One of the fun parts of this time of year is engaging with fans, media and front-office executives on trade ideas. In that spirit, I present five trades I would like to see before the Aug. 3 MLB Trade Deadline.
Some background on this annual exercise of mine: I’ve never been afraid to share my thoughts on deals I’d like to see happen, even though once I do, my comments section fills with negativity from fans on both sides of the proposed deals. But writing up these proposed deals allows fans to leave their input on how they would try to swing the trade instead. So let me know below how you would improve the deals I suggest, and you can even throw some of your own trade ideas out there, as well.
Keep in mind this article is meant to be fun, and my trade ideas are not ones that teams are presently talking about — at least to my knowledge.
Trade idea No. 1
Mariners receive: Casey Schmitt, INF/OF/DH; Erik Miller, LHP
Giants receive: George Kirby, RHP
The Mariners are focused on adding a right-handed bat since they struggle so much against left-handed pitching. They are also looking for another high-leverage reliever. This deal would fill both needs.
In addition, this would alleviate the logjam in the Mariners’ rotation. The Mariners currently have six major-league starters for five spots. Trading Kirby would thin their depth some, but they have two of the top pitching prospects in baseball, left-hander Kade Anderson and right-hander Ryan Sloan. Both are close to major-league ready, so the Mariners are protected in case there are injuries or underperformance the rest of the way.
Casey Schmitt has already set career-highs in homers, RBIs and doubles. (John Fisher / Getty Images)
The Mariners would land Schmitt, who is having a breakout season for the Giants and is in the prime of his career at age 27. He crushes left-handed pitching and holds his own against righties, so the Mariners wouldn’t have to platoon him. Schmitt is also hitting significantly better away from Oracle Park. A true third baseman, Schmitt has experience at every position except right field, center field and catcher. His ability to play all over the diamond increases his value for Seattle.
Miller would give the Mariners another left-handed power arm out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old’s command can be shaky at times, but he has otherwise been a very effective reliever for the Giants for the past three seasons.
San Francisco would land another top starting pitcher in Kirby to slot behind Logan Webb in its rotation. Adding Kirby would give the Giants a head start on replacing southpaw Robbie Ray, who is expected to be traded between now and the deadline. Kirby, 28, is making just $6.55 million. He is arbitration-eligible and controllable for 2 1/2 more years.
Trade idea No. 2
Red Sox receive: Hunter Goodman, C
Rockies receive: Connelly Early, LHP; Kyson Witherspoon, RHP; Marcelo Mayer, SS; Carlos Narváez, C
I hear the Rockies fans screaming already. “How can you propose a trade involving our best player and our only All-Star for the past two years?” I get it.
However, in my early days in the league with the Pittsburgh Pirates, we did this exact same thing. We traded our best player — catcher Tony Peña, a four-time All-Star — and brought back center fielder Andy Van Slyke, right-hander Mike Dunne and catcher Mike LaValliere. It was a deal that turned the Pirates from cellar dwellers to contenders in just a couple of years.
In this proposal, the Red Sox get the big middle-of-the-order bat they need in Goodman, who is controllable through 2029 and arbitration-eligible next year. Yes, his home ballpark is Coors Field, but Goodman has been a much better hitter on the road this year, so his offensive output is no high-altitude mirage. He’s in the 96th percentile for barrel rate and the 88th percentile for bat speed, according to Statcast. Adding his bat solves the Red Sox’s biggest need and puts them in a legitimate position to make the playoffs.
In return, the Rockies get two young starting pitchers, a middle infielder and a catcher who would replace Goodman behind the plate.
The Rockies desperately need to improve their starting rotation with long-term solutions, and Early and Witherspoon would do just that. Early, 24, is currently on the injured list with elbow inflammation, but he’s throwing again and on track to return this season. He has a 3.44 ERA in 17 starts for Boston this year. Witherspoon, 21, is a 2025 first-round pick currently pitching in High A. He has high upside, though his control and command have yet to arrive.
Mayer, 23, was rushed to the majors and hasn’t settled in yet at the plate or defensively, where he’s been moved all over the infield. A first-round pick in 2021, Mayer will probably be a late bloomer. A change of scenery and a chance to play every day at one position could certainly speed up the timeline for reaching his potential. Narváez has to be in the deal to give the Rockies an everyday catcher to replace Goodman.
Trade idea No. 3
Padres receive: Freddy Peralta, RHP
Mets receive: Kash Mayfield, LHP
Peralta has had a disappointing season for the Mets, posting a 4.66 ERA with a career-high 1.438 WHIP before the All-Star break. He’s a free agent at the end of the season, and there has been no momentum toward negotiating a contract extension. The question is: can a new team get Peralta back to throwing like the pitcher who had a 2.70 ERA last season?
The Padres’ pitching room is excellent, and perhaps they’ll find the special sauce to fix what has ailed Peralta this season. Of course, the deal would have to include a physical and MRI to make sure that an injury isn’t the cause of his poor season.
Kash Mayfield has a career ERA just above 3.00 and recently pitched in the Futures Game. (Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
In return, the Mets would get left-handed pitching prospect Kash Mayfield, who was the Padres’ first-round pick in 2024. He’s reached High A and is missing bats at a high rate. He recently participated in the Futures Game.
If the Padres decide they want to go for it, this is the type of deal they’ll need to make, in hopes they can turn Peralta back into the pitcher he was a year ago.
Trade idea No. 4
Cubs receive: Michael Wacha, RHP
Royals receive: Matt Shaw, INF/OF; Kevin Alcántara, OF
In this deal, the Cubs would add Wacha, 35, who made the AL All-Star team this year and is controllable through 2027 with a team option for 2028. He has posted sub-4.00 ERAs each of the past five years (including this one) and still has a special changeup and unique downward plane to his pitches.
In return, the Royals get two young bats who can’t crack the Cubs’ starting lineup in Shaw and Alcántara. Shaw, 24, can play second base, third base and corner outfield. As an everyday player, he projects to have 15-20 home run power. Alcántara, 23, has never been given a legitimate chance with Chicago, but he’s having another strong season in Triple A.
I think this deal is an overpay by the Cubs, but it should be worth it to land a veteran starter like Wacha, especially given that there are so few starting pitchers on the market right now.
Trade idea No. 5
Rangers receive: Luis Arraez, INF/DH
Giants receive: Dalton Pence, LHP; Yolfran Castillo, INF
The Rangers could use another hitter to create traffic on the bases, and that’s exactly what Arraez brings to the table. Arraez won batting titles with three different teams from 2022 to 2024. He is in the middle of his best season in the big leagues both offensively and defensively. Arraez doesn’t have power or speed but is much improved defensively at second base and puts pressure on opposing defenses by constantly making contact and creating RBI opportunities.
In return, the Giants would add left-handed pitching prospect Dalton Pence and third-base prospect Yolfran Castillo.
Pence, 23, has reached Double A and has put up impressive numbers at every level he’s pitched at. He misses bats and knows how to pitch. He was the Rangers’ 2024 11th-round pick out of North Carolina.
Castillo, 19, is an infielder from Venezuela who has played at two different A-ball levels this year, getting on base and stealing bases at a high clip. He plays both shortstop and third base and profiles as a table setter. This would be a strong return for the Giants.
