Written by Matt Axisa at CBSSports.com
Thanks to the second Wild Card spot, more teams are in contention these days than ever before. Or maybe I should say more teams think they’re in contention than ever before. Some clubs face improbable odds to go to October, yet they stick to it and behave like true contenders through the second half anyway.
That’s good for baseball overall. More meaningful games means more excitement. That said, the second Wild Card can be bad for the trade deadline, because fewer clubs are willing to sell off pieces in late July. They all want to keep their guys and try to make a run in the second half. That generally makes the trade deadline a seller’s market. It’s simple supply and demand. The demand always exists, but with fewer teams willing to sell, there’s not much supply, so prices go up.
Looking over the standings at the All-Star break, I count 19 clubs who could be considered possible buyers at the trade deadline. 19! Some are more serious contenders than others, but they’re all within shouting distance of a postseason spot and could talk themselves into adding pieces for a second half run. Let’s break down those 19 teams and their trade deadline needs. The clubs are listed alphabetically.
Baltimore Orioles
Record: 51-36 (+41 run differential)
Postseason Status: Two-game lead in AL East, four-game lead on Wild Card spot
Trade Deadline Status: Definite Buyer
The Orioles have used a great offense and a dominant bullpen — All-Star Brad Brach has been excellent since Darren O’Day went down with a hamstring injury — to overcome a decided lack of starting pitching. Their starters have a 5.15 ERA, third highest in baseball behind the rebuilding Reds (5.29) and Twins (5.26), and they’ve thrown an MLB low 470 innings, which means they’re taxing the bullpen. Baltimore’s starters other than Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman have a 6.44 ERA in 260 innings, so yeah. This is a major problem. Expect the O’s to be in on every available starting pitcher, including rentals like Rich Hill and Andrew Cashner.
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