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SoMnFan -> RE: MLB General Information PT 4 (7/23/2015 1:03:10 AM)
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Bowden ranks the trade options by position.
From what I'm hearing, there could be as many as 65 players on the trade block as I write this. I've discussed, and ranked, all of them below.
Some of these players aren't widely thought to be trade options, but I suspect they will be soon or could be moved in the right deal. Let's get to it:
Starting pitchers
1. David Price, LHP, Detroit Tigers: The Tigers' recent slide has reportedly compelled GM Dave Dombrowski to become a seller, and Price has the most trade value of any "rental player" (free agent to be). The Tigers have not made Price a contract offer since spring training and aren't expected to re-sign him.
2. Cole Hamels, LHP, Philadelphia Phillies: The Phils are getting enough significant offers that it's becoming more likely Hamels will be dealt. That said, it'll have to be done early next week so there is time for a physical before any deal is completed. The Dodgers and Cubs are the most likely destinations.
3. Johnny Cueto, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: The Reds likely will trade Cueto next week; the Astros, Blue Jays and Dodgers are the leading candidates to acquire his services.
4. James Shields, RHP, San Diego Padres: Shields did not get a no-trade clause from the Padres, so he could be traded. He would serve as a nice fallback option for the Dodgers.
5. Scott Kazmir, LHP, Oakland Athletics: Kazmir's value is at an all-time high, and the Blue Jays, Royals, Dodgers and Cubs have all expressed interest.
6. Tyson Ross, RHP, Padres: The least likely of the Padres starters to be traded, but if the Astros offer enough for him …
7. Andrew Cashner, RHP, Padres: With three good starts in a row, Cashner quietly has become a valuable trade target.
8. Jeff Samardzija, RHP, Chicago White Sox: Has bounced back from his early struggles -- he has a streak of eight consecutive starts of seven innings of more -- and is ready to be dealt.
9. Yovani Gallardo, RHP, Texas Rangers: The Rangers are in the mix for Hamels and hope to keep Gallardo the rest of this season and after he becomes a free agent, but if they continue to struggle, they might as well trade him for prospects.
10. Mike Leake, RHP, Reds: Has posted a sub-4.00 ERA three straight years despite pitching half his games in a hitters' park. He'd be a strong middle-of-a-rotation trade piece.
11. Dan Haren, RHP, Miami Marlins: Haren is likely to be traded, and given the way he has pitched this year, he'd be a nice add for a contending team.
12. Jonathon Niese, LHP, New York Mets: The Mets are hoping they can make him a centerpiece in a deal for a bat.
13. Mat Latos, RHP, Marlins: Latos' trade value picked up after his solid starts against the Rockies, Giants and Cubs over the past month.
14. Kyle Lohse, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: Good track record, but Lohse has given up more hits and earned runs than any starter in the league.
15. Ian Kennedy, RHP, Padres: Best as a back-of-the-rotation veteran starter for a team looking for depth.
16. Matt Garza, RHP, Brewers: His 5.55 ERA and 1.55 WHIP won't exactly help the Brewers get much in return.
Relief pitchers
Will Padres closer Craig Kimbrel be traded for a second time this season? Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
1. Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Padres: Kimbrel has led the National League in saves over the past five seasons and has given up only two runs in his past 16 appearances. He'd be a difference-maker for the Nationals, Astros or Yankees, though the Padres would be looking to get back more than they gave the Braves to get him just before the season.
2. Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds: The Reds shouldn't make the same mistake they made with Cueto and Leake by waiting until their free-agent year. Chapman's value will never be higher, and the Blue Jays, Dodgers and Nationals are natural fits.
3. Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Phillies: ESPN colleague Buster Olney has reported the Phillies are close to dealing Papelbon. The Cubs or Blue Jays would be my best guess to be his suitors.
4. Tyler Clippard, RHP, A's: GM Billy Beane will once again be in the headlines, and that might happen as early as this weekend.
5. Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, Brewers: Rodriguez's 1.32 ERA and 21 saves make him a strong trade option, but the flooded market for relievers could hurt the Brewers and keep K-Rod in Milwaukee.
6. Joaquin Benoit, RHP, Padres: Benoit is still considered one of the best eighth-inning relievers in the league.
7. John Axford, RHP, Colorado Rockies: Has a 2.36 ERA despite pitching half his games at Coors Field.
8. Jonathan Broxton, RHP, Brewers: Back on the radar for teams looking for bullpen depth.
9. Neal Cotts, LHP, Brewers: Left-handed hitters have hit just .190 against him.
10. Jim Johnson, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Has had a solid bounce-back campaign (though he did allow three hits and a run Monday).
11. LaTroy Hawkins, RHP, Rockies: Brings veteran leadership and can still help a team in the sixth or seventh innings.
Catchers
1. Wilin Rosario, C, Rockies: Should be of interest to an American League team looking for right-handed platoon power at DH.
