MLB Trade Deadline: AL Central Buyers and Sellers

With only days remaining before the August 2^nd trade deadline, Major League Baseball clubs must avail themselves of their last opportunity to add players to plug holes and improve their chances at making the postseason or to sell and get young prospects from contenders for those on expiring contracts.

The number of sellers may not be as plentiful as in previous years with the new expanded playoff format, but teams on the bubble may not be willing to expend a large chunk of their prospect base on a longshot chance of making the postseason.

Here is what clubs in the AL Central may be looking to do before next Tuesday’s deadline.

Minnesota Twins – Buyer

Needs – Starting Pitcher

The Twins hold a slim lead in the Central and like most contenders will look to add an arm or two in the bullpen, but their major need before next Tuesday is a starting pitcher. With a patchwork rotation of Sonny Gray, Dylan Bundy, Joe Ryan, and Chris Archer, Minnesota is rumored to be in the mix for Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo or Oakland’s Frankie Montas

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Cleveland Guardians – Buyer and Seller

Needs – Outfield

Shopping – Zach Plesac

The Guardians are surprisingly in the race for the division and the wildcard, in spite of being a fiscally restrained organization for the last few years. Cleveland has a rather anemic offense past Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, Andres Gimenez, and rookie Steven Kwan, and could be in the mix for Pittsburgh outfielder Brian Reynolds (who is not eligible for free agency for another four years) if the Pirates are legitimately shopping him.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan indicates that the Guardians could pedal a depth starter in Plesac if teams are willing to overpay in the starter’s market.

Chicago White Sox – Buyer

Needs – Depth Starter, Outfield, Catcher

Much more was expected from the White Sox this season after running away with the Central in 2021, but Tony La Russa’s crew is at .500 with hitters like Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez struggling. Dylan Cease is in contention for the Cy Young, but GM Ken Williams may be looking for a starter with Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn yet to get on track and veteran Jose Quintana has been mentioned. Offensive help is likely what the Sox will go after at the deadline, and Cubs Willson Contreras and Ian Happ could possibly be targeted for another cross-town trade.

Detroit Tigers – Seller

Shopping –  Andrew Chafin, Michael Fulmer, Joe Jimenez, Tarik Skubal

The Tigers were expected to make steps forward but prospects Casey Mize, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene were either sidetracked by injury or struggled and as most bottom-dwelling clubs, they are in full sell mode. Pitching is what is attracting the most interest at the deadline, primarily bullpen arms Chafin, Fulmer, and Jimenez. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Tigers might consider dealing lefty starter Skubal (who leads their staff in wins, innings, and strikeouts), but with most of the arms who can be retained for multiple years, the price will be high.

Kansas City Royals – Seller

Shopping – Andrew Benintendi (dealt to NYY), Scott Barlow, Whit Merrifield

The Royals kicked off the major moves on Wednesday, shipping Benintendi to the Yankees for three pitching prospects, but the reaction to the deal is that the return appears to be light for the All-Star outfielder. Barlow (who is averaging nearly a strikeout per inning and has 16 saves) is attracting interest from clubs in need of bullpen help, and two-time All-Star Merrifield could be moved to teams in need of an upgrade in the middle infield. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that veteran Zach Greinke is not likely on the move unless the 38-year-old requests a trade.