MLB trade rumors: Could Yankees, contenders make early deals this summer?

This year’s Major League Baseball trade deadline could see earlier-than-usual action. Will the Baltimore Orioles trade shortstop Manny Machado before the July 31, 2018 (7/31/18) non-waiver trade deadline?

Buckle up, baseball fans.

This year’s Major League Baseball trade deadline could take on a different feel. Instead of waiting for the July 31 trade deadline, contending teams (potentially including the Yankees, Phillies and Mets) could be active early.

The reason? Non-contending (or tanking teams) are already gauging the market, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

“Teams are already kind of sniffing around,” one National League executive said. “The teams out of contention, they may not be actively looking to make deals yet, but they’re definitely gauging the market already.”

Another potential reason for earlier moves? Teams trying to get what they can before the market is saturated with players in July.

“Being in the position of a seller, it’s simple economics; the more supply that’s out there in the marketplace, the harder it is to get the price you want,” the AL GM said. “If you find a buyer early on, you have a better chance of executing a deal. A lot of buyers might think, ‘If we just wait until the end of July, the market will be saturated and the prices will come down.’ You’ll have these two philosophies. If you want to be a seller and move money, you’ll probably be better off trying to find something earlier.”

“Look at what Jay Bruce and J.D. Martinez got last year; there weren’t huge markets or huge returns for them,” a second AL GM said. “So if you’re a potential seller, are you inclined to move quickly because you think there’s a finite number of good prospects that will be traded at the Deadline? Or are you inclined to wait, because aside from getting a windfall for someone like Manny Machado, might you get more desperate suitors the closer you get to July 31?”

Cashman on Frazier, Cano

It’s still early and teams can shift priorities, but there’s at least a chance big names could be moved before we get to the All-Star break this summer.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.