2. A.J. Pierzynski, C, Braves: Haven't heard of a team pursuing him, but he is available and is a solid backup catcher.
Infielders
1. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies: MLB execs continue to tell me that it's highly unlikely Tulo will be traded, based on their conversations with Rockies GM Jeff Bridich.
Just about all the contending teams have already inquired about Ben Zobrist. Ed Zurga/Getty Images
2. Ben Zobrist, IF/OF, A's: He fits with just about every contending team thanks to his versatility, positive attitude and switch-hitting ability.
3. Adam Lind, 1B, Brewers: Lind excels against right-handed pitching and would be a perfect fit for the Cardinals, Nationals or Pirates.
4. Pedro Alvarez, 1B/3B, Pittsburgh Pirates: The "Alvarez at first base" experiment is not working out. A trade to an AL team makes sense here if the Pirates can improve their defense at first base.
5. Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore Orioles: The O's aren't expected to re-sign this 2015 free agent, and he could be dealt by the trade deadline.
6. Jean Segura, SS, Brewers: Segura's defensive metrics and bat have simply not bounced back to their 2013 form.
7. Alexei Ramirez, SS, Chicago White Sox: Ramirez's trade value is at an all-time low because of his absolutely dismal season.
8. Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds: He's due $32 million for the rest of this season and the next two seasons, which makes him untradeable unless the Reds pay most of the freight. Considering the team has several other players they need to trade before Phillips, he'll likely stay.
9. Chris Johnson, 1B/3B, Braves: There are enough teams looking for third-base depth that he could get moved, at least if the Braves pay most of his contract.
10. Yonder Alonso, 1B, Padres: He's a first baseman with just two home runs, so he doesn't have a lot of trade value. That said, he'd be a good fit with the Astros thanks to his .382 OBP; perhaps a swap for a disappointing first baseman such as Jon Singleton is possible.
11. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Brewers: Here's hoping Ramirez, who is set to retire at season's end, ends his career on a contending team.
12. Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies: He has 16 homers and 48 RBIs, but he also has 93 K's and a .273 OBP. Howard could help the Cardinals or an AL team, though the Phillies would have to eat almost all of his contract.
13. Aaron Hill, IF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Not much trade value left for this veteran.
14. Jedd Gyorko, 2B, Padres: Someone might take a chance on him if the Padres are willing to eat his contract.
15. Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies: I think he retires with the Phils.
16. Gordon Beckham, IF, White Sox: His ability to play three infield positions helps his value as a bench player.
17. Juan Uribe, 3B, Braves: Perhaps a pinch-hitter for an NL team?
18. Michael Morse, 1B, Marlins: Anybody need a right-handed power bat off the bench with strong makeup?
Outfielders
He has struggled of late, but Justin Upton is still the top position player available. Andy Hayt/Getty Images
1. Justin Upton, Padres: Upton is the top position player available, and the Astros, Orioles, Royals, Mets and Pirates seem to be the best candidates.
2. Carlos Gomez, Brewers: He's not a rental -- he's signed through 2016 -- and the Brewers know he likely won't re-sign when his contract is up, so they might test the trade waters.
3. Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers: He reportedly has been made available, and he'd be a nice add for a team that can't reel in Upton or Gomez.
4. Jay Bruce, Reds: The Reds might be able to get Sean Newcomb from the Angels for him. That'd be a good trade for them.
5. Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: As with Tulowitzki, it looks as if the Rockies are going to hang on to CarGo. But they reportedly will listen to offers for him.
6. Charlie Blackmon, Rockies: He would be a good fit for the top of the Mariners' lineup.
7. Cameron Maybin, Braves: The Braves are willing to take advantage of Maybin's stock being high if a contending team is in need of a center fielder.
8. Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers: I'd think the Rangers would love to get out of a majority of their contract exposure here.
9. Ben Revere, Phillies: His speed would play well with the Angels or Mariners.
10. Ender Inciarte, Diamondbacks: Teams continue to call the D-backs to try and take advantage of their outfield surplus.
11. Marlon Byrd, Reds: He's on pace for another 25-homer season, and his $8 million option for 2016 actually makes him more attractive to potential suitors.
12. David Murphy, Cleveland Indians: Solid fourth outfielder for a contending team.
13. Will Venable, Padres: Another solid fourth outfielder for a contending team.
14. Gerardo Parra, Brewers: One of the best defensive fourth outfielders in baseball and can play all three outfield positions.
15. Domonic Brown, Phillies: Still young (27) but doesn't have much trade value.
16. Jeff Francoeur, Phillies: Bench player for a contending team.
17. Jonny Gomes, Braves: A great clubhouse presence.
18. Jackie Bradley Jr., Boston Red Sox: Tremendous defensive center fielder but not an adept MLB hitter.
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