Here's a cheat sheet of trade targets left for MLB teams still looking to fill needs
Free agency isn't the only offseason path to a better roster, you know
By
Dayn Perry
•
6 min read
We've still got plenty of big names left on the free agent board, and even in a relatively weak class like this one, signings take up most of our discretionary attention. However, as big swaps for Chris Sale, Wade Davis, and Adam Eaton -- among others -- have reminded us, the blockbuster trade is also a part of the offseason landscape.
Nothing's going to approach the scope and scale of the Sale deal, to be sure, but a number of potential trade candidates are still on the block and may get moved before Opening Day.
For ease of Internet Consumption, we'll break these trade targets down by position/role. No, this probably isn't an exhaustive list, as offseason plans are necessarily fluid and teams often adjust their priorities in response to the market. Rumor and reportage, though, have it that these guys are likely available provided the asking price is met.
Do we guarantee that the players about to be named will be traded at some point? No, people, we do not.
Catcher
Gattis has plenty of right-handed power, even if he's not quite up for regular catching duty these days. In Houston, the offseason additions of Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran have made him potentially expendable. Who knows what Oakland's doing (they may actually be trying to contend in 2017), but if they do their usual thing, then Vogt could be shopped. He's got a solid bat by positional standards and earns praise for his skills behind the plate. Chirinos may be available with Jonathan Lucroy on the roster for a full season. We may not see full clarity on the catcher trade market until Matt Wieters signs.
First base
The White Sox have already begun a massive rebuild, and Abreu is under team control through 2019 and still delivered a 126 OPS+ in a down 2016 season. Myers would presumably cost quite a bit in trade talks thanks to his relative youth and upside, and he could also have untapped offense outside of run-suppressing Petco Park. Adams is expendable with the Cardinals moving Matt Carpenter to first base next season, and he could provide the strong side of a platoon for a team on a budget without costing much in the way of prospects. Adams probably isn't an everyday solution, though.
So where's Joey Votto? For now, we're saying he's not getting moved out of Cincinnati, but that could change, of course. If he were on the market, then he'd easily top the list of first basemen.
Second base
Dozier is obviously the prize, as he's coming off a 42-homer season. To what extent that's sustainable will be the question for the team that negotiates a trade for him. Lately, the Dodgers are getting most of the Dozier buzz. Texas may be willing to include the still young and still promising Profar as part of a deal for a needle-moving starting pitcher. Profar may soon settle in at another position, but we'll call him a 2B for now. Harrison's signed to a reasonable contract, but he hasn't yet come close to repeating his numbers from his breakout 2014 campaign. Gennett, with Jonathan Villar shifting to second, appears to be out of a regular job in Milwaukee.
Third base
- Todd Frazier, White Sox
- Mike Moustakas, Royals
- Yangervis Solarte, Padres
- Chase Headley, Yankees
Frazier's headed into his walk year, can still play solid defense, and hit 40 bombs in 2016. On the downside, he didn't do much else at the plate and will soon turn 31. Moustakas' inclusion on this list is speculative, but a Royals teardown isn't out of the question. He missed the vast majority of the 2016 season because of injury, so some team may be looking to buy low on his fielding and power. Solarte's quietly a darn good hitter, but at age 29 he's ready to help a contender. The 2017 Padres are very much not that. As potential trade targets go, he's an underrated one. The Yankees have been trimming payroll and could find a taker for Headley.
Shortstop
- Zack Cozart, Reds
- Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
Cozart's no stranger to injuries, particularly to his lower half in recent seasons, but he's also got good pop for the position and a plus glove. Given the weak crop of shortstops on the free agent market, the Reds may be able to fetch a haul. On the other hand, we're in a pretty good era for shortstops, and most contenders are in good shape. As for Peralta, the Cardinals' infield depth may make him moveable. He can still run into one, but he's in decline, particularly with the glove, and owed $10 million for the season ahead.
Outfield
- Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
- Ryan Braun, Brewers
- J.D. Martinez, Tigers
- Charlie Blackmon, Rockies
- Jay Bruce, Mets
- Jarrod Dyson, Royals
- Melky Cabrera, White Sox
You're well acquainted with the McCutchen rumors, of course. The Nationals' trade for Eaton took a big player out of the 'Cutch market, but it's entirely possible he still gets moved. Yes, he disappointed in 2016 and probably needs to be moved to a corner, but he's not that far removed from being one of the best players in the game. Braun's got baggage and a big contract, but when healthy he's still a top-tier producer at the plate. Martinez has improved thanks to his rebuilt swing (he's slugged .540 since being cast aside by the Astros), but injury concerns and poor defense may dim his market.
Will the Rox trade one of their veteran outfielders? They're trying to contend in 2017, so perhaps not. That said, Blackmon has been the subject of rumors for a long time (as has Carlos Gonzalez). The Mets want to trade Bruce, and while he's a player of limited skills these days he does have power from the left side. Dyson's 32, but still has speed and the range for center. Cabrera's coming off a nice rebound season in 2016, but on the downside he's owed $15 million for 2017.
Starting pitcher
- Chris Archer, Rays
- Jose Quintana, White Sox
- Danny Duffy, Royals
- Sonny Gray, Athletics
- Clay Buchholz, Red Sox
Archer has the most upside of any pitcher on this list, and his second half surge restored confidence in his ability to be an ace. But are the Rays hoping to contend? Maybe. The haul that Chris Sale netted, though, shows that frontline starters can bring back a lot. That's always the case, but it's especially so given the complete lack of options left on the free agent market.
As for the consistently strong and strongly consistent Quintana, the Astros have already made a run at him, but found the asking price to be too high. That's to be expected, given Quintana's quiet excellence and his ridiculously team-friendly contract. Right now, it seems more likely that the Sox move him leading up to non-waiver trade deadline.
Duffy broke out last season in a big way, and the Royals may consider moving him since he's going into his walk year. His 2016 success looks sustainable -- especially when paired with his stuff -- so he could be a real find on the trade market. Gray disappointed badly last season, but if the A's demands reflect that reality then a match is possible. Gray proved before last season that's capable of being an ace. Boston's got a bottleneck in the rotation, and the maddeningly inconsistent Buchholz seems the most likely to be dangled. Drew Pomeranz would have more appeal on the market, but Boston's all-in on 2017.
Relief pitcher
- Alex Colome, Rays
- David Robertson, White Sox
- Jeremy Jeffress, Rangers
The contracts fetched by Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon tell you that relief aces are in demand this winter, and Colome dominated in his first season of full-time relief detail (1.91 ERA in 56 2/3 innings, 4.73 K/BB ratio). He's less proven than those other guys, but as consolation prizes go, he's an appealing one. Robertson has more of a pedigree, but he showed significant signs of decline in 2016. Jeffress has personal issues in his recent past, and he's been linked in trade to his former team, the Brewers. The velocity and established record of success (142 ERA+ across parts of seven seasons) mean he'd still be in demand.
