The MLB trade deadline is approaching quickly, which means now is the time to get ahead of moves. The waiver wire is the easiest way to add talent that could be moved prior to July 30.
For this week’s look at the waiver wire, I will be featuring players that stand to benefit from deals. Not every player that is moved is the lone benefactor.
Adam Duvall – OF, Miami Marlins
Yahoo: 60%, ESPN: 52%
Since returning from the All-Star break, Duvall has two home runs and five RBIs, and he had a four-game hitting streak that ended Thursday. A team looking for right-handed-hitting power and an A+ arm will look to add Duvall. Multiple teams are in need of an outfielder, so a move from South Beach should not hurt Duvall’s fantasy value.
Jarren Duran – OF, Boston Red Sox
Yahoo: 52%, ESPN: 36%
The Red Sox appear to want Duran to be the left-handed-outfield platoon option, so an addition to Boston’s outfield does not appear imminent. Duran went deep July 19 but has since slowed down at the plate, which is not ideal. But Duran is going to be hitting second in a loaded lineup when a righty is on the mound.
Robbie Grossman – OF, Detroit Tigers
Yahoo: 39%, ESPN: 52%
The Tigers would be smart to sell on Grossman, who has career highs in home runs (15) and walks. He also has speed on the bases and outfield, and his role as a top-of-the-order hitter for Detroit is what gave him his most upside. That means a trade could plateau or drop his production. Maybe he is Myles Straw with more power toward the bottom of a different lineup.
Akil Baddoo – OF, Detroit Tigers
Yahoo: 43%, ESPN: 37%
Baddoo is already locked in as a full-time outfielder in Detroit. He has six hits, two home runs and six RBIs since the All-Star break, as of Thursday night.
Jesús Aguilar – 1B, Miami Marlins
Yahoo: 69%, ESPN: 81%
Aguilar would fit with his former club in Milwaukee, which would be a boon for a team and town with championship fever.
Myles Straw – SS/OF, Houston Astros
Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 29%
Straw’s role is safe as long as he keeps hitting. He also added his 15th stolen base of the season this week. Free steals are better than ones you have to trade for.
Kyle Seager – 3B, Seattle Mariners
Yahoo: 51%, ESPN: 61%
The off-putting statements from former Mariners president/CEO Kevin Mather should have been enough to signal a change of scenery for Kyle Seager. If a team is willing to eat some of his contract (he has a 2022 club option), Seager could be a hot-corner power source. Only Duvall has more home runs than Seager among the players mentioned here.
Nico Hoerner – 2B/3B/SS, Chicago Cubs
Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 20%
Injuries and being stuck in Triple-A have kept Hoerner from being a true breakout candidate for the Cubs. There is plenty of talk that one or more of Kris Bryant, Javier Báez and Anthony Rizzo could be moved if long-term deals are not on the table, opening playing time for Hoerner. He has a 15:12 K/BB ratio in 114 at-bats.
Other Names to Consider
J.D. Davis – 3B/OF, New York Mets
Andrelton Simmons – SS, Minnesota Twins
Brendan Rodgers – 2B/SS, Colorado Rockies
Yonathan Daza – OF, Colorado Rockies
Adam Engel – OF, Chicago White Sox
Max Stassi – C, Los Angeles Angels
Jacob Stallings – C, Pittsburgh Pirates
Miguel Sanó – 1B/3B, Minnesota Twins
Eric Haase – C/OF, Detroit Tigers
