These 6 All-Stars could be on the move at the Deadline

SEATTLE — Final July in Los Angeles, Josh Hader sat inside Dodger Stadium for his fourth All-Star media day, answering questions on his future with regard to the upcoming Commerce Deadline.

Two weeks later, he was traded from the Brewers to the Padres.

On Monday, Hader was again on the All-Star Recreation for a fifth time, and whereas the brand on his hat was completely different from the one he sported eventually yr’s Midsummer Basic, the questions remained the identical.

That’s the truth of being a star participant on a crew falling in need of expectations, notably one with an expiring contract. If issues don’t get higher for San Diego between now and the Aug. 1 Commerce Deadline, Hader may very well be one other midseason transfer.

“It’s nothing I can management,” Hader stated. “You may’t get your head wrapped up in what-ifs or no matter could occur. For me, it is simply going on the market every single day and ensuring that I am able to pitch. If it occurs, it occurs; similar to final yr, there have been rumors just about yearly since I have been in arbitration that it’s a risk. I am unable to change the end result or the result of the place I will likely be if it is going to occur, so I really feel prefer it’s wasted vitality should you’re even enthusiastic about that.”

Craig Kimbrel has been in Hader’s footwear, representing the Cubs within the 2021 All-Star Recreation earlier than being dealt to the crosstown White Sox simply 17 days later. The Cubs hit the break that summer season dealing with a 7 1/2-game deficit within the NL Wild Card race and an eight-game unfold within the NL Central, however when these numbers swelled to double digits through the first two weeks of the second half, Kimbrel and various his star teammates had been traded to contenders across the league.

“It’s a robust situation to be put in generally,” Kimbrel stated. “As a crew, you end the primary half and everybody just about nonetheless has a shot, particularly with the playoffs and the way they’re formatted. There are conditions the place guys know they are going to be traded. Contract-wise, control-wise, the place the crew is within the standings — all these issues make plenty of sense, so there are occasions the place you form of see it coming. I believe the harder moments are when as a corporation and as a crew, you form of really feel such as you’re all nonetheless in a push to get it finished after which it falls aside on the similar time. That may be a little bit harder.”

This yr’s All-Star groups have various gamers who would possibly discover themselves in the same situation within the coming weeks, however they’re doing their greatest to not permit the rumors and commerce buzz to disrupt the All-Star expertise.

“The one recommendation I might have them is to take pleasure in it,” Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo stated by way of a interpreter, pondering again to being in that very same state of affairs a yr in the past. “That is one thing that occurs annually, so simply attempt to take pleasure in each minute of it. All the things else goes to care for itself.

Right here’s a have a look at a half-dozen All-Stars who may very well be on the transfer by Aug. 1:

Josh Hader, LHP, Padres
Hader has been probably the greatest relievers within the recreation since he debuted in 2017, but 2023 is perhaps his most interesting season but. The lefty completed the primary half with a 1.08 ERA and 21 saves in 35 appearances, holding hitters to a .133 common and a .426 OPS.

The 43-47 Padres have been among the many league’s greatest underachievers this season, and if San Diego — which sits six video games out of a Wild Card spot and eight 1/2 video games again within the NL West — finds itself additional out by the tip of the month, Hader might discover himself carrying one other uniform as he approaches free company this offseason.

Brent RookerOF/DH, Athletics
The Athletics completed the primary half with a 25-67 report, leaving them 25 1/2 video games out of the Wild Card race. Rooker is Oakland’s lone All-Star representativeand whereas the entrance workplace has stocked the farm system with a wealth of younger expertise, it’s tough to think about Rooker (who turns 29 in November) becoming in as a part of Oakland’s long-term plan regardless of having four-plus years of membership management.

Rooker was dealt twice in 2022, however a commerce this month could be completely different for him.

“I might be going to a purchaser, the place previously, I might have been going to a vendor as part of a kind of offers,” he stated. “If a crew contending for a division or contending for a playoff spot and seeking to make a push deep within the postseason involves get you, anybody would have a look at that as a praise.”

Michael LorenzRHP, Tigers
The Tigers’ disappointing first half (39-50) hasn’t erased them from the postseason image due to a middling AL Central, as Detroit entered the break solely 5 1/2 video games out of first place.

“We’ve guys coming again and the AL Central remains to be form of up for grabs,” Lorenzen stated. “We’ll see what occurs, however I am pondering we’ll go for it and get that division. I imply, that is what it’s a must to suppose.”

Lorenzen is enjoying on a one-year, $8.5 million contract, so if the Tigers can deliver again a prospect in return for the 31-year-old, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the right-hander — who has a career-low 5.7 walk percentage (20 walks in 87 innings) — dealt to a contender for the stretch run.

Díaz has already tallied 45 RBIs this season, posting a strong .763 OPS in 80 video games. Colorado’s No. 4 prospect is 21-year-old Drew Romo, thought of by many to be the membership’s future behind the plate. That would make Díaz expendable if a contender comes calling for catching assist.

Marcus StromanRHP, Cubs
The Cubs stay on the outskirts of the postseason image regardless of a 42-47 report on the break, sitting seven video games behind the Reds within the NL Central and 6 1/2 video games out of the ultimate NL Wild Card spot. However Stroman’s contractual state of affairs — he can choose out of the ultimate yr and $21 million of his contract on the finish of the season — may very well be a much bigger consider Chicago’s resolution.

Stroman is ineligible to obtain a qualifying offer if he turns into a free agent, having accepted a QO from the Mets in 2020, so the Cubs danger dropping him for nothing if he opts out and indicators elsewhere this offseason. If Chicago is unable to conform to an extension with Stroman previous to Aug. 1, he might develop into probably the most distinguished beginning pitcher on the commerce market.

“I do not take into consideration that stuff in any respect,” Bednar stated. “Each time it does come up, a few of my mates will make jokes about that, however it would not faze me in any respect.”

The 28-year-old ranks within the high seven percentile in various Statcast classes, together with whiff share, stroll share, anticipated batting common and chase charge, serving to him to a minuscule 1.27 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP and 17 saves in 34 appearances. The Pirates enter the second half eight video games out of the ultimate NL Wild Card spot and eight 1/2 video games behind the Reds within the NL Central, and with three years of membership management remaining, Bednar represents one in every of Pittsburgh’s greatest commerce chips.