As Deadline nears, what will NL West teams do?
Whether a team is coasting to a seventh straight National League West title (raise your hand, Dodgers), or at various stages of its dreams surging or flickering (the rest of the division), everyone has needs at the July 31 Trade Deadline.
Three scouts -- two who work for American League teams, one with an NL team -- broke down each NL West team’s Deadline possibilities.
Arizona D-backs
What they need: “They need a starter. Their bullpen is a mess, too. I don’t think they can add enough to help.” -- NL scout
Who they can move: “Andrew Chafin is pretty good. These days of home run baseball, he doesn’t really give up a lot of homers, although he walks guys a little too much.” -- NL scout
“They probably can move Daulton Varsho [ranked by MLB Pipeline as the D-backs' No. 5 prospect, now at Double-A Jackson] if the don’t see him as an everyday catcher.” -- AL scout 1
“I’m hearing more that people are interested in Robbie Ray. He can help somebody. I think if they could trade Zack Greinke or Adam Jones, they’d do it.” -- AL scout 2
What they can get: NL scout: “Pitching help, if they believe they can bridge the gap and push into the playoffs.” -- NL scout
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Colorado Rockies
What they need: “They must free up money and improve the pitching.” -- AL scout 1
“They need to sell, but a lot of their young players are in the big leagues. I don’t know what they have to sell.” -- AL scout 2
Who they can move: “Deal the big bullpen contracts [Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee], try to trade outfielder Ian Desmond, and think about dealing right fielder Charlie Blackmon if the price is right. The Rockies could be in big trouble, payroll-wise, if they can’t move at least the bullpen contracts and/or Desmond.” -- AL scout 1
“The guy that contending teams want is Scott Oberg, but he’s their best reliever and they shouldn’t give him up." -- AL scout 2
What they can get: “Payroll relief, controllable starters or pitching depth at the lower levels.” -- AL scout 1
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Los Angeles Dodgers
What they need: “They need bullpen help, preferably someone with experience as a closer if Kenley Jansen were to go down. And they need a catcher.” -- AL scout 1
“Their closer situation is tenuous these days. Who thought we’d be saying that?” -- NL scout
Who they might move: “Right-hander Dustin May [the Dodgers' No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline] is untouchable; he’s good. The Dodgers are rich with outfield prospects and can probably move one of them.” -- AL scout 1
“May is legit. I wouldn’t be surprised if he pitched in the Majors this year. They don’t want to move him, but at the same time they’ve lost the World Series the last two years. I like Gavin Lux [middle infield, the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect] and Will Smith [catcher/third base, No. 4] more than Keibert Ruiz [catcher, No. 1]." -- AL scout 2
What they can get: “Maybe they can use Jansen in combination with someone else, like Wade Davis [Rockies] or one of the guys from the Giants, or Andrew Chafin [D-backs]. They can take on money. It’s funny that the guys they need are in the division.” -- NL scout
“Will Smith or Sam Dyson would be a good pickup here, since the Giants have some solid bullpen pieces to poach.” -- AL scout 1
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San Diego Padres
What they need: “A starting pitcher with a controllable contract, as they are looking to compete next year. But they still win a Wild Card." -- AL scout 1
What they need: “They could look for a reliever to bridge the gap to Kirby Yates. But at the same time, I can’t see them making many moves that derail next year.” -- AL scout 1
Who they can move: “With the talent in their farm system, they can be creative. They can improve the team by trading some prospects and not make a dent in what they have.” -- AL scout 2
“They may want to sell off relievers to increase their depth.” -- NL scout
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San Francisco Giants
What they need: “Their offense is being driven by players that won’t sustain, but they do have the pitching.” -- NL scout
“It’ll be hard to sell and put their fan base through that, but their farm system is horrible.” -- AL scout 2
Who they can move: “Sam Dyson, Brandon Crawford, Will Smith, Madison Bumgarner, Tony Watson, Mark Melancon.” -- AL scout 1
What they can get: “They have the best group of relievers to trade. They have a little bit of everything.” -- NL scout
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