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As the MLB All-Star break approaches, the buyers and sellers are starting to take shape with the trade deadline set for July 30. The usual suspects are around the top of the league like the Dodgers and Astros and some that were expected to be at the top of their division rest right there at the moment like the White Sox. Still, many teams have surprised, either for better or for worse.
A lot can change at the MLB Trade Deadline and some are finding themselves in spots they likely didn't envision at the beginning of the year.
Here are the three biggest surprises in the the first half of the MLB season.
3.) Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have raised eyebrows league wide so far this year.
Sitting at 53-32 and atop the American League East, the Red Sox have stayed on top by mashing the life out of the baseball. Only the Houston Astros (474) have scored more runs than Boston (435) this year.
While it was a somewhat quiet offseason in MLB due to the shortened season in 2020, the belief held by many was that the Red Sox were still a lot of pitching away from competing in the American League.
They brought back most of the same pieces from a year ago, a team that went 24-36 in the Covid-19 shortened year. In fact, the Red Sox haven't been to the postseason since they won the whole thing back in 2018. This year, they look more than poised to punch a ticket back to the postseason.
Adding an arm at the MLB Trade Deadline could be critical for Boston and their starting rotation. Nathan Eovaldi and Nick Pivetta have been really good but they clearly need more top end depth to make a dent in the playoffs.
The bullpen has been great as well, spearheaded by Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino. Josh Taylor has been sneaky lights out as well for the Red Sox.
Through the first-half of the season, the Red Sox have been a pleasant surprise across the league.
2.) Minnesota Twins
In a scenario that is the exact opposite of the Boston Red Sox scenario, the Minnesota Twins have been a surprise across MLB this year for the wrong reasons.
A team that was expected to compete for a pennant, the Twins have been dreadful this year. They currently sit in last place in the American League Central with a porous record of 34-48.
Minnesota will likely sell at the deadline it's just a matter of how much they will trade away at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Names like Nelson Cruz, Josh Donaldson, Jose Berrios could all be on the move for the underwhelming Twins.
While injuries have taken a big hit out of any momentum that Minnesota has tried to gain this year, even when at nearly full strength, it hasn't been great. Byron Buxton has been injured on and off for a lot of the year. When he's in the lineup it's a much different look for the Twins and he was playing at an MVP level before his most recent injury (broken hand).
After winning back-to-back AL Central crowns, the Twins will come nowhere close to that mark this year as they have surprised for all the wrong reasons.
1.) San Francisco Giants
Who saw this coming? All the offseason buzz not only in the National League West but almost league wide surrounded the Dodgers and the Padres. San Diego traded for Yu Darivsh and Blake Snell while the Dodgers, coming off a World Series title, added ace Trevor Bauer. Yet, it's the San Francisco Giants running the show right now.
The Giants are a mind-boggling 53-30 while doing so with virtually the same roster as last year.
San Francisco hasn't posted a winning record since 2016 and that was the last time they were in the postseason. Yet this year, they've turned the narrative on its head, with names that most wouldn't recognize.
“Small name” signings like Anthony DeSclafani and Kevin Gausman have paced the way for the rotation with both turning in incredibly productive years so far for the Giants. It's yet to be determined if this will hold up for San Francisco to get a spot in the MLB playoffs but it's been so far so good in the Bay Area.
All the headlines go to the Dodgers and Padres in the NL West but both will have to overtake and then outlast the Giants this year.
Good or bad, there are always surprises every year in MLB. This year is no different. The Red Sox have been a blast to watch while the Twins have been miserable. And in the National League, the San Francisco Giants have done it seemingly with a cast of misfits.
