1 Trade Fix for Each 2016 MLB Contender's Biggest Weakness Entering May
As the 2016 Major League Baseball season makes ready for the month of May, teams have a better idea of what they have and don't have than they did exiting spring training.
And though it may be early, it's never too early for contenders to start thinking about how to fix the "don't have" part.
Let's help them out by diagnosing one logical trade fix for each contender's biggest weakness. All the season's early parity means that's a long list to cover, but we can be practical. While the struggling Houston Astros are most certainly a contender, kinda-sorta respectable rebuilders like the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies aren't realistically contending in 2016.
Another word of warning is that the same trade targets can make sense for more than one team. As such, you can expect a few repeats.
Going in order from worst record to best record, let's take it away.
Houston Astros: Tyson Ross
1 of 22
Record: 6-15
The Need: Starting Pitcher
How bad has Houston's pitching been? Well, not even its lineup's .738 OPS has been able to make up for it. Astros starting pitchers have been especially bad with a 5.30 ERA, and even the pending return of Lance McCullers isn't guaranteed to solve everything.
It'll take more than just one additional power pitcher to boost the low velocity and low strikeout numbers that are dragging down Houston's rotation. What would be even better is if another power pitcher could also satisfy Houston's liking for soft contact. Hence...
The Fix: Tyson Ross
Ross is just what the Astros need. The San Diego Padres right-hander used a power sinker and hard slider to strike out over a batter per inning across 2014 and 2015, posting a 3.03 ERA in the process. To boot, his sinker allows him to also specialize in both ground balls and soft contact.
The big complication at this juncture is that Ross is on the disabled list with a bad shoulder. But the good news is that he doesn't need surgery, meaning he could return in a couple of weeks and be up to speed by the July 31 trade deadline. If so, the Astros would be wise to go get him.
New York Yankees: Andrew Cashner
2 of 22
Record: 8-11
The Need: Starting Pitcher
The Yankees have some soft spots in their lineup, but they're probably going to hit in the long run. It's harder to have faith in their starting rotation, which has combined for a 5.16 ERA.
The Yankees probably have enough prospect depth to land one of the top starters on the market, but their recent history suggests they'd rather not part with any of their bluest chips. It's also a good guess they're not looking to take on another bloated contract.
This likely takes the Yankees out of the market for San Diego right-handers Ross or James Shields. But they could go for...
The Fix: Andrew Cashner
Andrew Cashner is a hard thrower with a pattern of underachieving, which may sound like the last thing the Yankees want to add to a rotation that already has Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi. But since he's been a better strikeout artist than Eovaldi and a better ground-ball pitcher than Pineda, Cashner is arguably a happy medium between the two.
He should also fit in the Yankees' price range. The Padres will want as much as they can get for Cashner, but his up and down past and upcoming free agency don't help their leverage.
Toronto Blue Jays: Trevor Plouffe
3 of 22
Record: 10-12
The Need: First Baseman
The Blue Jays lost one of the more reliable bats from their 2015 offense when Chris Colabello was hit with an 80-game suspension last week. And though Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that they don't plan on seeking outside help, further exposure to Justin Smoak at first base could change their minds.
A perfect stand-in for Colabello is a hitter who not only swings from the right side, but who also has the versatility to play first base and wherever else the Blue Jays might need him. Survey says...
The Fix: Trevor Plouffe
Trevor Plouffe isn't as good as his current .868 OPS. But as his .738 OPS between 2012 and 2015 can vouch, he's at least a solid hitter. And in addition to third base, he's also played first base, second base, left field, right field and even some shortstop for the Minnesota Twins.
As such, Plouffe could be of use to the Blue Jays even after Colabello returns later in the season. He's also a guy who shouldn't come with a big prospect price tag, which should suit a Blue Jays team that has bled the farm system dry in the last couple years.
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Detroit Tigers: James Shields
4 of 22
Record: 9-10
The Need: Starting Pitcher
The Tigers have ongoing issues with their bullpen, but Lynn Henning of the Detroit News was right when he wrote that their starting pitching has been "all over the place." Only Jordan Zimmermann has been reliable. Oddly enough, he's also the only starter the Tigers have who's a good pitcher still in his prime.
