Looking to trade for an impact bat this month? Options are limited, but here are 17 position players who are projected by Steamer to post a weighted on-base average of at least .321 (the American League non-pitcher average mark) from here on out.
First Basemen/Designated Hitters
- Jose Abreu, White Sox (.351 projected wOBA) – As a player about to hit free agency on a non-contending team, you’d think Abreu would be a prime candidate to be traded by the White Sox. However, interest is mutual in keeping the 32-year-old in Chicago, and that seems the most likely outcome.
- Brandon Belt, Giants (.347) – Though underpowered for his position, Belt gets on base and can still help an offense. The obstacle to a trade is his contract, which still has more than $37MM remaining through 2021. He also has a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to ten teams.
- Justin Smoak, Blue Jays (.347) – Smoak is best utilized in a platoon, since he doesn’t hit well against left-handed pitching. He’ll have less than $3MM left on his contract at the trade deadline and is a strong candidate to be traded.
- Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (.345) – Cabrera’s power hasn’t shown up this season, and he’ll require a DH spot. But the real impediment is the $142MM owed to him through 2023, plus a full no-trade clause. It seems impossible the Tigers could find a way to unload that contract, even if an accomplished veteran hitter like Cabrera could help a contender.
Outfielders
- Yasiel Puig, Reds (.348) – As rough as Puig’s year has been, from May 3rd onward he’s hitting .275/.335/.534 in 194 plate appearances. A case could be made that he’s the best hitter available this month, though with playoff odds of 6.9%, the Reds might hang around just enough to prevent a Puig trade. He’s a free agent after the season.
- Michael Conforto, Mets (.347) – The Mets have similar playoff odds to the Reds, and may be reluctant to punt on their season unless that changes. Even then, trading the 26-year-old Conforto with two years of control remaining seems unlikely.
- Nicholas Castellanos, Tigers (.344) – A free agent after the season, Castellanos is very likely to be traded this month. At the deadline he’ll have about $3.3MM left on his contract. Castellanos continues to struggle defensively, but he’s clearly an above-average hitter.
- Trey Mancini, Orioles (.334) – Mancini, 27, is having what appears to be a breakout year and probably should have represented the Orioles at the All-Star Game. He’s controlled through 2022, so the Orioles should be in no rush to trade him if the offers aren’t impressive. But teams seeking a controllable corner outfielder/first baseman will certainly be calling on Mancini.
- Jorge Soler, Royals (.333) – Perhaps the most remarkable stat about the oft-injured Soler is that he’s played in every single Royals game this year. A healthy amount of time at DH plays a part in that. Soler could wind up with 40 home runs if he stays healthy, though he’s not hitting for average or drawing walks this year. He still brings undeniable right-handed power, and he’s controlled through 2021.
- Starling Marte, Pirates (.333) – Since returning from a collision-related injury on April 30th, Marte is hitting .295/.340/.485 in 257 plate appearances. He’s also the only player here who profiles as a regular in center field. Marte can be controlled affordably through 2021. However, the Pirates don’t seem inclined to give up on their season, so Marte and the rest of their outfielders will probably stay put.
- Mitch Haniger, Mariners (.329) – Haniger, recovering from a ruptured testicle, is not expected back until after the All-Star break. The Mariners control him through 2022 and seem unlikely to rush him back in late July to make such a crucial trade.
- Domingo Santana, Mariners (.327) – Santana has two years of control remaining, and the Mariners will likely prefer to keep him in their outfield with Haniger as they try to contend in the near future. But with Jerry Dipoto at the helm, I had to list Santana here.
- Corey Dickerson, Pirates (.323)
- Melky Cabrera, Pirates (.321)
Infielders
- Derek Dietrich, Reds (.329) – As with Puig, the Reds may be close enough to contention (and the offers unimpressive enough) that they ride with the players they have rather than execute a sell-off. But with Scooter Gennett back, the Reds could at least consider trading him or Dietrich this month.
- Tommy La Stella, Angels (.321) – The Angels’ surprising All-Star is under team control only through next year, and the club’s playoff odds sit at 2.2%. Given that La Stella only just hit his way out of bench duty with a stellar half-season, the Halos would likely have a hard time cashing him in for notable prospects.
