This is the first update to our annual ranking of top trade candidates in the run-up to the trade deadline, drawing from our power ranking approach to pending free agents. You can check out the original list (and review the methodology) here. Essentially, we’re ordering players based upon our assessment of both their trade value and likelihood of being dealt.
It’s subjective; it’s debatable; and that’s what makes it fun. Without further ado:
1-2. Will Smith, RP & Madison Bumgarner, SP, Giants (Last Ranked: 1, 2): Yeah, the Giants are still within shouting distance of Wild Card position — but they still have the NL’s third-worst record. There are a host of teams ahead of them that look better on paper and have greater motivation to keep pressing to contend. The San Francisco club remains well-positioned to take advantage of holding arguably the two best rental chips on the market (along with other trade assets).
3. Zack Wheeler, SP, Mets (LR: 47): With the Mets collapsing since our last ranking, Wheeler flies up the board. We’ll respect the results of our recent survey and list MadBum first, but there are probably some teams that will be more interested in the younger, cheaper, harder-throwing New York hurler. By most standards, Wheeler looks much the same as he did in his eye-opening 2018 campaign. he has allowed a few more long balls and a greater batting average on balls in play while carrying a lower strand rate, which helps explain why his ERA has ballooned from 3.31 to 4.69. He has allowed more hard contact, but Wheeler’s velocity and strikeout rates have headed northward.
4-5. Ken Giles, RP & Marcus Stroman, SP, Blue Jays (LR: INJ, 3): Both Jays hurlers are controlled through the 2020 season, and both are throwing well. In fact, “well” is an understatement for Giles, who has pitched to a sensational 1.45 ERA with better than 15 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. Stroman’s numbers aren’t quite so gaudy, but the ground-ball machine is on pace for his third 200-inning season in the past four years while maintaining an ERA in the low 3.00s. Smith and Bumgarner might be the top starter/reliever rental combo on the market, but this duo is the best starter/reliever pair with control beyond the current season.
6. Nicholas Castellanos, OF, Tigers (LR: 8): We noted in our first ranking that the 27-year-old could move up the ladder if he kept up a hot streak, and he has done just that. He sprints into the rental-bat lead after a .354/.420/.532 run over his past twenty games. The return here probably won’t be that strong — even a red-hot J.D. Martinez netted the Tigers a lackluster return as a rental two summers ago — but Castellanos is among the game’s safest bets to be traded.
7-8. Sam Dyson (Giants) & Shane Greene (Tigers), RP (LR: 11, 12): We had this pair of quality relievers stashed a bit further down the list the last time around, owing to the fact that neither absolutely must be traded with another season of arbitration eligibility remaining. But that reasoning increasingly feels strained given the dearth of worthwhile rental relievers on the market this year. The quietly excellent Dyson doesn’t have quite the shiny ERA or recent save numbers of Greene, but he’s arguably as good or better. Both hurlers profile as groundball-heavy setup men for most contenders.
9. Matthew Boyd, SP, Tigers (LR: 9): There’s no rush or need for Detroit to move Boyd, who is controlled all the way through 2022, but interest in him is strong. Boyd’s strikeout rate has exploded in 2019, as he’s averaging 12 strikeouts against just 1.7 walks per nine innings pitched. He’s been plagued by the long ball of late — as has much of the league despite commissioner Rob Manfred’s claim of no intentional alterations to the ball — but Boyd is the best long-term arm that is likely to be available this month. We admittedly may use the term “controllable” too aggressively for players like Stroman, Giles and others signed for only one more season; Boyd is the epitome of a “controllable” trade asset, though.
10-11. Tony Watson (Giants) & Jake Diekman (Royals), RP (LR: 6, 7): Both of these pending-free-agent lefty specialists were tagged in their most recent outings, but teams will take broader views of their merits. They’re among the likeliest players to be dealt in the league.
12. Clint Frazier, OF, Yankees (LR: NR): Every day the Yanks go without another outfielder coming down with yet another injury seems one day closer to the departure of Frazier. It’s easy to imagine Frazier going to a non-contender, but there could also be some interesting scenarios where he ends up on a club that still has hopes of reaching the postseason this year.
13-15. Todd Frazier, 3B, Mets; Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants; Justin Smoak, 1B/DH, Blue Jays (LR: NR, 15, 4): As noted with regard to Wheeler, the free-falling Mets are likely to jettison any and all pricey vets on expiring deals. The resurgent Frazier, hitting .256/.340/.443 as of this writing, falls directly into that category, as he’s earning $9MM this season before a return to the open market. Over in San Francisco, the Kung Fu Panda has continued to rake since our last check-in on the game’s top trade chips. That’s less true of Smoak, who has been in a deep funk in recent weeks and hasn’t played up to expectations on the season as a whole. If you’re looking at the last few seasons on the whole, though, Smoak is easily the best bat of this trio of corner-infield rentals.
16. Mike Leake, SP, Mariners (LR: 22): Since last publishing this list, Leake has made two strong starts and two awful ones — highlighted (err… lowlighted?) by a seven-run drubbing at the hands of the Orioles. However, Leake has a superlative 21-to-1 K/BB ratio over 26 innings in that same stretch of time. He’s sitting on a 4.32 ERA and, in an era proliferated by five-inning starts, he’s averaging 6 1/3 frames per outing. Leake won’t front your rotation, but if you need durable innings and ground-balls to round out the starting five, he’s a solid option. The Cardinals are already paying part of his salary, and the Mariners would surely kick in some cash to get a deal finalized for Leake, who’s signed through 2020.
17-18. Mychal Givens, Orioles & Roenis Elias, Mariners, RP (LR: 17, NR): Call it a hunch, but the O’s seem well-positioned to move on Givens. He’s in his first year of arbitration with two more to go, so there’s no rush. And outwardly, the results make this an awkward time, as he has surrendered a home run-driven 4.76 ERA. But Givens has also racked up 20 strikeouts in his last 11 1/3 innings. He fits any budget and seems an obvious candidate to function in late innings for a contender. With the Orioles as far from contention as possible, I’m betting they’ll find a deal for their most talented relief pitcher. As for Elias, we examined him at length earlier. In short, he’s a solid, cheap reliever ($910K) controlled for two more seasons who currently plays on a rebuilding team that is run by Jerry Dipoto. Need we say more?
