MLB Rumors: Padres ready to shop stars barring unforeseen turnaround

As the trade deadline approaches, the buyer and seller markets are starting to become more distinct. Let's take a look at a team from the NL West, shall we?

The San Diego Padres currently sit in fourth place with a 48-52 record, but the ongoing sentiment is that they will be buyers in August. Fairly far back from a Wild Card spot, the Friars' season has played out a lot like that of the Mets and Cardinals — high expectations, disappointing results.

Like the Cards, the Padres may be leaning toward selling their stars. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, San Diego needs to drop its delusions and prepare to move some of its big names like Juan Soto.

They should swallow their pride and trade All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, getting back at least some of the value in the prospects they traded away in the first place to land him from the Washington Nationals. Yet, there has been no hint that he's available. They instead are likely to shop All-Star closer Josh Hader and starter Blake Snell, barring a sudden and dramatic winning streak.

The hype around a Juan Soto trade hasn't died down, and at this point in the season, San Diego's position probably won't change. Even if they hold onto Soto, Josh Hader and Blake Snell still rank as valuable trade chips. They haven't preferred to sell in recent years, but that trend may have to change in 2023.

MLB Rumors: Cardinals would consider Arenado trade on one condition

There are four St. Louis Cardinals' untouchables this year: Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Jordan Walker, and Lars Nootbaar. Or that's what the public has been led to believe.

In a recent report by NY Post's Jon Heyman, there is one condition in which Arenado could get moved.

Don't worry, Cards fans, it's pretty specific: Arenado would have to request the trade himself.

The belief is the Cardinals won't trade Nolan Arenado unless he requests it (no sign of that yet), and Jack Flaherty is perhaps even more likely to be dealt than Montgomery since Montgomery is certain to get a qualifying offer.

Per Heyman, there's "no sign" of a desire to move from Arenado's end, and the Cardinals have in turn expressed their commitment to Arenado in the past few weeks. The star infielder is signed through 2027; this year, he's slashed .286/.336/.520 and he earned his third consecutive All-Star nod in St. Louis.

For better or for worse, Arenado holds his own future in his hands. He can press the eject button and try to force a move to a proven World Series contender, yet there's really no evidence that the 10-time Gold Glove winner wants out.

MLB Rumors: Rays, Orioles taking contrasting approaches to trade deadline

The two teams atop the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles, have very different approaches heading into the trade deadline. It's a bit like comparing the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals, for a football reference.

The Rays/Rams are in win-now mode. Tampa Bay holds a 61-41 record and appear to have the "urgency" and desire to make big money moves for a championship this season.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Rays realize "this is a talented team capable of winning their first World Series in franchise history." And as such, they're going to act accordingly at the trade deadline.

By contrast, the divisional team with a slightly higher winning percentage than the Rays, the Orioles, aren't going all-in this season. As one of the smaller-market teams, the Orioles understand that their smooth-sailing 2023 campaign is the culmination of years and years of rebuilding and prudent decision-making from general manager Mike Elias. Nightengale points out that Elias pushed for a culture of sustainable success during his time with the Astros, and he's doing the same thing now in Baltimore.

Elias is not going to suddenly "reverse course and trade prized prospects for rentals." Baltimore hopes to stay competitive and keep nipping at the heels of perennial AL heavyweights for several more years, maybe even a decade. Winning it all isn't necessarily the game plan for the Orioles; building a successful franchise is.