MLB Trade Ideas to Help Contenders
By Nick Fustor
Freddie Freeman to Seattle
SEA Gets: Freddie Freeman
ATL Gets: SS Drew Jackson, 1B/3B D.J. Peterson, RHP Edwin Diaz
The Seattle Mariners are currently in the midst of the breakout so many had been expecting for years. With Robinson Cano back to MVP form and Felix Hernandez and Taijuan Walker leading the rotation, the team doesn’t look to have many faults. However, the team has been just above average on offense, as they’re currently sitting at 11th in the league in runs scored with 135. A trade for a potent bat could push the team to elite territory in the AL.
In come Freddie Freeman. The Atlanta Braves are currently a putrid 7-23 and have no hope of salvaging an already awful season. So, in order to improve for next season, letting their star first baseman go may be the first move to a successful rebuild. Sure, almost all Braves fans would chastise the team for trading the face of the franchise – but they could get a few top prospects in return.
Freeman hasn’t exactly been himself this season, as he’s the sole bat capable of driving in runs for Atlanta. His .264/.376/.434 slash line and four home runs aren’t great, but those numbers could receive a major boost up in the Pacific Northwest.
In exchange for Freeman, the Braves could get a big haul. The Mariners only have one prospect in the top 100 with outfielder Alex Jackson at number 90, who has yet to play this season, so they’d need to include a few of their other top players. A deal consisting of shortstop Drew Jackson, 2012 first rounder D.J. Peterson and right-hander Edwin Diaz could be enough to entice Atlanta. Here’s a look at each player’s 2016 stats.
- Drew Jackson, SS (A Adv): .317/.361/.434, 39 H, 9 2B, 4 SB
- D.J. Peterson, 1B/3B (AA): .223/.283/.340, 2 HR, 14 RBI
- Edwin Diaz, RHP (AA): 6 GS, 3.10 ERA, 38 K
Jackson is a promising shortstop over performing this season, Peterson has struggled but is capable of putting up big numbers and Diaz is the Mariners’ number two ranked prospect. The Braves would be getting significant talent that could be ready within two seasons.
With Freeman locked up until 2021, Seattle wouldn’t have to worry about mortgaging the farm for a rental player. At 26, Freeman is just entering his prime and has already established himself as one of the premiere first basemen in the league. Batting with Cano and Kyle Seager would create a formidable trio in the middle of Seattle’s lineup.
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