Call to the pen
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5 former MLB All-Stars who could use a change of scenery

By Colton Stewart

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 12: Eric Hosmer #30 of the San Diego Padres removes his batting gloves after flying out to center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 12, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 12: Eric Hosmer #30 of the San Diego Padres removes his batting gloves after flying out to center field against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the eighth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 12, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /
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Sep 12, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin (46) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

#1: Patrick Corbin of the Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals made a big move after the 2018 season to Patrick Corbin which actually worked out great for them as he was a big part of the rotation in 2019, helping them win the World Series.

I dive more into what has happened to Patrick and how he can get back to being a top of the rotation guy in my most recent YouTube video that you can check out here.

Some teams that could be interested in him are the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Braves.

For the Rangers, they really need starting pitching help and if they could get Corbin back to being a top guy, it would help them push for the playoffs much faster. Having a pitcher like Corbin producing like he did in 2018 or 2019 would help give the Rangers a top guy there to lean on. They have already spent a lot of money this offseason though and, if another big name pitcher like Carlos Rodón or Clayton Kershaw also signs, then they would not have the extra money to bring in Corbin.

Chicago is in a similar boat to the Rangers as their rotation is their weak point. My main thought for them was to flip Jason Heyward the no-trade clause would likely put a stop to it. Either way, I still feel like there could be a move here as they do not have a lot of salary on their books. It mainly depends on what direction they Cubs want to go in as they have been retooling.

The Braves already have a pretty strong rotation which could keep them away, but if they add to it with a rebuilt Corbin, it would make them even better. An interesting play would be if the Nationals take Marcell Ozuna in the deal. He makes far less money over the next three seasons in comparison to Corbin and would give them a decent hitter in the lineup to help Juan Soto. However, there is a lot of baggage to take with him. If they don’t move Ozuna and sign Freddie Freeman, Corbin might be too much salary to take.

My wild option would be shipping him to the Mets. Robinson Cano could be moved in return, but he has a no-trade clause which could prevent a deal from happening. Also, no one really knows what Cano when it comes back in 2022 after his PED suspension last year. The Mets could potentially move Carlos Carrasco as a trade for struggling pitchers. Then the Mets would not have to worry about injury the concerns, but would have to deal with the contract difference with more money on the books and a longer contract.

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