We have officially entered full-blown trade rumor season.
We know the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are going to the playoffs and are looking to add pieces. But there are a few clubs on the fringe of postseason contention that should throw in the towel and look to next season.
Here are the three AL teams that must be sellers before the trade deadline July 30 at 6 p.m. ET.
(Records and statistics are through Tuesday for Blue Jays, through Wednesday afternoon games for Rays and Tigers.)
1) Tampa Bay Rays | 40-41, 3.5 games back of final wild-card spot
After an unprecedented run of success despite a low payroll, the injury-plagued Rays have taken a step back.
How they’re near the .500 mark is incredible and a testament to their collective fight, but Tampa Bay must let go of illusions that it can somehow get into contention. It’s time to punt on 2024.
OF Randy Arozarena (.189, 10 HR) and OF Jose Siri (.212, nine HR) could catch fire in the second half. But those players could also fetch an a haul on the trade market. Even if it somehow slugs its way to the playoffs, Tampa Bay has a starting rotation that is a mess.
The Rays have zero chance of competing with an elite staff in a seven-game series. The smart move is to sell pieces now and reset for next year, when Shane McClanahan (11-2 in 2023) should be back from Tommy John surgery.
2) Detroit Tigers | 37-43, six games back of final wild-card spot
The Tigers played over their heads early in the season, ever so briefly looking like a team that could stay in contention. They’ve come back to what most people thought they’d be: a team that has solid pieces and is on the rise but still a long way from the postseason.
RHP Jack Flaherty (5-4, 2.92 ERA) is back to looking like the Cy Young contender he was early in his career and would fetch a handsome return before hitting free agency.
Of course, to make a huge splash, Detroit will trade Tarik Skubal (9-3, 2.32 ERA). The lefty is putting himself squarely in the All-Star Game starter conversation and, with two years of contractual control left, the trade package the Tigers could ask for would rival Juan Soto levels.
If Detroit could pull that off, it could set up the Motor City Kitties as a legitimate playoff team in 2025 and beyond.
3) Toronto Blue Jays | 36-43, 6.5 games back of final wild-card spot
What the heck at the Blue Jays waiting for? They’re not getting back into this thing, the division is too tough.
All the Blue Jays have to show for the moves made the past few seasons (adding OF George Springer, LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Kevin Gausman, RHP Jose Berrios, etc.) are three trips to the wild-card round, where they were swept in each series.
OF Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (10 HR, 40 RBI), SS Bo Bichette (.234, four HR), LHP Yusei Kikuchi (86 K in 83.1 IP) — the list of assets that are not working well together in Toronto is long.
If these players are put in the market, teams will be lining up to make a deal.
If stubbornness wins out, the Toronto fan base loses out. What’s that people say about insanity and doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result?
Keeping this group together and hoping it finally gels is guaranteeing another disappointing season. Do the right thing, Jays. Pick up the phone and start making calls.