The MLB season just got underway but we can already tell what team will be sellers at the trade deadline. Some things haven't gone their way and it seems like they're ready to think about next season.
As you know by now, contending teams think you can never have enough pitching. With that in mind, Frankie Montas is expected to gauge plenty of interest in the trade market.
The Oakland Athletics conducted quite an eyebrow-raising yard sale in the offseason. They parted ways with virtually every single star on their roster and gave up on competing to save a couple of bucks.
Somehow, someway, Frankie Montas managed to survive this roster overhaul, but we all know it's just a matter of time before he finds a new home. Here, former MLB executive Jim Bowden talks about some of the potential destinations for him.
The World Series-winning Atlanta Braves got off to a slow start and a lot of that has to do with their starting pitching. Max Freid has been all over the place and Mike Soroka will be out for the foreseeable future, so trading for Montas makes sense:
"The Braves must be concerned about the back of their starting rotation, and another starter would give them a lift and position them as an even stronger favorite than they are now," Bowden wrote. "The Braves and A’s made the blockbuster deal that sent Olson to Atlanta for four of the team’s better prospects, but the prospect tank is far from empty, and if they’re willing to trade more, the best time would be right now."
The Toronto Blue Jays were one of the most aggressive teams in the offseason and it's paid off thus far. But with the New York Yankees staying red-hot, they just can't afford to take any chances:
"The Blue Jays were reminded once again of how quickly starting pitching depth can disappear when left-handed starter Hyun-Jin Ryu needed an MRI on his left forearm over the weekend," Bowden wrote. "The Blue Jays are built to not only win the division but also the World Series, which is why I expect the front office to continue to put the pedal to the metal to improve the team."
And last but not least, the Chicago White Sox could look to turn their season around by adding another ace. While they may not have any trouble winning their division, they've been far from the dominant team we'd thought they'd be early in the campaign:
"The White Sox are dealing with the injuries to starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, inning limits with Michael Kopech, and age and decline issues with Dallas Keuchel," Bowden explained. "Yes, they’ll probably win the division even if they don’t do anything, but Montas would get them the rotation security that every contender covets.