19. Kirby Yates, RP, Padres (LR: 5): With the Pads continuing to put out word that they’re chasing starting pitching, it’s feeling less and less likely that they’ll seriously pursue deals involving Yates. There’ll be a strong desire to keep him, both for this year and next, so long as the club is in the hunt for a Wild Card bid. But there’ll still be a pull towards a deal, as interest would be huge.
20. Corey Dickerson, OF, Pirates: This is by no means a declaration that we think the Pirates will be sellers. To the contrary, they’re very much in the NL Central and Wild Card races at the moment. But the emergence of Bryan Reynolds simply gives Pittsburgh too many outfielders. It’s the quintessential “good problem to have.” The team’s reported preference is to move Dickerson, a pending free agent making $8.5MM, rather than one of its other outfielders. Doing so could fetch them some needed bullpen help or a back-of-the-rotation arm to help solidify the pitching staff. The Buccos could also just accept a nominal prospect return and then use the saved funds to help take on a pitcher.
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21-22. Hunter Renfroe & Franmil Reyes, OF, Padres (LR: 26, NR): San Diego is willing to consider scenarios involving the majority of its players (non-Tatis/Machado division). Renfroe, in particular, has drawn interest. Both are controllable for the foreseeable future and both would add some thump to any lineup in the game. The Padres aren’t necessarily going to sell, to be clear, but they’ve been hell-bent on getting some controllable pitching and have a known outfield surplus. Moving either burgeoning young slugger could help them achieve that goal by dealing from a surplus.
23. Whit Merrifield, INF/OF, Royals (LR: 10): Signed long-term at an affordable rate? Check. Producing well? Check. A fit in a contender’s lineup? He can play almost anywhere, so… check. Merrifield is hitting .306/.355/.495 in the first season of a four-year, $16.25MM deal and can play second base, first base or any outfield position. There’s basically nothing he doesn’t do well, and while the Royals needn’t feel any rush to trade the All-Star, the 30-year-old Merrifield will be on the tail end of his prime by the time Kansas City is competitive again.
24-25. Andrew Cashner, Orioles & Jason Vargas, Mets, SP (LR: 20, NR): Cashner is on a legitimately impressive run at the moment. Over his past five starts, he has allowed just five earned runs on 19 base hits and four walks over 32 frames. There are reasons for hesitation, too: he has only 18 strikeouts in that span, owes his 3.83 season ERA in part to a .256 BABIP, and stands out as a Statcast regression candidate (.288 wOBA-against vs. .340 xwOBA-against). Likewise, Vargas has bounced back from a putrid opening and now sits at a 3.77 ERA over 71 2/3 innings on the year. That’s rather remarkable given that the southpaw sits at just 85 mph with his two fastball offerings. ERA estimators do not provide much ground for optimism as to the sustainability of the results (4.37 FIP, 4.98 xFIP, 4.98 SIERA), but teams in need of innings will take a hard look. These two hurlers are not only in somewhat similar positions from an on-field perspective, but also line up in terms of contracts. Both are earning $8MM this year and come with 2020 options. Cashner’s is for $10MM and does not include a buyout; Vargas’s can be exercised for $8MM or bought out for $2MM. (For a bonus overlap, each hurler has also made eyebrow raising comments of late. See here and here.)
26-27. Freddy Galvis & Eric Sogard, INF, Blue Jays (LR: 32, NR): Here we have some sure-handed veteran middle-infielders who have helped turn the Rogers Centre into the game’s leading launching pad. Galvis is up to 15 big flies on the year while Sogard has lofted nine dingers (albeit in questionably sustainable fashion). Both of these rental players are valued as dependable clubhouse members and fielders, so the power is in some sense a bonus. It’s not likely that the offers will be overwhelming, but contenders with a hole to plug will certainly be sending scouts to watch this pair. Galvis comes with the bonus of a rather reasonably priced $5.5MM club option ($1MM buyout).
28-29. Kole Calhoun, Angels & David Peralta, Diamondbacks, OF (LR: NR): These players would rank higher on this board but for the fact that their respective teams don’t seem sure to pack it in so long as they have a fighting chance at claiming a Wild Card. Still, they have to be considered as trade candidates given the unbridgeable division deficits at play. The left-handed-hitting Calhoun has put himself back on the map after a rough 2018 season. He has already matched his home run output from each of the prior two campaigns (19) and owns a career-high .237 isolated power mark. Calhoun isn’t exactly the only player in the league showing newfound pop, but the bottom line is he’s carrying a 109 wRC+, typically strong grades on his outfield glovework, and neutral platoon splits. He’s earning $10.5MM this year. The 2020 club option on Calhoun’s contract seems a bit pricey at $14MM (with a $1MM buyout). As for Peralta, another 31-year-old lefty bat with a reputation for good corner outfield defense, the picture is generally quite similar. He’s a bit cheaper at $7MM with another arb season remaining. Peralta also has a more impressive recent offensive track record owing to a big 2018 campaign. Perhaps the biggest difference is that Peralta’s current 112 wRC+ is attributed to a yawning platoon split. That doesn’t necessarily harm his marketability, as many contenders would be happy to welcome his bat to the lineup alongside a right-handed platoon partner.
30. Noah Syndergaard, SP, Mets (LR: NR): The Mets’ swan dive into oblivion has stoked the embers on the seemingly annual rumors of a Syndergaard swap. “Thor” and his flowing locks aren’t having the best of seasons, but he’s still averaging nearly 98 mph on his heater with a plus swinging-strike rate, above-average control and solid ground-ball tendencies. He’s controlled for two years beyond 2019, so the price will be steep. Rookie GM Brodie Van Wagenen, Syndergaard’s former agent, listened to offers over the winter even as he exuded confidence over his team’s 2019 outlook. Now that the rest of the league has stomped out the Mets’ 2019 hopes, there’s no reason to think he won’t at least entertain offers once again — even if he’s giving public signals that the team doesn’t expect move the exceptionally talented right-hander.
