Deals will give prospects chance to play
With the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline approaching, moves will be made, and they will have ripple effects for at least a few major league clubs. Big-name trade candidates like Manny Machado and their projected landing spots have already been pored over by fantasy analysts and owners.
But there are also clubs highly motivated to move less obvious players and get on with their rebuilding efforts. Even in a market in which there are more sellers than buyers, non-contending teams will be trying to position themselves for 2019. Doing so creates August and September playing time shifts and prospect opportunities. We’ll take a some from each league:
AMERICAN LEAGUE
A lack of majors-ready pitching depth suggests that a Cole Hamels trade wouldn’t create much of a fantasy opportunity for the Texas Rangers. But teammates Shin-Soo Choo — a lefty batter with a 18 home runs and a .911 on-base plus slugging (OPS) through 348 at bats — and Adrian Beltre are being shopped. Their departures would open a door in left field or designated hitter spot for top Class AAA prospect Willie Calhoun, whose hit tool has shined since June 1: .355 batting average, 19 extra base hits, and only 11 strikeouts through 152 at-bats in that span. Even the Rangers are quiet on the trade front, they could look for other creative ways to find at bats for Calhoun soon.
Injuries have crushed the Los Angeles Angels’ postseason hopes, leaving them in play-fornext-year mode. With 3B Zack Cozart out for the season and free-agent-to-be Luis Valbuena (.204 batting average through 250 at-bats) having never established liftoff, the Angels look primed for third-base tryouts. Valbuena could even be designated for assignment in favor of contact wonder David Fletcher
(32 strikeouts in 330 at-bats between Class AAA and the majors). And keep an eye on catcher-to-3B conversion project
Taylor Ward, who has a 1.027 OPS, 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases through 287 at bats over two levels of the minors. Even with barely over 400 at bats in the high minors, Ward could see a big-league debut this half.
Houston doesn’t need much help, though it could be looking for catching at the right price, thanks to concerns about Brian McCann’s balky knee and 2018 performance (206 batting average and 5 home runs). In addition, any move Houston makes will likely attempt to free up a serious first base/left field/designated hitter glut in the high minors. The best bet to be on the move is A.J. Reed, once the Astros’ No. 1 prospect, but now well down on the first base depth chart. Despite his issues with left-handed pitching, Reed was the 2017 minor league home run leader, has hit 20 more through 292 Class AAA at-bats this year and can take a walk. He could provide immediate power dividends on a second-tier club in need of first base/DH help.
Minnesota’s Brian Dozier is an available second baseman thanks to his expiring contract and sub-par 2018 performance (.228 batting average, 15 homers). If they move him, look for the Twins to insert prospect
Nick Gordon into the middle infield with Jorge Polanco. After dominating Class AA (.906 OPS), Gordon has yet to lift off in Class AAA (.613 OPS). But both his offensive and defensive tools create a decent floor, and the 22year-old Gordon is a tad young for the level. The reloading Twins have little to lose with his promotion.
Woeful Baltimore has made long-time center fielder Adam Jones available. If Jones, in the final year of his contract, is moved, Class AAA outfielder Cedric Mullins seems like a near certainty for extended secondhalf playing time. Mullins offers a broad skill set (44 extra base hits, 15 stolen bases, .857 OPS through 357 at bats), and his athleticism should him to cover center field adequately at the MLB level.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Kyle Barraclough’s 1.28 ERA, 47 strikeouts and nine saves for Miami make him a sought-after bullpen commodity. And if he departs, setup man Drew
Steckenrider is a likely candidate to inherit the Marlins’ ninth-inning role. His numbers aren’t as eye-popping as in 2017, but Steckenrider’s 3.38 ERA, 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) and mid-90s velocity make him reasonably equipped to handle the task.
The reloading Pittsburgh Pirates would love to find takers for their all-free-agent middle infield of Josh Harrison, Jordy Mercer and Sean Rodriguez. But even if they can’t, Pittsburgh still seems highly motivated to find at-bats for rehabbing JungHo
Kang, as well as Class AAA prospects Kevin Newman (.303 batting average, 22 stolen bases) and Kevin Kramer (.818 OPS). Off-field problems interrupted what looked like a promising MLB future for Kang and he is sidelined by a wrist injury. But he’ll factor into the 2019 middle infield combination — he and should see extended playing time before season’s end.
It remains uncertain as to whether Cincinnati will deal breakthrough second baseman Scooter Gennett (hitting .326 with an .894 OPS through 348 ABs) or extend him as a centerpiece of its rebuilding effort. But if Gennett leaves, keep an eye on recent call-up Dilson Herrera.
A legitimate prospect several years ago before shoulder injuries set in, Herrera looks healthy again and is hinting at the same broad skill set (.297 batting average in 185 Class AAA at bats) he showed in 2014, when he debuted with the Mets. Still just 24, Herrera could get an audition if Gennett departs.
The Padres have remained non-committal about moving lefty closer Brad Hand, who still has obvious appeal even after his recent performance hiccups (eight runs allowed over nine inninga). San Diego’s asking price is likely to be high, but in the event that it’s met, both Kirby
Yates and Craig Stammen own experience and terrific numbers. Either would be a good bet to get save opportunities should Hand leave. But keep an eye on rookie Jose Castillo, currently on the DL with a hamstring strain. The left-hander owns an 18-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 2.84 ERA in just 13 innings pitched, with outstanding underlying metrics. Holding right handed batters to a .158 batting average makes Castillo another legitimate late-inning option.