MLB Trade Deadline: National League Outlook

The World Series winner could be coming out of the west again this year in Major League Baseball. There are more than a few good teams who just need to get into the playoffs to be dangerous.

How many of them will make impactful moves before the trade deadline? That’s what we will explore here.

Watch Out For the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be the best team in baseball, and they will do something before or at the deadline. They always do. They recently added right-handed reliever, Chris Martin to the bullpen, but they need another starter. Frankie Montas from the Oakland A’s is likely their #1 target along with a lot of other teams in baseball. He’s healthier than a lot of their starters. I think Zack Greinke could be their guy. He’s pitched 16 games to a 1.29 WHIP on a bad Royals team.

The Padres Can Be a Wild Card In the Race

I can see the Padres getting an insurance starter in case Mike Cleavinger isn’t effective late in the season, as this is his comeback year. Enter Pittsburgh Pirates, elder statesman, and hurler, Jose Quintana. The Phillies want him, but the Padres have more to give and a much better shot at getting to the World Series if Fernando Tatis Jr. returns late this season. He is now taking batting practice, and that equals hope.

There’s Still Hope By The Bay

The Giants are still in the Wild Card race and could be in on Willson Contreras. Joey Bart has come up small this year, he’s still developing, and some extra pop and a veteran presence behind the plate could be big for them. The Cubs are playing the Giants. Maybe we get an in-game trade. That would be exciting.

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Back To The Central

The Cardinals are in on Juan Soto. Will they get him? If not maybe they go for J.D. Martinez from the Red Sox. That could be a nice consolation prize. I could starter  Pablo Lopez from the Marlins if they feel they can’t make a run. That will be a last-minute decision for sure. The Cardinals could be playoff bound with the right moves.

One More Mets Item

Did getting Tyler Naquin take them out of the Trey Mancini sweepstakes? Mets fans hope not, but it makes you wonder. I think the Mets will re-look at that and try and get him at the last minute if the price falls slightly. Mark Vientos could be the main price. I spoke to a Mets scout about him and it was mostly positive, but he has to work on his strikeout rate. His strikeout rate is up a smidge, but he still has 19 homers in AAA with Syracuse. He’s someone to watch.