This is a rather hopeful time for the Yankees, Dodgers and Phillies. All three teams have chances to get to the playoffs and win their divisions (New York and Los Angeles are pretty certain they'll get there), but at the same time, they have holes in their organizations.
For New York, the Yankees' rotation needs some help. Not because they have men who have struggled, but because James Paxton has never pitched a full season, Masahiro Tanaka is seemingly never at 100 percent and Luis Severino has yet to start a throwing program. This team needs insurance more than anything else.
For the Dodgers, they think they have enough pitching to win a World Series, but the bullpen leading up to Kenley Jansen has some questions and even Jansen himself has struggled in the postseason. For Philadelphia, it could use help in a lot of places, but the loss of Andrew McCutchen has been very costly and it needs to add in the outfield.
And all of these teams undoubtedly have their eyes looking up at the sky for the one player who could put their seasons over the top. Those players though are not yet available. But make no mistake, if they hit the trade market, these teams will go after them. So we're taking a look at those guys these teams probably have interest in, but the other organization has yet to want to move them. We also offer more logical trades just in case those players never hit the market.
Unavailable players Dodgers, Phillies, Yankees hope hit open market
Dodgers: Scott Oberg, RP, Rockies
He's not a household name and the righty also was overshadowed by Adam Ottavino in his own bullpen last season. But make no mistake, if Oberg were to hit the market he would be the absolute perfect fit for the Dodgers. He may be the best setup man in the game right now no one knows about as he has allowed just 27 hits in 46 2/3 innings of work this year while posting a 1.35 ERA. This is the second straight year his ERA has been under 2.50. Oberg has two years of arbitration left after this one making him a very attractive commodity. The only thing is, according to MLB.com, Oberg is not available yet. But the Rockies are tied for last in the National League West and have lost five games in a row. There's a great chance he is traded because he might fetch the best price of any of Colorado's assets at the deadline.
Alternate addition: Will Smith, RP, Giants
Phillies: Starling Marte, OF, Pirates
Starling Marte has not been mentioned in any trade rumors and probably won't be. But, if the Pirates are smart, moving Marte would be a great idea. He has two years of team control left, but both are option years so if he isn't very good parting with him is easy, but if he is great then there is control left. If he is traded he would get a lot back for Pittsburgh in return. Also, with the emergence of Bryan Reynolds, Marte is a bit more expendable. And for the Phillies, with the loss of Andrew McCutchen the team has had to scramble to put together an outfield. Scott Kingery has been productive in center but he would probably be better in left and Marte is a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder so he would slot in nicely. The only problem is the Phillies don't sound like they'll give up tons of prospects for one player so this deal might not make sense for Philadelphia. Also, it should be noted the Dodgers contacted the Pirates about Marte this offseason and the conversations weren't immediately shut down, so Pittsburgh is at least not entirely closed off to a trade for the outfielder.
Alternate addition: Corey Dickerson, OF, Pirates
Yankees: Luis Castillo, SP, Reds
One SNY source ended the Luis Castillo-to-the-Yankees party before it even started a few weeks ago saying it will absolutely never happen. But MLB.com may have got it going a little bit a few days ago saying the Castillo trade possibility isn't a complete lost cause. The asking price is just exorbitantly high. The Yankees are World Series or bust this year. It's really that simple. Adding Castillo makes them the instant undisputed favorite to win the World Series and if the Yankees will just put up Clint Frazier, Deivi Garcia and maybe Miguel Andujar, that deal gets done. Period. Zero doubt. And for four years of team control left after this one that trade is absolutely worth it. So is it really a question for New York at all whether to get this deal done to all but guarantee a World Series title?
Alternate addition: Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants