It seems like the MLB regular season just got underway. We only started playing meaningful games on July 24th 2020 and we’re already closing in on the 2020 MLB trade deadline.
In most years, the MLB trade deadline is on July 31st, but since the season didn’t start until July 24th, MLB needed to push back the trade deadline for 2020. The 2020 MLB trade deadline is just over a week away – there will be no MLB trades permitted after Monday, August 31st 2020 at 4:00PM ET.
Bet on 2020 MLB World Series Futures with the Top Bookies.
How Will COVID-19 Impact MLB Trade Deadline?
I don’t expect a lot of big trades being completed this week because of the COVID-19 impact on baseball.
For one, any players on the last year of their contract aren’t going to be as valuable because they’ll only play a short time with their new team. It’s tough to send a handful of prospects for a big bat when you know that player will likely only have around 100 plate appearances.
Another reason why we’re unlikely to see any big players changing teams this year is because of the money. What team is going to want to take on a big money long-term contract right now? With so much uncertainty in MLB right now, I don’t think any teams will want to take on much new money.
On the other hand, we have expanded 2020 MLB playoffs, which could be played in an MLB bubble still. Sixteen teams will play in the playoffs in 2020, so we could see some teams that would normally be sellers, wanting to buy a piece or two.
Teams looking to move players this week should have plenty of suitors.
We’ve already seen some trades leading up to the deadline.
Philadelphia Phillies Try to Resurrect Bullpen
Can you believe the Phillies bullpen has an ERA of nearly 8?
The Phillies have decided to make wholesale changes. They traded for David Hale from the Yankees, plus they picked up Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman in a trade with the Red Sox.
Philadelphia are 9-14 and last place in the NL East. They were expected to contend for a World Series, but after a slow start, the Phillies are now +6000 (60/1) to win it all in 2020 at BetOnline Sportsbook.
They could get into the expanded playoffs still, but they need the bullpen to improve fast.
Toronto Blue Jays Plan to Target a Starting Pitcher
MLB trade deadline rumors are running rampant at the moment.
One rumor is that the Toronto Blue Jays (13-13 / 3rd in AL East) are planning to target a starting pitcher, but who could they target? Taijuan Walker, Alex Cobb and Kevin Gausman are all expected to be on the trading block this week, but the big name that would make a huge splash is Trevor Bauer.
Bauer is on fire this season. He has posted a 3-0 record with a 0.68 ERA (1st) and 41 strikeouts (10th).
He won’t come cheap and the Reds have said they don’t plan on moving him, but the Reds are just 11-15 (4th in NL Central) and if they struggle this week, they could quickly become sellers.
Teams Expected to Be 2020 MLB Trade Deadline Buyers
As mentioned earlier in the article, a lot of teams will likely want to be buyers.
The Atlanta Braves (16-11 / 1st in NL East) should be buyers. After losing Mike Soroka to injury for the remainder of the 2020 MLB season, the Braves need a pitcher if they want to win the World Series.
In the AL, the New York Yankees (16-11) are almost always looking to buy at the deadline. They’re on a three-game losing streak right now and injuries have hampered them. Will they seek outside help?