31. Mike Minor, SP, Rangers (LR: 31): So … Minor is still throwing the ball great and the Rangers are still hanging in the postseason mix. It remains awfully difficult to know how this’ll all turn out. The course of play over the coming weeks could dictate the outcome, or perhaps the willingness of other teams to deal quality rotation pieces will shape the market. With the Rangers keeping the door open to a deal involving Minor, we’ll do the same and rank him in the same exact place we put him on the first list.
32-33. Zack Greinke & Robbie Ray, SP, Diamondbacks (LR: NR): The good news for the D-backs is that they’re only 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The bad news is that they’re buried in their division, and six other teams are within five games of that same Wild Card berth. Arizona entered the season in a transitional year and has outpaced expectations, which could prompt them to add some pieces this summer. It’s also possible that even as they seek to add some low-cost upgrades, they also move some current big leaguers for long-term benefit. And, if the Snakes endure a losing streak in the next three weeks, it’s a safe bet that they’ll more aggressively look to trim future payroll while simultaneously bolstering the farm.
34. Trevor Bauer, SP, Indians (LR: 49): Cleveland has surged back up the standings to make the AL Central race interesting again. They’ll also be facing payroll constraints once again in the offseason, though, which has prompted speculation that the Tribe could deal Bauer for some pre-arbitration, MLB-ready help. Flipping Bauer for a younger outfielder who could be plugged directly into the lineup wouldn’t necessarily be “selling” in the truest sense, and it’d proactively address some offseason bookkeeping that looms on the horizon. The Indians have a pivotal series against the division-leading Twins beginning tonight, and the outcome of that three-game set could prove critical in determining the team’s deadline approach.
35. Trey Mancini, OF/1B, Orioles (LR: 25): Mancini would be higher if he were a lock to be moved, but it’ll be tough for rookie GM Mike Elias to step in and immediately trade the new face of the franchise when he’s still controlled through 2022. Add in the fact that corner bats have received generally underwhelming returns on the trade market in recent seasons, and the task is even taller. Perhaps that remaining control would allow Elias & Co. to coax an offer that handily tops recent packages for corner outfielders and first basemen, but in a world where C.J. Cron was waived after a 30-homer season, it’s tough to see Mancini fetching a godfather offer — strong as his bat may be. The O’s are reportedly “open to anything” on Mancini, though, so a deal can’t be totally ruled out.
36-37. Kevin Pillar (Giants) & Jarrod Dyson (Diamondbacks), OF (LR: 42, NR): Need a rental fourth outfielder capable of playing center? Pillar offers a right-handed bat who can do just that, while Dyson brings a left-handed bat to the table. Pillar is on a well-timed hot streak and generates most of his offensive contributions through decent power numbers. Dyson, meanwhile, is practically devoid of pop but still possesses one of baseball’s best sets of wheels at 34 years of age.
38-40. Martin Maldonado (Royals), Stephen Vogt (Giants) & Alex Avila (Diamondbacks), C (LR: NR): No need for a center fielder? Can we interest you in a reserve backstop, then? Maldonado is among the game’s premier defenders behind the dish, making him the prototypical defensive-minded backup. (That’s a nice way of saying, ahem, don’t expect him to hit.) Neither Avila nor Vogt can match his defensive chops, but they’re both hitting pretty well. Contractually speaking, all three are rentals.
41-44. Craig Stammen (Padres), Greg Holland (Diamondbacks), Sergio Romo (Marlins) & Daniel Hudson (Blue Jays), RP (LR: 27, NR, NR, NR): Or perhaps you need a quaffable veteran rent-a-reliever? Holland and Romo have been functioning as closers, though the former has had substantial troubles of late. It’s unlikely that anyone from this quartet would become one of a new team’s best relievers, but there’s still value in upgrading the middle relief corps. Plus, no one from this group has a higher base salary than Holland’s $3.25MM, so they’re all plenty affordable.
45. Alex Colome, RP, White Sox (LR: 16): In the first list, we had Colome bunched with Givens. He’s still getting the job done. So why the drop? For one thing, Colome has a shrug-inducing 6:5 K/BB ratio in 13 frames since the start of June. For another, the White Sox are close enough to the Wild Card picture to want to keep their closer. It’s also worth wondering just how highly he’d be valued. Colome’s 2.02 ERA and 20 saves look nice, but he’s averaged just 6.8 K/9 and benefited from a ridiculous .124 BABIP. Colome’s save total will probably push his salary north of $10MM next year in arbitration, and that’s a hefty price for a reliever with some questionable peripheral numbers.
46-52. Dee Gordon, 2B, Mariners; Danny Duffy, SP, Royals; Jeff Samardzija, SP, Giants; Ian Kennedy, RP, Royals; Mark Melancon, RP, Giants; Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants; Wil Myers, OF/1B, Padres (LR: 21, 22, 23, 24, 36, 37, 40, 41): For the sake of efficiency, we’re going to consolidate some rather expensive veterans here into their own grouping. Frankly, the broad strokes are similar in all cases. There’s reason to think that each of these players is still a useful big leaguer, but they’re also all owed far more than they’re worth.
53-54. Wilson Ramos, C & Justin Wilson, RP, Mets (LR: NR): Each of these mid-range free agent signees is a candidate to be moved if the New York org decides it wants to shed some extra salary (this year and next) and there’s a willing buyer. Ramos has hit well but defensive questions have only gotten louder. Wilson is still topping 95 mph from the left side, but has missed much of the season with injury. It’s still hard to know where the market will go on these two players, but both certainly will be considered.
55-56. Tim Beckham (Mariners) & Jonathan Villar (Orioles), INF (LR: 34, 35): Here we have a pair of reasonably youthful middle infielders who come with affordable control for 2020. Each has had his share of ups and downs over the years, but has turned in league-average hitting in extended action this year.
57-58. Reyes Moronta (Giants) & Joe Jimenez (Tigers) (LR: NR): Future closer or immediate trade chip? These young hurlers’ rebuilding teams will need to decide, now or in the near-term. Both have the big heater and strikeout numbers needed to wear the closer’s crown. Neither will reach arbitration eligibility until 2021. Though Moronta has a better track record of results, Jimenez is younger and comes with a loftier current swinging-strike rate. Teams that want these hurlers will need to come with significant offers, but there’s good reason to believe their respective organizations will be willing to turn them into prospects if the offer is significant enough.