With a farm system that Baseball America rates as one of the five worst in baseball, the Tigers' best hope involves spending more of team owner Mike Ilitch's money. If there's an obvious target for them, it's...
The Fix: James Shields
Things aren't getting better for Shields after a rough debut season in San Diego last year. He's put up a solid 3.55 ERA in five starts, sure, but his velocity and ability to strike out hitters are still going south. That won't make it easy for the Padres to move the remainder of the veteran's $75 million contract.
But every indication is that Ilitch doesn't care how much he's being asked to spend if he thinks a player can help. And if Shields were to be energized by a move to a contending team, he could help. It may be a long shot, but the Tigers don't have much left to lose at this point.
Los Angeles Angels: Jay Bruce
5 of 22
Record: 10-11
The Need: Offense
With the American League's lowest OPS at .646, the Angels sorely need an impact bat. Ideally, said impact bat would be a left-handed power hitter who could complement Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, and who could also fit in their outfield.
The Angels' choices are limited by a farm system that ESPN.com's Keith Law wrote is "by far the worst system I've ever seen" in eight years on the job. But if club owner Arte Moreno can bring himself to stop being so thrifty, the Angels could get...
The Fix: Jay Bruce
Following down years in 2014 and 2015, Jay Bruce is doing the Cincinnati Reds a favor by starting out 2016 with an .820 OPS. For the rebuilding Reds, his trade value is creeping upward.
The Angels' best hope of landing Bruce is offering to take on the rest of the $13.5 million that he's still owed, which would lower Cincinnati's asking price in terms of prospects. And that could be that. Convincing Kole Calhoun to move from right field to left field in order to accommodate Bruce hopefully wouldn't be a problem, as that's something he's been open to in the past.
San Francisco Giants: Ricky Nolasco
6 of 22
Record: 11-11
The Need: Starting Pitcher
It seems like the Giants lineup is having trouble coming together, but that's not the main concern. A much bigger problem is the back end of their rotation, where Jake Peavy and Matt Cain are already dragging everyone else down.
Trouble is, the Giants probably don't have any interest in sending prospects elsewhere within the NL West to land Ross or Cashner. Besides, it's more like them to make an upside play on a veteran. So though this feels a bit like a reach, here goes...
The Fix: Ricky Nolasco
Ricky Nolasco was terrible in his first two seasons with the Minnesota, no doubt about that. But Twins manager Paul Molitor may have been right when he remarked to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Nolasco had "something going on" when he arrived in spring training. He's looked good in his first four starts, posting a 3.25 ERA marked by better velocity and more aggressive use of his slider.
Nolasco was on San Francisco's radar a couple winters ago, and he looks like a good fit for the club now. If the team is willing to pick up the bulk of the $25 million he's still owed, he could be theirs.
Tampa Bay Rays: Jonathan Lucroy
7 of 22
Record: 10-10
The Need: Catcher
A Rays offense that has mustered just a .686 OPS could use upgrades at multiple positions. But catcher stands out as the most pressing need. The offensive struggles of Rays catchers go back to last season, and the names Hank Conger and Curt Casali don't inspire confidence in a turnaround.
With a farm system that Baseball America rates at No. 13, the Rays should have enough young talent to pull off an impact deal. The money will need to be right for them, though, which leads us to...
The Fix: Jonathan Lucroy
With a $4 million salary this year and just a $5.25 million option for 2017, Jonathan Lucroy's contract is notoriously club-friendly. And though his partial no-trade clause presents a complication, getting him to waive it could be as easy as guaranteeing his 2017 option or extending him for another year on top of it.
Whatever the case, he's conceivably in the Rays' price range. And despite the fact that Lucroy's bat isn't what it used to be, even the modest .667 OPS he has so far in 2016 is music to the ears of a Rays team that's had to endure far worse from its catchers.
