Win-Win Trade Ideas That Can Still Happen This Winter
Many MLB executives had hoped to use free agency to strengthen their respective units before the 2015 season.
However, some of those higher-ups are discovering that the selections on the open market have become quite sparse.
Thankfully, finding a trade partner is a much more reasonable task in MLB than it is in other professional sports. With assets that span over various levels, organizations are well-suited to make a deal with either selling or buying in mind.
For teams like the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants, an offseason move could mean the difference between a playoff run or watching from the couch.
Meanwhile, squads such as the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies can use a preseason deal to better situate themselves in the long term.
The following slides will build off a few hot-stove rumors, with the goal being to formulate a fair and sensible trade for both parties involved. The state of each organization will be taken into account, and each transaction will be made in hopes of appeasing those expectations.
Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section below, as these ideas are more of a blueprint to a potential swap and definitely not a finished product.
Here we go!
Ben Zobrist to the Chicago Cubs
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The trade
Chicago gets: Infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist
Tampa Bay gets: Outfielder Albert Almora and LHP Carson Sands
Why the Cubs should do it
After many years of futility, the Cubs are on the cusp of fielding a team capable of finally ending decades of postseason anguish.
Bolstered by the additions of Jon Lester and Miguel Montero, the Wrigley Field faithful will enter the 2015 season as hopeful as they've been since the Steve Bartman nightmare.
A collection of young, exciting players have either already cracked the big league roster or are waiting on the doorstep. Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo have established themselves as budding stars, Jorge Soler, Javier Baez and Mike Olt made impactful first impressions in 2014, and super prospects Kris Bryant and Addison Russell will likely make their debuts sometime this season.
Oh yeah, and some guy named Joe Maddon is now calling the shots in the Windy City.
With all that young talent, it makes sense for the Cubs to pursue Zobrist. He's a reliable, steady player who can play a variety of different positions. The 33-year-old vet hit .272 in 2014, with 10 homers and 52 RBI. He posted nearly identical walk and strikeout percentages, leading to the 12th-best WAR in the AL.
Zobrist is a really good player, as I mentioned in a recent article. Since his first season as full-time player in 2009, only Miguel Cabrera has posted a higher WAR. When you combine that with his positional versatility, it's no doubt every team could do with Zobrist's services.
Daniel Russell at D Bay Rays believes that the Cubs are a perfect fit for Zobrist due to the abundance of prospects and an ability to resign the switch-hitting veteran. Plus Chicago desperately needs to add a dependable bat to a lineup with so many inexperienced pieces.
Maddon is very familiar with what Zobrist can provide the evolving Cubs. With an army of prospects, the Chicago front office needs to trade from its strength if it's truly serious about immediately contending in the competitive NL Central.
Why the Rays should do it
Let's face it: Trading Zobrist is the only way this situation gets resolved for the Rays. Zobrist is 33 and entering the last year of his deal. Matt Snyder at CBS Sports believes that Tampa re-upping him "feels unlikely" and that trading him this offseason makes "too much sense."
It's no secret that the Rays deal with a marginal payroll each and every season. With Zobrist's career heading toward its final act, the club would be wise to cash in on his jack-of-all-trades reputation. Nick Cafardo at The Boston Globe has reported that the Rays are "said to be asking for at least one top prospect and a mid-level one" in a Zobrist deal.
As mentioned above, the Cubs are loaded in the developmental ranks. But Bryant, Russell and Soler won't be involved in the deal. Theo Epstein may be more willing to listen on Castro, Baez or Olt, but even that would be highly unlikely.
That leaves outfielder Albert Almora as the potential centerpiece in a deal for Zobrist. The 20-year-old was promoted to Double-A this season after performing well at High-A to start the 2014. Almora struggled after his promotion, but still finished with a .270 average, nine homers and 60 RBI.
