MLB Trade Deadline: 20 Players Who Are NOT Going to Be Moved at the Deadline
Well, it’s that time of year again: the time when bottom-feeders fire-sell and contenders look to strengthen their rosters. In that spirit, here are 20 players who are going to stay right where they are for the rest of the season
20. Albert Pujols
Key Stats: .241/.288./.395, 14 HR, 55 RBI, -0.9 WAR
The Angels still have an outside shot at making the postseason, meaning it’s unlikely they’ll be sellers. And if they are sellers, it won’t be of Pujols, who has an albatross of a contract ($114 million+ still owed him), which, coupled with a career-low slugging percentage, means that no contender will express interest. He is prevented from being higher on this list by the fact that there’s an outside chance of the Angels cutting ties with him, in the manner that the Red Sox just did with Pablo Sandoval.
Probable Landing Spot: Angels
19. Ervin Santana
Key Stats: 10-6, 2.99 ERA, 91 K, 12 QS, 3.4 WAR
When you’re a contender, it’s important to have solid pitching. And, surprisingly, the Twins are contenders. Santana is low on this list for several reasons, including the fact that the Twins are no longer tops in the Central, the Twins’ long history of being sellers at the deadline, and Santana’s advanced age and general roller-coaster of a career. There’s also the disturbing fact that Santana is winless in the last seven days with 0 strikeouts.
Probable Landing Spot: Twins
18. Corey Knebel
Key Stats: 0-2, 15 SV, 11 HLD, 1.66 ERA, 16.0 K/9, 2.1 WAR
The Brewers sit at the top of the NL Central, and if they want this to be a pennant-winning year, they’re going to need a good closer. Fortunately, they already have one, and his name is Corey Knebel.
Probable Landing Spot: Brewers
17. Stephen Strasburg
Key Stats: 9-3, 3.43 ERA, 128 K, 12 QS, 2.5 WAR
In the 2017 MLB-All Star Game, Strasburg notched a DNP. Don’t let that DNP fool you: the Nats are still planning on holding on to one-third of one of the best rotations in baseball. Look for Stevie Wonder to figure into the Nats’ postseason rotation this October
Probable Landing Spot: Nationals
16. Aaron Judge
Key Stats: .326/.446/.684, 30 HR, 66 RBI, 5.3 WAR
The Yankees aren’t ones to sell at the deadline, and even falling back in the division won’t change that. Expect them to hold on to a young blaster who is projected not only to be the future of the franchise, but of all of Major League Baseball.
Probable Landing Spot: Yankees
15. Kris Bryant
Key Stats: .265/.394/.520, 18 HR, 38 RBI, 2.9 WAR
Even though the defending champs are hovering around .500 and face long odds to make it to the postseason, the Jose Quintana trade indicates that the Cubs won’t be sellers at the deadline. And, even if they were, the defending MVP, who’s still only 25 years old and having a halfway decent season, looks to be a mainstay of the North Siders for years to come.
Probable Landing Spot: Cubs
14. Kenley Jansen
Key Stats: 4-0, 22 SV, 0.93 ERA, 13.5 K/9, 1.8 WAR
The best closer in baseball happens to be playing on the best team in baseball, who in addition has major question marks bullpen-wise. It’s much more likely that quality arms join Jansen in Bums’ bullpen rather than Jansen joining another team’s bullpen.
Probable Landing Spot: Dodgers
13. Craig Kimbrel
Key stats: 2-0, 23 SV, 1.19 ERA, 16.2 K/9, 2.3 WAR
Kimbrel’s stats this season are pretty impressive, including a .211 BABIP, a 87.9 LOB%, and 29 GFs. With the Red Sox likely division winners and the 9th inning man a key part of all postseason runs, look for Craig Kimbrel to NOT make a move this deadline.
Probable Landing Spot: Red Sox
12. George Springer
Key Stats: .310/.383/.611, 27 HR, 62 RBI, 4.2 WAR
You gotta score runs if you want to win ball games. And if you want to score runs, you’ve gotta have a guy who can drive in runs (Springer has a 1.029 OPS with runners on this season). George Springer helps the Astros score runs, so he’s likely to be wearing the same Astros uniform as he was earlier this season. I hope the Astros remember to wash it.
Probable Landing Spot: Astros
11. Mookie Betts
Key Stats: .274/.351/.840, 16 HR, 53 RBI, 16 SB, 4.3 WAR
Boston boasts bums who blast bombs: Betts, Bogaerts, Benintendi and Bradley. Big bats mean big bucks in Beantown. Betts will be back in the Back Bay.