- Wilson Ramos, Mets (.321) – If you’re seeking an offensive-minded catcher, Ramos is your guy. The Mets could try to unload the $13.5MM still left on his contract, though they’d have to hand over the reins to Tomas Nido full-time at least for the rest of the season.
Very surprised to see Miggy on this list just because I don’t know who would want to go out of their way to trade for him
If the tigers ate like his entire contract a lot of teams would be interested, but that’s not going to happen.
I don’t see anyone wanting him that bad even if the tigers ate his contract honestly.
If the tigers ate 135 million of his 142
Million dollars owed I would imagine some team would take him for their bench for the next two seasons. If Cabrera only wants to play 2 more years his easiest path to doing so would be waiving his NTC and taking that deal. He’s a vet, still has an excellent hit tool and some GM might believe the power is still there somewhere. For 7 MM bucks or so it’s not a huge
gamble.
The tigers offense is really bad and Cabrera really isn’t blocking significant prospects yet so there isn’t a ton of upside from their perspective(obviously)
You never know who’s going to be desperate for what come the deadline.
he’s at least hit near .300 most of the year. there are worse bench bats out there.
BVW on line one.
You are an idiot
I think that he would be rejuvenated if traded to a contender. Cabrera’s power has dipped because he has no protection in the Tigers lineup. Get that man some protection and I guarantee that his power numbers will increase, because teams won’t be able to pitch around him as much.
Cabrera is one of the generation’s great hitters,like Albert Pujols.But like Pujols,and Ryan Howard and Josh Hamilton,the club owner got involved and made very unwise decisions to overpay and for way too long of a contract.
He is basically untradeable at this point.He has never been in great shape,but seems to have gained a little weight and slowed down with age.The demand for 1B/DH players is low.
If he falters next year they should buy him out so as to not have another Willie Mays situation.
Eat $90-mil, add a Matt Hall to Toronto for Randal Grichuk. Vlad needs a real mentor, Cabrera the perfect guy. Crowded OF.
Even more surprised because “Miggy” isn’t hitting .345….more like .299 with very little power.
And nobody but nobody is going to pick up any of the $142 Million still owed!
Correction didn’t see the wOBA and thought is just was batting average….my bad!
Still don’t think there is any way anybody picks up any of his salary in a swap though!
Its wOBA, not BA.
I dont know you get Detroit to eat 140 million of that contract and put him in Miller Park at first if swapped with Aguilar and he will definitely hit some homeruns as first baseman
There is no incentive for the Tigers to move Cabrera.
He isn’t going anywhere.
Cabrera can no longer play the field. He has chronic knee issues. He can’t even DH on a daily basis. No way he could be more than a pinch hitter for an NL team.
Getting out of that contract is a really big incentive…
Guess you didn’t read the part of the description where the article writer said:
“It seems impossible the Tigers could find a way to unload that contract…”
So since you are one of those people who skims for names but doesnt read anything, I thought I would help ya out.
The guy is on a huge decline and is owed $142 million for the next four seasons. The only way he is moved if the Tiger agree to at least pick up a big chunk of the remaining money. Then again, not too many AL teams who are in contention don’t need a DH.
I’d be surprised if Mets were willing to move Conforto other than in an unrealistic package.
He, along with Alonso and McNeil, form a pretty good three position players to build around. I wouldn’t give up on Nimmo or Rosario yet either.
But Ramos? Hell yeah trade him. At a minimum be willing to eat the remainder of this year’s salary for him and anyone else if it improves the return.
I’d trade Conforto for a haul. The outfield is over crowded with cespedes and nimmo coming back next season. McNeil needs a spot to start everyday and Jed will most likely get 3b
Cespedes coming back? Ha…
Even if he doesn’t jd davis and dom Smith
Conforto should be sold while his value is high. I don’t see him progressing much more. He’s never going to hit for significant power which is coveted in a corner OF.
I actually think Conforto’s value is low right now.. and the guy is going to be a perennial 30HR guy… he’s only 26.. that’s pretty good power .. I think he might be more valuable to the Mets than what they can get for him right now though
Comforts is not worth “a haul”.
