MLB trade deadline buyers and sellers guide: Where all 30 teams stand two weeks away - CBS Sports

What the report says

CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry assessed the trade-deadline posture of all 30 Major League Baseball teams with the Aug. 3 deadline approaching, noting that the expanded 12-team playoff format and crowded standings have made the usual buyer-seller divide unusually unclear. The piece, published July 20, said the American League wild-card picture is especially permissive, creating a scenario in which several underwhelming clubs may still see enough postseason hope to avoid selling.

CBS placed the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays in the “obvious buyers” group. SportsLine projections cited by CBS gave all of those clubs except Philadelphia postseason odds above 90%, while the Phillies were listed at 78%. The article described the Phillies as trending upward since Don Mattingly became interim manager and noted Dave Dombrowski’s history of aggressive roster moves.

A larger “likely buyers” tier included the Diamondbacks, Red Sox, White Sox, Guardians, Marlins, Pirates, Padres, Mariners, Rangers and Blue Jays. CBS highlighted Boston’s recent 13-game winning streak as a major shift from earlier expectations that the Red Sox might sell. The “who knows” category consisted entirely of AL teams: the Orioles, Tigers, Astros and Twins. Detroit was framed as the most consequential case because pending free-agent ace Tarik Skubal could either anchor a playoff push or bring back prospects.

CBS identified the Athletics, Reds, Angels, Cardinals and Nationals as likely sellers, while the Rockies, Royals, Mets and Giants were labeled obvious sellers, each with postseason odds below 1% per SportsLine. With more projected buyers than sellers, CBS suggested the weakest clubs could find a favorable market if they move veteran players.