10 Underrated MLB Trade Targets Your Team Should Look to Acquire
There's no question about it: Dan Haren isn't Johnny Cueto, and Gerardo Parra isn't Carlos Gomez.
Even though Haren and Parra are far from the most prominent names on the 2015 MLB trade market, they still have the stats that suggest they can make an impact for contending clubs.
Looking around the league, there are all sorts of MLB players who have been getting it done on the field but haven't been generating much buzz on the trade block. The idea behind the following list is to highlight 10 veterans such as Haren and Parra who have been flat-out underestimated during the trade season.
Some of these big leaguers made the cut by simply having played better than expected in 2015. Many of the players on the list ended up here because they've been overshadowed by teammates who have so far been more popular on the trade market. In fact, a couple of Cueto's buddies in Cincinnati are included on the following slides.
Adam Lind, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
1 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $7 million salary in 2015; has a $8 million team option with a $500,000 buyout for 2016
The Underrated Target
With 16 jacks for the Brew Crew, Adam Lind is having a sneaky good 2015.
When it comes to the Milwaukee Brewers masher, Lind's real value is his knack for battering right-handed pitching. This season, he's slugged all of his homers against righties and posted a .551 slugging percentage and a .938 OPS.
As Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe notes, a move to the American League would make sense as Lind could split time at first and in the designated hitter's spot. Lind would also be a strong add for National League clubs like the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates who could use some help at first.
Logical Destinations: Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates
Tyson Ross, SP, San Diego Padres
2 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $5.25 million salary in 2015; can't become a free agent until 2018
The Underrated Target
Tyson Ross stands out as an underrated trade target for a couple of reasons.
The first consideration is that Ross has quietly become a highly effective starter for the San Diego Padres. The right-hander has a 3.45 ERA, which is actually his worst mark in the last three seasons. Plus, he's been piling up punch-outs for the Pads, with a career-best 9.7 K/9 ratio.
Then there's the fact that the starter "is way more than a rental, as he isn't a free agent until 2018," as Jon Heyman of CBS Sports notes. Ross' contract situation makes him a good fit for any contending club looking for rotation help both this season and in the years to come.
Logical Destinations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs
Marlon Byrd, OF, Cincinnati Reds
3 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $8 million salary in 2015; has an $8 million vesting option for 2016 (vests if he gets 550 plate appearances; otherwise becomes a team option)
The Underrated Target
If you're looking for power—and really, what contender isn't?—Marlon Byrd just might be your guy.
The veteran outfielder hasn't hit for a high average in 2015 (.248), but his track record indicates that he'll supply plenty of pop. Byrd has left the yard 16 times in 2015, and he hit 25 bombs a season ago and 24 the year before that.
The 37-year-old, who has been traded four times in his career, also knows all about switching teams on short notice.
"Now when I hear my name, it's like, whatever," Byrd said, via C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "When [general manager] Walt [Jocketty] calls me, when I see Walt's name on my phone or my agent, I'll know."
Byrd should be sure to keep his phone nearby between now and the end of the month, as his pop would be a valuable asset to a whole slew of power-hungry contenders.
Logical Destinations: Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants
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Mike Leake, SP, Cincinnati Reds
4 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $9.78 million salary in 2015
The Underrated Target
Unlike his teammate Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake has never been an All-Star and he's never been a No. 1 pitcher. But what he has been is a remarkably consistent starter for the past three seasons.
The right-hander has posted an ERA of 3.78 or lower in each of the past three campaigns and cracked the 200-innings plateau in 2014. After a wobbly start to the season, Leake has really been raising his trade value as of late. In his past seven starts, Leake has ripped off a 2.74 ERA for the Cincinnati Reds.
With Leake set to hit the free-agent market at season's end, his price tag on the trade front should be relatively reasonable. As a result, there should be no shortage of teams calling the Reds' front office about the 27-year-old.
Logical Destinations: San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals
Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Rockies
5 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $517,500 salary in 2015; can't become a free agent until 2019
The Underrated Target
When it comes to the Colorado Rockies, the trade talk always seems to center on Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki.