Cleveland Indians: Nick Markakis
8 of 22
Record: 9-9
The Need: Outfielder/Leadoff Hitter
For a team that seemed desperate to land an impact bat over the winter, Cleveland is actually enjoying some decent offense early on. Its .718 OPS ranks sixth in the American League.
Even still, they arguably need another outfielder, and they desperately need a stable leadoff hitter. Their leadoff spot has produced a sub-.300 OBP, and nobody seems to think Carlos Santana is a real solution to the problem. A guy who could be, though, is...
The Fix: Nick Markakis
Nick Markakis owns a .360 career OBP, and has only gotten better at getting on base recently with a .370 OBP last year and a .391 OBP so far in 2016. His power has all but disappeared, sure, but we'll let Cleveland general manager Mike Chernoff remind us what really matters in the leadoff spot.
"The most important thing in a leadoff guy is a guy that gets on base," Chernoff said recently, via Zack Meisel of the Plain Dealer.
The complication is that Markakis is only in the second year of a four-year, $44 million contract with the Braves. But if Cleveland is serious about winning now, it could sweeten the deal with enough young talent to get the Braves to eat some of that.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Jon Jay
9 of 22
Record: 11-11
The Need: Center Fielder
The Diamondbacks' starting pitching continues to be snakebit, but it bodes well that Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller have been their two worst pitchers. Things will be much better once they come around.
However, patience isn't going to fix center field. A.J. Pollock could be out for the year. Chris Owings isn't hitting. Socrates Brito is already back in the minors. All these things point toward the Diamondbacks needing a quick fix in center field, which points the arrow toward...
The Fix: Jon Jay
Getting Ender Inciarte back from the Atlanta Braves would be ideal, but it's an idea that's probably too good to be true. In lieu of that, Jon Jay will have to suffice.
Jay is no longer the .300 hitter he was in his best days with the St. Louis Cardinals, but he generally features enough contact and patience to get on base at a solid clip. He's also a halfway decent defender in center field. And because he's a free agent at the end of the year, he should be A) easy to pry from the Padres and B) won't be around to clog Arizona's roster when Pollock gets healthy.
Texas Rangers: Jonathan Lucroy
10 of 22
Record: 11-10
The Need: Catcher
The Rangers bullpen has been a problem, but the talent involved allows for optimism that it'll turn things around. The same goes for most of their lineup, save for one spot: catcher.
That spot was in need of an upgrade even before Robinson Chirinos broke his arm, so suffice it to say it's graduated from "soft spot" to "Texas-sized red flag." With the resources the Rangers have both in their farm system and in their bank account, they could easily fix it by trading for...
The Fix: Jonathan Lucroy
Lucroy almost seems like too obvious a choice, but that's OK. He sounded like a good fit for the Rangers while he was on the trading block over the winter. And as soon as Chirinos went down, Dayn Perry of CBS Sports was the first to remind everyone that Lucroy is still a great fit for the Rangers.
Like with the Rays, even Lucroy's modest offensive numbers would be an upgrade for the Rangers, whose catchers aren't as solid as their .689 OPS suggests. And though the price to get him will be high, the injury to Chirinos is one more reason why the Rangers should pay it.
Oakland Athletics: Trevor Plouffe
11 of 22
Record: 11-10
The Need: Offense
Skepticism over Oakland's respectable start isn't entirely unwarranted, but it hasn't happened entirely by accident. With good pitching in place, the A's could actually keep their momentum if they add a strong bat to an offense that's produced just a .665 OPS.
The injury to Danny Valencia and the early struggles of Yonder Alonso, Billy Butler and Mark Canha paint a pretty clear picture of what the A's need: a guy who has a good bat who can play pretty much anywhere. You know, a guy like...
The Fix: Trevor Plouffe
Plouffe is an even better fit for the A's than he is for the Blue Jays. Whereas Toronto really only needs him at first base, the A's could use him as a platoon partner at first base and right field or possibly as an everyday third baseman. The A's also need Plouffe's bat more than the power-laden Blue Jays.
