MLB: Three All-Star Third Baseman on the Trade Block

As we wait for the MLB offseason to heat up, let’s take a look at three All Star third basemen that could be on the move.

Besides the big free agents signing, the biggest moves of the offseason are All-Star trades. They happen every year. Lance Lynn was sent to the Southside and joined the White Sox. Between all the names on the trade block, a few big moves are bound to happen. It is just a matter of when. The MLB offseason has turned into one big waiting game.

Last offseason, Corey Kluber got sent to the Texas Rangers from the Cleveland Indians. The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired Starling Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates. And, of course, Mookie Betts and David Price were shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers from Boston.

These big moves definitely shaped part of the 2020 season. Betts was a huge reason why the Dodgers won the World Series.

There is one particular position where there are a lot of talk and the possibility of trades, third base. There is a demand throughout the league and a supply is beginning to build. Teams are revisioning their future and others are looking to trim payroll and get rid of lengthy, lucrative contracts.

There are three high caliber third baseman, at the minimum, that could be on the move during the MLB offseason. Here are the All-Star hot corners that could be wearing different uniforms in 2021.

Nolan Arenado

This could go either way. Some MLB executives think Nolan Arenado is definitely on the move and some believe that he will not go anywhere and will remain a member of the Rockies.

Arenado, 29, is owed $199 million over the next six seasons. He is their franchise and is a complete stud. The five-star All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove award being traded would have a huge impact across the major leagues.

He is a four-time Silver Slugger and is arguably on his way to Cooperstown. Arenado is most likely the best third baseman in the league, both offensively and defensively. He is elite in the field and has consistent power from the right side of the plate. He would be the best bat in almost any lineup in the league.

Since his extension was so large and he is due a lot of money, a straight-up deal might be too complicated to pull off. It might involve dumping his salary and take a player of a lower caliber.

There is a catch. Arenado has a player option for this season, where he would have to sign up for five more seasons. He could decide to become a free agent and then chase either as much money as he can get or look to join a contender and chase a championship.

Arenado could remain on the trade block until July. It all depends what Colorado wants to do. The Rockies have not been doing well and might want to cut back on expenses by getting rid of his salary.

Eugenio Suarez

Eugenio Suarez was an All-Star in 2018, is on a long extension, but Cincinnati is looking to trim their payroll and unload some of their contracts.

The Reds already got rid of Rasiel Iglesias and his salary by trading him to the Los Angeles Angels. They have Sonny Gray, Suarez, and Mike Moustakas to possibly trade if they want to decrease their payroll for the 2021 MLB season. They are going to lose their Cy Young in Trevor Bauer and they realize that their possibility to contend is not very likely.

He hit 15 home runs in 57 games in 2020, but he slugged 49 in 159 games in 2019. The downside is that he led the league in strikeouts in 2019, with 189 K’s. He Has a career .815 OPS. He will be 29 at the beginning of next season and could have plenty to have. However, he will come at a cost.

Suarez is due $43.5 million through 2024 and has a $15 million player option for the 2025 season. Teams might not be willing to give up much talent if they were to take on his contract.

The slugger could be a big difference maker for a team looking to add a third baseman.