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Sell or not sell? Charting a path for struggling MLB teams
Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish may potentially be the biggest arm on the trade market. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Sell or not sell? Charting a path for struggling MLB teams

Two and half months into the MLB season, many teams are already facing an organizational turning point. While teams such as the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals have mostly sewn up their October boarding passes, there is a great deal of division around the rest of the sport.

With air-tight races in the National League West and American League East ongoing and a pair of oft-inept but still relevant races taking place in the NL and AL Central, respectively, there is much parity around the game this year. And while many teams are still wrestling for supremacy on a daily basis, there are a number of teams that are either on the fence or approaching it regarding moving on past this season already.

As a result, the buy and sell market is beginning to take shape. There are some expected ball clubs already preparing to make strategic subtractions from their current makeups, and there are also a handful of teams that are in more precarious positions than they could have expected entering the year. Because of this, they are in the position of having to make the decision to either stay the course or wave the white flag.

Even in the case of deciding to give up, how much is enough? The same goes for the long term. That is the crossroads we stand at currently. Here are a few teams that are trying to decide whether or not to cross that road, along with some recommendations on how best to keep going or turn back.

Chicago White Sox: Sell 


Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jose Quintana could follow Chris Sale and get traded. Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, David Robertson, Nate Jones, Melky Cabrera.

Everything must go or at least what is left. Chicago's start kicked the sweep into action during the offseason with the blockbuster deals of Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, which netted them one of the most impressive prospect hauls of all time in return. However, the White Sox still have plenty of very useful talents on board that will keep their phone lines lit up until the trade deadline and potentially beyond. 

Jose Quintana could potentially be the most sought-after player of all over the next two months, as he is likely the most obtainable top arm in the game in a year when there is a lack of such options available. Likewise, closer David Robertson is unquestionably the top closer that could be ready to ride in a market where there are even slimmer pickings for proven final frame arms. Both Robertson and setup man Nate Jones could be highly sought after by a number of contenders, especially the Washington Nationals, who tried, but failed, to engage on Robertson during the winter and continue to have a huge wound in their long-term potential this summer due to their bullpen issues. 

Otherwise, the White Sox also have the a few post-non-waiver trade options as well in Frazier and Cabrera, who fit the mold as prototypical August additions. Although they would add far less in return than the team's top arms would, getting something is better than nothing, especially in the case of the free agent-to-be Frazier.

Detroit Tigers: Sell


Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez could be on the move before the MLB trade deadline. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler, Francisco Rodriguez 

The Tigers are in a tough spot, albeit one of their own design. For the second straight year, they are mired in the middle of the AL Central and underneath a pile of big-money veteran contracts that are tough, if not impossible, to move (hey, Jordan Zimmermann). In addition, their years of competition and draft pick sacrifice due to signing big-tag free agents have left their prospect cupboard nearly bare as well, so youthful, energetic help is tough to come by. 

They find themselves now at a crossroads in the direction of the franchise, unable to become absolute sellers, but also in need of injecting some life into the organization in a season where it is hard to predict. Yet at the same time, they are not totally out of the mix in a wide-open AL Central and have rarely played at full strength to see what they are capable of. 

Management will have to decide to make a move at some point, and the easiest piece to send out would be Martinez, a proven young hitter who would net the type of prospect-rich return that the club needs. Martinez is headed toward free agency as is, and the Tigers have already stated they cannot pick up any further substantial contracts currently. If the club truly moves out of contention by July, it could make sense to move Kinsler as well; he is set to hit free agency and the type of veteran bat that could help multiple contenders immediately.

Kansas City Royals: Sell (NOW)


The Kansas City Royals could unload guys like Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas. Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Most anything that has a pulse and is not named Salvador Perez 

The salad days of the Royals being the feistiest underdogs baseball has seen in a generation are done, and the catalysts that brought a World Series title to western Missouri are due for the paydays they earned in the process. As a result, the fourth-place Royals are inevitably preparing to field offers on most parts of their entire roster, with upcoming free agents Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Jason Vargas leading the pack. 

While it is likely they will try to maintain one of the trio of Moustakas, Hosmer and Cain, it is inevitable that they will have to move on from two of them. Working a deal to move even two of the three aforementioned big-ticket free agents-to-be would be a coup for the Royals, who could net some substantial prospect value in return. It is the type of internal booster shot that the organization needs to harvest its talent. With the variety of contributors his has available, Royals GM Dayton Moore should be fielding plenty of calls from his GM peers over the next month.

Miami Marlins: Sell


Miami Marlins left fielder Marcell Ozuna could net a potential haul if he's traded. Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna, Derek Dietrich, Edinson Volquez, Adeiny Hechavarria 

Miami finds itself in a precarious position. The Marlins are a team that is out of the race and has attractive assets, but they are also on the purchase block as an organization. So while making sweeping changes is in order, it is tough to expect them to go all in and shake up an asset current management is looking to make as attractive as possible. 