Charlie Blackmon doesn't have the same reputation as CarGo and Tulo, but he has a skill set that makes him an intriguing trade piece. Simply put, there aren't a lot of dynamic table-setters like Blackmon in the bigs. The 29-year-old is a menace on the bases (25 steals), hits for a high average (.293) and has respectable power (.466 slugging percentage).
According to ESPN.com's Jim Bowden, Blackmon is a "potential" trade target for the Los Angeles Angels. A move to the Big A would make a ton of sense, as the AL West club could definitely use a lefty bat in its lineup to complement the right-handed-hitting Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
Logical Destinations: Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants
Jake McGee, RP, Tampa Bay Rays
6 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $3.55 million salary in 2015; can't become a free agent until 2018
The Underrated Target
It's puzzling how Jake McGee has managed to cut such a low profile with the Tampa Bay Rays. Just look at his numbers in the past two seasons:
- 2014: 1.89 ERA, 11.4 K/9 ratio
- 2015: 1.14 ERA, 12.2 K/9 ratio
He's also not just a lefty specialist. This season, right-handed hitters haven't stood a chance against McGee, swinging at a clip of .143.
As Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweeted, the Minnesota Twins would be a strong match if Tampa Bay decides to take calls on McGee. The Los Angeles Dodgers, whose bullpen has been suspect outside of Kenley Jansen, could also be a potential landing spot for the reliever.
Logical Destinations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins
Gerardo Parra, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
7 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $6.2 million salary in 2015
The Underrated Target
As far as Milwaukee Brewers outfielders are concerned, Carlos Gomez is the real prize, but Gerardo Parra isn't such a bad consolation option. The Venezuelan, who will be a free agent this winter, has come through in a big way during his contract year. Parra is hitting a career-high .317 with nine home runs for the Brewers.
Parra's ability to play all over the outfield also makes him an ideal option for teams besieged by injuries. The San Francisco Giants, who have had to make do without Hunter Pence and Nori Aoki at various times this season and who have a dangerously thin bench, would be a perfect new home for Parra.
Logical Destinations: Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals
Yovani Gallardo, SP, Texas Rangers
8 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $14 million salary in 2015
The Underrated Target
Yovani Gallardo is having a career year in 2015. The right-hander has asserted himself as the ace of the Texas Rangers' rotation by posting a 3.19 ERA, which is his lowest mark during his nine years in the majors.
According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Gallardo's strong showing has caught the attention of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have spoken with the Rangers about the starter. Since he is set to become a free agent in the offseason, Gallardo figures to be a popular rental option for clubs looking to add some quality innings to their rotations in advance of the playoffs.
Logical Destinations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants
Ben Revere, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
9 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $4.1 million salary in 2015; can't become a free agent until 2018
The Underrated Target
With the Philadelphia Phillies wallowing in last place in the NL East, Ben Revere recognizes that he could be headed out of town at any moment.
"We are in a rebuilding stage with a bunch of young guys and we are trying to get prospects and young talent," Revere said, via Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I am one that can allow the Phillies to get those candidates."
At the same time, Revere is a candidate to help a contender improve its October chances. His most valuable skills are his bat and his wheels.
Over the past four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, the outfielder has never posted an average worse than .294. He's also established himself as one of the premier base stealers in the Senior Circuit, nabbing 40 bases or more in two of the last four campaigns.
Logical Destinations: San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates
Dan Haren, SP, Miami Marlins
10 of 10
Contract Situation: Owed the balance of his $10 million salary in 2015
The Underrated Target
Dan Haren isn't afraid of a little self-deprecation.
During the All-Star break, the starter joked via Twitter: "[Aroldis] Chapman's fastball is about 15 mph harder than mine. That's the same difference between me and Mo'ne Davis."
There might not be much life left on the 34-year-old's heater, but that hasn't stopped him from racking up quality frames for the Miami Marlins in 2015. Haren is sporting a 3.51 ERA for the Fish in 20 starts. As a result, the Marlins have been "fielding calls of interest," per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Now in his 13th season in the major leagues, there's no mistaking Haren for an ace. But thanks to his impressive command (1.8 BB/9), Haren still has the ability to be a No. 3 or No. 4 starter on an October-bound team.
Logical Destinations: Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers
Note: All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts on BaseballProspectus.com.
If you want to talk baseball, find me on Twitter @KarlBuscheck.
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