59. Caleb Smith, SP, Marlins (LR: NR): We’re told that the Fish don’t want to deal Smith. But the club can’t rule out the possibility entirely, not when the breakout lefty has reached a value point that seemed all but impossible when he was acquired. Smith is already closing in on his 28th birthday, so he’s not exceptionally youthful. That dings his value to a Miami organization that is one of the furthest from contention in all of baseball. Meanwhile, even marginal contenders can fancy themselves pursuers of Smith, who won’t even reach arbitration until 2021. Entering his outing today, Smith carried a 3.50 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9. He’s sporting a strong 14.6% swinging-strike rate and 35.3% chase rate. While he’s struggling a bit with the long ball — and who isn’t? — Statcast doesn’t exhibit any glaring reason to worry about regression in terms of batted balls. The total package is quite appealing, blending the potential for immediate impact with a hefty dose of long-term value. Come to think of it, Smith is almost beginning to remind us of another long-unheralded, late-developing NL East hurler …
60. Jacob deGrom, SP, Mets (LR: NR): With Max Scherzer out of the deadline picture (not that he was ever really in it), deGrom is the most alluring conceivable starting pitcher for a win-now team. The contract is big but still fairly affordable for a big-market team; the fact that deGrom can be controlled for another four years ultimately boosts his value. Though he hasn’t matched his 2018 season for the ages, deGrom is somehow still adding velocity at 31 years of age and is unquestionably still one of the game’s very best pitchers. Most respondents in a recent MLBTR poll advocated for the Mets to listen to offers, only moving deGrom if they can secure a massive haul in return. That seems a sensible approach. The mere possibility of a blockbuster earns deGrom the final spot on this list, even if it’s rather unlikely he’ll be moved.
Falling Off
Tanner Roark, David Hernandez, Jared Hughes, Raisel Iglesias & Derek Dietrich (Reds); Jordan Lyles, Melky Cabrera, Francisco Liriano & Felipe Vazquez (Pirates); Billy Hamilton & Alex Gordon (Royals); Jose Abreu (White Sox); Adam Duvall (Braves); Brad Hand (Indians); Anthony Rendon (Nationals)
Injured List
Mitch Haniger (Mariners), Jose Urena & Martin Prado (Marlins), Josh Harrison & Tyson Ross (Tigers), Alex Wood (Reds), Tommy La Stella & Jonathan Lucroy (Angels)
Watch List
Blue Jays: Joe Biagini, Aaron Sanchez, David Phelps
Orioles: Shawn Armstrong, Dylan Bundy
Tigers: Jordy Mercer, Niko Goodrum, JaCoby Jones, Gordon Beckham, Jordan Zimmermann, Blaine Hardy
Royals: Wily Peralta, Homer Bailey, Lucas Duda, Jorge Soler, Brad Keller, Scott Barlow, Jakob Junis
Mariners: Domingo Santana, Cory Gearrin, Wade LeBlanc
Marlins: Neil Walker, Starlin Castro, Curtis Granderson, Adam Conley, Wei-Yin Chen
Giants: Joe Panik, Drew Pomeranz, Derek Holland, Trevor Gott
White Sox: Kelvin Herrera, Yolmer Sanchez, Welington Castillo, Ivan Nova, Evan Marshall, James McCann
Padres: Manuel Margot, Robbie Erlin
Mets: Edwin Diaz, Adeiny Hechavarria, Seth Lugo, Michael Conforto
Angels: Hansel Robles, Ty Buttrey, Noe Ramirez, Justin Anderson
Diamondbacks: Adam Jones, Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin, Yoshihisa Hirano, Merrill Kelly
Cubs: Ian Happ
Rockies: Jake McGee, Chris Iannetta
Surprised that Hand and Abreu are both “falling off.”
The Indians are play off contenders
The Indians are very much in contention. Only reason Bauer is in there is that they have SP depth (including Kluber and Carrasco still working back) and rumors have persisted that they are considering trading him. He also is going to be quite expensive for them in 2020.
Re Abreu, the White Sox are hanging near .500, making it an awkward time to trade their nominal franchise face. And they have kept giving public indications that they anticipate reaching some kind of new arrangement with Abreu beyond this season.
If the Indians trade Bauer it means they are punting on 2019 and 2020. Period.
I would not put it quite that strongly, though I do tend more toward that side of the debate than many others seem to. Only thing that makes me stop and wonder is the fact that they really probably can’t afford him next year. Maybe they see this as the optimal time, and find a way to do it that doesn’t rob too much from the immediate outlook. They have some really glaring needs, so you’re talking about upgrading from a replacement level, not from a quality player, in some cases.
Yes they can afford him next year. And even if they couldn’t it wouldn’t matter because they can certainly afford him this year. Now is not the time for half measures in Cleveland. They need to pick a direction and stick to it. And there is no way they upgrade their roster by trading Bauer.
They have prospects. They can trade those if they want to upgrade the glaring needs you mentioned.
Again, I am generally on your side on this discussion. I am just presenting the other factors that led us to including him. There are persistent rumors, which can be bs but can also be smoke from an actual fire.
Greene would be a fit on quite a few clubs looking for established closers including the Rays and Red Sox..
Matthew Boyd is rated as the best., young, controllable starter on the market, but you list him as the #9 Trade guy?!
Not following your ratings and/or logic here…
Would rather have Boyd over Strohman or Bumgarner
because he is young, cost controlled for 3 1/2 years, has one of the best strikeout to walk ratios in MLB, is LH.
Bumgarner is not the starter he was a few years ago.
Zach Wheeler’s ERA is going sky high…
Stroman and Bumgarner give teams a better chance at winning in the playoffs. Boyd is one bad start away from having that ERA in the four range. Control can only get you so much.
Depends wht they get for him.
They have SP depth with Bieber, Clevinger and the returns of Carrasco and Kluber. But they need OF help badly. They’ll miss Bauer, but if they can trade him for, say, Renfroe and maybe another piece, they might not be much worse off.
How about Bauer to LAD for Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling?
For the record, the Tribe’s farm system is incredibly thin.