The plus side to Belt is he’s HR numbers would go up somewhere else. Another plus side, he’s not a rental, nor is his contract insanely large.
He’d probably put up some great numbers in Houston, where he’s from.
The big concern with Belt is the concussions…
Yeah, but in Houston they fix old-guy physical ailments with magic. Wonder what Belt’s spin rate is.
37.5 million dollars is way too much money for what Belt gives you. If the EE and Bruce trade give you any kind of basis of what a bat first corner man is worth. If the Giants want to pay half his salary they could probably find a taker. But that’s not getting any type of value back in return.
Belt is not a bat-first corner man, although I understand your point. He is arguably one of the best defensive 1B in the game, who arguably (again) would hit better in a different park. The contract is too large, but he would have value to the right team if the Giants chipped in the $$.
Belt isn’t a very good defensive first baseman.
Correct. He’s an excellent first baseman
Giants could also package him with a reliever. They have a few good ones.
Maybe the braves can swap Ramos and flowers … Eat the cash and call it a day. Be a slight to significant improvement for the braves in my opinion, and it unloads cash from the Mets making it a win win. Plus the Mets can keep flowers for a year with that team opinion if desired. Idk. If Ramos was playing more like himself then I would want this to happen much more than I am really hoping this happens. We still need bullpen help extremely bad.
Liberty media is not taking on that much money for a relatively small upgrade.
Let’s be honest, they aren’t taking on that money even for a major upgrade. Lol my suggestion is merely a fantasy land in discussion forums
Watching flowers bat lately is akin to having 2 pitchers at the end of the lineup.
I will say he’s been getting some strikes called on him outta the zone, but get it together man. Lineup can’t have 2 automatic outs in a row esp when it comes to playing good/great teams.
Stop trying to pull everything.
Over Flowers last 49 AB’s, his OPS is 799. Over his last 23 AB’s his OPS has been 801. Don’t think there is any room for complaint with his bat.
Just seems like he’s been struggling as of late, Cubs series and after. Maybe it was the magnification of the debacle with contreras but its seemed like backwards k after k since.
I’d keep Flowers simply because of his glove work. No one else you can get will be as good as he is, and he gets strikes called for the pitchers that others wouldn’t.
He’s streaky, but he’ll also pop off a HR or two in a row with some doubles sprinkled in there.
The better question is whether or not the major contending teams will even want to add a bat this year. The trade market for bats at the deadline has declined over the last few seasons.
I wonder if the Cubs would be willing to re-acquire La Stella as a replacement for Descalso–he really hasn’t provided much value to them off the bench. La Stella was great as a pinch-hitter last year and he seems to have unlocked some power in his swing this season.
Some sort of La Stella/Bote platoon, with Russell around as a def replacement, makes sense.
I think the Yankees need more power.
Aluminum bats?
build a dome and have the stadium heated to 95 during all games.
Or just move the RF porch in to little league measurements…oh, they already did when they built the new stadium? Disregard.
What type of player does Castellanos bring?
Second tier project if that. The market for bat first corner players who aren’t spectacularly good hitters is essentially dead.
No way he brings back more than Martinez did, so probably a 3rd or 4th tier prospect.
His defense makes it unlikely that he will bring a quality return.
I would guess a low ceiling FV 50 or a couple of far away higher ceiling 40/45 types.
The Pirates aren’t going to trade Marte unless they not only fall out of contention but also somehow decide that they need to rebuild, which is something they don’t (ever?) seem inclined to admit that they need to do. But Marte’s potential chance of being traded has little to do with Dickerson’s or Cabrera’s. Marte is still a very good player and I just don’t get the sense that the Bucs are even entertaining the idea of moving him, though I have nothing specific to base my belief on. What I do know is that Bryan Reynolds should be playing every day but isn’t, and at some point the Bucs have to decide who needs to go to make room for him. Cabrera is a great guy to keep around as a 4th outfielder or bench bat, but if they can get a quality prospect for him I wouldn’t complain.
