Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB hot stove: top trade target for each team

By Benjamin Chase

SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JULY 30: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners waits to deliver the pitch in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on July 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /
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MLB hot stove
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Starlin Castro #13 of the Miami Marlins in action against the Philadelphia Phillies during a game at Citizens Bank Park on September 16, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Miami Marlins

When the Miami Marlins began their tear down last offseason, one of the big pieces that needed to move was Giancarlo Stanton‘s contract. The outfielder was coming off of an MVP season, so his value on the field had never been higher, but his contract was such that one executive stated that even with multiple MVPs under his belt, the numbers wouldn’t make sense for over half of the league.

Enter the Yankees, who have never shied away from a contract. The issue – the Yankees did not want to have to fight the luxury tax in 2018, so to get Stanton, the Marlins were going to have to take back a player who was making “some money” rather than just getting a prospect package.

The Marlins did well for themselves in the deal to make Starlin Castro the return of choice. While possibly not the most glamorous of players, Castro has been a consistent hitter throughout his career, posting a career .281 batting average and making 4 All-Star games.

Castro has one more season left on his contract guaranteed along with a 2020 option. Incredibly, he will begin the 2019 season turning 29 and entering his 10th season as a big leaguer.

The free agent second base market will already be interesting enough, but while those players are trying to vie for the few true spots out there, the Marlins could capitalize by moving Castro to a team like the Twins, Angels, A’s, Dodgers, or Red Sox for a package of players.

And you thought I was going to talk about a catcher…

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