MLB Trades Teams Should Immediately Consider 1 Week into 2018
You don't see many blockbuster MLB trades go down in April.
However, that doesn't mean that teams aren't already doing their due diligence and laying the groundwork for potential summer deals here in the early stages of the season.
So it's only right that we do the same.
Ahead is a look at five significant trades that teams should already be thinking about, even if the wheels aren't set in motion for a few more months.
These trades will address an early need or an expected long-term issue for five perceived contenders.
Offering a specific return package seemed silly this far removed from when the trades would potentially come to fruition, but this provides an idea of the level of talent it would take to swing a deal.
Brandon McCarthy to the San Francisco Giants
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With a clean bill of health, it looks like Brandon McCarthy is capable of providing some useful innings this season.
The 34-year-old was solid when healthy last season, posting a 3.98 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 92.2 innings.
With one year and $11.5 million left on his contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers shipped him to the Atlanta Braves along with Scott Kazmir, Adrian Gonzalez and Charlie Culberson in exchange for Matt Kemp.
With the Dodgers paying $4.5 million of his salary, he has a chance to be a bargain if he can avoid injury.
McCarthy showed well this spring with a 3.45 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and .193 opponents' average in 15.2 innings to win a rotation spot, and the Braves could eventually look to flip him with several young starters waiting in the wings.
He picked up the win in his Braves debut, allowing six hits and two earned runs in 5.2 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The San Francisco Giants don't have much wiggle room from a salary standpoint. The Braves would likely have to kick in some money to facilitate a trade, but they might be able to snag a mid-level prospect from a team that's desperate for pitching help.
With Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija already on the disabled list and little in the way of organizational depth, McCarthy could prove to be a cheap source of quality innings.
Keon Broxton to the Texas Rangers
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The Texas Rangers might have to look outside its organization for outfield help.
Shin-Soo Choo is no longer a viable option for anything more than spot duty in the outfield. Delino DeShields Jr. suffered a broken hamate bone in his left wrist that will sideline him for four to six weeks.
That leaves Ryan Rua, Drew Robinson and Rule 5 selection Carlos Tocci to man two spots in the outfield alongside right fielder Nomar Mazara.
If they do decide to look into an outside addition, the first call should go to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The offseason additions of Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich have created a logjam in the outfield, cutting into Domingo Santana's playing time and relegating Keon Broxton and Brett Phillips to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Broxton is drawing more trade interest than Santana thanks to his ability to play center field and a minor league option still available.
Broxton, 27, flashed an intriguing mix of power and speed in his first extended action at the MLB level with 20 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 28 attempts.
He'd fill an immediate need in Texas and shouldn't cost more than a mid-level prospect and a lower-level lottery ticket.
Shane Greene to the Los Angeles Dodgers
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The Los Angeles Dodgers made some notable additions to the bullpen this offseason in an effort to replace Brandon Morrow and Tony Watson.
Tom Koehler was signed as a free agent, JT Chargois was claimed off waivers from the Minnesota Twins, and Scott Alexander was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals.
There's potential in that group—along with bounce-back candidate Pedro Baez—but none of them is a lockdown setup option to bridge the gap to closer Kenley Jansen.
Anything short of a World Series title is a disappointment for the Dodgers at this point, so don't be surprised if they move quickly to address any potential needs this season.
Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene could be one potential target.
The 29-year-old posted a 2.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings with nine saves and 14 holds in 71 games last season. He is under team control through the 2020 season.
He might be the most valuable trade chip on the roster besides Michael Fulmer, so the team's asking price will be justifiably high.
That said, a package built around a quality second-tier prospect like right-hander Dustin May or slugging outfielder DJ Peters could be enough for the Tigers to bite.
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Kelvin Herrera to the Seattle Mariners
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Losing David Phelps to Tommy John surgery at the end of March leaves a hole in the Seattle Mariners bullpen.
Edwin Diaz is firmly entrenched in the closer's role, and he's flanked by a pair of solid setup options in Nick Vincent and Juan Nicasio—whom the M's signed to a two-year, $17 million deal in the offseason.
The relief corps could still use another quality setup arm.
Kelvin Herrera was just that for years before being thrust into the closer's role last season.
A two-time All-Star during his time with the Kansas City Royals, Herrera posted a 2.30 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 with 67 holds in 214 appearances from 2014 to 2016.
He struggled a bit last season in taking over for Wade Davis in the ninth inning, converting 26 of 31 save chances with a 4.25 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 64 games.
A return to a setup role and his impending free agency could be enough to spark another All-Star-caliber campaign, and he'd fit nicely in the role that Phelps vacated.
His status as a rental player limits his value. Even with a thin farm system, the Mariners should be able to piece together a package of mid-level prospects to get a deal done.
J.T. Realmuto to the Washington Nationals
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First things first: J.T. Realmuto needs to get healthy.
The 27-year-old is dealing with a lower-back injury and is expected to be sidelined for at least three more weeks, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
Once he's healthy, he'd represent a huge upgrade for the World Series-hungry Washington Nationals.
Veteran Matt Wieters struggled mightily in his Nationals debut last season (63 OPS+, -0.6 WAR) and he recently landed on the disabled list with an oblique strain. That leaves veteran Miguel Montero and glove-first Pedro Severino to man the position.
The Marlins and Nationals discussed a potential Realmuto trade during the offseason, though talks never advanced beyond preliminary discussions as Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports explained:
"The Nats wouldn't part with either of their top two outfield prospects, Victor Robles or Juan Soto, even for J.T. Realmuto, who they were coveting. While they seemed willing to consider shortstop prospect Carter Kieboom or young outfielder Michael Taylor, the Marlins wanted significant other players paired with either of those two, and the Nats didn't want to do that."
If the Nationals can find a way to build a deal with Kieboom or Taylor as the centerpiece, it's a no-brainer. Either player would be a major addition for the rebuilding Marlins.
Expect talks to continue until a deal is struck or the Marlins make it clear that Realmuto is off the table.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.
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