Ready to sell? These 5 teams could be close

As non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, clubs must decide direction

June 28th, 2018

Sellersville, Pa., is notable in baseball history as the birthplace of the incomparable Jamie Moyer, who spent a full season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens at age 29 ... and retired 20 years later with 269 Major League wins.
"Sellersville" has another meaning at this time of year. It's the mythical place to which teams arrive in July, once they've decided to trade their stars at baseball's midsummer swap meet.
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Some clubs -- such as the Orioles, with Manny Machado -- have been in town for several weeks. Others are still en route, contemplating whether to turn back.
Here's a look at those teams who have yet to reach Sellersville -- and how far away they might be, as the season reaches its halfway point.

TWINS
Two miles away, in an exit-only lane:
Amid expectations of back-to-back postseason berths, the Twins started 8-7 but haven't been above .500 since. With the Indians owning one of the Majors' best records since late May -- and an 8 1/2-game lead in the American League Central -- it's increasingly difficult to imagine the Twins catching them. Minnesota reached the 2017 playoffs as a Wild Card team, but that route is even less plausible now, as the Twins trail the Mariners by double digits for the second AL Wild Card spot.
Remember: Minnesota became sellers at last year's non-waiver Trade Deadline through deals of and -- and that was with a clearer path to the postseason than it has right now. , and have value as rental players. Joe Mauer is on an expiring contract, too; the only way the team would deal the 35-year-old local icon is if he's interested in taking a chance to pursue a title elsewhere.

ROCKIES
Seven miles away:
The Rockies emerged from Memorial Day weekend atop the National League West. But they are 9-17 since, including Wednesday's walk-off loss to the Giants. They have surrendered 171 runs over that span, by far the most in the Majors. At that rate, they can't pose much of a challenge to the D-backs or Dodgers.
If there's any consolation, it's that Colorado's roster includes a number of pending free agents: setup man , second baseman DJ LeMahieu and outfielders and . Parra's contract includes a $12 million club option for next year.

ANGELS
Twelve miles away:
The Angels' plans for the rest of 2018 are in flux as they await definitive word on 's status. But even if he returns to the active roster, the Halos have lost substantial ground in the AL West (and the AL Wild Card) standings during his absence.
Unlike the Twins and Rockies, the Angels have a relatively small number of obvious trade candidates. Among their free-agents-to-be, has struggled to a .671 OPS and is on the disabled list. Richards is an intriguing rental option if healthy ... but that is precisely the problem. He has thrown only 130 2/3 innings over the past three seasons.

ATHLETICS
Fifteen miles away:
Unless you're concerned about the A's bumping your team from a playoff spot, you're rooting for Billy Beane and David Forst to keep this squad together. They've been too enjoyable to watch this season, with talent and panache that remind us of memorable Oakland clubs of years gone by.
Yet, the Athletics' economic circumstances remain unchanged. Without construction underway on a new ballpark, players on expiring contracts -- , , -- could be moved. Closer is in high demand, and Oakland's front office tends to err on the side of optimizing peak value, even with Treinen under control through 2020.

GIANTS
Forty miles away, and making a U-turn:
The Giants' inspired play over the past week is making a Trade Deadline selloff highly unlikely. San Francisco has won seven of eight games, including the past three by one run each.
is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, with a $12 million club option for 2019. If the Giants made Bumgarner available, he would instantaneously become one of the most coveted players in the marketplace, but there is no indication that they will do so. In fact, their current strategy involves waiting on the returns of Jeff Samardzija and -- and preparing for a run at the NL West title or an NL Wild Card.