Let's get nuts, people. The MLB Trade Deadline is at 6 p.m. ET on August 1. Who will be buyers, and who will end up selling? Here's everything you need to know.
The MLB trade deadline is THE biggest days of the baseball calendar, if only because it pertains to every fanbase. Yes, the postseason and World Series are nice. And hell, Opening Day brings the hope needed for all of us — and I speak as a Detroit Tigers fan — to watch 162 games a year.
Yet, it's the MLB trade deadline which sets the table for the October games to come, and gives fans a real idea of what's going on behind the scenes, and the direction of their ballclub.
Sadly, not every general manager can be a trade savant. Were that true, there would be no longstanding rebuilds. Here's a look at the best (and worst) trades so far.
MLB trade deadline: Guardians deal Aaron Civale to Rays
Rays trade grade: B+
"Yes, Manzardo feels like a steep price to pay for Civale, but it must be factored in that he's signed through the 2025 season. Also, Tampa has one of the richest farm systems in all of baseball, meaning they could afford to part ways with a player like Manzardo. The Rays also already have Yandy Diaz playing first base, who is in the midst of an excellent season himself. They aren't losing as much as a prospect ranking might suggest."
Guardians trade grade: B
"I have some questions here. First, Cleveland opted for a high-ceiling return, rather than acquiring multiple prospects to fill out the depth of their farm system. Second, why trade one of your best starting pitchers when they're still in the AL Central race?
All that being said, Manzardo is a top-40 prospect for a reason. This trade a win for both sides. Tampa needs pitching at the top level of their rotation, while Cleveland needed young, controllable hitters. Check.
MLB trade deadline: Mets deal Max Scherzer to Rangers
Mets trade grade: B+
"This trade needed Max Scherzer's approval to go through, and thank goodness for the Mets, they got it.
Scherzer's contract was getting too big to handle, and whatever happened during Scherzer's sit-down with the Mets' front office clearly wasn't anything reconciliable. By offloading Scherzer now, the Mets save a good chunk of money for the future and get a No. 3 ranked prospect from the Rangers. Overall, pretty good."
Rangers trade grade: C+
"With one of the best farm systems in the league, giving up shortstop Luisangel Acuña won't hurt the Rangers too much in the long term. Still, the question must be asked: did the Rangers have to give up a top-five prospect?
In Scherzer, the Rangers are basically replacing one former Mets ace (Jacob deGrom) with another. This plan backfired then, and may very likely backfire again."
More blockbuster trades to come!