The 2021 MLB All-Star Game featured countless players who could be on the move at the trade deadline.
From underrated guys to superstars, a lot of players represented teams that they may no longer play for in a couple of weeks.
We’re going to focus on the National League side of things today and talk about three NL All-Stars who are most likely to be traded.
3. Adam Frazier
Adam Frazier was named a first-time All-Star in 2021, and his reward will likely be a trade to a contending team.
In the first half this season, Frazier batted .330 with an OPS of .860 while leading the NL with 115 hits.
He is currently on pace for a very solid WAR of 4.9, a mark that would be the best of his career by far.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are dead in the water this season, and they likely won’t be much better in 2022.
Frazier is signed for one more year after this one ends, so unloading his contract would make a lot of sense for a Pirates team that likely isn’t going to crack the playoffs anytime soon.
The fact that Frazier is under contract beyond this season will likely increase his value on the trade market.
Pittsburgh could get a nice return on the 29-year-old.
2. Kris Bryant
The Chicago Cubs’ fire sale got underway on Thursday when Joc Pederson was traded away to the Atlanta Braves.
Unfortunately for any Cubs fans hoping to see the core stay intact, many more moves are likely to follow.
Homegrown superstar Kris Bryant is among the group of players likely to be dealt prior to the trade deadline.
while Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel and other Cubs are on the block, there are signs the Cubs will try to lock up Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo before talking trades for them @MLBNetwork
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 16, 2021
Bryant, 29, has spent his entire seven-year MLB career with Chicago, and he has evolved into a star right before the organization’s eyes.
Bryant was named to his fourth All-Star team this season after batting .271 with an OPS of .854 in the first half.
His best campaign came in 2016, a year in which he took home NL MVP honors.
He slashed .292/.385/.554 en route to a .939 OPS and a 146 OPS+ that season.
He added 39 home runs and a 7.3 WAR along the way.
For his career, Bryant is a .280 hitter with an OPS of .885.
Across the board, he is just an extremely solid player.
The former first-round pick is playing on an expiring contract, so the Cubs will almost certainly find him a new home before the trade deadline.
Even if it’s just for a few months, Bryant will make a contending team very happy.
1. Craig Kimbrel
Another Cub makes the list, and this time, it’s All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel.
#Chicago #Cubs Joc Pederson, you have been traded to Atlanta.
Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder/third baseman Kris Bryant, you are on the clock!— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 16, 2021
Kimbrel had a ridiculous first half in 2021.
He posted a 0.57 ERA, 1.11 FIP, and 0.66 WHIP over 33 outings.
He also fanned 54 batters in 31.2 innings.
His dominant run this season comes as a big surprise to many, especially given how poorly he pitched in 2019 (when he put up a 6.53 ERA) and in 2020 (when he put up a 5.28 ERA).
He has completely revived his career this season and looks like the top-tier reliever that MLB fans knew him to be for much of the 2010s.
Like Bryant, Kimbrel is set to hit free agency after the 2021 season.
For that reason, he will surely be on the move at the deadline.
There will definitely be a major market for Kimbrel, and he may very well warrant an extremely handsome return for Chicago.
It will be interesting to see where he lands.
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