John Sickels at Minor League Ball ranked Almora as the sixth-best prospect in the Cubs organization, which is still high praise considering the ludicrous depth of the system. Sickels doesn't seem too concerned about Almora's struggles, stating that the outfielder is "still very young" and "draws praise for instincts."
Almora is the high-upside prospect the Rays are looking for in a Zobrist return. Although talented, the Cubs may be more willing to flip the young outfielder for the more immediate impact of Zobrist, especially after a disappointing year at Double-A.
We'll also throw in 19-year-old southpaw Carson Sands, who Sickles believes "has No. 3 starter upside with potential for three big league pitches."
Tampa would receive two potential major leaguers for Zobrist, making the deal a nice bit of business for the small market club.
Evan Gattis to the Baltimore Orioles
2 of 4
The trade
The Orioles get: C/OF Evan Gattis
The Braves get: RHP Hunter Harvey and LHP Stephen Tarpley
Why the Orioles should do it
The Orioles won the AL East last season, leading the league in home runs with 211 round-trippers. That mark was 35 homers higher than the second-place Colorado Rockies.
The main contributor to that gaudy homer total was Nelson Cruz, who left the yard 40 times in 2014. But Cruz signed a four-year, $57 million contract with the Seattle Mariners earlier this winter, leaving a gaping void in the heart of the O's lineup. Chris Davis has become a huge question mark after struggling last year, while longtime outfielder Nick Markakis is heading south to play for the Atlanta Braves.
With other teams in the division making moves to enhance their chances in 2015, the Orioles need to think about dealing for a proven major league run producer before the beginning of the season. Evan Gattis could wind up being that player.
The burly slugger is coming off another impressive power campaign last season. Spending most of his time behind the dish, Gattis hit 22 homers and drove in 52 RBI. That's coming off of a similar season in 2013, where he hit 21 bombs and recorded 65 RBI.
Gattis is an intriguing trade chip. On one hand, he possesses extraordinary right-handed power, a rare commodity in today's game. He's spent time behind the dish and in the outfield, plus he profiles as a prototypical DH. Arguably the biggest advantage of acquiring Gattis is his favorable contract, as he won't hit free agency until 2015.
Flipping the coin, Gattis is already 28. While he's played multiple positions in his brief career, nobody ever said he's done so successfully. As B/R's own Adam Wells points out, Gattis cost the Braves 10 runs in just 342.1 innings while in the outfield last year.
As you can see, it's a mixed bag of endorsements and criticisms for the 6'4", 260-pound lumberjack. But for the Orioles, he would fit perfectly.
His biggest strength is his power, something that would only increase playing half of his games at Camden Yards. There's no reason to think Gattis can't hit 30 homers in that ballpark. He can also stay in the lineup more frequently with the O's, DH'ing (his best "position" going forward anyway), behind the plate, in the outfield or at first base.
Baltimore is aware of Atlanta's desire to obtain young starting pitching, and could get Gattis without having to give away top prospects Kevin Gausman or Dylan Bundy. The Birds would likely have to part with No. 2 prospect Hunter Harvey, but retaining Gattis' services until 2019 would soften that blow immensely.
Why the Braves should do it
For at least 2015, the Braves seem intent on keeping Gattis. New president of baseball operations John Hart recently signed A.J. Pierzynski to split the catching duties with youngster Christian Bethancourt, meaning Gattis is all but assured the starting spot in left field.
If the glaring statistic above wasn't enough to convince you that Gattis has no business playing in the outfield, how about this brutally honesty assessment from Mike Axisa at CBS Sports:
"Both the scouting reports and statistics agree Gattis is a disaster in the field, and that means at catcher, first base and left field. The man was put on this Earth to hit, not field. He's a DH stuck on an NL team, and since the Braves have Freddie Freeman entrenched at first and Bethancourt on the way behind the plate, left field is the only way they can get Gattis' bat in the lineup.
