Yonder Alonso turned himself from non-tender candidate last winter to the Athletics’ representative at the All-Star Game two weeks ago. Thanks in large part to an offseason swing change aimed to deliver more fly balls, Alonso is enjoying by far the best of his eight big league seasons. The first baseman is batting .263/.361/.527 with 21 homers over 346 plate appearances, and is producing 38% more runs than the average hitter as per the wRC+ metric. Beyond just putting the ball in the air more often, Alonso is also exhibiting more discipline at the plate, with a career-best 12.7% walk rate.
It all adds up to a nice platform year for Alonso as he heads into free agency this winter, and the A’s gain an extra trade chip they perhaps didn’t expect to have when they decided to bring Alonso back on a one-year, $4MM contract for 2017. With only about $1.31MM remaining on Alonso’s deal and his big numbers, he stands out among other remaining rental players as a particularly inexpensive lineup upgrade.
The counter-argument for Alonso as a prime deadline pickup is that his numbers significantly cooled off in June and July after a torrid start to the season. Since Alonso was little more than a league-average hitter from 2010-16, some teams could believe that he is simply a two-month wonder rather than a true breakout player. He also carries pronounced splits (a .950 OPS against right-handed pitching against just a .685 OPS against southpaws). When that’s combined with Alonso’s subpar defense and baserunning stats, he doesn’t bring much to the table unless he can keep punishing righties.
Another complication is the fact that most contenders are already set at first base or designated hitter, and that fairly thin list of potential Alonso suitors got a bit thinner when the Rays acquired Lucas Duda from the Mets. Alonso has played a bit of third base and left field in his career, but would hardly be a passable option at either position. With only one team reportedly showing legitimate interest in Alonso, Oakland might have to get a bit creative to find a trade partner and recoup a good prospect or two in return, unless an injury shakes up the market. Here are a few of the potential fits…
Yankees: This post really could be called “Looking For A Match In A Yonder Alonso Trade Besides The Yankees,” since the Bronx Bombers are Alonso’s only known suitors, and they’ve stood out for weeks as the most obvious candidates for his services. New York and Oakland have been engaged in talks about not just Alonso, but also ace righty Sonny Gray, with recent reports suggesting that the Yankees could be trying to land both in a package deal. First base has been a problem area all season long for the Yankees, with converted third baseman Chase Headley serving as the most recent option at first since Todd Frazier took over the everyday duties at the hot corner. (Headley, a switch-hitter, has actually hit quite well over the last two months.) Alonso’s left-handed bat and his newfound ability to put the ball in the air would seemingly make him a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field, so New York has to be considered the leaders in the Alonso sweepstakes until proven otherwise.
Mariners: Alonso would supplant Danny Valencia as the everyday first baseman, and the two in tandem would create quite a formidable platoon given that Valencia has always mashed left-handed pitching. These sluggers were teammates in Oakland last season before Valencia was dealt to the Mariners, so clearly the M’s and A’s are open to trading with each other. Seattle doesn’t have a particularly deep minor league system, though one can’t rule GM Jerry Dipoto out of any trade scenario.
Red Sox: Mitch Moreland’s production has badly fallen off since suffering a broken toe, and Alonso could slot right into Moreland’s role as the regular first baseman (with Hanley Ramirez or perhaps rookie Sam Travis getting the odd start against lefty pitchers). The Red Sox have been looking for ways to jumpstart a slumping offense, so Alonso would boost a lineup that has posted below-average numbers against right-handed pitching.
Royals: Eric Hosmer is firmly entrenched at first base, so Kansas City might explore Alonso as an upgrade over left-handed hitting DH Brandon Moss, who has just a .696 overall OPS for the season and only a .623 OPS against righties. Moss has been red-hot in July, however, so this may no longer be quite as pressing a need as it was just a few weeks ago. The Royals have been mostly on the lookout for pitching help at the deadline, though they did have an interest in J.D. Martinez before he was dealt to Arizona.
Astros: It’s hard to imagine that Houston’s lineup could actually get scarier, though DH Carlos Beltran is hitting just .234/.288/.405 and is on pace for a sub-replacement level season. Alonso could add a left-handed hitting complement to righty bats Yuli Gurriel and Evan Gattis in the first base/DH mix. Houston already has such an embarrassment of offensive riches that it might not be willing to give up much of a prospect return for what would be a pure luxury, especially when that prospect or prospects would be going to an AL West rival. Then again, the Astros have also been linked to Sonny Gray, so they could also potentially look into a Gray/Alonso package deal. GM Jeff Luhnow recently stated that the team is already looking ahead to potential needs for October, so if Luhnow feels the Astros need more left-handed balance in their lineup, Alonso could come onto their radar.
