Two Last-Place Teams Could Reshape the MLB Trade Market. Here’s How.

The MLB trade deadline is still a month out, but the early noise is already loud. And a lot of it is coming from two teams nobody expected to be center stage: the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies.

Both clubs are stuck near the bottom of their respective divisions. Both have something contenders want. And according to MLB insider Jon Morosi, both are getting ready to sell off bullpen arms.

“Two teams that we believe will be putting their relievers on the market, the Rockies and the Royals,” Morosi told MLB Network. “Two sellers that have some relievers to move. And we’re already hearing from what sources are telling me, teams getting active… Including the Blue Jays, the Mariners, the White Sox and the Braves among other contenders, are already starting to sift through the possibilities of those closers and setup men who could move.”

Relievers Are Always in Demand

It’s a simple reality of the deadline: teams chasing October always need bullpen help. The Royals and Rockies know this. And they have pieces that could make a difference.

Kansas City’s Lucas Erceg might be the exception. Morosi noted the Royals could hold onto him. But beyond Erceg, there are options. Guys who aren’t stars but can get big outs in high-leverage spots. That kind of thing gets calls returned.

Colorado has a similar situation. They’re not going anywhere this season. But a few of their relievers could slot into a contender’s late-inning plans. And the Rockies have been willing to deal before.

A Market Already Taking Shape

Morosi mentioned four teams that are already poking around: Toronto, Seattle, Chicago and Atlanta. That’s a mix of clubs with real postseason ambitions and some that are just trying to stay in the race. The Blue Jays have the payroll to add. The Mariners need run prevention. The White Sox are in a weird spot — competitive but not dominant. And the Braves are the Braves, always looking for an edge.

None of this is a shock. Relief pitching is the most predictable trade deadline commodity. But the fact that the Royals and Rockies are the ones supplying it this year says something about both their seasons. They’re bad enough to sell. Good enough to have something worth buying.

The deadline is June 31. Expect the bullpen market to heat up well before that.