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  • 5 MLB Players Who Should Change Teams Before the Trade Deadline

    Major League Baseball - Wikipedia

    The MLB trade deadline is a pressure cooker. With the Dodgers’ blockbuster acquisition of Tarik Skubal sending shockwaves through the league, the race to upgrade is on. But while contenders scramble for the final pieces, there are players stuck on teams going nowhere—players whose talents are being wasted, whose contracts are expiring, or whose value will never be higher. These are the players who should be moved, not just for the good of their teams, but for their own careers and the competitive balance of the league.

    In this analysis, we look beyond the rumors and examine five players who, for a variety of reasons, are prime candidates to change uniforms before Monday’s deadline. From a superstar in a walk year to a closer having a career season, these are the deals that make too much sense to ignore.

    The Skubal Effect and the Thin Starting Pitching Market

    The Dodgers’ acquisition of Tarik Skubal was more than just a blockbuster—it was a statement. It signaled that the defending champions are all-in, and it set the market for the remaining starters. With Skubal off the board, teams like the Yankees, Orioles, and Padres are now scrambling for secondary options. This creates a domino effect: contenders overpay for what’s left, and sellers with quality arms can name their price.

    But the starting pitching market isn’t the only one heating up. With several teams clearly out of contention, the deadline is ripe for moves that reshape rosters and futures. Here are five players who should be on the move, and why it’s in everyone’s best interest.

    1. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – A Superstar Wasting in Toronto

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having another stellar season, but the Blue Jays are under .500 and fading fast. With Guerrero set to hit free agency after 2025, the Blue Jays face a dilemma: trade him now and get a haul, or risk losing him for nothing but a compensatory pick. For a team that’s not close to contending, the answer is clear.

    Guerrero deserves better. He’s never played in a World Series, and at 26, he’s in his prime. A trade to a contender like the Yankees or Mets would give him the stage he’s earned and give the Blue Jays a prospect package that could accelerate their rebuild. It’s a win-win, and it’s the kind of move that defines a franchise’s trajectory.

    2. Ryan Helsley – The Closer Every Contender Needs

    The Cardinals are sellers, and Ryan Helsley is having a career year. With an expiring contract and elite closing ability, he’s the perfect rental for a team like the Phillies or Orioles that needs bullpen help. Helsley’s value will never be higher, and the Cardinals, who are clearly rebuilding, should cash in now.

    For Helsley, a move to a contender means a chance to pitch in October—something he’s never done. For the Cardinals, it’s a chance to add top prospects to a farm system that needs a boost. The logic is so sound that it’s almost surprising the deal hasn’t happened yet.

    3. Luis Robert Jr. – The High-Risk, High-Reward Center Fielder

    Luis Robert Jr. is a tantalizing talent: elite power, elite speed, and team control through 2027. But he’s also injury-prone, and the White Sox are in the middle of a full-scale rebuild. For a team like the Dodgers or Braves, Robert could be the missing piece in center field—a dynamic player who can change a game with one swing or one stolen base.

    But here’s the catch: Robert’s value is at a peak right now. If he gets hurt again, his trade value plummets. The White Sox should strike while the iron is hot, and a contender should be willing to gamble on his upside. It’s a risky move, but in a deadline market where the biggest prizes are already gone, Robert might be the best available bat.

    4. Corbin Burnes – The Rent-a-Ace Who Could Tip the Scales

    Corbin Burnes is having a solid season, but the Orioles are in a tight AL East race. If they fall out of contention, trading Burnes for prospects would be a smart move—but it’s a big if. The Orioles are contenders, and trading away their ace would be a tough sell to fans. However, if they’re on the fringe at the deadline, moving Burnes for a package of young talent could set them up for years.

    For Burnes, a trade to a team like the Padres or Mets would give him a chance to pitch in the postseason and boost his free-agent value. The Orioles, meanwhile, could restock their farm system and remain competitive in the long run. It’s a delicate balance, but if the Orioles aren’t confident in their chances, they should pull the trigger.

    5. Tyler Anderson – The Underrated Left-Hander Who Could Anchor a Rotation

    Tyler Anderson is having a quietly excellent season, and he’s on a team-friendly deal. The Angels are sellers, and Anderson is exactly the kind of reliable lefty that contenders covet. With a reasonable contract and solid numbers, he’s a low-risk acquisition compared to some of the bigger names.