Rockies: Despite a league-worst wRC+ (78) against right-handed pitching and an overall offense that ranks 24th of 30 teams in fWAR, Colorado is still solidly holding on an NL wild card slot. Without a designated hitter spot available, however, the Rockies don’t really have room for Alonso — they’re already shuttling Ian Desmond between first base and left field, with Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra handling whatever position Desmond isn’t occupying. Even if Carlos Gonzalez’s nightmarish 2017 season results in a loss of his everyday job, the Rox might turn to internal options — such as top prospect Ryan McMahon — before looking at a player like Alonso to help the lineup.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Get used to shaving every day Alonso… Its time the yanks remove their shaving policy… At least let the guys grow a beard that isnt outrageous.
If you want a beard go to Boston
Or literally anywhere else except Miami.
When jeter and company buy the Marlins they’ll remove that policy. Not that it matters. They have no pitching and 2 hitters. Who won’t be there much longer.
Their whole outfield hits, bro. Plus they have a pretty good C and 1B. Their downfall for sure is pitching.
Boston is where all the players look homeless.
Or hair, no names on backs of uniforms home and/or road. You can have one of the wackiest Mayors in the nation, not to mention corrupt in NY if sign there.. Maybe the Yanks will land him one of those pin stripe suits once he finally goes to far for THAT political machine that is NY it can no longer turn a blind eye towards him and finally has to stick him into a 6×9?
That’s the best bunch of non yankee related nutshelling ever
Are you drunk, like wtf are you even trying to say.
Forget drunk. I think he’s on heavy medication.
I thought the comment was about baseball and not your wacky political beliefs.
Like Beantown is without sin.
Don’t troll!
Their policy is what it is…..no exceptions and exactly how would anyone define what is “outrageous” and what isn’t?
This allows for no dissection in the clubhouse which is the way the Yankees like it.
Yeah because having beards often causes major problems between grown men.
BTW, the word you were looking for is dissension, not dissection. Although the Yankees probably don’t want players to cut apart pig fetuses in between innings either, so your point is taken.
Your a j_ckass!
And spell check changed my word to dissection…..sorry that you’re a Rhodes Scholar and I’m not.
“You’re”….
Stop blaming spellcheck. Read things before hitting “post”.
It’s a very dumb rule. There’s no way people growing beards will create problems lmao. What are they doing, trying to get rid of individuality and personality in a child’s game?
Dude,you talk like it was just implemented.
Dude, its there rule and they are entitled.
Not like they can’t get players to play under those rules.
Will there be players who won’t….yes, but the yankees are entitled to feel the way they feel about facial hair.
The Yankees have the policy on facial hair in place to look presentable. They don’t want to be running out guys with beards like Blackmon and Harper everyday
Bryce will be clean shaven in 2019.
And what is wrong with their beards?
To me you have a city that is supposed to be welcoming to all, but then it’s most storied sports franchise discriminates against those with facial hair. The rule has been stupid for a long time.
I would love for Harper to say in 2 years that he would’ve signed with the Yanks but didn’t because of the rule. I bet losing out on him might change their minds on the dumb rule.
Because the Yankees don’t want guys looking like a bunch of hillbillies representing the team- it’s a business- lots of businesses don’t let you grow your hair like that- it’s called being classy.
When the Yankees cut players checks, they have the right to implement their rules on whoever accepts and cashes those checks.
If you don’t like it, root for some other team.
The Yankees are the only contenders with a real need at 1B. I don’t really see those other teams making a move for Alonso or the Yankees for that matter unless he is a throw in a potential Gray trade.
Alonso has cooled down tremendously since the All Star break.
His power has emerged only this year, with a past that profiles as a 15 homer guy max.
And, he’s a free agent, meaning he’s a rental, as the yankees are still committed to Bird for next season.
We already have that profile in Headley, who is playing first these days with Frazier on board, and who by the way is hitting at a .270 clip and keeping the line moving on the bases these days. The Yankees already employ him, and no prospects are involved.
Bottom line, Alonso is a pass. The Yankees would be foolish to duplicate offensive production they already have with a guy that had his best stats for the team trading him, namely the A’s.
The last sentence makes no sense. Which team is a player supposed to have his best stats with? Would you rather trade for someone that had his best stats on his prior teams?
I would rather see the Yankees not trade for Alonso. He just wouldn’t be worth it, and they don’t need him. Keep Headley at 1st and deal with it in the off season.
Maybe you didn’t get it
What I said is that Alonso had a good first half, which benefitted the A’s.
