MLB: Ranking the Top Players on the Trading Block by Position
The MLB trade deadline is always full activity as there are many impactful players that could be on the move. But how do these potential trade pieces stack up against one another in 2016?
This trades we’ve seen this year have been much different from the deals that took place in 2015. Last year’s MLB trade deadline put a focus on a starting pitching. David Price, Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir and Mike Leake were all accomplished starters that switched uniforms last season, while relief pitchers have dominated the conversation so far this year.
In the past month we’ve seen elite back of the bullpen arms like Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, Mark Melancon and Fernando Rodney change clubs. All star closers Wade Davis and David Robertson have been mentioned in the rumor mill as well.
There have been a fair amount of trades thus far, but a lot more action should happen in the final hours leading up to 4 p.m. on August 1. Here is a complete list of impactful trades that have been finalized leading up to the deadline (click the links for a complete breakdown of each deal):
RHP Fernando Rodney to the Miami Marlins
RHP Bud Norris to the Los Angeles Dodgers
2B Aaron Hill to the Boston Red Sox
RHP Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox
LHP Drew Pomeranz to the Boston Red Sox
LHP Mike Montgomery to the Chicago Cubs
LHP Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs
OF Melvin Upton Jr. to the Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Joaquin Benoit to the Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Drew Storen to the Seattle Mariners
RHP Lucas Harrell and RHP Dario Alvarez to the Texas Rangers
SS Eduardo Nunez to the San Francisco Giants
RHP Andrew Cashner and RHP Colin Rea to the Miami Marlins
RHP Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals
OF Matt Kemp to the Atlanta Braves
OF Hector Olivera to the San Diego Padres
LHP Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians
RHP Tyler Clippard to the New York Yankees
LHP Zach Duke to the St. Louis Cardinals
Here are how the rest of the players on the trade block rank leading up to the MLB trade deadline.
Next: Catchers