Bold MLB Trade Deadline Predictions

The MLB trade deadline is just a week from today, and the hot stove hasn't finished heating up just yet. League-changing moves are on the horizon, as contending teams will look to steal the most desirable players from the minnows of the league. Given all of the rumor mill activity, expect these moves to become reality sooner rather than later.

Yankees Land Marcus Stroman and Ken Giles

The Yankees have long been viewed as the favorite to swing a deal for a pair of Toronto Blue Jays studs. While All-Star Marcus Stroman and his 3.06 ERA would be a terrific windfall for the Yankees, they could also look to throw in another prospect or two in order to bring in closer Ken Giles, currently sporting a 1.59 ERA and 1.7 WAR. In one fell swoop, the Yankees would be able to patch up their suspect starting rotation and add yet another flamethrower to their stable of dynamic bullpen arms.

Astros Acquire Noah Syndergaard

The Astros have had more interest than anyone in pulling off a trade for New York Mets starter Noah Syndergaard. While his 4.36 ERA is not indicative of a pitcher that should command top prospects, his exceptional stuff certainly is. Now that Yordan Alvarez has cemented himself as a part of the future in Houston, the Mets could essentially have their pick of prospects in the Astros' system. If the Mets want to move forward with this plan, which they should given the state of the team, then the Astros and their top-heavy rotation would be the best landing spot for Syndergaard.

Dodgers Trade for Felipe Vazquez and Shane Greene

With Kenley Jansen and the bullpen as a whole regressing so far this season, the Dodgers are looking for help, and could find it either Pittsburgh or Detroit. With the Pirates sliding out of the playoff picture and the Tigers remaining pathetic, both Felipe Vazquez and All-Star closer Shane Greene will be on the market. Given Andrew Friedman's ability to draft exceptionally well, the Dodgers are loaded with pro-ready talent, as each of their top six prospects are currently with their Triple-A affiliate. The Dodgers have been extremely aggressive at the deadline in recent years, and will likely stay aggressive to land two top relievers.

Red Sox Make Move for Jose Abreu

The Red Sox bullpen is in shambles, and the San Diego Padres could be shopping All-Star closer Kirby Yates in the near future, but Dave Dombrowski could, or rather, should, add another big power hitter into their lineup to replace the spark that Mitch Moreland used to give them on a daily basis. One name that's been thrown out there is White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, one of the most consistent corner infield bats in the AL. Adding Abreu to the team with the most runs scored in baseball would give the Red Sox a comically overpowered lineup to help them in a potential October run.

Cubs Land Nicholas Castellanos

While most of the attention surrounding Al Avila and the Tigers has been around their insane asking price for starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, their biggest trade asset might be third baseman and outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, who is leading the AL with 36 doubles and is hitting over .310 in July. With the Cubs outfield needs an upgrade offensively over Albert Almora and Kyle Schwarber, Castellanos would provide a steady bat that has enough power in it to become a significant threat in the heart of the order.

Phillies Miss Out on Zack Greinke But Land Robbie Ray

The Phillies, who have fallen behind the Washington Nationals in the NL East, have been dominating the rumor mill of late due to their interest in some of the best starting pitchers on the market. They have been scouting Diamondbacks starters Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray, as Arizona could look to sell. Since the Phillies have been hesitant to include top prospect Adonis Medina in trade talks, a Greinke move remains an long shot in the most literal sense of the term. However, Ray's average season makes him less expensive, and the Phillies would upgrade their rotation instantly by nabbing the lefty strikeout artist.

Indians Hold Onto Trevor Bauer

Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer has been in the rumor mill ever since the Indians stumbled out of the gate. However, they currently occupy one of the two wild card spots and would get the one-game playoff at home if the season ended today. With Corey Kluber returning soon, would a playoff team really risk dealing their next best starting pitcher? While the Yankees, Astros and Phillies have contacted the Indians about a potential Bauer deal, expect the right-hander to remain in northeast Ohio for the rest of the season and beyond.

Mets Trade Prized Offseason Acquisition Edwin Diaz

The crowning jewel of the Mets offseason has more than lost its luster this season, as former Seattle Mariners All-Star closer Edwin Diaz has seen his ERA balloon from 1.96 to 4.81. The Mets have put Diaz back on the trade market, and you can expect him to be dealt at the deadline. With 61 strikeouts in 39.1 innings, Diaz's stuff hasn't totally faded just yet. Furthermore, he's only 25 and still throws 100 mph. The potential for him to reclaim his 2018 form is still there, he just might need to get the Mets' stink off of him first.

Brewers Fail to Make a Big Trade

The Brewers are in a situation similar to the Phillies in that they don't have enough prospects ready in their minor league system to swing a big trade. Despite ace Brandon Woodruff, who was the best in an already subpar rotation, going down with an oblique injury, Milwaukee hasn't been named in the race for top starting pitchers like Ray, Stroman or Madison Bumgarner. With No. 1 prospect Keston Hiura untouchable after raking during his first weeks of big league action, expect Craig Counsell and the Brewers to get shut out at the deadline while their division rival Cubs get much better thanks to players like Castellanos.

Rockies Part Ways With Charlie Blackmon

Now that their pitching staff has failed them once again, the Rockies are moving into selling mode at the deadline and are offering up All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon. While there are teams dumb enough to get suckered in by this, which could make a trade possible, the numbers suggest otherwise. Blackmon hits nearly 200 points better (.415 vs .237) at Coors Field than on the road, and has a 1.318 OPS and 237 OPS+ at home compared to a .659 OPS and 75 OPS+ on the road. The Rockies should sell as high as they possibly can while he's under contract beyond this season.