The enjoyment of the MLB All-Star Game and its festivities quickly gets wiped away once the realization hits that the MLB Trade Deadline is looming. This year is no different from that aspect.
On Tuesday night, fans got to see Kris Bryant represent the National League in his all-star Cubs uniform. Joey Gallo wore the American League version with his Rangers logo displayed proudly. It's quite possible it was one of the last times either will be wearing those logos and that's the case for many of these all-stars.
While it's likely similar in the past, this year the batch of MLB all-stars seemed to have a ton of players that may be dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Here are all the 2021 MLB All-Stars that might be moved before July 31.
Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel – Cubs
Kris Bryant was playing at an MVP level to start the season. While he came back down to earth a bit, his numbers have been impressive nonetheless. Perhaps most notable, Bryant has started and played extensively at five different positions this year; all three outfield spots and both corner infield positions. However, with the Cubs losing 12 of 14 before the break and on the verge of selling, Bryant may have just appeared in his last all-star game as a Cub given he will hit free agency at the end of the year.
What was said about Bryant can be echoed about Craig Kimbrel and how he has pitched this year. Kimbrel has been sensational after many had given up on the idea of him being the answer at closer for the Cubs a year ago. Now, with Chicago looking to sell and Kimbrel nearing the end of his contract, it would make sense for the Cubs to part ways with Kimbrel at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Joey Gallo, Kyle Gibson – Rangers
Joey Gallo has spent all seven seasons he's been in MLB with the Texas Rangers. Now, with the Rangers still aiming towards a rebuild and the stock high on Gallo, he could be moved at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Gallo will be under team control through the 2022 season so if someone does acquire the power hitter via trade, it won't be a rental.
For all the flack Gallo receives for his low batting average and all the strikeouts, it's worth pointing out that Gallo leads all of baseball this season with 72 walks and while the strikeouts are still high, he has a great OBP of .402.
There may not be a better time for the Rangers to move Gallo given the year he has had as an all-star and where Texas is at as a franchise.
Kyle Gibson is another Rangers player to keep tabs on. Like Gallo, Gibson has had a really solid year. Gibson is on a very friendly three-year deal that is currently in year two with Texas. Simply put, his stock will never be higher and the Rangers could land a solid prospect or two back in return if they trade away Gibson at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Taylor Rogers, Nelson Cruz – Twins
It has been a miserable year for the Minnesota Twins. They sit near the cellar of the AL Central in what was supposed to be a year where they went hunting for a pennant. Now, they will be sellers, if anything, at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Nelson Cruz is 40-years-old and on a one-year deal. He's put up big numbers this year and it would be foolish for the Twins not to entertain offers that include him.
Taylor Rogers is in the last year of his deal and set to hit arbitration. This makes him a prime candidate to be traded as well with plenty of eyeballs tracking the left handed reliever. Minnesota is a sinking ship for this year and anyone that has contracts set to expire could be sent elsewhere.
Max Scherzer, Kyle Schwarber – Nationals
The first order of business for the Washington Nationals is deciding whether or not they will buy or sell at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Currently, they are likely on the fence as the team has a record of just 42-47 but find themselves just 6 games out of first in the NL East.
If they sell, they could sell big and move ace Max Scherzer who's contract is set to run out. It would likely be one of if not the biggest chip moved at the deadline if the Nats opt to go that route.
If Scherzer is traded, Kyle Schwarber could be right behind him. Schwarber is having a massive year before a hamstring injury slowed him recently. The tricky factor with Schwarber is the hamstring injury, which is going to sideline him for “several weeks.”
Perhaps someone still takes a flyer hoping to get Schwarber back for the last month of the season and the playoffs. With him being on just a one-year deal with Washington, this would be a supreme example of a rental player.
Eduardo Escobar – Diamondbacks
One of the best feel good stories of the year so far is Eduardo Escobar who made his first all-star team at age 32.
Escobar has been clubbing the ball all season for the D-Backs and with them sitting in dead last in the NL West, now is a perfect time to sell for a team likely going nowhere in the foreseeable future.
Because of his versatility to play all over the diamond defensively, Escobar could be a hot commodity at the MLB Trade Deadline.
The MLB All-Star Game was a spectacle as always. Now, the chaos starts with the MLB Trade Deadline lurking in the distance.
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