One trade-deadline prediction for each AL Central team

With the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaching on July 30, the American League Central will be one of the top divisions to monitor.

The Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers are considered two of the bigger wild cards on the seller's market. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins aim to shore up their rosters to make a push for the postseason.

With that in mind, here is one prediction for what each AL Central team will do at the trade deadline.

(All statistics and records are through Monday’s games.)

Chicago White Sox (27-75)

Prediction: Hold a fire sale but hang onto outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

ESPN's Jeff Passan recently predicted the White Sox would make the most moves over the next week. This hardly comes as a surprise, given Chicago is on track to finish 43-119 and has several intriguing trade candidates contenders may want.

RHP Erick Fedde, LHP Tanner Banks and OF Tommy Pham could (and should) be on the move, but what about LHP Garrett Crochet and Robert, who are among the top pitchers and hitters on the trade market? Trading them would expedite Chicago's rebuild.

Teams could be reluctant to pay a high price for Crochet because of concerns about the converted reliever's ability to pitch late into the season, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Los Angeles Dodgers cave.

If the White Sox trade Crochet, it might be wise to hang onto Robert at least until the offseason. He's slashing just .232/.306/.475 with 11 home runs and 23 RBI in an injury-plagued year. With a strong finish, Robert could restore his value to what it was this past offseason and, in turn, help the White Sox net a massive haul later.

Cleveland Guardians (59-40)

Prediction: Acquire Angels LHP Tyler Anderson

The Guardians don't typically make a major splash at the deadline, but given they're 19 games over .500, they should be one of the more active clubs on the trade market. Zack Meisel of The Athletic believes the team will make "multiple trades" to solidify itself as a contender.

Cleveland has several needs entering the trade deadline, though rotation help is the most pressing. The rotation ranks 25th in ERA (4.54) and has the fifth-fewest innings among teams (504).

Although he has his shortcomings, Anderson could be a solid pickup for the stretch run. In 20 starts this season, the 34-year-old has a 2.91 ERA, the 12th lowest in the majors among qualified starters. However, Anderson could be due for a regression, as he has an expected ERA of 4.32. Even so, the Guardians must land an effective innings-eater to hold on to the AL Central lead.

Detroit Tigers (50-51)

Prediction: Trade LHP Tarik Skubal to the Orioles

They might not seem like it at first glance, but the Tigers are one of the more intriguing sellers. In all likelihood, Detroit will trade impending free agent Jack Flaherty (3.13 ERA this season), and while the team should net a substantial return for the right-hander, its top asset is undoubtedly Skubal.

Trading Skubal would be shocking because he's arguably the top pitcher in baseball, posting a 2.34 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 146 strikeouts this season. However, we've seen countless elite pitchers struggle with durability issues throughout MLB history. Skubal has already had two Tommy John surgeries, so it makes sense to flip him if the price is right.

Detroit would have to net an unprecedented package to trade Skubal, who is under team control until 2026, but the Orioles could be willing to pay the price. Although Baltimore (60-39) is a World Series contender, it desperately needs to add another starter, especially with ace Corbin Burnes headed to free agency this offseason.

Baltimore has the prospect capital to make Detroit an offer it can't refuse. It appears the Tigers are interested in what the Orioles could offer for Skubal, as they've been scouting Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi .

If they receive an offer from the Orioles that includes infielder Coby Mayo, catcher Samuel Basallo or perhaps MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday, an infielder, the Tigers shouldn’t hesitate to capitalize on Skubal’s value.

Kansas City Royals (56-45)

Prediction: Acquire Marlins outfielder/second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Surprisingly, the Royals were one of the biggest spenders this past winter, and with the team firmly in the mix for a playoff spot, the expectation is that they'll aggressively seek to improve via trade. Kansas City has already begun adding needed bullpen help, acquiring RHP Hunter Harvey from the Nationals earlier this month.

The Royals will likely continue to bring in arms, but they must significantly strengthen their outfield and potentially second base. Per Baseball Reference , the Royals have the fourth-lowest bWAR from their outfield (1.2) and the 12th-lowest bWAR from second basemen (1.0).

Fortunately for Kansas City, it could address at least one of those issues by trading for Chisholm, who has the versatility to play center field and second base. In 97 games for the lowly Marlins this season, Chisholm has a slash line of .249/.323/.408 with 13 homers, 45 RBI and 19 stolen bases.

Chisholm will be a bit pricey to acquire because he's under team control until 2027 , but he'd be a worthwhile addition to Kansas City's exciting young core.

Minnesota Twins (55-44)

Prediction: Acquire Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi

According to Passan, Minnesota will attempt to add and subtract at the trade deadline, as its financial constraints will likely prevent it from making a big move. Nonetheless, the Twins should still explore the starting pitching market, considering they rank 23rd in starter ERA (4.44).

It remains to be seen whether the reigning champion Texas Rangers will sell at the deadline, but because they're sitting four games under .500, chances are they'll field offers on expendable players. Eovaldi, who has a vesting option for next season, could generate the most interest among Texas' arms and would be an ideal pickup.

In 17 starts this season, Eovaldi has a 3.36 ERA — that's on pace to be the second-best mark of his career — a 1.071 WHIP and 94 strikeouts. In 17 appearances as a starter in the playoffs, the two-time World Series champion has a 3.05 ERA and a 9-3 record.