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Atlanta's rebuilding message was nationally broadcast throughout the league with the trades of Jason Heyward and Justin Upton this offseason. Both deals make sense, as each player will be free agents at the end of the 2015 season. Hart seems hell-bent on restructuring the roster, so moving Gattis has to be something he's deeply considering.
He's a DH, and he wont truly reach his peak value until he finds himself on an American League team. It's understandable why the Braves would want to keep a productive player under team control, but if Gattis can return another top pitching prospect, then a move must be made.
As mentioned above, Baltimore is unlikely to part with its pair of fireballers in Gausman and Bundy, but Hunter Harvey may be available in a deal for Gattis. Harvey is the No. 2 prospect in the Orioles organization and 31st overall, according to MLB.com. At just 20, the right-hander would provide the Braves with a prospect with exceptional upside to be in the rotation when the club enters its new stadium in 2017.
Left-handed pitcher Steven Tarpley could also be used to sweeten the deal.
Dan Haren to the San Francisco Giants
3 of 4
The trade
The Giants get: RHP Dan Haren
The Marlins get: Infielder Adam Duvall
Why the Giants should do it
Let's take a look at the state of the pitching staff in San Francisco:
- Madison Bumgarner: Superman
- Jake Peavy: 33 years old, coming off a season where he recorded a 3.73 ERA
- Matt Cain: Missed most of 2014 with an elbow injury
- Tim Hudson: Expected to miss two months after undergoing ankle surgery
- Tim Lincecum: Hasn't posted an ERA lower than 4.37 in the last three seasons
- Yusmeiro Petit: Has started only 19 games over the past two seasons
Sure, in a best-case scenario the Giants are blessed with six options to start ballgames in 2015. But with the Hudson news breaking on the other side of the new year, San Fran could probably use an insurance starter to begin 2015.
Fortunately for the defending champs, a perfect fit is likely available via trade.
According to ESPN Los Angeles' Mark Saxon, Dan Haren is adamant about pitching on the West Coast after being traded to the Miami Marlins earlier this winter. While the Marlins had hoped to convince him that the Atlantic is just as pretty as the Pacific, it seems that the club is resigned to the fact that they will need to deal Haren before the season begins, according to The Associated Press (h/t FoxSports.com).
The last time I checked, San Francisco is on the West Coast. Plus the World Series Champions trump card can't hurt either in terms of alluring potential players. I doubt Haren would scoff too much at a move to the Bay Area.
The thing is, Haren's production is just what the Giants need. He's won nearly 150 games in his MLB career, despite diminishing results in recent years. He finished 2014 with a 4.02 ERA, but ended the season on a high note, going 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA.
B/R's own Anthony Witrado describes Haren as "the kind of undervalued, low-risk trade piece who can help a team over the pitching humps that sprout throughout a six-month season." That sounds perfect for a rotation entering the season with multiple question marks.
San Francisco could likely make a deal with the Marlins without giving up a top prospect.
Why the Marlins should do it
It sounds like Miami is in a lose-lose situation, but really it could be much worse.
The Marlins want to move Haren, but according to the AP (h/t FoxSports.com), he will still be compensated nearly all of his $10 million salary by the Dodgers even if he retires. Plus the main entree in the Haren trade remains the speedy Dee Gordon, who will start at second base for the Marlins in 2015.
Sure the Fish could benefit from the services of Haren, but the club's rotational depth is one of its strengths. Jose Fernandez, Henderson Alvarez, Mat Latos, Jarred Cosart, Tom Koehler, Brad Hand and David Phelps all have major league experience starting games.
Dealing Haren will likely come down to what exactly the Marlins will take back for him. There's no doubt Miami is likely receiving low-ball offers considering the rest of the league is aware of the Haren saga. Still, Haren should return a decent enough prospect.
John Sickles at Minor League Ball thinks the Giants posses "considerable depth in C-plus-type prospects." Miami is probably selecting from that crowded group of players, but Adam Duvall could be an interesting trade candidate.
