MLB Trades: Five bold predictions for the 2020 season
Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades
Colorado Rockies send Jon Gray to the Padres
The San Diego Padres have made their intentions clear that they are looking to take the next step out of their rebuild and begin to compete. They first made this clear when they made one of the biggest splashes of the 2018 offseason by signing Manny Machado to a 10-year/$300 million contract. Paired with their wealth of young talent, they might be closer to contention than some may think.
However, they must address their starting pitching problems. While Chris Paddack and Joey Lucchesi have emerged as formidable starters in their rookie seasons, the Padres’ rotation severely lacks quality, proven major league veterans. They have been connected to about every starting pitcher on the free-agent market, especially San Diego native Stephen Strasburg.
However, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres are not serious contenders for Strasburg or fellow California native Gerrit Cole, who are undoubtedly the top two starters on the market. Apparently the asking price is too high, and general manager A.J. Preller is looking into more economically-friendly options.
Well, there might be another right-handed starter on the trade market that can fit perfectly into the Padres’ offseason plan. That would be 28-year-old Jon Gray of the Colorado Rockies. Gray was one of the names that drew a ton of interest from front office officials during winter meetings. The Rockies severely underperformed in 2019, finishing with 71 wins, while having a franchise-record payroll. Thus, they are looking to unload some of that payroll, and Gray will help them do so.
Gray, a former 3rd-overall pick, has been inconsistent throughout his five-year MLB career. However, he showed signs of his elite talent last year. In 25 starts, he posted a 3.84 ERA with 150 strikeouts in 150 innings. He is owed $5.6 million in 2020 before being eligible for arbitration in 2021. Therefore, he could be a perfect solution for the Padres’ starting pitching woes.
Obviously, the Padres would need to do more with their rotation to become legitimate contenders. But adding Jon Gray is a good, relatively low-cost start.
Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades
Mets address their center field hole by trading for Starling Marte
It is no secret that the Mets are looking to add a quality center fielder this offseason. The Mets’ defense was undoubtedly one of their biggest weak spots in 2019 and must be improved if they want to have a chance to become legitimate contenders in 2020. If GM Broadie Van Wagenen intends on making defense a priority this offseason, there is no better place to start than center field.
The Mets struggled to find consistent play in center last season. Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, and Jeff McNeil all spent plenty of time in the outfield and proved to all be productive offensive players. However, none of them showed the ability to play solid defense in center. Conforto logged 268 innings in center and played unimpressive defense. On the other hand, Juan Lagares took most of the reps in center, and played stellar defense. However, he is a horrendous hitter, which makes him tough to keep in the lineup.
Thankfully for the Mets, the Pirates might have the ideal solution for their center fielding woes. Starling Marte is one of the better five-tool players in the MLB, and it appears now might be the perfect time for the Pirates to trade him. Marte slashed .295/.342/.503 with 23 home runs and 25 stolen bases. The Bucs are in the middle of a complete rebuild, and newly-hired GM Ben Cherington has an opportunity to set the tone by getting a good return for Marte.
His speed, solid defense, and right-handed bat can balance out their left-hand hitting outfield beautifully, and finally provide an answer in center field. He is owed $11.5 million in 2020, which is more than affordable for the Mets. He also has a $2 million buyout option at the end of next season. The Mets-Pirates trade seems like a match made in heaven, so don’t be surprised if Starling Marte ends up playing in the Big Apple next season.
Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades
Cubs hold on to Bryant, send Schwarber to the cross-town White Sox
Unless your name is Javier Baez, nobody is safe on the Chicago Cubs’ roster this offseason. To put it nicely, the Cubs had a disappointing season. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Joe Maddon is out as manager, and David Ross is in. Things are changing for the Cubs, and it is clear that some major MLB trades are in their near future.
Two big names have been floated around in the media as potential blockbuster candidates. Those two are former MVP Kris Bryant and all-star catcher Wilson Contreras. The rumor mill has been exploding for these two, and for good reason. They would both garner a steep price, and some teams might be willing to pay.
However, Bryant’s market might be limited by the presence of Anthony Rendon, Josh Donaldson, and Mike Moustakas on the free-agent market. With a player of his caliber, he would most likely be targeted by true contenders looking to compete for a championship now. With a wealth of third basemen available, contenders might elect to use their money to buy a free agent rather than sacrificing pieces to acquire Bryant.
Contreras could be appealing to any team looking for a catcher, but it is hard to see the Cubs parting ways with him or Bryant just yet.