And though Plouffe is making $7.25 million this year before another round of arbitration next year, that's not necessarily a deal breaker. Billy Beane could get a good return for him by flipping him this winter, when the free-agent market will be short on bats.
Seattle Mariners: Andrew Cashner
12 of 22
Record: 11-9
The Need: Starting Pitcher
The Mariners offense has been a mixed bag early on, leading to just a .700 OPS. But if Kyle Seager, Adam Lind and Nori Aoki eventually live up to their track records, that problem will fix itself.
The Mariners should be more worried about the back end of their rotation, which isn't being helped much by Wade Miley and Nate Karns. The ideal upgrade is a second power arm to pair with early breakout star Taijuan Walker, which points us to...
The Fix: Andrew Cashner
Cashner's mid-90s velocity would be a nice addition to a Mariners rotation that's toward the bottom of the league in average fastball velocity. And though he's once again underperforming his peripherals with a 4.29 ERA in four starts, simply moving from the Padres to the Mariners could fix that. Per Baseball Prospectus, Cashner would be exchanging a bottom-five defense for a top-10 defense.
Acquiring Cashner would require some creativity, as the Padres may not see much to like in a Mariners farm system that Baseball America ranks at No. 28. But if new Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto proved anything in a busy offseason, it's that he can handle creativity.
St. Louis Cardinals: Chris Carter
13 of 22
Record: 11-9
The Need: First Base
Though the Cardinals' starting pitching hasn't been foolproof, they can sit back and wait for Adam Wainwright and Mike Leake to come around. In the meantime, they can enjoy a strong bullpen and an offense that's produced the majors' best OPS at .861.
First base is one area the Cardinals could upgrade, though. Matt Adams seems to have outlasted his usefulness, and Brandon Moss needed a four-hit outburst on Tuesday to raise his OBP above .300. The Cardinals would be better off if the latter had a platoon partner like...
The Fix: Chris Carter
Chris Carter is off to a tremendous start with a 1.040 OPS and 14 extra-base hits in 19 games. And even if he doesn't sustain that (and he won't), he'll always have lots of power and career splits that make him a natural fit for platoon duty.
The Cardinals would have to trade within the NL Central to get Carter from the Milwaukee Brewers, which is always a tricky proposition. But as a one-dimensional player who's only controlled for this season, the Cardinals likely wouldn't have to part with anything they'd soon be missing in order to acquire him.
Boston Red Sox: Tyson Ross
14 of 22
Record: 11-9
The Need: Starting Pitcher
The Red Sox's starting pitching was supposed to be better this season, but manager John Farrell couldn't even make it two weeks before venting his frustration.
"The job of a starter is going to require two, three times through the order, and that's going to require a mixture of pitches and consistent execution," he said in mid-April, via Ian Browne of MLB.com. "The execution has got to improve."
The 4.92 ERA that Boston has gotten out of its starters reflects how things have continued to be rocky. A significant fix is needed, which is why the Red Sox need...
The Fix: Tyson Ross
Ross is more of a No. 2 starter than a true ace, but that's OK. With David Price atop the Red Sox's rotation, a solid No. 2 is all they need. And with his ability to miss bats and get ground balls, a move to Fenway Park likely wouldn't hurt Ross too much.
In light of Joe Kelly's shoulder injury and Clay Buchholz's extensive history with injuries, Ross' current status likely has the Red Sox keeping a wide berth for now. But by the time he comes back, they could be desperate enough to dip into their deep farm system and make a deal.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jhoulys Chacin
15 of 22
Record: 12-9
The Need: Starting Pitcher
Andrew McCutchen was the only weak link in Pittsburgh's offense heading into Tuesday, but he took care of that with a three-homer outburst in Colorado. And though things have been rocky so far, it's too early to worry about a Pirates bullpen that had the best ERA in baseball last year.
Pittsburgh's rotation is another story. It's been rocky outside of Gerrit Cole, and Juan Nicasio, Jon Niese and Jeff Locke don't have the most encouraging track records. It may already be time for the Pirates to weigh making a characteristically crafty trade for...
