MLB Trade Speculation: 5 Deals That Are Already Starting to Look Possible
We're only a month into the 2015 MLB regular season, but a handful of potential moves are beginning to take shape around the league.
Injuries, contracts and impending free agency have pushed multiple organizations to the brink of a roster reshuffle.
Adam Wainwright's apparent season-ending injury may have turned the St. Louis Cardinals into buyers on the pitching market. Elsewhere, Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto remain at the forefront of trade speculation. And could Jean Segura be the answer at shortstop for the San Diego Padres?
We'll dive into each of these situations and try to find landing spots for some of the most likely names to be dealt this season.
Here we go!
Aaron Harang to the St. Louis Cardinals
1 of 5
The St. Louis Cardinals may sit atop the National League Central, but the news of Adam Wainwright's potentially season-ending Achilles injury comes as a devastating blow.
Luckily the Cards are blessed with one of the deepest rotations in all of baseball. Lance Lynn, Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez each have an ERA under 2.00, while John Lackey is capable of providing the veteran leadership Wainwright will leave behind.
In the short term, Jaime Garcia or Marco Gonzales could slide into the rotation once they return from their current injuries.
Due to an abundance of talented hurlers, St. Louis won't be involved in a blockbuster deal for Cole Hamels or Johnny Cueto. But adding another veteran on the cheap may be something the defending NL Central champs should consider.
Of the pitchers available on the market, Aaron Harang makes the most sense for St. Louis. The right-hander signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason, making him a cost-effective option for a pitching-needy team.
At 36, Harang is well acquainted with the league. He logged 204.1 innings for the Atlanta Braves last season, posting a 3.57 ERA and fanning over seven per nine in the process. He's picked right up where he left off last year, giving up just four earned runs in his first 26.1 innings in 2015.
Harang was among a bevy of options Bernie Miklasz at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch listed as potential Wainwright replacements.
"But here's one example: RH Aaron Harang, who is off to a great start with Philadelphia, posting a 1.37 ERA in four starts. Last season Harang had a 3.57 ERA and pitched 204 innings for Atlanta. He's certainly viable, but again, it comes down to the trade price. But take a look around; other Harang-types could be had depending on Mozeliak's enthusiasm level.
"
There's no need to mortgage the future for Hamels with so much pitching talent already in the organization. Instead, adding the likes of Harang would provide the Cardinals with a reliable option for a much more manageable cost.
Jason Grilli to the Toronto Blue Jays
2 of 5
The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2015 season with one fatal flaw that could potentially derail its postseason aspirations: a shaky bullpen.
So far, that fear has been confirmed, as the Blue Jays rank 28th in reliever ERA. Toronto's only bright spots have been Roberto Osuna, Miguel Castro and Marco Estrada.
Castro has taken over as the team's closer, saving four games in six chances to start the season. The 20-year-old has electric stuff, including a fastball averaging over 96 mph. But Castro has struggled over his last few outings, raising some concern about his ability to consistently close games.
Despite his recent struggles, his teammates remain high on his tremendous arm talent. Russell Martin told Shi Davadi of Sportsnet.ca:
"Really, I’m not seeing much of a difference. Guys are ready to hit, spring training is over so the time is now. I really don’t have answer for that. Maybe his pitches are getting a little bit more plate than he wants, maybe we have to start using the off-speed a little more, but I still believe he has great stuff and he definitely should keep his chin up and be ready for next time.
"
Castro profiles as a shutdown closer one day, but he is probably better suited as a setup man at this point in his career. Adding a veteran reliever capable of closing games is a necessity for the Jays if they want to truly contend in the AL East.
Fortunately for Toronto, one of those options will likely become available as the season progresses. The Atlanta Braves have committed to a rebuild, and trading closer Jason Grilli makes too much sense.
Grilli has elevated his value by dominating to begin 2015. The right-hander has allowed just one run in seven innings of work, locking down all seven of his save opportunities. Even more impressive are his strikeout totals, which have returned with improved velocity.
Adding Grilli would not only bolster one of the weakest units in the game, but it would allow Castro to develop without the added pressure of being the club's ninth-inning stopper.
