3 blockbuster deadline trades with potential to happen
About eight weeks into the 2017 season, the contenders and pretenders have begun to separate themselves in the standings. And with this natural separation comes the usual trade speculation, which will only ramp up in volume as July 31 draws ever closer.
Though there's still a long way to go before October, the disparity that's shown itself in more than a few divisions early on could lead to many contenders to push hard for deadline acquisitions, thereby driving up the price tag for midseason reinforcements - and setting the stage for a summer of potential blockbusters.
With that in mind, here's an early look at three potentially game-changing blockbuster deals that could happen this summer.
National shopping spree
To WAS: OF Lorenzo Cain, P Jason Vargas, P Kelvin Herrera
To KC: OF Victor Robles, P Erick Fedde, 3B Sheldon Neuse, OF Brian Goodwin
One window's still open, the other is completely shut. Together, the Royals and Nationals match up perfectly for a blockbuster. In Herrera, the Nationals get a flamethrower with playoff experience who can finally solve their revolving door-closer problem, while Vargas is in the midst of his career year and provides important depth for October. Cain is probably the most surprising name here, but he fits the Nats' needs in many ways. The 31-year-old is a natural fit to plug the center-field hole left by Adam Eaton's season-ending injury, and is a mass improvement over using Michael A. Taylor there every day. Cain could also hit leadoff, allowing Trea Turner - who's hit just .174/.211/.281 out of the No. 1 hole this season, compared to .484/.484/.871 batting second - to be moved down a spot. This deal would shore up all the Nats' holes, improve an already scorching offensive unit, and turn them into prohibitive favorites to bring the District its first World Series title since 1924.
The prospect return on the Royals' end expedites their rebuild, and is quite the midseason haul for two of their many rentals - but it's a price the Nats will probably have to pay if they want to get over the hump while Harper's still on their side.
Tigers stars to the Space City
To HOU: 1B/DH Miguel Cabrera, P Justin Verlander, P Justin Wilson
To DET: 1B/DH Yuli Gurriel, P Mike Fiers, P Francis Martes, OF Kyle Tucker, P Forrest Whitley
If the Astros choose to move their hoard of prospects for veteran upgrades, this may be their best option. Cabrera's still an excellent hitter, and spending his declining years hitting baseballs into the Crawford Boxes would only enhance the numbers on his future Hall of Fame plaque - but more importantly for 2016, he's a massive upgrade over the disappointing Carlos Beltran in a suddenly very potent lineup for the stretch run. Verlander's the extra arm the Astros still need, and putting him behind Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers in a rotation is scary. In Wilson, the Astros get an extra lights-out reliever who can both close and improve a bullpen that struggles against southpaws. This is a blockbuster deal that has big money at the back end, but with a potentially massive payoff in 2017.
On the other side, Detroit gets the Cuban veteran Gurriel to fill the void left at first base for the time being, and the veteran Fiers to take Verlander's rotation spot. But for the aging Tigers, it's all about the mammoth prospect haul to boost one of the worst systems in baseball and breathe new life into a very old major-league club. The Tigers are giving up one surefire Hall of Famer and potentially a second, so they'd better get a franchise-altering package of youngsters like this in return.
Cubs nab Cole
To CHI: P Gerrit Cole, P Tony Watson
To PIT: 3B/1B Jeimer Candelario, OF Mark Zagunis, P Rob Zastryzny, P Trevor Clifton
Is this impossible given the division rivalry? Not really, the match here is potentially good enough for both teams to put the rivalry aside. Chicago needs another starting pitcher in order to repeat, and the team knows Cole well from so many heated NL Central battles with the Pirates. His rebound, the Pirates' shift to rebuilding, and the Cubs' domination of the division help make this trade palatable. Candelario's a top prospect but he's blocked by both Bryant and Rizzo at Wrigley, and Pittsburgh could give him the chance to play every day as the center of a rebuild that could peak when the Cubs are finally on the downswing. That's a nice return for Cole, who'd have two-plus years to boost his free-agent value leading a big-market contender's staff.
The other part of the deal is Watson, an All-Star boost to the Cubs' bullpen who'd cost them a few more intriguing minor-leaguers from a system that's teeming with them.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)