And then there’s Gregory Polanco, who is currently injured but will be back at some point soon. Even two weeks ago I would have told you that the Bucs should trade Dickerson for any decent prospect and move on, but now I’m not so sure if their best move isn’t to sign Dickerson to an extension and try to move Polanco, if not now than after the season. Polanco has become such an enigma: he’s got so much talent, but can’t put it all together consistently. Dickerson has picked up right where he left off last year and is as reliable as Polanco often isn’t. I would hate for the Bucs to move Polanco and then watch him become great somewhere else, but he could fetch a pretty solid return. And the Bucs have holes to fill: no rotation depth, even less bullpen depth, plus possible questions forward at catcher and 2B ( I’ve always felt that Frazier should be a super sub like Josh Harrison once was, not an everyday 2B).
This could be a very interesting trade deadline for the Pirates, or it might be a “wait and see” approach. But they have to pick a plan and stay with it. Enough treading water: decide who is important going forward instead of stockpiling possibilities, and build around them.
Would Polanco fetch a solid return? Right now, I don’t think he would. He was finally turning a really good player late last year before he got hurt and he’s not healthy this year and probably won’t be. I think they have to keep him.
At this point, with the fact that he’s cheap and has no term…they might actually get the best return for Melky. Trade him.
Let the next month determine whether to keep Corey as a self rental or move him.
On nother post I said that their big decision is not Vasquez but Polanco.They need to let him play for a month,like they have with Dickerson,to let him recoup some value.Then they need to decide between him and Dickerson.
I suspect that Polanco is another Marte.They tease you with promise but never fully deliver.
Reynolds has proven his value,so he can be pushed to the side for a month to some extent.What they do not want to do is sell low on Polanco after doing so with Meadows.
I would try to sign Cabrera again next year if traded for a decent prospect as he seems to like it here and has done a good job although reverting to the norm now.
Suprised Kole Calhoun wasn’t on this list. He’s had a rough 10 days. Prior to that though he posted a respectable .340 wOBA on the season. Good team mate and well respected in the game. I could see several teams interested in him. He’s outperforming his contract just slightly so an acquiring team would most likely only take on cash and provide a flyer for a prospect.
And if you are going to list Miggy you might as well list Pujols. Pujols is owed less beyond this season (2/$59 vs 4/$132M) and is playing slightly better (107OPS+ vs 101OPS+). It’s all pretty academic at this point since neither are remotely tradeable. It’s crazy to think that Pujols no longer has the worst contract in baseball.
I left Calhoun and Pujols off because they don’t project to be above average hitters for the rest of the season.
Some of these reaches would make Stretch Armstrong blush
Dont rain on my Belt Trade Parade.
Is this Steamer from Cleveland? Hey Hey!
Cabrera is one of the great hitters of his generation, but now looks a lot like a late-career Joe Mauer. His value as a player (outside of his contract) isn’t zero, but the paydown would be so large that I doubt it would be worth it to Detroit. They might be better off letting him play, hoping he rebounds a little in the power department.
GIANTS, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE,
TRADE BELT !! Kick in some cash and move him somewhere anywhere
PLEASE !!!!
Yes, because the Giants should concentrate on getting hitters who can’t keep their OBP over .300. How dare Belt draw walks.
Brilliant analysis. For the Giants, who can’t hit their way out of a wet paper bag, trade the guy who’s had the highest or 2nd highest OPS+ on the team for the last 4 years. Your nonsensical blind hate of Belt is obvious, and it’s robbed you of any objective viewpoint or logic.
This article is…. bad. No way do the M’s part with Haniger… or Mets with Conforto.
Notice how the article says “could be available”. he was just putting people on the list of non contenders who would possibly trade players for prospects.
And who would take on the nut job Puig? I imagine he could ignite and you ride that if you’re so lucky, and then dump him in the offseason.
Jose Abreu going nowhere unless there is a “wink-wink” deal he returns to Sox for 2020 season.
He is going directly to HOF as a ChiSox once he qualifies.
Ha.
House Of Fries?
ChiSox_Fan
Talk about “rose colored glasses”. He’s 32 and doesn’t have 1/3 of the stats needed for the HoF in some categories and even less in others.
Fun fact …
Jose Abreu has a career total of 16.7 fWAR over 3600 PA’s (5.5 years).
Mike Trout hit that mark about 1.5 years into his career as a 21 year old.
