MLB
The Major Leagues are getting ready for their player transfer period
For contending MLB franchises, acquiring key players can be the difference between falling short or making a successful playoff run.
In the extensive calendar of the Major League Baseball season, mid-year player negotiations are tidal changes, powerful movements that redraw the teams’ aspirations and realities. These operations allow organizations to adjust their rosters based on their immediate needs, whether to strengthen specific areas, cover injuries or add roster depth.
For the roster World Series contenders, acquiring key players could be the difference between falling short of their aspirations or lifting the commissioner’s trophy.
Multiple losses of renowned players have characterized the 2024 campaign. Just over the weekend, 2023 MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. said goodbye to all baseball activity for the next eight months due to a torn cruciate ligament in his knee, news that shook the Braves’ chances of reaching the October classic and the entire industry.
Like a handful of other teams, the Braves will try to find the pieces that will help boost their chances before the trade deadline (August 1).
With some teams already thinking more about the future than the 2024 campaign, mid-season exchanges also have long-term repercussions. Rebuilding teams use this opportunity to exchange veteran players for young, talented prospects, thus accelerating their renewal process. This approach allows franchises to build a solid foundation for the future by developing new talent in their minor league system.
With just over a month left until the deadline, several names are already on the radar of general managers thinking about the postseason and managers planning to acquire young talent for the rebuild.
The game’s name is pitching, and several teams are considering taking on reliable arms.
Top pitchers who are likely to be traded
| Innings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jack Flaherty / Detroit Tigers | 3.84 | 61 |
| Lance Lynn/ St Louis Cardinals | 3.47 | 57.1 |
| Sean Manaea/ New York Mets | 3.17 | 51.1 |
| Yusei Kikuchi/ Toronto Blue Jays | 3.25 | 61 |
| Nick Pivetta/ Boston Red Sox | 4.20 | 30 |
| Luis Severino/ New York Mets | 3.22 | 58.2 |
The Dominican, Luis Severino, is receiving a lot of attention. Like others on the list, he will be a free agent at the end of the season. Severino signed a one-season deal with the Mets for $13 million.
The New York team is 14 and a half games behind the Phillies, leading the National League East. They are also in seventh place among the teams competing for one of the three spots as a wild card team. In 10 starts this season, the Dominican pitcher has a .322 ERA with 50 strikeouts and a 2-2 record. Many teams are interested in acquiring him due to his experience. It is expected that the Mets, with a pessimistic outlook, will become one of the selling teams. The midseason always brings excitement and vigor to the MLB season.