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MLB rumors: 5 underrated players to watch ahead of the MLB trade deadline

By Justin Girshon |
Jul 18, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (27) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (27) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
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With the MLB trade deadline only a few days away and many teams in a position to fight for a postseason spot, it’s widely expected that this year will be a seller’s market. On Wednesday, the Angels traded their No. 2 and No. 3 prospects in exchange for a starting pitching rental (Lucas Giolito) and a rental reliever (Reynaldo Lopez). Since then, the MLB rumors have just kept coming.

While some teams may be reluctant to give up their top prospects in order to improve at the trade deadline, it doesn’t mean that they’ll be hesitant to trade their major league talent for a player(s) at a different position.

Here are the 5 most underrated MLB players that I think teams should be inquiring about.

Dylan Carlson
66 G, .234/.335/.354 (97 wRC+), 0 DRS, 1 OAA, -0.1 BsR, 0.5 fWAR

Last year, the St. Louis Cardinals were seen by many (including myself) as one of the best landing spots for Juan Soto. Since then, the Cardinals are one of the most disappointing teams in MLB after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Wild Card last October and sitting 11 games under .500 and 11.0 games back in the NL Central.

Because of how poorly they’re playing, it makes a lot of sense for the Cardinals to do some retooling, and Dylan Carlson would make sense to trade. With a plethora of outfield options including Laars Nootbaar, Jordan Walker, Tyler O’Neill, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman and Carlson, it would make sense for St. Louis to trade from its surplus.

Carlson has been solid all in the batter’s box, on the bases and across all three outfield spots, but it seems like he’s the fourth outfielder in St. Louis whereas he should (and would be) an everyday player with a different organization. With 3.5 years of control, Carlson could net the Cardinals a solid return, and of they are presented with a worthy offer, it’s something that could be best for all parties involved.

MLB rumors have these Cardinals on the trade block for St. Louis, and Carlson is on the list.

Potential fits: New York Yankees (rumors about that here), Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies

Jun 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) celebrates his RBI double in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) celebrates his RBI double in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Meyers
2023 stats: .221/.301/.372 (88 wRC+), 4 DRS, 8 OAA, 1.6 BsR, 1.4 fWAR

When the Astros traded Myles Straw in the midst of a breakout season in 2021, Jake Meyers stepped in and played well in limited action, posting 1.1 fWAR in 49 games. In the postseason, he made a tenacious attempt to rob a home run, but he slammed his left shoulder into the wall and the ball went over the fence. Meyers didn’t step foot on the field again until the end of June following offseason surgery.

Coming off the injury, Meyers struggled mightily at the plate (65 wRC+), but he didn’t let his shoulder injury get to him defensively, accumulating 4 DRS and 7 OAA in just 402.2 innings. While Meyers’ bat hasn’t been impressive in 2023 (88 wRC+), everything else about his game is. With 8 OAA and a 93rd percentile speed, Meyers can take over a game with his legs in the field or on the bases.

With the emergence of Chas McCormick, Dusty Baker continuously writing in Corey Julks’ name on the lineup card and the Astros having a weak farm system, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Houston dangles Meyers in trade talks. If he can improve his plate discipline and start lifting the ball more frequently, Meyers can tap into the offensive production he showed as a rookie and throughout the minor leagues.

Potential suitors: Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals

Edward Cabrera
2023 stats: 74.0 IP, 4.74 ERA, 3.94 xERA, 4.60 FIP, 4.13 xFIP, 4.47 SIERA, 0.7 fWAR

By every indication, the Miami Marlins will be buyers at the trade deadline, starting with Thursday’s acquisition of David Robertson from the Mets. However, with their surplus of starting pitching and weak lineup, it would make sense for Miami to dip into in exchange for an offensive upgrade.

Although Cabrera has struggled to a 4.74 ERA this season, there’s a lot to like about him. Cabrera’s five-pitch pitch mix help him keep hitters off balance, as his K%, GB% and average exit velocity against are all amongst the better pitchers in the league. Since making his MLB debut, opposing hitters only have .206 batting average against Cabrera.

However, there’s a big thorn: walks. A pitcher can strike out as many batters as they want, but if their K-BB% is 13.7%, there’s a big underlying problem. In 2022, Cabrera pitched to a 3.03 ERA despite an 11.3 BB%, but his BB% has jumped to 14.3% and his ERA is jumping with the walks. With all of that being said, if Cabrera can get his walk rate to anywhere near league average, he has the potential to be one of the best pitchers in baseball and with him under team control through 2028, the Marlins would net themselves a nice bat and/or prospect capital.

Potential fits: Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers

Jul 9, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) hits a two rbi double against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (62) hits a two rbi double against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

Jonathan Aranda
2023 stats: 4 G, .200/.200/.267 (26 wRC+), 0 DRS, 0 OAA, -0.1 fWAR

In life – no matter the aspect – all anyone needs a chance. Jonathan Aranda is a talented baseball player who hasn’t been given a chance to show what he can do in the big leagues. Despite a 142 wRC+ in Triple-A last year across 465 plate appearances, a 162 wRC+ in Triple-A across 357 plate appearances this season with the ability to play every infield spot and even make spot starts in left field, the Tampa Bay Rays have not given Aranda the chance to prove himself in the majors.

If the Rays aren’t going to play him, they might as well trade him. If Tampa Bay decides to move on, Aranda would be a fantastic addition to any team, whether it’s a rebuild or in hopes of making a deep October run.

Potential fits: Seattle Mariners, Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks

Ramon Urias
2023 stats: 72 G, .251/.319/.383 (96 wRC+), 4 DRS, -3 OAA, 0.9 BsR, 0.7 fWAR

Last year, Ramon Urias won the Gold Glove at third base after posting 14 DRS and 7 OAA. Urias also paired above-average offense (104 wRC+) with his elite defense, making him one of the most underrated players at the hot corner.

However, with the emergence of Orioles prospects Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg on the left side of the infield and the offseason acquisitions of Adam Frazier and Ryan O’Hearn, playing time has been harder to come by in 2023.

While Urias’ offensive and defensive production are both down in 2023, it presents a great buy-low opportunity for teams in need of infield help, and the Orioles should look to flip him for or in a package for starting pitching help.

Potential fits: Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants

Next. Could this team be less aggressive than thought at the trade deadline?. dark

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