Jean Segura to the San Diego Padres
3 of 5
Earlier this month, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the San Diego Padres were in the market for an upgrade at shortstop.
And why not? After an offseason of wheeling and dealing by new general manager A.J. Preller, the Padres have committed to immediately contending in the NL West.
Shortstop is far and away the biggest hole on San Diego's roster. Alexi Amarista has hit just .220 in 16 games, despite a relatively high on-base percentage. Clint Barmes has produced at a high level in his at-bats, but is years removed from his best days.
As far as available options, Starlin Castro of the Chicago Cubs is a name that has been thrown around as potential trade-bait. But with the dumpster fire that is the Milwaukee Brewers, Jean Segura may be easier to acquire.
Segura is in a contract year, and he's returned to his 2013 production so far this season. The 25-year-old is slashing .324/.352/.426 with five RBI. It's still early, but Segura's strikeout totals have also dipped to under 10 percent for the first time in his career.
Dave Cameron at FanGraphs.com believes that the Padres and Brewers are natural trade partners when it comes to Segura:
"Now we might have something. The Brewers look like a team with disaster potential, especially because they lack anything resembling reasonable pitching depth. Segura’s had an up-and-down big league career, but the projections look at the total package and see a roughly average big leaguer, the kind of player that would be a real upgrade for San Diego.
"
This is yet another deal with low-cost, high-reward potential. The Padres would improve their biggest weakness while holding on to any asset of real value.
.png?w=256)
Johnny Cueto to the Los Angeles Dodgers
4 of 5
The Cincinnati Reds and Johnny Cueto seem unlikely to come to an agreement on a contract extension. With Cueto headed toward free agency this winter, Cincinnati should look to turn its ace into an impressive collection of prospects.
Cueto may not get the same fanfare as some of the league's other top hurlers, but he's been one of the most effective arms in baseball over the last few seasons. The 29-year-old has posted a sub-3.00 ERA every year since 2011. That includes a 2.25 mark last season in 243.2 innings of work.
But with Cueto expected to garner a top-dollar contract this winter, Matt Goldman at SB Nation believes the Reds should pull the trigger on a blockbuster move.
"If before the trade deadline in July, the Reds find themselves out of the playoff race, Cueto needs to be traded. They are not a big market team, and won't be able to compete in the free agent market against teams with deep pockets. Cueto is a must watch player every fifth day as he continues to dominate the league. Pitching is a hot commodity these days, and there are likely to be more than a few teams seeking help.
"
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be one of those teams seeking pitching aid. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke will be fine, but questions remain regarding the rest of the staff. Hyun-Jin Ryu has yet to throw a pitch in 2015, while Brandon McCarthy and Brett Anderson have both struggled.
The Dodgers have a World Series-caliber roster, but will need better outings from their rotation to claim the NL West once again. Cueto would provide L.A. with arguably the best starting trio in the big leagues.
Cole Hamels to the Boston Red Sox
5 of 5
Cole Hamels being dealt to the Boston Red Sox seems inevitable. Boston needs an ace to win the AL East and has the resources to appease Philadelphia's lofty demands.
Boston starters are sporting the second-worst ERA in all of baseball. Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly have shown signs of promise, but Justin Masterson, Wade Miley and Rick Porcello have yet to impress at Fenway Park.
Without a true ace, Boston's rotation is a collection of third and fourth starters. While they may have struggled so far, there's plenty of talent on the staff. Adding Hamels to the top of the rotation would allow the rest of the group to pitch in familiar situations.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes that Boston's deep farm system has the assets to acquire Hamels.
"There is talent here and, in some ways, the Red Sox have doubled-down on the talent by signing Miley and Porcello to extensions," Sherman said. "But Boston, with its deep farm system, projects as most likely to make an in-season play for a starter such as Hamels."
We haven't seen the best of Hamels so far in 2015, but he remains one of the premier left-handers in baseball. He's also quite the bargain when you consider the current free-agent climate. While it'll take quite the package to pry him from Philly, Hamels is under contract through 2018, which reduces some of the risk.
Boston's offense is going to produce. If the Red Sox can improve their rotation, we could be looking at one of the best teams in the AL. Cole Hamels could be part of the solution.
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.com.
.png?w=480)
