20 MLB players who could be traded this winter

Yankees’ first baseman Luke Voit led the league in dwelling runs in the course of the pandemic shortened 2020 season, however the final 12 months have gone very otherwise for the right-handed slugger. 4 separate journeys to the injured record restricted Voit to solely 68 video games final 12 months, and when he was on the sector he simply was not the identical offensive risk he was a season earlier. In 213 at-bats he slashed simply .239/.328/.437 with solely 11 homers. New York is clearly trying to reshuffle its deck this winter, and in the event that they add an infielder the almost definitely situation has D.J. LeMahieu shifting to first base and leaving Voit the odd man out. In the event that they do make him obtainable in commerce discussions, a number of groups will assuredly bounce on the alternative so as to add his run manufacturing potential. 

Final summer time the Cubs lastly launched into the large retooling many anticipated them to endure, buying and selling away World Collection heroes Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Baez amongst others. Catcher Willson Contreras remained in Chicago via the top of 2021, nevertheless it’s removed from sure he’ll start subsequent season within the Windy Metropolis. He is the final piece the Cubs may commerce away for a major return, and dynamic two-way backstops do not develop on bushes. Loads of groups would interact the Cubs in the event that they actually made him obtainable, an final result that’s extra probably than not. 

Whit Merrifield’s identify has been bandied about in commerce rumors yearly, however a possible commerce simply feels extra probably this time round. The career-long Royal is a lifetime .291 hitter who has racked up over 40 doubles on three separate occasions–including final 12 months. Gamers along with his versatility have gotten increasingly more vital to contending groups, and that very same versatility makes him a match for practically any membership. Take note of his scenario on the winter conferences. 

The A’s have indicated a need to shed payroll this winter, which may result in each of their nook infielders and long-time core offensive players–first baseman Matt Olson and third baseman Matt Chapman—changing addresses within the coming weeks. In Chapman’s case, a possible buying group could be including one of many recreation’s most dominant defensive gamers along with a feared right-handed energy bat. Final season his batting common slipped to a career-low .210 however he nonetheless crushed 27 homers and drove in 72 runs. Defensively although we’re speaking a few man who has gained three Gold Gloves together with two Platinum Gloves, and if he have been traded to the NL it could be fairly a contest between him and Nolan Arenado for the top of 12 months {hardware}. 

Just like the Cubs, the Nationals traded away principally something that wasn’t nailed down final summer time, and appear content material to endure a full rebuild in an try to construct these groups again up round their centerpiece, famous person outfielder Juan Soto. That is going to be a multiple-year reset, which is why having switch-hitting former all-star Josh Bell taking part in first base would not make an entire lot of sense. In his first season in D.C. a 12 months in the past, Bell hit .261 with 27 bombs and 88 RBI, and as a veteran with worth, each he and the Nationals would most likely be higher off with a commerce. 

The Reds are fairly clearly making shedding payroll their precedence this winter, and although we’re nonetheless over per week earlier than Thanksgiving, they’ve already traded their beginning catcher, Tucker Barnhart, and allowed a invaluable beginning pitcher, Wade Miley, to be claimed on waivers with out getting something in return. What is going on to come back subsequent although goes to harm followers in Cincinnati extra. The Reds will assuredly commerce away extra property, starting with their ace, righty Luis Castillo. After a sluggish begin final season Castillo was glorious within the second half, and a sturdy starter who has by no means missed a begin, owns a lifetime 1.22 WHIP, and constantly strikes out over a batter/inning may carry again a haul. 

Sticking with the Reds, whereas Castillo may be very prone to be moved, their #2 starter, Sonny Grey is a digital certainty. The veteran has been an all-star twice in his profession and has over 1200 huge league innings below his belt. The 2021 season was not his finest, as he completed with an ERA just a little over 4, however his 1.22 WHIP and .225 batting common towards will each play. He will not carry again practically the return Castillo will, however sufficient groups must be fascinated by including him to their rotation that it’ll improve the value to a degree the Reds must be keen to pounce on. 

The Philadelphia Phillies have been one among baseball’s extra disappointing groups final season, as even with an MVP caliber season from Bryce Harper and a borderline Cy Younger caliber efficiency from Zack Wheeler, they weren’t all that shut to creating the playoffs even in a weak NL East. A weak spot for the Phils was shortstop, the place veteran Didi Gregorius had the worst season of his lengthy profession, hitting simply .209 and reaching base at solely a .270 clip. With so many big-name free-agent shortstops obtainable, it could behoove Philadelphia to seek for an improve, and if they will safe one, Gregorius turns into a logical commerce chip for a shortstop needy group that misses out on a free agent.

Younger Gavin Lux was the Dodgers’ first-round decide 5 years in the past, and after ripping via the minor leagues with a profession .304 common and .381 OBP with energy, LA anticipated him to turn into their subsequent star. That simply hasn’t occurred to this point. In 473 huge league at-bats throughout components of three seasons, Lux has hit simply .233 with 35 extra-base hits. He is but to carve out any sort of function with the Dodgers, and maybe it is time for each side to goal for a contemporary begin. 

Left-handed swinging Dom Smith had such an excellent season within the pandemic shortened 2020 marketing campaign that the Mets began envisioning him as a cornerstone participant for them for years to come back. Oh, how issues have modified 12 months later. Final season Smith slashed simply .244/.304/.363 and his energy utterly evaporated. In 446 at-bats he hit solely 11 dwelling runs, and down the stretch, whereas the Mets have been making an attempt to cost in the direction of a wild card berth he misplaced his job. Smith is a pure first baseman who is not going to play there with Pete Alonso locked there in Queens. Perhaps a commerce someplace that may let him deal with place quantity three in your scorecard could be helpful. 