Boyd has zero track record, his era is climbing high and he’s not the pitcher he was at beginning of the year. The string of good luck is coming to a end and he will be back to his poor quality starts and climbing era’s
You realize this is a list order of likely candidate to be traded and not necessarily the best player. I mean me personally having a “young, cost controlled for 3 1/2 years, has one of the best strikeout to walk ratios in MLB, is LH” is something you would have to give up alot to get and also someone you would want to keep on a team. This is what is pushing his rank down slightly. You could get Wheeler and MadBum for a lot less than that.
@notin It doesn’t matter what they get for him. If they are trying to contend trading Bauer should be the last thing on their minds. He is a huge reason why they are contending in the first place and he will likely get the ball for them in the Wild Card game if it comes to that. They can trade prospects for outfield help if they need it.
@TheBlueMeanie McKenzie, Jones, Freeman and Naylor are all worthy trade chips.
Yeah, that will happen.
Dude just hush with your Boyd being the best ok. When you have 10 quality starts out of 19 this season you can’t be called an ace. Era almost 4 that’s by far from Ace material bub. You obviously don’t have a clue about baseball.
Jeff, where is the great leader/straw that stirs the drink, Jon Willie Jay? Nobody wants his raw power, blazing speed and Clemente arm for the pennant run? I’m stunned that he’s not on this list!
No Twins players on this list!!!!
Why would the Twins want to be sellers?
No just saying it’s been awhile since there wasn’t any twins players on a list like that
Wish my Giants were playing like your guys.
Greinke will be an Astro before 8/01.
Hope so.He stinks this season.
Uhh… isn’t Greinke having a great season? I’m lost.
Yeah that dude’s a Homer.
You really think the Astros will be willing to take that contract?
I do since Cole will get a huge pay day this off-season. For the right prospect Arizona will also have to include cash/pay some of his salary the next two years.
Tucker, Fisher, and a 10-20 prospect for Greienke and $8m of his salary paid the next two years is fair.
Greinke likes to swing the bat. I don’t see him coming to the AL
Astros play what 12? interleague games a year! Let Greinke pinch hit in those.
Funny. People love to lambaste Bobby Evans. 5 of the top 15 trade targets are Giants. 4, including #1, were acquired by Bobby Evans.
Wait. Are you trying to brag about the Giants being terrible non-contenders when they were definitely trying to contend? This is a new level of delusion. The Giants should not be on the list, if Evans ever knew how to GM.
You’re funny!
You have to give him props on these RP acquisitions that are on this list though. All of those have been great deals, especially if he gets value for them at the deadline
…I thought about this because some of International signings have gotten off to promising starts.
johnrealtime – I will never, ever, give a GM who claimed to be a fielding a contender but who’s teams went 179-235, any props, ever.
After 3 World Series wins, you kind of have to expect a few down years. He got these guys for next to nothing. Zaidi could get a nice return from them, or maybe nothing.
If they had a list of immovable contracts Evans would have his signature all over it. I’m a Giants fan too, but not being realistic about a window closing is one of the biggest mistakes a GM can make.
Since he didn’t sign any FAs, we will never know.
We know he extended Crawford and Belt, and traded for Longoria. Was he not the GM when Samardizja, Cueto, and Melancon were signed?
The Crawford and Belt deals were good at the time. You have no idea when they will fall apart. The International FAs are looking really promising.
I am excited about Ramos and Luciano. It would be nice to see an international position player make an impact for the first time since Sandoval.
You see where Boyd is lol.
Should be higher your right
It was already stated that on pure value Boyd would be on top of this list. The only reason he is down to #9 is the doubt the Tigers actually will trade him.
You aren’t even good at being a troll, kid.
Lol when you check Boyd’s box score tonight you’ll see that climbing era get even higher. It will be in 4s tonight their ya fruit cake
Joke rating Boyd there.
And, the writer even states that Boyd is the best, young cost controlled starter on the market..He, apparently rates Boyd there, because he is not convinced Boyd will be traded..
For the right deal of top young players and prospects, ,I can see Boyd being traded.
I can see the Yankees dropping the ball on Boyd like they dropped the ball on Verlander and Gerrit Cole..
Of course you can see Boyd being moved under just the right prospect package. The “right” package would be really expensive. The writer never denied that he just doesnt think it will happen which has a lot to do with his ranking.
Did you even bother reading the articles first few paragraphs?
LMAO best ? You check the box score today? Another NON quality start from the “ace” lol. Era climbing an climbing. Y’all need to stop going off people who all sudden beast out for a bit an claim there top tier. Let the season go on an see what happens before saying they a beast or ace.
Missing Prospects who could be on the move. Others to. Gore was DFA today.
We aren’t going to list 200 prospects that could be traded. I did forget to update Gore.
We don’t need 200 hundred because all not gong to be Traded or available and Gore could still be Traded but not getting any top prospect back.
Also NBA Taking all the Thunder with Blockbuster Trades.
Point is, it’d be foolish to try to peg specific prospects that are likely to be dealt. I’ve never seen anyone attempt such a thing and can’t fathom how one would do so. Teams are looking at hundreds upon hundreds of possible names.
hoopsrumors.com
Clint Frazier is one but technically not a prospect anymore and has been mentioned a lot recently here Chris Paul might be traded before we see somebody mentioned on here get Traded.
Why did Adam Duvall fall off the list?
Other more worthwhile players to include + a few mentions from reporters that they aren’t really looking to move him.
Really? If they don’t want to move him have you heard what their plans with him are? They haven’t brought him up all season so it would seem like an unwise decision to tender him next year. If they aren’t gonna tender him I would assume the best move would be a trade.
Markakis is really struggling right now, so maybe they see how Duvall does in September.
No, Markakis is not struggling at all. In his last 25 AB’s his OPS is over 1.000
In his last 55 AB’s his OPS is
.889 and his last 110 AB’s his OPS is .870
Even in his last 3 games he is has 6 hits out of 11 AB’s.
Which really does beg the question of what the Braves are doing with thd guy.
