With free agency in full swing and teams either adding to or extending player contracts, prospects will assuredly be involved in trades as teams attempt to fill holes on their Major League roster. With Jason Heyward, Josh Donaldson, and Jeremy Hellickson already involved in trades for minor leaguers, it is likely those transactions were only a precursor to multiple trades that will occur during and after the Winter Meetings. Here are the top five position prospects who could be on the move this off-season.
Joc Pederson (Los Angeles Dodgers): Pederson has seemingly been on the trade market for the majority of the past two seasons. He’s excelled at every level and has the potential to average 25 home runs and 25 steals in the majors. There is some uncertainty as to how his power will translate to Chavez Ravine, as he was playing in Albuquerque, a known hitters’ park. He does, however, have a quick swing with excellent plate coverage. His strikeout rate is somewhat disconcerting; he sported a 26.9% strikeout rate in Triple-A. Despite that rate, he matches those strikeouts with his walks, as he carried an 18.1% walk rate. His plate appearances seem to be boom or bust, as he bats .385 on balls in play. Being someone who got on base at a tremendous clip (.435 OBP) in Triple-A, and had a .350 OBP in his brief time in the majors, he should be sought after by multiple teams. With Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier on the roster, there’s an obvious glut in the Los Angeles outfield. With Scott Van Slyke crushing left-handers off the bench, it is unlikely Pederson will get any time in 2015 barring a trade.D.J. Peterson (Seattle Mariners): Peterson was one of the elite hitters in the 2013 Rule 4 Draft and his smooth swing and growing strength would make him immediately appealing to teams. With his short, explosive swing and quick hands, he could develop into an above average starter at one of the corner infield positions. After a season where he 13 home runs, an ISO of .212, and .473 slugging percentage in 58 games in Double-A he’s shown clear 30+ home run potential as he progresses through the minors. With a 20.6 strikeout percentage in comparison to an 8.9 walk percentage there is some concern as to his patience, but his power is undeniable. With Kyle Seager locked up long-term at third base and Robinson Cano likely having to move to first base or DH as he gets holder, Peterson may not have a spot in the Mariners’ lineup. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Peterson moved for an experienced starting pitcher.Garin Cecchini(
Boston Red Sox
): Cecchini got caught in a numbers game this offseason and as of now doesn’t have a roster spot on the major league roster. Cecchini does have starting potential at third base, however, and with the lack of free agent third basemen on the free agent market, Boston could get excellent value for the 23-year old. Like most Boston prospects, Cecchini has excellent strike-zone judgment and plate discipline. That plate discipline along with great mechanics and a smooth swing through the hitting zone gives him the potential to be a solid starter. Cecchini still struggles with breaking pitches, but his he has a great eye, as demonstrated by his .361 OBP in his brief time in the Majors and career minor league OBP above .360. A team who acquires him will have to accept his lack of power at the plate as evident by his seven home runs and .108 ISO in 114 games in Triple-A. Despite that deficiency, his smooth swing, adequate defense, and high baseball IQ should draw attention. With
Pablo Sandovaland
Will Middlebrookscapable of playing third base and the former signed for half of the next decade, Cecchini finds himself on the outside looking in on the Red Sox depth chart.
Photo Credit to milb.com
Kevin Plawecki (New York Mets): Plawecki projects to eventually be a solid major league starter behind the plate. He’s had a solid batting average as a result of his plate discipline and he makes consistent contact. He’s shown the ability to spray the ball all over the field and could be an annual 25+ doubles hitter in the majors as a full-time catcher. His high contact and low strikeout rates make him extremely appealing to other clubs. With a .299 batting average on balls in play in Triple-A and a .344 BABIP in Double-A and nothing below a .345 OBP during his time in the minors, teams who value patience and making contact will be first in line if New York makes him available. The issue with Plawecki is his lack of power. After only five home runs and a .138 ISO in 43 games in Triple-A, he likely tops out at 12-15 home runs in the majors. Behind the plate, Plawecki is improving, but his arm strength is average at best, and he won’t throw out many base-runners. Despite so many excellent qualities, Plawecki has no future with New York as a starter. Former top prospect Travis D’Arnaud is locked in for the foreseeable future and Plawecki’s best hope is securing a backup role behind him. With so little catching depth on the free agent market behind new Toronto Blue Jay Russell Martin, clubs may inquire on Plawecki and the Mets may be open to listening to deals that could fill their hole at shortstop.Gary Sanchez (New York Yankees): Sanchez has been one of the Yankees top prospects over the last three years and it’s just as unlikely as then that he sees the field in New York. Sanchez’s bat is still ahead of his glove, as he has the potential to hit 20+ home runs with a batting average of .270 in the future. After a season where he hit 13 home runs and 19 doubles while sporting a .270 average and .338 OBP in Double-A, he’s shown that he could continue to progress as he gains more experience. His compact swing and excellent bat speed allow him to get in on inside pitches and he works the count well-enough to be considered an average starter. Behind the plate, Sanchez has a gun for an arm, throwing out 38.9% of base-stealers last season. He still, has problems blocking the plate, however, particularly pitches in the dirt to his right. With Brian McCann signed through 2018, Sanchez likely major league ready by 2016, and the Yankees history of trading prospects for immediate upgrades, Sanchez could be on his way out of New York in exchange for a starting infielder in 2015.Photo Credit to battingleadoff.com
With the offseason still in the beginning stages and less than three days from the beginning of the Winter Meetings, it’s likely some of these top prospects will be in more than one potential trade conversation before Spring Training. As more free agents sign contracts for 2015, clubs will be faced with even less options to fill weak areas on their roster. As a result, they’ll likely look to the trade market with top minor leaguers being the principal barter pieces.
