit surprised by my decision here. How could the Padres be sellers, you say? They have too good a lineup to start selling already. But to you, I ask, who can the Padres buy? They are already spending an ungodly amount of money with a roster that should see them in a much better postseason position.
It’s clear that this isn’t going to be their year, so, in my opinion, they should start slowly selling some guys. Now, I’m not saying gut the team and start all over, but guys like Josh Hader, Seth Lugo and Snell all are in the last years of their contracts. With all three of them unlikely to come back, it would benefit the Padres to try and trade one or maybe two of them and try and rebuild that once-great farm system.
Rockies: Sell the team
Oh the Colorado Rockies, what really is there to say? This team is obviously going to be selling at the deadline but won’t be able to sell the player they really want to in Kris Bryant. Why he was signed to that contract with the rest of this roster will never make sense to me.
This also brings me to my next point: The selling shouldn’t just end with the players. The Monfort Brothers haven’t known what they’re doing for years and the Bryant contract is only the most recent example of that. Trading away Nolan Arenado for nothing, losing Trevor Story in free agency after refusing to trade him and more — the list is endless. The Monforts are morons and the best thing that could happen to this team right now is if they sold all their shares of the team.
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