MLB Trade Ideas Based on Spring Training Week 3 News, Rumors and Speculation
Soon the exhibitions will cease.
Soon the games will matter.
Soon you won't have to read another article (like this one) about why or why not your team won't compete in 2015.
Soon we will have baseball: real, meaningful, beautiful baseball.
But we're not there yet. And as much as we would all like to be, we still have a little under a month to wait for Opening Day.
So yes, this article is speculative in nature. It's all we can do at this point in the offseason. But much can change over the next few weeks, including the homes of a handful of players capable of changing the fortunes of prospective MLB squads.
Names like Dillon Gee, Andre Ethier and Alex Guerrero could very well be moved in the coming days to needy organizations hoping to fill crucial holes before the season begins. But where might these players end up?
Read on to find out!
Dillon Gee to the Texas Rangers
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The Trade
The Texas Rangers get: Dillon Gee
The New York Mets get: Delino DeShields Jr.
Why it makes sense
The Texas Rangers were dealt a crushing blow to their playoff hopes, as ace Yu Darvish is likely headed for Tommy John surgery, per The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). The Rangers had hoped to bounce back from a 67-95 record in 2014, but the absence of Darvish has put those hopes in serious jeopardy.
And although Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has reported that the Rangers aren't "especially interested" in Gee at the moment, a trade between the two clubs make sense.
The Mets are planning to use Gee in a bullpen role this season, something he has voiced his displeasure about.
Sure, he provides the Mets with some cover in case of injury, but even without Gee, the club is pretty set in the starting pitching department. With Gee's expressed disappointment in his soon-to-be role, the Mets would be wise to ship him to a pitching-needy team before the season begins.
Even before Darvish's injury, the Rangers' rotation was mighty thin. Texas did add Yovani Gallardo in a trade this winter, but Derek Holland's health remains a concern and Colby Lewis is coming off a plus-5.00 ERA from last season.
Heyman mentioned over the weekend that Cliff Lee could be an arm the Rangers might pursue, but he then quickly had to change that opinion after Lee's elbow soreness greatly diminished his value.
The Rangers could also empty the prospect vault in a Cole Hamels blockbuster, but are they going to win the World Series with him on board? I highly doubt it. Gee would provide them with an opportunity to compete in 2015 while also keeping an eye on the future.
The Mets will likely look to add a hitter in return for Gee, and Delino DeShields Jr. gives them a player they can develop in the minor leagues. Son of former speedster Delino Sr., the 22-year-old has flashed pop to go along with his blazing speed.
He's the ninth-ranked prospect in the Rangers' system, according to MLB.com, so Texas wouldn't be breaking the bank to add a reliable starter to a rotation that desperately needs one.
Alex Guerrero to the Kansas City Royals
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The Trade
The Kansas City Royals get: Alex Guerrero
The Los Angeles Dodgers get: Louis Coleman
Why it makes sense
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed infielder Alex Guerrero to a four-year, $28 million contract with quite the catch attached—if Guerrero isn't on the Opening Day roster come April, he can block a move back to the minor leagues.
With Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick slated to get most of the playing time in the middle infield, there is a distinct possibility that Guerrero is left without a place on the 2015 Dodgers.
Guerrero is best known for his offensive prowess, something he showcased while at Triple-A Albuquerque last season. The 28-year-old hit .329 with 15 homers and 148 wRC+. He can mash, so a move to the American League where he can DH would only make him more likely to maneuver his way into the lineup.
The defending AL champions are a team with some infield issues that could use Guerrero's services for the season ahead.
Kansas City is very thin behind its starting infield, and Guerrero would provide the Royals with cover at each infield spot. With the unreliable Kendrys Morales taking over as the club's DH, Guerrero would allow manager Ned Yost to shuffle his infield accordingly in case of another Morales nightmare in 2015.
Omar Infante has entered camp with a bum elbow, and his replacement, Christian Colon, committed multiple errors in a recent spring training game. While Guerrero is still a relatively unknown major league commodity, he would help Kansas City fans sleep better at night.
In return, the Dodgers could obtain bullpen help from one of the better units in baseball. The Royals may not miss right-handed reliever Louis Coleman too much, but his career-3.25 ERA in 148 career games might be able to aid the LA pen.
Andre Ethier to the Toronto Blue Jays
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The Trade
The Toronto Blue Jays get: Andre Ethier
The Los Angeles Dodgers get: Todd Redmond and a prospect
Why it makes sense
The Dodgers have the potential to be very busy in the coming weeks, with both Guerrero and Andre Ethier seemingly unhappy about their potential roles with the team.
While Ethier expects to win a starting spot this spring, he's coming off his worst season as a pro, in which he slashed .249/.322/.370 and posted a wRC+ of under 100. He also continued to struggle against left-handed pitching, which indicates his career path may be headed to more of a platoon role.
The Toronto Blue Jays have assembled one of the most formidable lineups in the game today, but the club's weakness remains its outfield. Jose Bautista will continue to mash, but rookie Dalton Pompey is scheduled to start in center and former Seattle Mariner Michael Saunders is slated to get everyday at-bats for the first time in his career.
Ethier may have slipped in 2014, but he's still a very accomplished outfielder. He's a career .285 hitter with 145 lifetime homers and a career wRC+ of 121. He may not be the offensive force he once was, but he can still produce and contribute to a winning side.
It just doesn't seem like that is going to happen in LA, where the Dodgers are pretty set in terms of outfield options. In Toronto, Ethier wouldn't have to be the focal point of the offense with the likes of Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson on the roster.
And just like with Guerrero, the Dodgers could strengthen their biggest flaw by adding a proven bullpen arm.
The Blue Jays aren't necessarily hoarding late-inning options themselves, but Todd Redmond is likely an expendable piece. The 29-year-old enjoyed his best season in the big leagues last year, posting a 3.24 ERA in 75 innings.
The Jays could also add a sweetener to convince the Dodgers to part ways with their disgruntled slugger.
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
