It’s been six weeks since the trade deadline, and we really miss the buzz and the tension.
But soon another era of great movements will begin. And because it’s never too early to look forward, here’s a look at a lot of names that are going to be ringing this winter.
Byron Buxton, CF, Twins
We’re talking about one of the most electrifying players in the majors, and one of the most prone to injury. Therefore, it is difficult to determine what the value of Buxton would be in the foreign exchange market. But after rejecting an extension with a reported value of $ 80 million, and since he can become a free agent when the 2022 campaign ends, Buxton represents a game changer for a team that Minnesota is trying to decide its future after a 2021 to oblivion.
Josh Hader, LZ, Brewers
Needless to say, how important Hader is to the Brewers. But it also goes without saying what happens to small-market teams when players – especially relievers – get too expensive as the end of their contract control nears. The Brewers have Hader under control for two more years. And given how good he is, the southpaw is going to command a pretty high salary. So while Hader is a critical part of Milwaukee’s ninth, we can’t rule out a change.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, and Wil Myers, RF, Parents
We are going to analyze the situations of these two players at the same time, since the purpose of switching to one or the other would be the same: to reduce the payroll. The Padres are approaching the luxury tax limit. With Myers’ contract coming to an end (he will earn $ 22.5 million guaranteed in 2022, with a team option valued at $ 20 million or a $ 1 million severance) and his solid production between the last two seasons, perhaps all of those. rumors of change will finally materialize. Hosmer’s case is more complicated, as he is owed another $ 60 million over the next four years.
Ketel Marte, CF / 2B, D-backs
The big team has a long way to go to compete again and Mars is under contract control for three more seasons at a fairly reasonable price and, from the point of view of other teams, attractive. Therefore, transferring the Dominican is perhaps the fastest way to hasten the rebuilding process, painful as it may be.
JD Martinez, BD, Red Sox
Martinez once again has the option of exiting what is the final year of his contract with the Red Sox, which is worth $ 19.4 million. If the NL adopts the designated hitter, as expected, he may choose to exit his contract that time. Otherwise, the gunner would be a trade card for a Boston team that might prefer to renew with Kyle Schwarber to serve as BD and outfielder.
Sonny Gray, RHP, Reds
The Reds cut their payroll last winter, and unless Nick Castellanos gets out of his contract (and that looks good possible), they have roughly $ 86 million invested in just six players (Gray included) by 2022. So, it will be interesting to see how they do things this winter. Gray is owed $ 10.2 million in 2022, with a team option for 2023 valued at $ 12 million.
Willson Contreras, C, Cubs
It remains to be seen if the Cubs decide to build around Contreras – one of the few members of the 2006 champion team still with the club – or if the Venezuelan is the next player traded for Chicago’s ninth. Contreras is just 29 years old and under team control only until the end of 2022, so the Cubs once again have an important decision to make.
Whit Merrifield, INF / OF, Royals
The name of this poor boy has been sounding in the rumors of changes for years, and we are sorry to do it again. Merrifield is unlikely to be traded, as Royals general manager Dayton Moore tends to grow fond of his players. But as important as Merrified has been to Kansas City, it can be argued that a rebuilding team should extract value from its veteran players as best it can, and the infielder / outfielder is only under contract control for another two seasons.
Luke Voit, 1B, Yankees
What if the Yankees decide to retain Anthony Rizzo when he becomes a free agent? Voit becomes an exchange token. Lately, the toltero has returned to producing with more power, although in a more limited role since Rizzo arrived from the Cubs by way of change. But the major league home run leader in 2020 would be an attractive trade chip, as he has three more years of refereeing left.
Mitch Haniger, RF, Sailors
For one thing, the Mariners are trying to turn the page and leave rebuilding behind to compete, so switching to one of their best players makes zero sense. On the other hand, Haniger is only a year away from free agency and Jerry Dipoto is known for being able to do just about anything in the exchange market.
Paul DeJong, SS, Cardinals
Let’s first see what San Luis decides to do with so many good shortstops available this winter. DeJong is a good player and could be moved to second, but his record of inconsistency makes it difficult to determine what his worth really is. He’s guaranteed $ 15.3 million for the next two seasons, with team options for 2024 and 2025.
Matt Chapman, 3B, and Matt Olson, 1B, Athletics
The Athletics have several pending arbitration cases – Olson, Chapman, Chris Bassitt, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Tony Kemp, Chad Pinder – and also several impending free agents, such as Mark Canha, Yan Gomes, Venezuelan Yusmeiro Petit, Sergio Romo, Jed Lowrie and others. Putting together a contender team with a tight roster will be tricky, and that could lead them to move one of their stars, something they have done in the past.
Kevin Kiermaier, CF, Rays
We’re listing Kiermaier because, entering his final year under team control, he’s the most obvious piece for the Rays to trade, though the $ 12.2 million owed to him next season could be a downside. But we are talking about the Rays, so anything is possible, literally.
Yermín Mercedes, BD, White Sox
For an impressive month, Mercedes set the baseball world on fire with an unexpected 1,113 OPS. He then went into a slump, was lowered, and ended up so frustrated that he threatened to withdraw. Mercedes is 28 years old and her performance in April was perhaps a good moment and no more. But if relations are not going well between him and the team, perhaps the best thing is a change of air.
Roberto Pérez, C, Cleveland
The rumors surrounding José Ramírez make sense, given the organization’s track record in changing its stars. But with the payroll really low, the chances are that the now Guardians will decide to build the team around Ramirez and perhaps even extend his contract rather than change it. However, they are going to explore changes in areas where they have depth, and that includes catching. Puerto Rican Perez is one of the best defensive receivers in the game, but his bat has grown cold in recent years and he has played only 34 games this season due to a right shoulder injury. Given the demand for receivers around the game, it may be worth exercising the $ 7 million option for Perez and trying to make a switch.
Michael Fulmer, RHP, Tigers
If the Tigers were going to move Fulmer, who has found a new air as a reliever, they probably would have done so in the middle of this season. This organization is gradually overcoming its rebuilding profession and trying to add pieces for the big team. But Fulmer is going into his last round of umpiring, so it’s worth keeping that in mind.
Josh Bell, 1B, Nationals
Bell was one of the few pieces left on the team after the mid-year trade fair. The Nationals could decide to leave him at the club for his final year of refereeing before free agency. But they have considered moving Riley Adams to first base, in which case trading Bell, who has had a solid campaign in Washington, is a possibility.
Didi Gregorius, SS, Jean Segura, 2B or Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Phillies
Gregorius and Segura will be free agents after the 2022 season (the Phillies have an option on Segura’s contract for 2023) and Hoskins will now have his second round of refereeing. Switching to one of them could be a way for the Phillies to clear their payroll and improve what has perhaps been the worst infield in all of baseball this season.
Jorge Mateo, UTL, Orioles
Staff ace John Means, first baseman Trey Mancini and Venezuelan outfielder Anthony Santander are candidates for the trade. But that was also the case on the last deadline … and the Orioles didn’t move them. Dominican Mateo could be an interesting case, however. The Orioles took the former Yankees prospect on waivers and he has given them power and speed while defending various positions. Since it’s under control until 2025, it could be a good token to switch to.
Josh Donaldson, 3B, Twins
Donaldson is a great athlete with an elite track record, albeit heavily impacted by injuries. But he will be 36 years old next season and he is owed $ 43.5 million for the next two seasons, and if the club does not exercise the option of $ 16 million by 2024 they will have to pay him $ 8 million as compensation. So they will not be able to move it without eating a good part of that salary or putting it together with a more attractive piece of change.
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