The MLB Trade Deadline is just hours away at 4:00 p.m. ET, and many big names are still available. A flurry of moves have been made late last night and early this morning - including the Rockies acquiring Jonathan Lucroy and Red Sox landing Addison Reed - but what else should we expect today? Here are the three biggest storylines to watch:
1) Will Sonny Gray be dealt?
Gray has been the most sought-after player on the trade market and it seems to be a foregone conclusion that he will be playing for someone other than the Oakland A's by the end of the day. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are thought to be the two favorites to land him, but Oakland seems to be holding out for the highest bidder - even if it's someone else. Expect this to go right down to the last minute.
2) Will other big-name pitchers be on the move?
There aren't many great position players that are available, but there are a number of top-tier starting pitchers that could be moved today. Along with Gray, Yu Darvish and Justin Verlander are being heavily shopped by the Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers, respectively, but each player has something complicating potential deals.
Darvish is set to be a free agent at the end of the season and Texas expects to re-sign him over the winter. That makes him a rental for someone, but the Rangers want top prospects in return for him. Will someone be willing to meet that asking price for two or three months of Darvish? With Verlander, the road block is his contract. He is owed $28 million a year through 2019, which is a number that is reportedly scaring off several teams.
These two players could make a major impact for contenders in the coming months, but there's also a very real possibility that neither player will be moved. As such, it's definitely something worth paying attention to.
3) Do borderline playoff teams make any moves?
There is usually one surprise buyer or surprise seller at the trade deadline, and this year probably won't be any different. We know big clubs like the Yankees and Dodgers will probably make a move today, but do the Rays or Mariners do something to make a run for a wild card spot? Do the Brewers or Cardinals try to catch the Cubs? These will be the decisions that will shape the final two months of the season.
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