Even if Markakis were to struggle, the Braves still have Johan Camargo to replace him. If that doesn’t work they have Charlie Culberson. If that doesn’t work they have Matt Joyce. If none of that works Ender Inciarte should be healthy enough to try out again by then. It just doesn’t make sense to keep Duvall. He is very unnecessary on the Braves roster. He isn’t worth the the money the Braves will have to pay him to keep him next year. They can’t use him this year and likely won’t have him next year. Why not trade him? It’s like they are holding on to him because they would rather give him away for nothing than try to get something for him.
angels should trade calhoun since jo adell is coming up.
Calhoun to the Indians for Bauer. Who hangs up first?
That’s easy, Clearly the Angels!
Calhoun straight up for Bauer? Angels agree to that immediately before Cleveland realizes how dumb they are.
calhoun’s recent uptick makes him better than his hitting stats.
Angels DESPERATELY NEED PITCHING
indians need a power bat more than we do starting pitching.
Yeah, that Angels team ERA of 4.89 is just fine.
Calhoun and two of the Angels top prospects not named Adell
It’s nice to see that someone has finally made an unrealistic trade proposal that favors the Angels that the other team would never accept.
As much as I’d like to say the Pirates won’t be sellers, I’d rather see them get something out of Liriano and Cabrera. Making me nervous that they are within a few games.
I agree but only if we start falling off they both have been huge for the team and I love dickerson but he has to be the one to go
wow, who on the giants isn’t on the list…
Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith
All the dudes who are being paid huge sums of money for past performance that suck. Nice grand slam from Buster right now, though.
It seems to me that regardless of whether they are in contention or not, the realities of the 25 man roster means that the Pirates have two trades to make…
They need to trade an OF (one of Dickerson, Cabrera or Polanco) and they need to trade either Erik Gonzalez or Jung Ho Kang.
Polanco and Gonzalez come with team control but it’s unclear what trade value they’d have. They should talk to the agents of Dickerson and Cabrera and figure out if they can keep either or both for next year. If so, trading Polanco could make some sense.
Melky has a .312 average, a 812 ops, and a 111 ops+, and yet his war value is in the negatives. Is his defense really that bad? Stunning to me
I can’t speak to how he has been this year but I can tell you that he was terrible with the White Sox. Judging from his dWAR numbers, I guess he has been much worse.
Cabrera is a poster child for today’s baseball. His twin is Jose Martinez. Teams think offense is all that matters. They have no freaking clue how many runs guys like this allow in a season that cost them runs. Cabrera -12 DRS in 59 games. Martinez -9. This is why it surprises me that guys with great defense and speed are out of baseball. Eventually, baseball executives will need to address this if they want to win.
Spitballing here but what about a White Sox/Yankees trade, something along the lines of Reynaldo Lopez and Aaron Bummer for Clint Frazier with the Sox taking back Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract and throw in Wellington Castillo to offset a little bit of salary this year. Sox take all Ellsbury’s 2020 salary and 2021 buyout.
Yankees get a young, controllable starter with upside who had a pretty good 2nd half last year and add a controllable, 1.4 bWAR lefty to add to a stacked bullpen while also getting Ellsbury’s contract off the books.
White Sox get their future RF to pair with Jiménez and Robert.
Could be another piece or two added but am I on to something here or nah?
Nah if the Yankees want to go all in might as well try for deGrom
They don’t have the kind of top-end talent the Mets want/need. Of course, Cashman is WORLDS ahead of Brodie as a GM, so I won’t put anything past Cashman being 4 steps ahead and Brodie being handcuffed by the worst ownership group in MLB. Ignoring my allegiance to the Mets, I think the smartest play is Wheeler for a couple of lotto tickets to either the Yankees, Houston, or Twins. Dude’s secondary numbers are trending up and his FIP is looking pretty good once you consider how badly the Mets defense has been behind him AND the entire org having a loser mentality…..again.
I don’t want to sound like a jerk but that’s a really bad proposal. The Sox *love* Aaron Bummer, in fact, I’d say he’s probably our closer as early as the end of this month if we trade Alex Colome. He’s on the path to an extremely bright future and Rick Hahn knows that.
As for Reynaldo Lopez, the Sox aren’t impatient. We’re going to give Lopez as many chances as he needs to recapture his form from last year until our rotation is absolutely pushing him out. I’ll admit that there’s a good chance that Lopez may be destined for the bullpen but right now isn’t the time for the White Sox to be dealing any of our young pitchers.
…and there’s no way Jacoby Ellsbury would be involved in any deal with us. Clint Frazier certainly isn’t the all too enticing prospect that I think some folks are still holding onto.
I understand what you’re saying and I’m not necessarily looking to trade Lopez but moreso aiming for a long term RF which they don’t really have in the pipeline. Basabe and Adolfo can’t stay healthy and Rutherford is probably not the answer and the FA market doesn’t seem too promising unless you like Puig or Castellanos. Frazier has put up some good numbers, he’s only 24, and seemingly available.
Bummer has been outstanding this year but I’m not sure I can see him as the closer for a future contender. Love him in the 7th/8th innings though.
The Ellsbury inclusion was meant to get Frazier without having a TOR to offer. Probably just DFA him and pay him to go away. With such a low payroll, they have the flexibility.
That is a onesided deal the White Sox would do a fast pass on.
Frazier’s defense is questionable
Why would the WS want another DH type?
2 Relievers and take Ellsbury and a big contract and Frazier LMFAO!
What incentive would the WS have to swallow Ellsbury’s contract?!
WS are ready to contend,
WS have other OFs on the way.
Another NYY fan over valuing Yankees trade chips and undervaluing assets of other teams…
Because that is what they do..
Haha I’m not a Yankees fan at all. Bodam thinks the Sox are giving up way too much and you think it’s a one sided deal for the Yankees? Starting to seem more of a fair deal.
And no, we don’t have many corner OFs on the way. Walker, Basabe, Rutherford, Adolfo are all at least 2 years away, if not more. Plus, none of those guys have really performed to a level that should inspire too much confidence in any of them becoming a potential starter or a contending team.
Frazier can hit. His .850 OPS in RF would look a lot better than whatever the hell Charlie Tilson/Ryan Cordell are putting up.
Why did Adam Duvall fall off the list? With his triple A power numbers this season and a lack of hitters on the market I am still hoping the Braves can trade him for something this month… even is it has to be part of a package.