He's 26 with lots of pop, but his strikeout totals are alarming for a player of his age. He's likely a right-handed bench bat who may be able to carve out a nice career as a pinch hitter, something that would give Miami an instant return for Haren's services.
Duvall's K's and suspect defensive skills also make him an outlier in San Francisco, as the Giants are built around versatile guys with high contact rates. Those factors could make the infielder expendable in a deal for Haren.
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Cole Hamels to the Boston Red Sox
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The trade
The Boston Red Sox get: LHP Cole Hamels
The Philadelphia Phillies get: RHP Joe Kelly and catcher Blake Swihart
Why the Red Sox should do it
I am part of the camp that believes the Phillies need a massive reboot, and the club has started that process this offseason by dealing away Jimmy Rollins and Marlon Byrd.
Yet the most coveted talent the Phils have to offer is Cole Hamels, who seems more likelier to finish his career outside of Philadelphia with each passing day.
Obviously Hamels needs no introduction, as he remains one of baseball's best left-handed hurlers. The southpaw posted a 2.46 ERA and 3.07 FIP in 2014, fanning over eight hitters per nine. Opposing batters could only muster a .231 average against Hamels, while also hitting the ball on the ground over 46 percent of the time.
Hamels would instantly bolster a Red Sox rotation that looks pretty flimsy on paper, after missing out on Jon Lester in free agency. Boston could still move on Max Scherzer or James Shields, but a unit of Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Justin Masterson and Joe Kelly is unlikely to pitch well enough to win the AL East.
Jim Salisbury at CSN Philly believes the Phillies and Red Sox match up well on a potential deal for Hamels:
"The Red Sox, desperate for starting pitching, have long been viewed as the Phillies' best potential trade partner for Hamels and their failure to sign Lester turns up the pressure. The Red Sox have the players to get Hamels, but sources say they are reluctant to trade catcher Blake Swihart, pitcher Henry Owens, outfielder/second baseman Mookie Betts and infielder Xander Bogaerts. According to sources, the Phillies would have to have one of those players to part with Hamels.
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Boston will likely need to give up at least one of those top prospects to convince the Phillies to deal Hamels. Putting Swihart in the deal may not be ideal for the Red Sox, but with Hamels under contract until 2019, it's a risk worth taking.
Why the Phillies should do it
Having one of the best pitchers in baseball under control for four more years isn't exactly a bad position to be in if you're the Phillies. But Philadelphia's best bet is to move the 31-year-old at his peak value with an eye on the future.
The Phillies obviously want a nice reward for Hamels, and they should. But as a National League general manager told Nick Cafardo at The Boston Globe, the club's demands are becoming "more realistic" and that the "team that can offer them prospects and a major league-ready player or pitcher will get him."
The deal would be centered around Blake Swihart, who Salisbury mentions the Phillies being "particularly high on." The 22-year-old catcher progressed up to Triple-A in 2014, hitting .293 with 13 homers and 64 RBI in the process. Swihart's defense has improved dramatically while in the developmental ranks, as he gunned down 42 percent of potential base stealers.
The switch-hitting catcher would be a fantastic get for the Phillies, as he would likely take over the everyday duties behind the plate in 2016.
The Red Sox could also dangle Joe Kelly in a potential Hamels blockbuster. Kelly was dealt to Boston last season, but struggled to find the form he displayed in a breakout 2013. The right-hander failed to log over 100 innings, posting a disappointing 4.20 ERA between St. Louis and Boston.
However, Kelly is still relatively young, and capable of contributing in the major leagues right away. Although nowhere near the talent of Hamels, the Phillies would be OK trotting Kelly out every fifth day if need be.
Boston could throw in another high-upside prospect like the radar-gun-busting Simon Mercedes to sweeten the deal, but the core of the trade would be a great return for Philadelphia. A potential future All-Star at catcher and a MLB-ready arm for Hamels would be a positive move for the club in both the short and long term.
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
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