However, some moves must be made regardless, because it is clear this core can’t get it done as is. It is highly likely that the Marlins start by making a move on either Ozuna or Yelich, whom they could land a host of prospect gold in return. The most discussed chip that could be in play in Ozuna, who is having his second consecutive strong year on the field. The 26-year-old has followed up his All-Star efforts in 2016 by hitting over. 330 in 2017. He also is under team control through 2020, making him potentially the most valuable addition any team is readily offering right now. 

The Marlins are a club that many teams could look at to add either a very specific part, such as middle infield or back-end rotation help, while also being able to strike it big with a blockbuster as well. It is just all about how far are they willing to go right now.

New York Mets: Not for sale


New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson could provide a little pop to a team looking for a veteran bat and outfielder. Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Asdrubal Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, Neil Walker, Zack Wheeler 

As frustrating of a collection of misfit (and oft-misbehaving) pieces as the Mets are, they really don’t stand much to gain by making wholesale changes right now. With the plethora of injuries and external issues that have plagued the team this year, the Mets have never been able to fire on all cylinders for long. 

However, life in the National League East — home of the Phillies, Braves and Marlins — could be beneficial for a Mets team that is still far more talented than its divisional neighbors, sans the ones that reside in the nation’s capital. While New York needs to make a few moves to create better balance of the cramped roster (starting in the outfield), the Mets could still reasonably make a wild card push late in the year. And if nothing else, there is still is next year. Packing it all up and giving up on this team, despite the exasperating tendencies this season, could be too much too soon.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Sell


Could former MVP Andrew McCutchen be moved out of Pittsburgh? Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen, Tony Watson, Jordy Mercer 

Despite the team's struggles this year, the Pirates leadership is staying the course with GM Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle, both of whom are said to be in line for extensions this summer. With that, it is unlikely that the Pirates will go wholesale in shaking up a roster that still has the potential to compete in the very immediate future. 

However, business will be business, and there are some moves that will have to be made because of it. That starts with Gerrit Cole, who is headed toward a very lucrative run as a free agent in a year’s time, which will be guided by Scott Boras, who is not the type of agent that plays nice with clubs of the Pirates’ financial wherewithal. To that extent, an early move could be made to cash out on Cole as soon as this summer, when clubs such as the Astros, Yankees and Dodgers could be looking to add another top-shelf arm. 

Beyond that looms the ever-complicated situation around McCutchen, who has done little to revive his stock this summer, but the club still is actively looking to move on from him. While the return may not be as hefty as the Pirates could have salvaged last summer, there is still enough intrigue in him to land a prospect of eventual value.

San Francisco Giants: Not for sale (mostly) 


San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto has been rumored to be on the market. Ed Szczepanski/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Johnny Cueto, Matt Moore, Hunter Pence 

The ship sailed on the Giants' season months ago, and now they surprisingly stand at a point where they can afford to shake things up some and make some gains from their lost season. Johnny Cueto has not performed at near the level he did during his debut by the bay a year ago and holds the ability to opt into free agency this winter. In a pitching-starved market, teams could be willing to add him on as a rental property down the stretch much as the Royals did in acquiring him from Cincinnati for their 2015 run. 

Outside of that, the Giants would be smart to be very cautious in making many more significant moves. This year has had all the symptoms of a swoon that can be righted by restarting next year,and adding a few parts, as opposed to blowing the core apart. The Giants are smartly run organization that will recognize this too.

Texas Rangers: Sell


Texas Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy and right fielder Shin-Soo Choo could be on the move for the underperforming team. Patrick McDermott/USA TODAY Sports

On the block: Yu Darvish, Shin-Soo Choo, Elvis Andrus, Jonathan Lucroy 

The Rangers have struggled to spar with the American League’s top teams when paired against them head to head, and the results have been a team incapable of keeping its head above the waters of the .500 level for long. Because of this, Texas should be a team open for business down the stretch, and all conversations will start with the asking price for Darvish, who is far and away the top arm that could be had. 

He is almost certain to test free agency this winter, which could force the hand of the Rangers’ brass to make a move. There is no shortage of teams that will be making inquiries into adding the righty, who is the only true ace who could readily be acquired over the next year. One of the most intriguing potential landing spots could be Houston, who is certainly all in on adding pitching depth — although it remains to see if either side wants to deal with an in-division foe. 

The Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers and Diamondbacks could also make a measure of sense here as well. Outside of Darvish, it could be a prime time for the Rangers to look to ship out a bit of their accumulated veteran clutter as well, as Shin-soo Choo, Elvis Andrus and Jonathan Lucroy could all be names that they are open to listening about.

Toronto Blue Jays: Not for Sale 


Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna celebrates with Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Nick Turchiaro/USA TODAY Sports

Just a few months ago when the Blue Jays were free-falling to the bottom of the AL East standings at the beginning of the year, as many of their top contributors followed each other to the disabled list, it seemed like they may be best to pack up shop on their current incarnation.

Yet now on the heels of late-May resurgence, the Jays are a team that has been on the rise, and the Jays look as if they could mix it up down the stretch in both the AL East and Wild Card scenes. Despite currently inhabiting last place in the division still, they are highly unlikely to give up making a run this summer — or making a full-fledged push next summer again as well.

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