Why would a team want a 30 year old triple-a player? He won’t get moved until December/January.
Because he is cheap, has years of team control left and hits for serious power. Are teams supposed to never want any 30 year old player at triple A regardless of their performance there or previous MLB experience? Why not just release all the 30 year olds in the minors then? His great power numbers alone should get someone’s attention. Even if it is a trade of a low level prospect for someone that views Duvall as a 4th outfielder that is better than nothing.
Being 30 isn’t the problem, though it certainly doesn’t help. The problem is he just isn’t that good. There are, and have been innumerable guys that mashed at AAA, but just weren’t MLB caliber players.
The White Sox have quite a few veterans who can become free agents this offseason or next. I fully understand why only one in Alex Colome has made the top-60 list since the team is on the periphery of a wild card spot and could contend in the AL Central next season.
What I don’t comprehend is how Leury Garcia didn’t at least make the Watch List. He has 1-1/2 seasons of arbitration eligible control remaining, the same as Colome and 2019 All-Star catcher James McCann. His expected arb number next offseason will be considerably less than those two. Garcia is also incredibly versatile, even more so than fellow switch-hitter Yolmer Sanchez who can only play 2B/3B/SS and managed to make the Watch List with an extra year of arb-eligibility. Garcia has been the White Sox primary leadoff hitter this season. He has also been the White Sox regular starter at two prime defensive positions including CF and more recently SS when Tim Anderson went on the IL. Garcia is also having a career year which would give the White Sox an opportunity to sell high on him by the deadline. Garcia has great value to the White Sox but could also offer much the same to any contender in need of a quick fix at leadoff hitter, CF, SS, 2B, 3B or any other position aside from P/C or 1B. Anderson is expected back in a few weeks while Luis Robert looms as the White Sox leadoff hitting CF, perhaps later this summer or no later than April of 2020.
Bottom line: I like what Garcia has brought to the table for the White Sox in 2019 and the versatility he could provide in 2020. You can also bet the mortgage that GM Rick Hahn will get calls about Garcia’s availability by July 31st, I’m guessing even more than many of the other veterans listed here.
Btw: Now that he’s healthy, OF Jon Jay should have also been on the Watch List for the White Sox, especially as an impending FA who has a considerable track record in MLB that includes 67 games worth of postseason experience.
Jon Jay offers nothing. He brings no power, which is paramount in today’s game. He offers no speed and no defense. He gets his 1 hit a night, strands 3 or 4 runners, and his post season experience? .573 OPS. I’ll never ever understand the fascination with this guy? He must be the biggest kiss azz in the clubhouse.
Jon Jay, a favorite whipping boy among the young sabermetric punks.
That’s OK. I find value in a 10-year veteran who can play all 3 OF positions and has slashed .285/.351/.377 over his career. Jay has nearly matched that slash line with the White Sox since returning from the IL on June 24th.
Somehow this AAAA player has managed to hang on to a roster spot since his MLB debut with the Cardinals back in 2010. Unlike many dime a dozen corner power bats including Manny Machado bait pal Yonder Alonzo, Jay also has the distinction of never receiving a DFA. The only time he has spent in the minors since his MLB debut have been injury rehab stints.
The White Sox are now his 6th MLB team , I’m guessing they won’t be his last. Jay might be a AAAA player but apparently he is an All-Star “kiss azz in the clubhouse”.
Jay OPS is currently below .670. He is also a CAREER -3 DRS in the OF. Not to mention he has no arm or speed. But you got one thing correct. He is an all star kizz azz.
I’m far from a Jay fan, but a Career -3DRS is actually pretty good compared to some of the defensive liabilities being trotted out into the outfield over the past few years…Kemp, JD Martinez, etc. I wouldn’t bother making a move for Jay if I were a contending team, but who knows.
Dodgers need bullpen help immediately including possibly a closer to replace Jansen who’s showing that he’s nearly worn out. With the return of AJ Polluck, the team now has a surplus of outfielders and with Will Smith, they may have a catcher to trade as well … mix this plus a prospect or two hopefully should be enough to swing a deal for Giles, Givens; Greene or Smith.
Culberson and Joyce rake off the bench. I think we could give up a Duvall or Inciarte or both.
Nobody wants Duvall.
All winter all we kept hearing was how much money AA had to spend. Well with Donaldson, O’Day & Gausman all coming off the books I don’t see how the Braves can’t afford Greinke’s salary.
The pithing staff as a whole moving forward will be a cheap rotation considering 3/5 could all be pre arb. Throw in Acuna & Albies contracts. I just don’t see any reason to not go hard for Greinke. He can be a valuable leader to the pitching staff moving forward.
As far as RP if thePirates make Vazquez available I hope AA is all over that. We should have a prospect package to be able to get that done. If not him than I see Shane Greene as a viable 2nd option.
The more I read about it I feel MadBum & Wil Smith are going to cost to much prospect wise. Now if MadBum wants an extension before being dealt than I am open to him if we can’t get Greinke.
Either way Washington is on fire & it’s time for AA to make a move especially in the bullpen. Luke Jackson is doing it with smoking mirrors and is a roller coaster every night he steps on the mound.
Watch for AA to trade for Jimenez and Marte from the Pirates and finish off the trading season by taking Greinke off the Diamondbacks hands. Gotta get Marte ready for postseason play.
Jays Receive:
Graterol, Akil Baddoo, Lewis Thorpe, and Griffin Jax
Twins Receive:
Giles and Stroman
Who says no?
My reasoning:
It is obvious why the Twins have interest in the Giles/Stroman combo, and why Toronto would want Graterol. The Jays need pitching, not only would Graterol fix that need, but Thorpe and Jax would fix that need.
From Jax you kind of know what you are getting. He is tearing up AA rn due to his well above average control (BB rate is 1.9/9) and two plus pitches (sinker and changeup). His success in the majors will ultimately come up to how his third pitch develops, baseball America reports says that it too could become a “plus” offering, but Mlb.com rates it a 45.
From Thorpe, he had a solid MLB debut but does have a high ERA in AAA. He has strikeout stuff (11.23/9) in AAA this year, but is projected to max out at a middle of the rotation guy. Since the beginning of June, he has thrown 27.2 innings with an era of 3.26, whip of 1.2289, and a k rate of 12.036 per 9 innings.
