The MLB trade deadline is getting closer and rumors are starting to pop up heading into June, as names like Ben Zobrist, Ryan Howard, Aroldis Chapman, Justin Upton, Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels, Troy Tulowitzki, Jonathan Lucroy, David Price and Carlos Gomez could be potential targets for teams, including the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros and NY Yankees.
Cole Hamels has been mentioned quite a bit heading into June and he is expected to be the top trade target among pitchers. According to Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal, Ben Zobrist is a prime candidate for teams, as the Oakland Athletics have not been playing well and could look at selling at the deadline. The Cubs have been mentioned as a real option for Zobrist, while the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox also could be interested in the utility man.
Hamels and Johnny Cueto could end up as targets for the Boston Red Sox or St. Louis Cardinals, as both teams need some pitching depth. The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays have dealt with injuries in each of their rotations and they also could look at making deals for pitchers. The Red Sox thought they had depth by adding Wade Miley and Rick Porcello, but so far the entire rotation has struggled. The Jays inquired about Hamels, but he reportedly will not waive his no-trade clause to Toronto.
Passan and Rosenthal report that the Padres and Reds are two teams to watch as the trade deadline gets closer, as they could consider being sellers at the deadline. The Reds have not played well and they have Cueto and Chapman as potential chips, while the Padres are a borderline team with where the standings are. San Diego likely will decide on buying or selling within the next month, as that should show where the team is in the standings along with the Dodgers and Giants, who have been the most consistent teams in the NL west this season.
According to the Chicago-Sun Times, Zobrist is a top target for the Cubs, as they are expected to be buyers at the deadline this season. Zobrist can play a number of positions and he could be very valuable for a team that is dealing with injuries. The Athletics are way back in the AL west and that could cause Oakland to sell players, including Zobrist. The Cubs manager Joe Maddon had Zobrist in Tampa Bay and adding him now could be a huge move. Zobrist is about to become a free agent and for the A's that could mean a trade based on what they did with players last year.
Hamels and Ryan Howard are the likely options from the Phillies and a team like the Cardinals could use both with Matt Adams and Adam Wainwright injured. Passan writes that Upton, Chapman and Howard all are going to be on the trade block heading into the deadline. The Brewers also could be in the mix, as they have been terrible and players like Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Gomez also could be potential targets. The trade deadline should be an active one this season with so many teams still in the mix for the playoffs.