Now that he’s cooled off, and gone back to being what he has been in the past, a team trading for him, wouldn’t get the production (stats) from his first half, they would be getting the Yonder career typical production (stats) in the second half of this year….which means he’s nothing special and the Yankees shouldn’t pull the trigger on getting this guy. Simple enough?
I get where you’re coming from and Headley is hot while playing good defense. Let the D’s put him on the waiver wire.
That is exactly correct and hopefully the Yankees won’t pursue him.
Like that clean cut yanks styles… Portraits an image, and shows character, charisma…
In my opinion it takes away character, not that it’s that big of a deal anyways
I think the Mariners may be a good fit. Have him platoon with Valencia or manufacture a mini bidding war with the Yanks at the very least.
To be clear I meant Oakland could manufacture a mini bidding war*
His trade value has gone down this month. The A’s will probably get somebody’s 25th best prospect for him. Nothing major maybe 4th outfield type or reliever.
Frazier or Torres straight up for him or if the White Sox want Veteran leadership, Yoan Moncada
Why would the Sox want him?! Abreu the better 1B option. Sox are in rebuilding mode and don’t need a 2 month wonder.
2 words…Veteran Leadership
lol teams that are contending need veteran leadership. And trade the top prospect in the game for 2 months of “veteran leadership”?
What would it take for the Cardinals to obtain both Gray and Alonso?
Considering they want Frazier/Torres, a lot.
You are looking at Reyes to start, then prolly one more tops 5 prospect and another in the 10-15 range.
Reyes, Pham and Grichuk plus one more top 15 guy.
After digging into Alonso’s stats, especially since May, I don’t think the Yanks should bother making an offer.
Understanding the nature of business and where the A’s are right now – their projected new loving stadium is their priority – they should keep both Gray and Alonso, both players are in their prime and shall provide mentoring to a very talented young core of Oakland A’s players…
It will be at least 4-5 years before the A’s see their new stadium. Neither Gray or Alonso will be in their prime at that time.
Even if it’s that short of time..gotta pick a place first. Follow the Raiders to Vegas.
Wait until the Vegas residents get their tax bill on the new stadium. $1000 a year more in property tax for them. Money from tourist will now go to Raiders instead of schools so you know how they will make up that money by raising taxes on property owners. Oakland has given A’s 3 choices to move to. Right now they are trying to negotiate which place has the highest revenue potential.
A’s are staying in Oakland. Theyve got 3 sites theyre picking from. Kaval said they will announce their choice by the end of this year.
I agree but I think Gray’s market is healthy right now while Alonso’s isn’t. I’d try and extend Alonso and allow him to build up a few years of 25+ HRs and solid average @ 1B, then deal him. The issue now is teams are rightly scared that this is a flash-in-the-pan.. but having watched the changes in his swings and peripherals, it looks very legit
Lovetron
Whatever change was made to his swing, and the impact to his peripherals seemingly has disappeared after the All Star break.
He’s league average for 2010-2016, and is a rental as the Yankees are committed to Bird unless they can truly get an impact player at first and Alonso hasn’t shown signs that the first half was anything other than a career best couple of months.
Coupled with sub par defense, no speed, and no evidence that he can come any where near averaging 25 home runs, and a solid average in the Yankees line-up why would the Yankees wish to forsake what they currently have in the platoon employed at first for Alonso?
So basically you’re saying his power is streaky.. kinda like most power hitters? And no, his peripherals haven’t changed in the past few months – BABIP has dropped a ton, but thats it. Fly ball%, same. Pull/oppo%, same. Hard hit balls, same %.
As an A’s fan I’d be more than happy keeping Alonso. He’s trending up like quite a few have in their primes, and a 270-25 HR 1B is a valuable thing to have around. If we can lock him up below market, I’m sure we’d be able to get more for him in the next couple years than we could right now. He just picked a bad time to slump (July)
If the market is as tepid as people here think, I hope we sign him to an extension (3/30 to 3/36 works for me)… mashes on RHP and now that he’s just discovering his long-ball in his prime, I think the next few years will be good ones for him. Keep him and Khris Davis as our vets in the field, and move everyone else that you can (Semien, Lowrie, Rajai, Joyce)
Headley is better right now than Alonzo, they are both streaky hitters and Headley switch hits. Cashman will make a push for Gray because he is controllable, and can help him make the playoffs. These teams haven’t traded since 2003, so I wouldn’t count on it. Cashman has rebuilt the Yanks in one year, while Beane has been rebuilding for his whole career.
Cashman also had the benefit of sky high prices for top tier relievers to help the rebuild. Not taking anything away from the job he did, just saying it helped.