The Fix: Jhoulys Chacin
From looking at how Jhoulys Chacin is pitching this season, you'd swear he was already on the Pirates. Brooks Baseball can show he's fallen in love with his sinker, and has become more of a ground-ball pitcher as a result. These things alone should appeal to a Pirates team that loves sinkers and ground balls.
What should also appeal to the Pirates is that Chacin is very much in their price range. As a reclamation project who the Braves picked up on the cheap, he's not an expensive trade chip. Dealing for him wouldn't require the Pirates to empty their farm system or their wallet.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Glen Perkins
16 of 22
Record: 12-9
The Need: Relief Pitcher
The Dodgers have more than enough lineup depth, and the passing of time and the healing of injuries will eventually equip them with plenty of starting pitching depth.
But their bullpen? Not as much. Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times characterized it as the "ship's biggest leak," and it's not hard to spot the biggest flaw. Kenley Jansen is an outstanding closer, but the search for at least one reliable setup man is ongoing. They should try their luck with...
The Fix: Glen Perkins
Glen Perkins has been one of the league's more reliable closers over the last three seasons, posting a 3.08 ERA with a 5.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. And though he's losing velocity, his trusty slider and ability to fill up the strike zone make him a safe bet to overcome that.
Because it's far too unpredictable outside of Jansen, a "safe" reliever is just what the Dodgers bullpen needs in general. Provided that Perkins recovers well from a left shoulder injury, bringing in a tried-and-true reliever like him could give the Dodgers bullpen exactly the kind of setup man it's been missing.
Baltimore Orioles: Andrew Cashner
17 of 22
Record: 11-8
The Need: Starting Pitcher
As expected, the Orioles are hitting the ball just fine. They lead the American League with a .784 OPS, and things are only going to get better once Adam Jones starts hitting.
But also as expected, pitching the ball has been a struggle for Orioles starters. Their rotation has a 5.09 ERA, and is already down a man with Yovani Gallardo on the disabled list. To patch things up, the O's need somebody solid who could survive amid the tiny dimensions of Orioles Park at Camden Yards...
The Fix: Andrew Cashner
This is telling the Orioles something they may already know, as Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reported they were interested in trading for Cashner ahead of spring training.
They should be quick to renew their interest. Cashner's power stuff would be a welcome addition to an O's rotation that generally struggles to strike hitters out. That, plus his ability to get ground balls, would hypothetically allow him to make a smooth transition from Petco Park to OPACY.
The only problem? With it already ranked at No. 27 by Baseball America, trading for Cashner would further wreck Baltimore's diminished farm system. After trading for Cashner, it would be playoffs or bust.
Kansas City Royals: Jeremy Hellickson
18 of 22
Record: 12-8
The Need: Starting Pitcher
If you can pardon a bad pun, the Royals offense has been hit or miss early in 2016. They especially need a boost in the leadoff spot, where the club's OBP is under .300.
However, the Royals aren't the kind of team that will hit the opposition to death anyway. They're more about pitching and defense, and one of those departments needs a boost. Chris Young and Kris Medlen are both struggling with ERAs over 6.00 at the back end of the Royals rotation.
One guy who might fix that is...
The Fix: Jeremy Hellickson
Despite what his 5.21 ERA may say, Jeremy Hellickson is showing signs of life for the Philadelphia Phillies. He's picking up plenty of whiffs and striking out more than a batter per inning, and he's walked only three batters in 19 innings.
One of Hellickson's problems is that he's also a fly-ball pitcher, which is not a good thing to be at Citizens Bank Park. On the contrary, it's a very good thing to be at Kauffman Stadium. That, plus what's surely a modest price tag, should have the Royals giving the Phillies a call in the near future.
New York Mets: Adam Rosales
19 of 22
Record: 12-7
The Need: Infield Depth
Travis d'Arnaud's slow start and subsequent shoulder injury are solid reasons for the Mets to seek a catching upgrade, but actually finding one isn't necessary. Kevin Plawecki and Rene Rivera can take good care of the Mets pitching staff, one that's good enough. With so many talented hitters up and down their lineup, the Mets don't need them to hit.
