Marquee players getting traded is a glorious, frantic-webpage-refreshing summer tradition in Major League Baseball, and we've got early predictions for the biggest names on the move ahead of the August 1 trade deadline.
The mammoth name everyone has been talking about as a possible trade chip over the past year is, of course, Shohei Ohtani. And if he does get traded, it would be an even bigger deal than last year's Juan Soto blockbuster.
But even if Ohtani isn't on the move, the trade deadline always delivers.
The Chicago White Sox alone could put at least half a dozen big names on the trade block if they embrace a fire sale. Plenty of noteworthy pitchers should be available. And it's likely that 2023's breakout sensation, Brent Rooker, will be shipped out of Oakland while his value is at an all-time high.
Players are presented in no particular order. Statistics and records current through the start of play Wednesday.
Lucas Giolito, RHP, Chicago White Sox
Contract Situation: $10.4 million in 2023, free agent after 2023
2023 Production: 2-2, 3.59 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 1.3 bWAR
Why Would Current Team Trade Him?
Simply put, things haven't gone according to design for the White Sox this season—nor last season—and it might be time to embrace a total rebuild.
Of Chicago's eight players hitting unrestricted free agency this November, Giolito is the most desirable on the open market. He had a down year in 2022, but he posted a 3.47 ERA from 2019 to '21 and has gotten back to that level of excellence in his age-28 season.
Chicago isn't going to get some king's ransom for a few-months rental of Giolito, but he might be the best starting pitcher on this year's trade block—assuming the Los Angeles Angels refuse to ever seriously consider parting with Shohei Ohtani. He could fetch a pretty penny for the White Sox.
Who Would Want Him?
Heck, which contender wouldn't want Giolito?
The Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees all have at least one key starter on the injured list for the foreseeable future, leaving them somewhat grasping at straws every fifth day. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates would all figure to be interested as well, assuming they're still winning often enough to be buyers two-plus months from now.
If forced to project Giolito to one of those 10 teams, the smart money is probably on Houston. The Astros recently lost Luis Garcia for the year to Tommy John surgery while still waiting for the returns of José Urquidy and Lance McCullers Jr. Even without wondering if rookie Hunter Brown will hold up for the entire season, there are serious concerns about the starting rotation for the reigning champions.
Yasmani Grandal, C, Chicago White Sox
Contract Situation: $18.25 million in 2023, free agent after 2023
2023 Production: .257/.341/.413, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 0.0 bWAR
Why Would Current Team Trade Him?
See: Giolito, Lucas.
It bears mentioning that the White Sox played perhaps the toughest opening 32-game slate in the majors and that things could swing back in their favor now that they're about a week into a 29-game stretch featuring seven games against the Detroit Tigers, seven against the Kansas City Royals and six against the struggling Cleveland Guardians. Great opportunity to gain back some serious ground in MLB's worst division.
But if June 5 rolls around and the ChiSox are still hovering around 10 games below .500 and nowhere near a playoff spot, there will be no reason for them to hang on to a 34-year-old catcher who has bounced back a bit from a horrific 2022 campaign.
Who Would Want Him?
Once again, see: Giolito, Lucas, as Houston is getting next to nothing out of its catchers this season. Could see Giolito and Grandal packaged to the Astros if Martín Maldonado doesn't at least start providing some value on defense in the near future. (Grandal isn't providing any value on defense either, but at least he can hit the ball.)
The San Diego Padres would also be in the market for Grandal's services if Austin Nola continues to both hit (.158) and throw out base-stealers (3-for-29) at one of the worst clips in the majors.
And while the Seattle Mariners are pretty well set at catcher between Cal Raleigh and Tom Murphy, they would surely have some interest in acquiring Grandal to serve as a DH who can periodically give Ty France a day off from first-base duties.