Call to the pen
Fansided

5 players you need to trade for on MLB The Show 23

By Justin Lewis

Apr 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jhoan Duran (59) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jhoan Duran (59) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 20: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 20: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 20, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

Adley Rutschman

Catcher, Baltimore Orioles 89 overall

This feels like a no-brainer. You might jump to the conclusion that he is not gettable, but hang in there.

Rutschman is a trade candidate for all the obvious reasons. He is a 25-year-old catcher who is a switch-hitter. His defensive ratings behind the plate combined with his arm strength make him an elite player already.

Start your franchise in Spring Training and you can extend Rutschman immediately. Take the Atlanta Braves approach to contracts. It says that, after arbitration, Rutschman warrants $35 million minimum per year. But, you can actually get him to agree to a 10-year, $180 million deal.

This sounds insane but, in team building, you have to get creative. I was able to poach the catcher for a package of Max Fried, Travis d’Arnaud and a random prospect with C or D potential.

Jhoan Duran

Relief Pitcher, Minnesota Twins 83 overall

The bullpen ratings have been nerfed this year. Guys rated above an 80 are few and far between. The best reliever to go get is none other than Jhoan Duran.

The 6-foot-5, 25-year-old reliever throws absolute gas. When searching for pitching, finding guys whose control rating is 70+ is crucial. Duran is at a 71 and throws the ball up to 103 mph. If you go to Edit Player and change his primary position to a Closing Pitcher, he immediately bumps up two overall rating points.

He’s another guy who can be extended for cheap as his first extension is pre-arbitration and can be done at two years and $1.5 million.

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