Uncertainty at trade deadline
MILWAUKEE — The unusual circumstances surrounding the abbreviated baseball season are creating plenty of questions for teams looking to upgrade their rosters before Monday’s trade deadline.
The expanded playoff format reduces the number of teams eager to write off the season and make moves aimed at the future. The lack of minor league games makes it tough for teams to decide which prospects to pursue from other organizations.
“This is going to be a ... unique deadline, I think, in a variety of different ways,” said David Stearns, Brewers president of baseball operations. “I don’t know that anyone knows for sure how it’s going to play out in terms of volume of transactions and what types of transactions.”
A big question looming over the trade deadline is the uncertain status of the season itself. Why should a team risk its long-term future and trade top prospects to pursue a title when the pandemic could put the entire postseason at risk?
The unique nature of this postseason could reduce the number of teams interested in trading established players to build up their farm systems.
Eight teams from each league will make the playoffs this year. Heading into Wednesday, the NL had only six teams with winning records. The AL had seven teams above .500.
There’s another issue hindering trades of prospects. Without any minor league games, organizations will have a tough time getting an accurate measure of prospects from outside their own systems.