    For the Angels, trading Anderson is a no-brainer: they’re not contending, and his value is high. For a team like the Braves or Dodgers, Anderson could be a stabilizing force in the rotation, providing innings and experience. He might not be the flashiest name, but he could be the difference-maker in a playoff series.

    The trade deadline is a time of tough decisions. For these five players, a change of scenery isn’t just a possibility—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s a superstar seeking a playoff stage, a closer cashing in on a career year, or a starter providing stability, these moves make sense for the players, their current teams, and the contenders who need them. As the clock ticks down to Monday, expect at least a few of these names to be on the move.

    Summary

    • Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should be traded by the Blue Jays to maximize his value before free agency.
    • Ryan Helsley’s career year and expiring contract make him a prime rental for contenders.
    • Luis Robert Jr.’s injury history means his trade value is at its peak now.
    • Corbin Burnes could be moved if the Orioles fall out of the AL East race.
    • Tyler Anderson is an underrated, affordable starter who could help a contender.

    FAQ

    Q: Why is the trade deadline important?
    A: The non-waiver trade deadline is July 31 at 6 PM ET. After that, trades are restricted, so teams must make their moves by then to improve for the playoff push.

    Q: What does ‘should change teams’ mean?
    A: It’s an editorial take, not a prediction. It argues that a trade would be beneficial for the player, their current team, or both, based on factors like contract status, team competitiveness, and player value.

    Q: Why is the starting pitching market so thin?
    A: The Dodgers’ acquisition of Tarik Skubal removed the top starter from the market, leaving fewer quality options for contenders, which drives up prices for remaining pitchers.

    Q: Are these trades likely to happen?
    A: Some are more likely than others. For example, Helsley and Anderson are strong candidates, while Burnes is less likely unless the Orioles fade. The article focuses on what should happen, not what will.

    Q: What is a ‘rental’ player?
    A: A player with an expiring contract who is traded for the remainder of the season, often for a prospect haul, with no guarantee of re-signing.

  • Dodgers Land Skubal, but a Sweep in Boston Would Dampen the Deadline Buzz

    The rich get richer as Dodgers land ace Tarik Skubal in blockbuster trade | MLB | The Guardian

    The Los Angeles Dodgers made the biggest splash of the 2025 trade deadline, acquiring left-handed ace Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. The move signals a clear win-now mandate from a front office that has never shied from the spotlight. But as the Dodgers wrap up a three-game series in Boston, the immediate reality is less glamorous: they face the prospect of a sweep at the hands of a Red Sox team that is proving it belongs in the playoff conversation.

    This tension between long-term ambition and short-term results is the crux of the moment. The Skubal trade is a chess move designed for October, but the Dodgers are still playing checkers in late July. A series loss to Boston wouldn’t erase the value of the acquisition, but it would inject a note of urgency—and a few uncomfortable questions—into a clubhouse that just got a whole lot more talented.

    The Trade That Shook the Deadline

    When the Dodgers pried Tarik Skubal away from Detroit on Saturday, they didn’t just acquire a pitcher; they acquired a centerpiece. Skubal, 28, has been arguably the best pitcher in the American League this season, posting a 2.34 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 142 innings through July. His 5.2 WAR leads all pitchers, and he’s done it with a devastating four-pitch mix that includes a fastball averaging 96 mph and a changeup that hitters swing through at a 42% rate.

    The cost was steep—the Dodgers sent a package headlined by catcher Dalton Rushing and right-hander Gavin Stone, along with two lower-level prospects. But Skubal isn’t a rental; he’s under team control through 2026, making him a rare commodity: a frontline starter who can anchor a rotation for two postseasons. For a Dodgers team that has seen its starting staff decimated by injuries—Tyler Glasnow is on the IL with elbow inflammation, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto is still ramping up after shoulder tightness—Skubal is a salve, not a stopgap.

    The Immediate Test: Boston Red Sox

    But the trade doesn’t help the Dodgers in the series they’re currently losing. After dropping the first two games at Fenway Park, the Dodgers are staring at a sweep. The Red Sox, sitting at 58-48 and holding the second wild-card spot, have outplayed Los Angeles in nearly every facet. Boston’s lineup has tagged Dodgers pitching for 14 runs in two games, and their bullpen has shut down a Dodgers offense that has managed just six runs.

