Landing spots for trade prospects
Two shopping months remain before the non-waiver trading deadline, but with one-third of the teams already out of playoff contention, Major League Baseball is about to unleash its own Black Friday sale.
Here’s a look at the top 20 players, based on their value and likelihood of being traded, who might likely land on the block the next two months:
1. Manny Machado, Orioles, shortstop: Machado, a free agent at the season’s conclusion, is on pace to hit 50 homers. The Cubs and Dodgers might have greater needs beyond Machado, and Dodgers vice president Andrew Friedman has yet to trade any blue-chip prospects since his arrival to LA.
Prediction: Machado goes to the Phillies, who spent $169 million in the offseason on free agents Jake Arrieta and Carlos Santana and can start wooing Machado before free agency begins.
2. Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays, third baseman: The Blue Jays don’t have any intention to re-sign him, not with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. around. The trouble is Donaldson’s value has diminished with his throwing woes.
Prediction: The Cardinals love his bat and, even more, his attitude.
3. Cole Hamels, Rangers, starting pitcher: The Rangers are not going to pick up his $20 million option in 2019, which includes a $6 million buyout, and would love to dump as much of his
$23 million salary now. A four-time AllStar and 2008 World Series MVP, Hamels is 3-5 with a 3.74 ERA but has a postseason pedigree that would be ideal for any contender.
Prediction: The Brewers might be on Hamels’ no-trade list, but for a chance to return to the playoffs, Hamels will waive it in a heartbeat.
4. Kelvin Herrera, Royals, closer: The best closer sure to be available, and his stock is high, with 11 saves and no walks in 192⁄ innings.
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Prediction: Cleveland desperately needs bullpen help with struggling Andrew Miller back on the DL with knee inflammation.
5. Chris Archer, Rays, starting pitcher: The Rays don’t have to trade Archer and can patiently wait for someone to meet their price tag.
Prediction: The Cubs spent $164 million in the free agent market on Yu Darvish and Tyler Chatwood, only to watch Darvish go on the DL more times than games he’s won and Chatwood to lead the league in walks. They bring Archer back seven years after trading him.
6. Francisco Liriano, Tigers, starting pitcher: Liriano, 34, can provide invaluable depth for a contender, going
3-2 with a 3.90 ERA.
Prediction: The Yankees are going to need another starter if they’re going to hang with the Red Sox. Liriano is a perfect short-term, cheap fit.
7. Zach Britton, Orioles, closer: Britton, who had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon in December, will begin a rehab assignment this week. He should be back in the big leagues in two weeks. And gone in two months.
Prediction: The Astros have the greatest rotation on the planet, but could use another big-time arm in the bullpen. Britton is their man.
8. Mike Moustakas, Royals, third baseman: Moustakas shrugged off his cold winter market, following up on last year’s franchise-best 38 homers with 11 more this year, along with 33 RBI.
Prediction: The Indians can move All-Star Jose Ramirez to second base or even use him or Moustakas as a DH. It would be the ideal, no-risk, high-reward deal.
9. J.A. Happ, Blue Jays, starting pitcher: Happ is pitching as well as he ever has in his 12-year career, burnishing his free agent credentials and developing into a strong trade chip for Toronto.
Prediction: The Mariners are desperate to end the longest postseason drought in baseball, and GM Jerry Dipoto is on the final year of his contract. A postseason return should ensure he’ll be back, and Happ can certainly help the cause.
10. Brad Brach, Orioles, reliever: Brach is another free agent reliever who has no future in Baltimore. He’s an ideal setup man who can also close, with 26 saves the past two seasons.
Prediction: The Angels need pitching, and with the price tag exorbitant on the starting pitching, why not bolster the bullpen?
11. Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks, starting pitcher: They will wait as long as possible before determining whether they will be sellers or buyers, but with Corbin a free agent, GM Mike Hazen could become a popular man in July.
Prediction: The Mariners are the most desperate to land the prized lefty.
12. Tyson Ross, Padres, starting pitcher: His velocity is down, but he’s striking out 9.5 batters per nine innings. He’s the perfect short-term starter if you believe he can stay healthy.
Prediction: The Cubs see the value in the gamble.
13. Adam Jones, Orioles, center fielder: The Orioles love Jones, but he’s a free agent in November.
Prediction: The Mariners, who lost All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano to a PED suspension and center fielder Dee Gordon to a broken toe, finally right a wrong and bring back Jones a decade after they traded him.
14. Matt Harvey, Reds, starting pitcher: His value has increased since his trade from the Mets, going 1-1 with a
3.72 ERA in four starts .
Prediction: The Giants showed interest in him before he was traded the first time and could use a fifth starter.
15. Jed Lowrie, Athletics, second baseman: This is the type of player every contender values with his versatility and clubhouse leadership. He’s hitting
.300 with a .867 OPS.
Prediction: The Red Sox would love to move Lowrie all over the diamond, and the Yankees have eyes on him too. A perfect piece for the tight AL East race.
16. Brad Hand, Padres, closer: Hand isn’t quite as dominant as his 2017 AllStar season, but he is under control through 2021.
Prediction: The Padres still are expected to keep him, but if anyone can tempt them, it’s the Dodgers and their rich farm system. Hand has held lefty hitters to one hit in 30 at-bats.
17. Jonathan Lucroy, Athletics, catcher: While the A’s might be in the race now, the likelihood of them sticking around by July are as slim as landing Bryce Harper next winter.
Prediction: The Brewers desperately have been looking for catching, so why not bring back their own homegrown catcher?
18. Scooter Gennett, Reds, second baseman: He’s hitting a league-leading
.340 with 10 homers and 37 RBI, and his 2019 salary could double to about
$12 million via arbitration. Prediction: The Indians have patiently waited for second baseman Jason Kipnis to bounce back, hitting .190 with a paltry .591 OPS, but Gennett could be the quick solution.
19. Starlin Castro, Marlins, second baseman: Castro has been professional in his time in Miami purgatory, hitting
.285 with a .701 OPS, but he’d like out as much as the Marlins want him out.
Prediction: If the Marlins trade catcher J.T. Realmuto, they likely will ask teams to assume Castro and his contract, too. The Nationals could be tempted if second baseman Daniel Murphy isn’t the same All-Star player upon his return.
20. Avisail Garcia, White Sox, outfielder: The White Sox are shopping Garcia, not slugger Jose Abreu. Garcia is several weeks away from returning from his strained hamstring.
Prediction: Phillies. Hey, why not bring in an experienced outfield bat?