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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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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

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