    Sunday’s finale pits the Dodgers’ Walker Buehler against Boston’s Tanner Houck. Buehler, who has a 4.12 ERA this season, has been inconsistent, and the Red Sox have feasted on right-handed pitching all year. A sweep would drop the Dodgers to 62-45, still comfortably atop the NL West, but it would also mark their third straight series loss—a troubling trend for a team with World Series aspirations.

    The Big Picture vs. The Immediate Concern

    There are two ways to read this moment. The optimist’s view: the Dodgers are playing chess while the rest of the league plays checkers. Skubal gives them a legitimate Game 1 starter for October, and a regular-season sweep in Boston is a minor blip on the radar. The Dodgers have been here before—they lost three straight to the Yankees in June, then went on a 12-2 run. The roster is too talented to spiral.

    The pessimist’s view: the Dodgers’ recent postseason failures (early exits in 2022 and 2023) have made regular-season momentum matter more to fans and, perhaps, to the players themselves. A sweep at the hands of a playoff-caliber team like Boston would raise questions about bullpen depth (the relief corps has a 4.67 ERA in July) and lineup consistency (Mookie Betts is hitting .214 in his last 15 games). The deadline excitement could quickly sour if the team doesn’t snap out of its funk.

    Red Sox as Spoiler and Contender

    Boston, meanwhile, is playing with house money. They weren’t expected to be in the playoff race this year, but a young core led by Jarren Duran and Triston Casas has exceeded expectations. A sweep of the Dodgers would be a statement—not just to the baseball world, but to their own front office, which has been quiet at the deadline. The Red Sox are 8-3 in their last 11 games, and their pitching staff has a 3.21 ERA in that stretch.

    For Boston, this series is a chance to prove they’re not just a feel-good story but a legitimate contender. For the Dodgers, it’s a chance to avoid the narrative that they’re all hat and no cattle—or, in this case, all trade and no wins.

    Skubal Watch: When Will He Debut?

    One thing is certain: Skubal won’t pitch in this series. Players acquired at the deadline typically need a few days to join their new team, pass physicals, and get acclimated. The Dodgers have indicated Skubal will make his debut at home against the Giants on Friday, giving him a full week to settle in. That means the rotation will be Skubal, Glasnow (when healthy), and Buehler at the top—a formidable trio for October.

    But until then, the Dodgers have to tread water. And with the trade deadline now behind them, the focus shifts entirely to performance. The Skubal trade was a bold statement of intent. A sweep in Boston wouldn’t undo it, but it would make the next few days a lot more uncomfortable.

    The Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal was a masterstroke, a move that positions them for a deep October run. But baseball is a game of daily results, and the immediate task is avoiding a sweep at the hands of a Red Sox team that is playing with confidence and purpose. The Skubal era in Los Angeles begins next week; for now, the Dodgers need to find a way to leave Boston with at least one win—and a little less noise around a clubhouse that just got a lot louder.

    Summary

    • The Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal from Detroit in the biggest trade of the 2025 deadline, sending a prospect package headlined by Dalton Rushing and Gavin Stone.
    • Skubal, under team control through 2026, gives the Dodgers a frontline ace to anchor their rotation for two postseasons.
    • The Dodgers are facing a sweep in Boston after losing the first two games of a three-game series, raising immediate concerns about momentum and bullpen depth.
    • Skubal is not expected to pitch in this series; his Dodgers debut is likely Friday against the Giants.
    • The Red Sox, sitting in a wild-card spot, are playing loose and could make a statement with a sweep.

    FAQ

    Q: When will Tarik Skubal make his Dodgers debut?
    A: Skubal is expected to debut at home against the Giants on Friday, giving him a week to adjust after the trade.

    Q: What did the Dodgers give up for Skubal?
    A: The Dodgers sent catcher Dalton Rushing, right-hander Gavin Stone, and two lower-level prospects to Detroit.

    Q: Is Skubal a rental?
    A: No, Skubal is under team control through 2026, which is why the trade package was so substantial.

    Q: What is the Dodgers’ record after the first two games of the Boston series?
    A: The Dodgers lost the first two games and are 0-2 in the series, facing a potential sweep.

    Q: How have the Red Sox performed this season?
    A: The Red Sox are 58-48 and hold the second wild-card spot in the American League, making them a legitimate playoff contender.