Not all borderline playoff teams are created equal. When it comes to spicing up the trade deadline, the Diamondbacks and Twins particularly stand out as pivot clubs that, if they turn to sellers in the next two weeks, could substantially deepen the quantity and quality of the market.
With two walk-year starters (Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly) and corner infielders (Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez), Arizona — three games under .500 and 5 ¹/₂ back in the wild-card race at the break — has tantalizing pieces for a clearance sale.
What makes Minnesota even more intriguing is the potential to move high-end pieces that will be under team control beyond this year. The Twins are two games under .500 and four back of the wild card. Their head of baseball operations, Derek Falvey, joined “The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman” podcast and described his club as still deciding whether to buy, sell, both or neither, and just how deep (just walk-year guys or more) to sell should they spin that way.
“We have to take stock of reality as we get close to the end of July,” Falvey said.