With the least efficient defense in baseball, what the Mets really need is more defense. Specifically, they could use a solid late-inning defensive replacement for their infield to mirror Juan Lagares in their outfield. Among the options, perhaps the best is...
The Fix: Adam Rosales
Adam Rosales' business card probably reads: "Have glove for all positions, will travel." In particular, he's one of not very many players who can play all four infield positions, and do a decent job at it to boot.
With creds like that, Rosales would be a good pickup as a defensive replacement for David Wright, Asdrubal Cabrera, Neil Walker or Lucas Duda. He shouldn't be hard to get either, as he's the kind of player the Padres will probably be happy to get anything for.
Chicago White Sox: Carlos Gonzalez
20 of 22
Record: 15-6
The Need: Outfielder
The upstart White Sox have gotten some excellent pitching early on in 2016. But though they're getting some good individual performances from their offense, its overall .682 OPS ranks toward the bottom in the American League.
What could fix that is a good left-handed power bat to go with Jose Abreu and Todd Frazier. Ideally, this power bat would fit in the outfield. And the way things are going, the White Sox might as well shoot for the moon with...
The Fix: Carlos Gonzalez
Carlos Gonzalez's stardom has rebounded in impressive fashion after tiptoeing onto thin ice back in 2014. He OPS'd .864 with 40 homers last year, and has picked up where he left off with a .923 OPS and four homers in 2016.
Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago mentioned Gonzalez as a possible target for the White Sox during spring training. The idea is even more logical now, as Adam LaRoche's sudden retirement gives the White Sox some extra room to take on the roughly $37 million remaining on Gonzalez's contract with the Colorado Rockies. If they do that, they won't have to pay too high of a prospect price in a deal.
Washington Nationals: Rusney Castillo
21 of 22
Record: 14-5
The Need: Center Field
With their starting rotation and bullpen both contributing to a National League-best 2.24 ERA, all the Nationals need is to flesh out an offense that's relying too heavily on Bryce Harper.
Upgrading at shortstop and in the leadoff spot is the best way to do that, but the Nationals could just as easily turn to top prospect Trea Turner as they could to the trade market. A trickier need is in center field, where Ben Revere is on the disabled list and Michael A. Taylor is still struggling to hit.
Usual suspect Jon Jay isn't the worst idea, but let's try something a little bolder...
The Fix: Rusney Castillo
Rusney Castillo has fallen out of favor in Boston, where he's mostly been a disappointment for the Red Sox after signing a $72.5 million contract in 2014. This makes him a classic change of scenery candidate.
A move to the Nationals could do the trick. Castillo would be able to platoon with Revere, which his career .791 OPS against left-handers suggests could be very advantageous for the Nationals. They would also get good defense, as Castillo has rated as an easily above-average defender in the outfield.
The biggest hurdle is obviously Castillo's contract. But at the rate he's going, the Nationals could probably talk the Red Sox into eating some of it to complete a trade.
Chicago Cubs: Jon Jay
22 of 22
Record: 15-5
The Need: Outfielder
With offense, pitching and defense that all rank among the best in baseball, the Cubs don't really have any major weaknesses. It's almost as if they're designed to be the team that finally ends a 108-year championship drought.
The Cubs did lose a pretty big piece when Kyle Schwarber was lost for the season, though, and Jorge Soler isn't making the most of his opportunity to replace him in left field. Finding a good lefty-hitting outfielder to platoon with him is the least the Cubs can do, and that brings us back to...
The Fix: Jon Jay
Though Jay could cut it as an everyday center fielder for the Diamondbacks, he fits better as a platoon left fielder for the Cubs. Left field is a better place for his 31-year-old legs, and he's traditionally at his best when he's facing right-handed pitching.
Such would be his role on the Cubs, who we know full well don't have any issues taking on former Cardinals. And with Jay due for free agency at the end of the year, he'd be out of the way by the time Schwarber returns.
Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted/linked.
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