MLB Trade Deadline 2024: A Blockbuster Idea for Each Division Leader

Less than one week from the 2024 MLB trade deadline, it’s time to wrangle the most popular rumors on the newswire and dive into the biggest needs facing World Series contenders

The six division leaders include preseason favorites and surprising overperformers. But each of the teams below will see themselves as buyers and have a final chance to bolster the biggest weaknesses on their rosters in emphatic, blockbuster fashion.

Here are showstopping trade proposals that bring the best players on the market to the best teams across MLB as the July 30 deadline approaches.

Baltimore Orioles add AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal

You could forgive the Baltimore Orioles front office for feeling content heading into the deadline this year. The Orioles have one of the best records in baseball, a wealth of young and controllable position talent and a top-ranked farm system.

But a repeat of last year’s postseason, in which the team was swept in the first round amid shaky pitching, would surely be a disappointment. While the team addressed that weakness in a big way with the offseason acquisition of Corbin Burnes, three of their starters are on the injured list and there is clear need for another arm that can make impact starts in the postseason.

Nearly every contending team is looking for an extra hurler or two, but the Orioles have a World Series window right now and the prospect depth to swing a blockbuster. That’s why MLB Network’s Jon Morosi called them a compelling trade destination for American League Cy Young Award favorite Tarik Skubal.

The Orioles would have to dip heavily into that prospect depth, though, given Skubal has two more years of club control. But they might be able to retain top prospect Jackson Holliday by offering outfielder Heston Kjerstad, infield prospect Coby Mayo and lefty pitching prospect Cade Povich in a three-for-one deal. The Tigers might throw in a controllable reliever such as Jason Foley as well.

Related: Tarik Skubal for Jackson Holliday? Orioles Face Critical Trade Deadline Crossroads

Cleveland Guardians add veteran starter Yusei Kikuchi

As one of only four teams with at least 60 wins at this point, the Cleveland Guardians represent a significant surprise among the division leaders. In March, FanGraphs gave them a mere 38% chance to win the AL Central, but here they sit with a five-game lead.

They already have the majors’ best bullpen, and their lineup and batting order seems pretty set. But having lost staff ace Shane Bieber after just two starts, they don’t seem to have the starters necessary to win a postseason series. That’s why they should target a left-handed starter such as six-year veteran Yusei Kikuchi of the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays are listening on offers for Kikuchi, who’s set to become a free agent after the season. Given that the Blue Jays are unlikely to re-sign Kikuchi as they target a rebuild, the Guardians can reach toward the the bottom of their farm system and offer left-hander Will Dion in a one-for-one swap.

Houston Astros add star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The Houston Astros were all but counted out after entering June with a 25-33 record. But they’ve been one of the best teams in baseball since and have surged into the AL West lead. As a result, they’re poised to reinforce that momentum at the deadline.

The Astros have the most weaknesses to address among this group, even as they bounce back from a rough start. Five starting pitchers are on the injured list and the bullpen has looked uncharacteristically weak even with offseason addition Josh Hader. After former MVP José Abreu was demoted to the minor leagues, it became clear the most pressing need is for an impact bat at first base. And it doesn’t get any more impactful than Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

It would take a lot to persuade the Blue Jays to relinquish Guerrero with another year of arbitration ahead on his contract. The Astros might have to part with an MLB-ready youngster and trade outfielder Joey Loperfido plus top-10 prospect Jake Bloss to land Guerrero in a two-for-one exchange.

Related: Blue Jays Face Urgency to Trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Now

Philadelphia Phillies add Silver Slugger Luis Robert Jr.

Holding the most wins of any MLB team at this point, the Philadelphia Phillies don’t have many weaknesses to address as they march toward the playoffs. In fact, the outfield is the only part of the roster that did not have multiple All-Star selections this season.

Aside from right fielder Nick Castellanos, the outfield is a platoon of Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, Johan Rojas and Weston Wilson. Marsh is the only one with an OPS above .700. The Phillies front office is seeking a stronger outfield bat.

Headline trade candidates to reinforce the outfield include Brent Rooker of the Oakland A’s and the Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr., but there is one clear blockbuster option on the block: Luis Robert Jr.

Robert has been injured this year and has struggled to make a major impact for the Chicago White Sox, but he earned an All-Star nod, MVP votes and a Silver Slugger Award in 2023. With two years left on his deal, the White Sox don’t face much urgency to deal him right now. But he’s owed $55 million over the next three years, so they might want to trade away that salary as they rebuild.

The Phillies would have to offer significant prospect value to land Robert, but they might be able to snag some bullpen reinforcement in the form of Michael Kopech as they do so. Let’s say this blockbuster brings that pair to Philly in exchange for three top-15 prospects: Bryan Rincon, Mick Abel and Christian McGowan.

Related: Phillies Trade Pitch Lands $50M Slugger in Proposed Four-Player Swap

Milwaukee Brewers add AL strikeout leader Garrett Crochet

After seeing manager Craig Counsell defect to the rival Chicago Cubs and trading away Burnes in the offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers seemed like they could be entering a rebuilding year. Instead, they have a five-game lead atop the NL Central and have a chance to strengthen their chances of contention this season and into the future.

With five starting pitchers on the injured list at the halfway point, the Brewers would be well served to leverage some of their prospect depth for an impact pitcher and should only pull the trigger on a long-term solution. Enter AL strikeout leader Garrett Crochet, who is almost certain to be dealt by the White Sox before the deadline.

Crochet has two more years of arbitration eligibility ahead, so he could be a good fit around the Brewers’ younger pieces, including Freddy Peralta and William Contreras. But his dominant season thus far says he can be an important piece right now alongside veterans Christian Yelich and Rhys Hoskins. He could be the right blockbuster fit for a team poised to compete for years to come.

However, as one of the most coveted arms on the most determined seller, Crochet will command a hefty price. In one hypothetical blockbuster, the Brewers can deal No. 3 prospect Tyler Black, No. 15 prospect Luke Adams and young pitcher Robert Gasser to land him.

Los Angeles Dodgers add outfield slugger Randy Arozarena

After adding stars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow to the roster over the offseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers probably will consider anything short of the World Series to be a failure. But their roster has significant shortcomings despite a division-leading win total to this point.

With an epidemic of pitcher injuries this season, the Dodgers are certainly calling about Skubal, Crochet and other impact arms on the market. But they also have a clear need for an offensive upgrade in the back half of the batting order, making Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Randy Arozarena a good fit.

With a Rookie of the Year award and an All-Star nod on his résumé, Arozarena has some blockbuster name recognition. Given his struggles this year, he could come at a cost that’s reasonable for a five- or six-hole batter. Still, Arozarena has two more seasons of team control on his contract, so he will not be had for nothing.

Hypothetically, the Dodgers can deal outfield prospect Kendall George and infield prospect Alex Freeland in a two-for-one deal that lands Arozarena.

Related: Dodgers Add Randy Arozarena in Blockbuster Trade Proposal