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MLB rumors: An early preview of 10 potential 2023 MLB trade deadline targets

By Jack McKenney

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 30: Marcus Stroman #0 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after retiring the side in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on March 30, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 30: Marcus Stroman #0 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates after retiring the side in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on March 30, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 12: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates with teammates after he hit a walk-off fthree-run home run to defeat the Texas Rangers 9-7 in the bottom of the 10th inning at RingCentral Coliseum on May 12, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MAY 12: Brent Rooker #25 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates with teammates after he hit a walk-off fthree-run home run to defeat the Texas Rangers 9-7 in the bottom of the 10th inning at RingCentral Coliseum on May 12, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

8. Brent Rooker

Who is Brent Rooker? You probably remember him as a solid rookie for the Twins, who quickly fell off after his rookie season. Now on his fourth team, the 28-year-old is finally breaking out in Oakland of all places. Rooker lead the MLB in OPS and homers at the beginning of the season, but has cooled off recently. Currently, Rooker is sitting with a 148 wRC+ in his 235 plate appearances with Oakland this year.

With the A’s clearly still rebuilding, Rooker will be an intriguing piece at this year’s trade deadline, a piece that comes with a few questions being such a unique case. First, what would a package look like for Rooker, who still has several years of team control left on his contract? Though Rooker has had an awesome breakout season, there are rightful questions if he can sustain these awesome numbers. Hitting .217 in his last 30 games, these concerns are fair, but Rooker’s Statcast numbers are really impressive. His 90th percentile ranking in barrel percentage and 84th percentile ranking in hard hit rate prove he’s still hitting the ball very well, making for a tough out with pitchers. Based on his current trajectory, it seems almost imminent that Rooker will be a marquee name at this year’s trade deadline.

7. Aroldis Chapman

After failing to make the ALCS roster for the Yankees this past postseason, it was clear Aroldis Chapman needed a change of scenery. A surprise to many, finding a new home wasn’t all that easy for Chapman. Merely an afterthought over this past offseason, Chapman signed late with Kansas City on a cheap one-year deal. The 35-year-old flamethrower has turned back the clock this season, posting a 2.70 ERA over 23.1 innings of work with 41 strikeouts. While the numbers are impressive, it’s the stuff we’ve seen from Chapman that makes him look like his old self. The electric fastball is back; in fact, his average fastball velocity is the highest it’s been since 2017. Chapman’s fastball is sitting at an average of 99.6 MPH, up 2.1 mph from last season.

With Kansas City looking to sell at the deadline, Chapman is an awesome piece for any team searching for bullpen help. The asking price might be pretty high, as Chapman very well may be the best reliever on the market this offseason. Chapman has voiced his own opinions on a trade, hoping for a reunion with his first big league team, the Cincinnati Reds.

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