Looking at tricks of the trade
USUALLY trading season begins after the draft, which begins next Monday. Afterward, teams redeploy scouts and attention to more fully explore what is available — as buyers and sellers — as the July nonwaiver deadline approaches.
But a somewhat significant deal between the Rays and Mariners already has taken place (with Alex Colome and Denard Span going to Seattle). And the Padres and Royals are, at minimum, willing to listen now, according to executives (Jon Heyman of FanRag reported last week about Kansas City being open for business).
That the Padres and Royals began Wednesday a combined 42-69 indicates they will not have much to offer. Whom these teams want to move, and whom they will be able to and get something appealing back for, is different. Kansas City, for example, would love to offload the contracts of Alex Gordon, Jason Hammel and Ian Kennedy and, well, good luck with that.
Mike Moustakas has played well after returning on just a $6.5 million deal. But there is just not much of a market for third basemen. The most attractive piece is closer Kelvin Herrera (0.87 ERA), but even his value is dimmed at least somewhat because he is a free agent after this season. Almost every contender looks to upgrade its pen in July, but keep a particular eye on the Astros, Angels, Braves, Indians and Red Sox.
The Padres, meanwhile, would love to escape from the three years at $64 million owed Wil Myers after this season. But the reason (beyond their glut of outfielders and Eric Hosmer now entrenched at first base) is that Myers has not turned into a star or shown he can stay healthy, which will make moving him arduous.
The Padres’ most attractive piece right now is Tyson Ross, who is pitching his best since 2015. The problem is he hardly pitched in 2016-17, particularly because of a shoulder injury, which will give interested teams pause in considering him. This version of Ross is 4-3 with a 3.29 ERA, striking out better than one batter an inning and doing well on the road. He makes just $1.75 million this year, which puts him on any contender’s budget, but he also is a free agent following this season.