However, one player who has a reasonable case to be traded is Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber is under contract through the 2020 season until he is eligible for arbitration. He is only owed $8 million, which is attractive for a team looking for a power-hitting left-handed bat. The Chicago White Sox are looking for just that.
The south side Chicago counterparts of the Cubs appear to be in the market for a power-hitting outfielder from the left side. They are equipped with Eloy Jimenez on one corner of the outfield, who they got from the Cubs in the Jose Quintana trade. If the Cubs wish to return the favor and poach some of the White Sox’s young talent, Kyle Schwarber would be a perfect fit. Besides, it always seemed like Schwarber fit better in the American League, where he can spend time as a designated hitter.
Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades
Red Sox ship David Price to the Braves, not Mookie Betts
If you have been remotely following the MLB offseason, you would know that the biggest storyline has been whether or not the Red Sox will trade their superstar outfielder, Mookie Betts. The former MVP has turned down multiple long-term extension offers from the Red Sox in the past. So, with one year of arbitration left before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, many have speculated that the Red Sox will try to move him in order to maximize their return on him.
However, while a trade involving Betts would undoubtedly be the blockbuster trade of the offseason, it is not as simple as some people may think. As I mentioned, he has one year left of arbitration before he hits the free-agent market in 2021. That means any team wishing to trade him would have to pay $28 million for one year of Mookie. His rejection of long-term extensions proves he is intent on hitting free agency, where he could score a contract similar to Bryce Harper.
So, with little leverage, it might be wise for new Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom think of other ways to lighten the Red Sox’ payroll this offseason. One way to start is by off-loading some of their expensive starting pitching. David Price, Chris Sale, and Nathan Eovaldi all have huge contracts could be moved. While all three have failed to remain healthy in recent years, they all still have value.
So which of these expensive starters are most likely to be moved? Well, Sale just recently signed a massive five-year/$145 million extension with the Red Sox. With his recent elbow issues, it is impossible to see any team willing to take on that contract. Eovaldi signed a much cheaper extension, but his injury history makes him a high-risk, medium reward trade candidate.
So that leaves us with David Price. Price’s time with the Red Sox has been very up and down, with some great peaks and ugly valleys. Still, he is under the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history, although that will probably be broken by the likes of Gerrit Cole this offseason. He too, like Sale and Eovaldi, missed significant time this season with injuries. However, the Red Sox could eat a significant part of his contract in order to move him for prospects. He is more likely than Sale and Eovaldi because he is at the end of his massive contract, which makes him more attractive to a team like the Braves, who need a starting pitcher and are already legitimate contenders.
Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades
The Yankees acquire Francisco Lindor in a trade with the Indians
The Yankees already have one of the most lethal offenses the game has ever seen. So, they wouldn’t possibly make a huge splash for another all-star slugger, right? If you believe that, then you clearly don’t know the Yankees. The rich always want to get richer.
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Francisco Lindor is one of the game’s most exciting young talents. The 25-year-old shortstop has already been an all-star four times and won two gold gloves and silver slugger awards. He one of the rare, pure five-tool players in the league, and he has gotten better every year.
He has also been the subject of countless rumors of MLB trades dating back to last season. His contract is expiring, and the Indians will most certainly not be able to pay him the massive contract coming his way when he becomes a free agent in 2022. But the Yankees can.
As the Yankees appear willing to let Didi Gregorius walk in free agency this offseason, they could realistically chase after Lindor now, rather than wait two years for him to hit the market. Lindor would be a significant upgrade over Gregorius, giving the Yankees more power, speed, and a switch-hitting bat at the top of their lineup.
So, who would they give up? One player that comes to mind instantly is Miguel Andujar. The Yankees 24-year-old third baseman finished second in rookie of the year voting in 2018 before missing almost all of 2019 with a torn labrum. He would be a great, MLB proven slugger to take in return for Lindor. Still, the Yankees would have to give up one of their top prospects as well. Starter Deivi Garcia or outfielder Clint Frazier could be included in possible packages for Lindor.
Lindor’s presence would benefit every slugger in the Yankees’ already potent lineup. Yes this would be one of the most difficult MLB trades to pull off on both sides, and it is very unlikely to occur this offseason. The Yankees have other, more pressing issues to address this offseason.
They are in a position to spend a fortune on one of the top starting pitchers on the market. This could hurt their chances of signing Lindor to a long-term deal, especially since they have to pay Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the near future, too.
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However, it is fun to imagine an infield featuring Lindor, D.J. LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Gio Urshela. Opposing pitchers, beware.