At Abreu’s pace and the expected decrease in production with age, his entire career might not be worth more than Trout’s first two seasons.
Turns out a bad defensive first baseman that can’t run and only hits 15% better than league average isn’t all that valuable. Especially when he is pulling in $16M/year.
Another HOF performance by Jose tonight!
Walk off HR in game 2 to sweep the Tigers!
Hit ball from maybe one foot off the ground. A rocket into the left field stands! He obviously didn’t want a walk.
Doesn’t everyone feast on the Tigers?
I’d be surprised if Starlin Castro wasn’t traded. The Cubs got rid of him for brenden Ryan who they immediately fired and released. So Russell, Happ and a prospect could get him back
If I was Castro I would not want to come back after the Cubs traded him away in favor of Russell after the 2015 season.
They traded him 1. To sign Ben Zobrist and 2. It was to favor Baez not Russell. Castro was at 2nd for a long time be what happened with Russell last year.
Castro knows the fans. Knows the city..The clubhouse. and he would be traded straight up for Russell. 4 years of control 4 years younger.
Vs 2 years of control.
Personally I’d rather have Glayber Torres at 2nd for the Cubs. But I’ll take a world series all day.
Castro having his worst offensive season as a professional. No interest there at all
The only way that Cabrera gets traded is if the Tigers eat at least 75% of his remaining contract.
Even then, his lack of power limits his value.
No way people take him at $8M/year. That’s a 4/$32M contract. He wouldn’t come close to sniffing that on the open market as a FA.
He isn’t hitting, he’s terrible at fielding. And now he can’t hit for power. For a defensively limited 1B/DH option he’d be looking at something like a 1/$3M with incentives. Maybe then a team MIGHT take him on and hope he isn’t toast.
And it would have to be an AL team. Since he’d have to be the DH. First base is so deep in the NL there’s literally not a single team that needs him.
everyone is available at the right price other than no trade stuffs of course..
pirates have no reason to trade marte, quality all round some one would need to come in with a crazy offer. corey, melky even polanco could be in play if the situation fits with health and all that.
I’d be really shocked if my Royals do trade Soler. The problem is he’s better as a DH than an OF, so that’s AL teams you’re limited to.
The Dodgers have been looking for an everyday second baseman an originally were thought to be looking hard at Whit Merrifield, but since the Royals would want so much for him, why not take a serious look down the 5 Freeway at La Stella?
Have they, or is it your speculation? Were they really? Tbh it looks like they are more than ok with Muncy or seeing how Taylor has rebounded from his historically awful first month, especially considering you’re discussing Tommy La Stella, Tommy freaking La Stella defensively.
Offensively they may add a bench bat, but I laugh when people try to match the dots to this team that are definitely not there. Beyond “that” the rise of Lux has continually made it ridiculous to assume they want a long term 2B to begin with especially considering the price. Ehh the again I’m not buying it, because it never made logical sense.
Agree with you there. I don’t think it’s out of the question for Lux to be in the second base mix at some point this season if he continues to rake. He’s really close.
Marte, rp Rodriguez and Catcher Diaz to the Mets for Matz, Gsellman and Ramos.
JOSE ABREU TO THE RAYS PLZ AND THX
Take Cabrera’s name off of here. Stick a fork in him – he is done. Tigers should just eat the $100M+ and move on – stupid mistake of a signing. Any GM would be fired on the spot for trading for him … even at league minimum.
Tigers knew what they were getting into, when they signed him. He’ll retire as a Tiger. As a life long fan who receives entertainment watching him, I can really appreciate Detroit ownership. It’s just money. Do you think Mike Illitch ever thought it was a stupid mistake? Nope. Detroit is a very special place for only a few, but that few amounts up to any other team or city pride. He’s not for trade, and we’ll keep it that way.
Like I said above, Cabrera and a minor league pitcher for Randal Grichuk in Toronto. Jays are about to deal Smoak and they have too many OFs. The young kids need a mentor, Miggy is that guy.
Cabrera is owed $124-mil the next 4 seasons, Grichuk $44-mil. Have Detroit eat $80-mil and make the deal. Grichuk is the Castellanos replacement.