Probable Landing Spot: Red Sox
10. Bobby Bonilla
Key Stats: .000/.000/.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0.0 WAR
If it’s a guy who won’t strike out, Bobby Bonilla is your man: his last strikeout came in 2001.
However, it is unlikely the six-time All-Star will change unis this season, on account of a player-friendly deal that has him under contract until 2035. Bonilla is also 54 years old and hasn’t played in a game in a decade and a half.
Probable Landing Spot: Mets
9. Charlie Blackmon
Key Stats: .321/.373/.585, 20 HR, 61 RBI, 2.3 WAR
We know that Colorado, along with Oregon and Washington, is one of the three states with the most hipsters. Therefore, it’s very important for the Mile High Club to reach “peak” beard, a feat made much more attainable by the retention of Charlie Blackmon (Now, if they could only add Dallas Kuechel and Jayson Werth…). Oh, and also hit their way into the playoffs. Blackmon can do that too.
Probable Landing Spot: Rockies
8. Francisco Lindor
Key Stats: .252/.311/.764, 14 HR, 43 RBI, 1.3 WAR
I am of the opinion that Lindor was robbed of the 2015 Rookie of the Year. With the defending AL pennant winners on a hot streak that puts them in Top 5 of the Benallen Power Rankings of Power, now is not the time for the Indians to be trading a young anchor. Also look to teams to pass on Lindor due to his .214/.261/.339 triple slash in June, and the fact that he plays terribly in Detroit.
Probable Landing Spot: Indians
7. Chris Sale
Key Stats: 11-4, 2.75 ERA, 178 K, 15 QS, 3.8 WAR
If Boston wants to hold off the rest of the East and make a return to at least the NLCS, they need a new third baseman. But they shouldn’t trade their Cy Young-contending pitcher to get one. Also, Halloween is coming up, and the Red Sox need somebody to play Jake Skellington.
Probable Landing Spot: Red Sox
6. Bryce Harper
Key Stats: .326/.432./.606, 22 HR, 68 RBI, 3.8 WAR
Here are five things you probably didn’t know about Bryce Harper’s 2017 season:
1. He has a 1.042 OPS on grass
2. He has yet to be caught stealing in games vs. the NL Central
3. He is batting .450 with 8 walks against the St. Louis Cardinals
4. When the count is 2-and-1, he has a slugging percentage of .750
5. He has a .571 OBP with RISP and 2 outs
Do those stats have anything to do with his trade value? Probably not. But either way, he’s only 24 and he’s staying on the Nationals this season.
Probable Landing Spot: Nationals
5. Max Scherzer
Key Stats: 10-5, 2.10 ERA, 173 K, 15 QS, 4.8 WAR
When you’re trying to make a serious run at the pennant, as the Washington Nationals apparently are (though we all know the wheels will fall off in the NLDS), it’s very useful to have a Cy Young winner in your rotation. Max Scherzer already has one Cy Young, and could. Yeah, probably a mainstay with the ballclub in our nation’s capital.
Probable Landing Spot: Nationals
4. Jose Altuve
Key Stats: .349/.419/.553, 13 HR, 18 SB, 4.8 WAR
WAR: what is it good for? One of the things it’s good for is explaining why the Houston Astros are likely to hold on to that little guy Jose Altuve. Contenders are always looking for multi-tool players who can bat .300 with 50 double plays turned and 18 stolen bags, and the 5’5” Altuve is guilty on all charges. But can he ride all roller coasters?
Probable Landing Spot: Astros
3. Clayton Kershaw
Key Stats: 14-2, 2.18 ERA, 159 K, 16 QS, 3.8 WAR
Perennial Cy Young contender Clayton Kershaw needs to be on a team where he can pitch in and win some playoff games. That team could be the Los Angeles Dodgers. Oh, he’s already on the Dodgers? Good!
Probable Landing Spot: Dodgers
2. Carlos Correa
Key Stats: .324/.402/.573, 20 HR, 66 RBI, 4.8 WAR
The Arizona Diamondbacks, a contender in most other respects, have a lackluster four-man platoon at shortstop. Dealing for Carlos Correa could really improve their October fortunes. Too bad the presumptive AL MVP, who’s only 22 years old, isn’t going to leave the Astros.
Probable Landing Spot: Astros
1. Cody Bellinger
Key Stats: .261/.341/.613, 25 HR, 58 RBI, 2.3 WAR
Corey Bellinger is the quintessential type of guy you really want to hold on to: he’s young, he’s hot, he’s on a contender, and the team he’s on doesn’t have a lot of other options. The Dodgers’ repeated unwillingness to trade him indicate an almost certainty of him staying in a Dodger uniform.
Probable Landing Spot: Dodgers











