Plenty of players for picking
Prize Machado is taken, but other hitters could help number of teams Experienced Hamels, rejuvenated Harvey could be attractive targets
Manny Machado is headed west in a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers after six-plus seasons in Baltimore, and several other notable hitters could be on the move in the next couple weeks.
Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even after missing out on Machado, a four-time All-star.
The Phillies, Brewers and Yankees are in the market for more offensive punch.
And while Machado was the headline performer, several others can bolster a team’s starting lineup and make an impact down the stretch.
Here are six hitters who may have new teams before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline:
Mike Moustakas: After smacking a career-best 38 homers for the Kansas City Royals last year, the two-time All-star third baseman didn’t get a lucrative deal in free agency and returned on a one-year deal for $6.5 million plus a mutual option for 2019. He has 19 homers and 58 RBIS but is only batting .249 for the worst team in the majors.
Scooter Gennett: The Cincinnati Reds aren’t going anywhere and they’d be selling high on their All-star second baseman. Gennett, a waiver claim last year, had a breakout season in 2017 when he swatted 27 homers and drove in 97 runs. He’s batting .326 with 16 homers and 63 RBIS this season. Gennett is a fan favorite in his hometown and can’t become a free agent until 2020, so prying him away from the Reds might be difficult.
Asdrubal Cabrera: The 32-year-old infielder is batting .281 with 17 homers and 52 RBIS for the hapless New York Mets. He’s only played second base this season but started at shortstop and third base last year. Cabrera is a switch hitter who would give a team versatility and pop. He’s also slated to become a free agent after the season, so the Mets can’t expect to get too much in return for the two-time All-star.
Shin-soo Choo: A first-time All-star, Choo has 18 homers and is on pace to swat a career-best 30 for the last-place Texas Rangers. Choo is batting .291 with a .405 on-base percentage, but the left-handed hitting right fielder just turned 36 and is owed $42 million over the next two seasons.
Eduardo Escobar: The versatile infielder has a .271 average, 14 homers and 57 RBIS with 35 doubles for the Minnesota Twins. Escobar can play shortstop, second base or third base, plus he’s started in left field during his career. He’s making $4.85 million this season and will be a free agent in the fall.
Wilson Ramos: An All-star catcher for the second time in three years, Ramos is batting .297 with 14 homers and 53 RBIS for the Tampa Bay Rays. But he injured his hamstring and is heading to the disabled list, decreasing his trade value.
From aces to closers, pitchers will be on the move this month.
Teams trying to make a push for the postseason are always looking to add new arms. There are some big names available on the trade market who can make a difference in the starting rotation or bullpen.
Here are some pitchers who could be changing uniforms before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline:
Cole Hamels: The MVP of the 2008 World Series and NLCS has been through this before, going from the Phillies to the Rangers in July 2015. Hamels has a career-worst 4.36 ERA and he’s already allowed 21 homers, but he’s a proven lefty who could benefit from pitching away from a hitter-friendly ballpark. Hamels has a 2.93 ERA in 10 starts on the road. Texas may have to eat some of his salary, however. His contract includes a team option for $20 million next year or a $6 million buyout. Hamels also has a no-trade clause for 20 teams.
J.A. Happ: Another former Phillies lefty, Happ is in the final season of his contract with Toronto. He had three rough starts leading to his first All-star appearance but has been a consistent starter in baseball’s toughest division for a few years. Happ is 10-6 with a 4.29 ERA and is averaging more than one strikeout per inning for the first time in his career in a season in which he’s pitched at least 100 innings.
Matt Harvey: After rejuvenating his career in Cincinnati following his release from the Mets earlier this season, Harvey could find himself back in a pennant race. The righty is 5-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 12 starts.
Jordan Zimmermann: He’s 4-1 with a 3.79 ERA in 12 starts after an atrocious 2017 season. Zimmermann has the highest strikeout percentage of his career (23.6 percent), but he’s owed $50 million over the next two seasons, so the Detroit Tigers might have to pay some of his salary to deal him.
Nathan Eovaldi: Back on the mound after missing 2017 following Tommy John surgery, Eovaldi is 3-4 with a 4.59 ERA in nine starts for the Rays. The righty was roughed up in his final start before the All-star break but pitched well in his previous three starts. He is only making $2 million this season, so he’s a cheap option for budgetconscious teams.
Zach Britton: The hard-throwing lefty had 120 saves between 2014-16 before injury cut his season short in 2017. He’s back healthy and hasn’t allowed a run in 13 of his 15 appearances.
Brad Hand: A two-time All-star, Hand is signed through 2020 with a team option for 2021 and will be one of the most pursued relievers. He has 24 saves with 65 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings.
Raisel Iglesias: The Reds have no urgency to move a 28-year-old closer who won’t become a free agent until 2022, but Iglesias can net solid prospects in a trade. He has 19 saves and a 2.36 ERA.
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