Right here is perhaps essentially the most fascinating identify on this entire record. When wholesome Buxton is a official famous person on this league, however he is participated in over 100 video games solely as soon as in seven seasons. That is problematic. Within the 61 video games, he did play in final 12 months although, Buxton hit .306 with a whopping 19 homers in solely 235 at-bats. He additionally performs great protection at a premium place in middle area. Early this winter it feels like Minnesota is no less than open to listening on him, and also you’d should think about some group could be keen to take an opportunity on him staying wholesome shifting ahead. Is there a match someplace that works for everybody? We’ll quickly discover out. 

The Padres sadly might need been essentially the most disappointing group in baseball a season in the past. After an excellent begin, within the second half of the season, they have been left utterly within the mud by the Dodgers and Giants within the NL West. As a membership that desires to be all in, you recognize failing to make the playoffs is one thing they do not wish to repeat in 2022 and large strikes are most likely coming. First baseman Eric Hosmer truly had a fairly good season final 12 months, however with versatile Jake Cronenworth able to sliding to first if he needed to, it may open the door for an infield addition elsewhere. That would make Hosmer expendable by way of a commerce.

Veteran Kevin Kiermaier has been patrolling middle area in Tampa Bay for nearly a decade, nevertheless it’s no less than doable that might change in 2022. The Rays are infamous for being cost-conscious, and Kiermaier is because of make $12 million within the upcoming marketing campaign. He is gained three Gold Gloves for this group in his profession, however that is nonetheless a steep price ticket for an outfielder that simply hit .259 with solely 30 extra-base hits. A commerce may not be possible, nevertheless it’s actually doable. 

Might Jose Ramirez turn into the second switch-hitting all-star infielder traded out of Cleveland in as a few years? It is actually one thing that is on the desk. Cleveland’s terrific third baseman is coming off a improbable 12 months, as he simply hit .266 with 36 homers and 103 RBI whereas collaborating in all however 10 of his group’s video games. For Cleveland although, they’re in a scenario the place they should be reasonable about their aspirations. The AL Central seems poised to be run by the White Sox for years to come back, and the Tigers are coming shortly as Chicago’s prime potential risk. That leaves the Guardians and Twins each falling behind within the incorrect route and doubtlessly heading in the direction of rebuilds. 

Shortstop Paul DeJong was an prompt sensation for the Cardinals for the primary three years of his profession, however the latest two haven’t been as form to him. Final 12 months the veteran hit a paltry .197 with a sub .300 OBP, and his 19 lengthy balls weren’t sufficient to maintain him from shedding his on a regular basis job to Edmundo Sosa. DeJong has confirmed he may be an offensive power on this league, nevertheless it’s honest to marvel if a change of surroundings is required after what was each a bodily and emotionally disappointing 2021. 

The Marlins wish to be energetic on the commerce entrance this winter, and one among their largest chips could possibly be a comparatively unknown identify on the nationwide degree, right-handed hitting Garrett Cooper. The Auburn product is considerably of a person with no place, as one of the best place for him on a baseball area is and all the time would be the batters’ field. Final season Cooper hit .284 with 9 homers and 10 doubles in 215 at-bats whereas taking part in just a little little bit of first base and just a little nook outfield for Miami. It is clear, nevertheless, that he could be finest served as a DH, and maybe shifting him can carry the Marlins again some items that match higher with their present combine. 

Just like the aforementioned Dom Smith, the Mets have been relying on JD Davis to be a giant a part of their group in ’21, and it simply didn’t work out. Davis was hit within the hand by a pitch within the first collection of the season and the damage value him a number of stints to the injured record and needed to play a giant function in his nonexistent energy a lot of the season. He ended up having surgical procedure following the 12 months to repair it nevertheless it’s onerous to actually gauge what which means for him shifting ahead. On the floor the .285 common he completed with seems strong, however 5 homers in 179 at-bats from a man New York anticipated 25+ from hurts. The Mets have a lot to determine forward of ’22, and it is more and more probably shifting Davis and aiming to improve at third base goes to occur. 

Orioles’ reliever Tanner Scott is someone whose closing numbers final 12 months do not look nice, however his peripherals will get the eye of rival golf equipment hoping to have the ability to steal an asset by shopping for low. The southpaw held left-handed hitters to only a .203 batting common and his pre and submit all-star recreation ERA’s (2.78 and 9.82) are past stark. You’d should assume the 2 stints Scott spent on the injured record down the stretch may have performed a job in that latter quantity. In 54 innings he punched out a powerful 70 hitters, and whereas the Orioles are excessive on him, they might transfer him if the supply was attractive sufficient. 

Garver’s destiny in Minnesota could possibly be tied intently to that of the aforementioned Byron Buxton. If the Twins do determine to commerce away Buxton, you’d should assume third baseman Josh Donaldson and Garver is probably not far behind if a rebuild is the way in which the membership desires to go. For Garver, a power-hitting right-handed catcher, you’d should think about the market could be strong. In a shade over 200 at-bats a season in the past, the veteran hit .256 with 13 homers, and defensively he threw out about 18% of would-be base-stealers. The Marlins stand out as an apparent match for the Twins in a possible Garver commerce. 

If the A’s are critical about buying and selling off some items, chopping prices, and retooling for the long run, right-handed beginning pitcher Frankie Montas may very properly be one of the best chip they have. In a career-high 32 outings, final season the veteran turned in one of the best marketing campaign of his profession, successful 13 video games with a robust 3.37 ERA. His 1.18 WHIP, .232 batting common towards, 207 strikeouts, and 187 innings pitched all ranked within the prime 10 within the American League. Oakland will take heed to presents and it’ll assuredly be powerful for them to tug the set off, but when they will abdomen shifting him, they will count on to carry again a haul.