MLB Rumors: Best Michael Lorenzen trade fit – Cincinnati Reds
Though he's far from a superstar, it's hard to not be impressed with the work that Detroit Tigers starter Michael Lorenzen has put forth this season in order to earn an All-Star Game selection. In 15 starts, the veteran right-hander has posted a 4.03 ERA and 1.14 WHIP this season in Detroit. He hasn't been exceptional by any stretch, but he's been a good starter that could help a contender in the middle or back end of the rotation.
Detroit, obviously, is not a contender. Sure, they're only 5.5 games back of the AL Central lead because of how dismal the division is, but the club is 11 games under .500 coming into the break.
Moreover, MLB insider Jon Heyman recently listed Lorenzen with an 80% chance of getting traded at the deadline, which makes sense as he's on just a one-year deal with the Tigers and the organization would be better off landing at least some value and assets in a trade than just hanging onto him.
And a team that could use him in a big way is the upstart Cincinnati Reds.
The Reds, who surged into the summer to take a one-game lead in the NL Central at 50-41 are one of the most exciting and fun teams in baseball, most notably with Elly De La Cruz now in the majors. But their starting pitching is both young and being tested, particularly with injuries to Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo.
Even when that duo of hurlers returns, the Reds could use a veteran in the middle of the rotation as a stabilzing force for a young group that has performed well, but could potentially see some roadbloacks down the stretch and through the upcoming dog days. Even better, Cincinnati is stocked with a ton of prospects that could easily sway the Tigers while the Reds try to make a big push.
MLB Rumors: Best Marcus Stroman trade fit – Houston Astros
Marcus Stroman actually elected not to pitch in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, but he was selected for the contest for good reason after the season he's put forth with the Chicago Cubs.
In 19 starts this season, the 32-year-old right-hander has a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP for his club. Perhaps the most impressive number is that Stroman has registered a Quality Start in 14 of his 19 outings this season, going deep into games with high-end stuff almost every time out.
But the catch with Stroman is that he's in the second year of a three-year pact with the Cubs that has a player option for the 2024 season, one that all reports indicate he doesn't plan to exercise. Moreover, reports have also indicated that Chicago and Stroman are unlikely to get an extension done. And with the Cubs five games under .500 and slipping out of the playoff race, they might be best-served trading the ace of their staff in order to recoup assets for the future.
So which teams could go after Stroman? Frankly, there should be no shortage of suitors. But it's hard not to look at the defending World Series champion Houston Astros as an ideal landing spot for the veteran right-hander.
Houston entered the All-Star break with a good 50-41 record but two games behind the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead. And their starting pitching has been ravaged with injuries this season, losing Luis Garcia for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, not getting a single pitch from Lance McCullers Jr. before he was shut down for the year, and missing Jose Urquidy for much of the season as well.
Though Urquidy is set to return, the Astros have been piecing together the rotation. Thus, a half-season rental of Stroman would make a ton of sense with the option to potentially re-sign him in the offseason too. But for the title push from the reigning champs, landing an ace to pair with Framber Valdez and Christian Javier could be crucial — especially with teams like the Rangers and Mariners also lurking in the starting pitcher trade market as well.
MLB Rumors: Best Shohei Ohtani trade fit – Seattle Mariners
Shohei Ohtani is unlike anything we've ever seen in modern baseball. That's not breaking news. However, his future is the talk of the MLB world as he's set to hit free agency this summer. More pressingly, though, with the Angels faltering going into the break and without Mike Trout until likely the end of August, whether or not Los Angeles trades Ohtani in order to avoid losing him for nothing is at the forefront of the conversation.
Angels owner Arte Moreno has reportedly been steadfast about not trading the two-way superstar in hopes of being able to re-sign him. But Ohtani has made it clear that winning is what matters and, put simply, LA hasn't been able to do that, even with two of baseball's best on the roster, since Ohtani arrived from Japan.
Thus, the Angels probably should trade Ohtani at the deadline. And if they do, then the club hosting the 2023 All-Star Game has a great pitch for him. They are a potential winner in the AL West and a team in need of both starting pitching depth and power-hitting left-fielder. More importantly, they check boxes for Ohtani as a potential winner with a bright future alongside Julio Rodriguez, Luis Castillo and George Kirby, among others, a west coast team, and a place where he can live privately.
Frankly, it all makes sense. And though other teams may be able to offer more money in free agency, the Mariners have prospects to offer, even after the Castillo trade a year ago, that could entice the Angels.
And in case you're wondering if the Mariners want him there, just listen to the fans in Seattle for the All-Star Game.
Suffice it to say, the city would make the generational talent feel beloved immediately.
