One move each AL Central team must make before the trade deadline

Chicago White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet (45) throws the ball against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The MLB trade deadline is July 30 at 6 p.m. ET, and because several teams are in the mix for a wild-card spot, it promises to be the most intriguing day of the season.

The AL Central wasn't considered much of a postseason threat entering the season, but it's now July and three teams hold playoff spots. While the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers are expected to be sellers, the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals are poised to make upgrades.

With that in mind, here is one move each AL Central team must make ahead of the trade deadline.

(All statistics and records are through Sunday's games.)

Chicago White Sox (24-62)

The move: Trade LHP Garrett Crochet

The lowly White Sox are set to hold the biggest fire sale of this year's trade deadline. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Chicago is open to trading star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and fireballer Crochet. Even though Robert would fetch a massive haul in a trade, moving the 26-year-old isn't as much of a necessity as trading Crochet is.

Since there are many teams vying for a wild-card spot, it's hard to predict which starting pitchers will be available at the deadline. This could pave the way for the former first-round pick Crochet to become the most sought pitcher on the trade market.

A converted reliever, Crochet has excelled in his first opportunity as a starter at the MLB level, ranking 17th in innings (101.1), 14th in ERA (3.02) and first in strikeouts (141).

As the type of talent who can potentially swing a playoff series, Crochet should draw the most interest from top contending teams. White Sox GM Chris Getz would be wise to deal Crochet to teams who boast elite farm systems and are expected to be aggressive at the deadline, namely the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cleveland Guardians (52-30)

The move: Acquire Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt

The Guardians, owners of the best winning percentage in the American League (.634), would benefit from adding another outfielder at the deadline, such as Oakland's Brent Rooker. Even so, Cleveland has a deep enough lineup to make noise in the postseason, but its starting rotation is undoubtedly the team's Achilles' heel.

Guardians starters have posted a 4.41 ERA this season, the fourth worst in the AL, and have only pitched 418 innings, the fourth fewest in MLB. Although it's unclear how the starting pitching market will shape up in the coming weeks, it may be difficult for the Guardians to acquire a top arm because their division rivals have the best available options. Nonetheless, the best move isn't always the flashiest, and landing an innings-eater like Bassitt could give the team the boost it needs.

Bassitt, who has two seasons remaining on his current contract, will likely be one of the players Toronto dangles at the deadline, and for good reason. The 35-year-old has a 3.24 ERA this season, the lowest among Blue Jays starters, and a 1.37 WHIP in 97.1 innings pitched. With the load Bassitt can shoulder, Cleveland's dominant bullpen (MLB-best 2.50 ERA) would consistently get ample rest to become that much more imposing.

Detroit Tigers (38-46)

The move: Trade RHP Jack Flaherty

It has been 10 years since Detroit's last playoff appearance, and while selling off assets this far into an extensive rebuilding process isn't ideal, it's the only way to improve for the future. The Tigers don't need to launch a full-blown fire sale, though they must move Flaherty.

Detroit gambled on Flaherty in free agency, signing the right-hander to a one-year prove-it deal after he flopped with the Orioles in the second half of last season. Through his first 15 starts this season, Flaherty has performed like an All-Star, posting a 3.24 ERA and 1.000 WHIP with 115 strikeouts, the seventh most among qualified pitchers.

Trading Flaherty won't ensure the Tigers reach the postseason in 2025, but since he'll be one of the top pitchers available at the deadline, the team should net a sizeable return for him.

Kansas City Royals (47-39)

The move: Acquire Angels outfielder Taylor Ward

The Royals started off the season strong, but after posting an 11-15 record in June, the team is in a difficult spot with the trade deadline approaching. While Kansas City could ultimately decide to be soft sellers because it holds the third wild-card spot, it would make sense to add a player who could help in the short and long term.

Although the bullpen must be addressed at the deadline, the best course might be to acquire an impact bat for the outfield. After all, the Royals' .683 OPS over the past month is the 11th worst in the majors. Additionally, Kansas City has one of the worst left-field situations in baseball, with six players combining for -0.4 bWAR, the third fewest among teams.

The Angels (36-47) will surely be selling at the deadline, and Ward is arguably their best trade chip. In 81 games this season, Ward has produced a slash line of .243/.328/.439 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI. Ward could be one of the more costly additions Kansas City could make, but for a team needing to surround its promising young core with talent, he'd be well worth the price.

Minnesota Twins (47-37)

The move: Acquire Rockies RHP Cal Quantrill

Like the Guardians, Minnesota has a strong lineup capable of helping it make a deep postseason run, but the team's lack of quality starting pitching could be its undoing. Twins starting pitchers have combined for a 4.39 ERA this season, the 10th worst in the majors, and allowed 72 home runs, the most among teams. While it's unlikely that Minnesota can add a frontline starter at the deadline, Quantrill is an intriguing target to raise the rotation's floor.

Quantrill, 29, had a 5.24 ERA for Cleveland last season, prompting the team to designate him for assignment and subsequently trade him to Colorado. Through his first 16 starts with the Rockies, Quantrill has revitalized his career, posting a 3.78 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

Considering he pitches at the hitter-friendly Coors Field, those are more than respectable numbers. However, Quantrill has unsurprisingly performed better away from his home ballpark, posting a 3.58 ERA in 10 road starts, which should provide plenty of optimism for teams interested in acquiring him.

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