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

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

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