With the All-Star break now behind us, MLB teams have increased their focus on potential trades that can improve them before the trade deadline.
While one poor week of play can turn a contender into a pretender, there seems to be a lot more buyers than sellers on the market. This means a wide variety of teams are pursuing the same few names.
As a result, it’s a good time to be a seller, because you can just sit back and let the bidding war ensue.
The possibilities are almost endless with so many teams involved in the action, but here is a look at some potential trades that could go down in the coming weeks.
Jeremy Hellickson to the Marlins
The Miami Marlins (49-42) have charged up the standings lately and are now in serious contention for a playoff spot, but they might need some more arms to compete with the Washington Nationals and New York Mets in the National League East.
Jose Fernandez is a legitimate ace, but besides Adam Conley, no one else is trustworthy in the rotation.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports initially reported Miami’s heavy interest in adding a starter, listing most of the Tampa Bay Rays rotation (Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore) as possible options. However, any of those three will likely come at a heavy price, with ESPN’s Buster Olney reporting that Archer probably isn’t going anywhere.
With the Marlins lacking top prospects to offer in exchange, it will be tough to lure any of those pitchers to Miami.
On the other hand, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com noted another possible option:
Jeremy Hellickson has just a 4.03 ERA this season, but he would still represent a major upgrade over some of the current members of the Marlins rotation. He is also a reliable innings-eater, having pitched at least six innings in 11 of the last 12 games.
Although the former Ray hasn’t been able to recapture the magic he had in his first few years in the majors, he can be a reliable No. 3 starter who brings more consistency to the back of the Marlins rotation. Considering the likely reasonable cost, this would be a no-brainer move for the suddenly contending squad.
Ervin Santana to the Orioles
It’s amazing the Baltimore Orioles can remain in first place with their starting pitching. Chris Tillman has been good all year, but the rest of the rotation has been embarrassing at times.
Ubaldo Jimenez has made 17 starts this year while posting a 7.38 ERA. Dylan Bundy recently joined the rotation, but he had an underwhelming debut with four runs allowed in 3.1 innings.
C.J. Nitkowski of Fox Sports 1 noted the team’s inability to trade might have forced this move:
Still, the Orioles shouldn’t give up on targeting a starter, especially considering the state of the staff. While they have interest in the same types of players as everyone else, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe listed Ervin Santana as a possible target:
He may be a more realistic option for the Orioles or Royals. Now with the precedent the Red Sox have set with the Drew Pomeranz deal, the prospect price will be high even on Santana, though the Twins are also trying to shed salary and would take less if the team takes on the remainder of Santana’s $28 million after this season.
While Santana is just 3-8 on the season with a 4.12 ERA, he has been much better as of late, posting a 2.18 ERA in his last five starts with a 2-1 record. One of those wins was a two-hit shutout of the Oakland Athletics.
Baltimore has already sent scouts to watch Santana, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, but so have other teams, including the Kansas City Royals.
The Orioles need to make a move now, including taking on salary if necessary, to make sure they can get Santana and provide a much-needed upgrade to the starting rotation.
Andrew Miller to the Nationals
The Nationals (56-37) have been one of the top teams this season, so it’s understandable for the front office to be patient when making a deal.
“We have some areas we can improve on, but overall, we feel good about the team that we have,” general manager Mike Rizzo explained, per Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
However, Ladson also reported on Washington’s effort to add some quality relievers:
The Nationals are trying to acquire bullpen help. As one baseball source put it, “Bullpen help is the top priority before the Deadline.” The Nats have interest in Yankees relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, who are dominating left-handed relievers. The Yanks are likely looking to replenish their farm system, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if they asked for prospects such as Lucas Giolito and Trea Turner.
This type of return would be a high price, but both Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman would represent a major boost to the team. Chapman has been solid as a closer while completing 18 of 19 save chances this year, while Miller has been dominant with a 1.34 ERA and 70 strikeouts to just seven walks.
Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post also noted the New York Yankees are doing their due diligence on their end:
Of course, there will be competition for any deal. George A. King III of the New York Post reported that Miller is the “No. 1 trade priority” for the Chicago Cubs, while the Cubs and Texas Rangers are also interested in Chapman.
Washington will not be able to get either player without giving up a lot. If the team completes any deal, it better make sure it will be the type of move to help the squad contend for a World Series title.
Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for year-round sports analysis.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com