From Baddoo, he is a high ceiling high risk type of player. He is 20 years old and currently at A ball, he was off to a slow start this year and had season ending surgery on his throwing arm. He is a highly athletic outfielder. He is extremely fast, and has a good eye for the strike zone. Hasn’t hit for much average but they believe his OBP would make up for it.
Don’t think that’s unreasonable but the strength of the Twins farm system is their position players. Imagine they’d be loath to sell off so many of the few solid pitching prospects they have in one trade. Think they’d match up better with the Giants for Bum and Smith.
I would take them if I were Toronto just for their names only. Akil Baddoo? Griffin Jax? Wow
Please remove 23 year old brad keller from your watch list. The Royals are not going to trade a 23 year old (though he’ll be 24 very soon). And NOBODY is going to trade for Lucas Duda. A 23/24-year-old can be part of the royals future. But if you want to offer Jake Diekman to anyone along with Wily Peralta, go ahead.
Caleb Smith is a lefty.
No Puig?! Kind of suprising…
They still think they are contending. Plus I can honestly see Cincinnati trying to work out a extension with him. They seem to like him
Reality check, time: some Phillies need to be on this list. Some or all of Jay Bruce, Jean Segura, Cesar Hernandez, Tommy Hunter and Hector Neris could be moved in the next couple of weeks.
No way they throw their hands up & not try to compete
They are in a wild card spot now
They will be buyers if anything
Neris has been a dumpster fire this year. How the heck do teams put a value on him right now?
The Red Sox if they aren’t like 6 games or less in division and not leading Wild Card they should trade Porcello; JD Martinez and some others to get prospects back. The Sox will have some holes to fill next year and I just don’t think Sox have it this year. I have been hearing Wheeler for Dalbec. Why would SOx give up one of there best prospects for an average rental pitcher?
Gregory Polanco to DET for Daniel Norris. Erik Gonzalez to BAL for Michael Givens.
Who says no?
That Polanco/Norris trade is an interesting idea…hmmm
If the Giants were as good as they are right now at the beginning of the season, they would not be trading all these guys. Its a total bummer but hopefully they get some good returns.
I wouldn’t be surprised one bit to see one or more of Schwarber, Almora, Russell, Happ and/ or Montgomery traded at the deadline.
I fully expect one Corey Dickerson or Melky being traded hopefully for a relief arm or part of a package for a starter. Possibly even polanco if he can get healthy and they can extend one of the above a year or two.
Also Kang, Hayes will be here this year if he stays healthy the next week or two.
I doubt anyone is going to touch cervelli with a 10ft poll, being a man with out a daily position on the pirates hurts him.
One of the OF has to go, but…
I’m listening to people on the FAN talk about trading Marte and moving Bell to RF.
Trading your best overall player (for no reason) and then moving an All Star 1B who has gained about 80 lbs. since the last time he played in the OF to RF.
If your goal is to make Kyle Schwarber look like Kevin Pillar while finishing 15 games back, then that’s a smart move.
Just nonsense.
Agreed about Marti. But, unless they’re part of a package that includes young, controllable talent, Dickerson or Cabrera won’t bring back much.
Just curious, why is pretty much all of the Giants roster on here but Evan Longoria?
Yeah Longoria deserves to go to a contender. Ita a Shane he couldn’t block that trade.. they didn’t even let him wear #3.
I’ve always been a big fan of his. Seems like a good guy and deserves one more ride I think
There is no doubt that Zaidi would move Longo if he could, but there is no one taking that contract, given the level of production. He’s swing the bat well now, but it’s too small of a sample for any GM to gamble on, given the parameters. The only way he gets moved is if the Giants pay down the contract. But since he isn’t blocking anyone, and the return would be minimal at best, there’s no motivation to do so.
Longo was a bad trade before the ink was dry. What the hell were the Giants thinking?! It’s not like Longo was tearing it up in TB before the trade…
No one will want mike leake after he gave up 7 runs in the first innings last night. Only 2/3 of and inning
As bad as it was, no one is making a decision on leake based on one start.
I have no idea why anyone would want Mychal Givens. He’s terrible. Fine, he strikes out a lot of guys. So do 90% of pitchers in MLB.
Only 60?
Addison Russell should be a top priority for the cubs to trade as well.
No one wants Addison Russell. Not just a garbage human but a garbage baseball player. Shame on the cubs for rendering him a contract
He’s actually a very good defender. They rendered him a contract to build his value. He can play 3rd,SS and 2nd. He’s a top 15 2B and Top 10 SS. How is there no value there. He has more value than Ian Happ the only Cubs player named by an otherwise clueless writer.
Haters just can’t hide the hate.
Here is Matthew Boyd dominating the Yankees at Yankee stadium striking out 13
mlb.com/news/matthew-boyd-strikes-out-career-high-…
This is quite an impressive list, well put together. I will say that there is none other I’d like more than that #40 guy. This legendary competitor —just now starting to get back closer to top shape — has plenty good left in the tank. I think he would be a vital component to any WS winning team. If the SFG are serious about keeping the winning traditions alive, they have got to lock up #40. vPlease, Mr. Zaidi, LBaer, let’s get this done and get madbum another ringer; this shall surely enshrine #40 in HOF glory. Get this done! We cannot let this gem slip away from his intended MLB story
oh, I’d imagine about half a MM per start over the next six years. vcould be about right; about 100 mil or so, 200 starts…that’s the number and well worth it.
In return we get another 80 – 100 wins; HOF single franchise recognition; probable, continued playoff and WS accomplishments. A very special Madison you are, my friend. You need to live your legacy as that one franchise throw backs.
No Giles in 9th inn with TOR leading 2-0 today. Injury? Trade?
If Texas plays it right and the market works in their favor, they could get a bunch for Minor. Hopefully JD is truly open to it because we could get a potentially game changing haul.
Some Cardinals might end up on the watch list. Wacha, Wong, and maybe even Jose Martinez. But don’t count them out as buyers as well.
I’ll just count them out.
Giants giants giants. Trade em all
You turds need to update this ranking again.