The trade deadline is just a few days away and we are surely going to be surprised by some of the names that will change teams. There is always one that you did not expect. But, having said that, there are figures that are going nowhere. There are players too important for their teams that there is not a high enough price.
With that in mind, today we’re going to take a look at each team’s untouchable player, the one your organization can’t live without. Someone who is not going anywhere.
Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
The Blue Jays waited a couple of years for the Dominican to reach his true level. They will never part with it now that the fun has begun.
Orioles: Adley Rutschman, C
Rutschman would also have been the answer two years ago. Imagine what will happen when he debuts in the Major Leagues!
You never know with the Rays, but it seems obvious that they believe they found their cornerstone for the future with the Dominican.
Red Sox: Rafael Devers, 3B
The Dominican will not be eligible for free agency until the end of the 2023 season. He has become the best hitter for one of the best teams of the moment. By the way, he is barely 24 years old.
He looks like the old Cole again, consolidating his place as the most indispensable of the Yankees.
Cleveland: Shane Bieber, RHP
Nothing can ever be ruled out with Cleveland, but Bieber is a Cy Young Award winner and won’t be eligible for free agency until after 2024.
Royals: Salvador Pérez, C
After the contract extension (which is until at least 2025) and another season in which he was called up to the All-Star Game, it seems more and more that Pérez will retire in the Royals.
Mize is the center of a Tigers rotation that the team hopes will bring them back to the top of the division.
Twins: Royce Lewis, SS
In the blink of an eye, it seems like everyone on the team can be changed. And fast. So, we’re going to go here with Minnesota’s top prospect.
White Sox: Luis Robert, OF
When the Cuban returns from the disabled list, we will realize how much we missed him.
Angels: Mike Trout, OF
Yes, the answer is probably still Mike Trout. It has to be that way, right? But certainly, Shohei Ohtani has turned this into a debate.
Athletics: Matt Olson, 1B
The Athletics are one of those teams you can never be sure of, but Olson has become a top-tier hitter and will be under the team’s contractual control for several more years.
Astros: Yordan Alvarez, BD
There are many players to choose from here, but I’m going with the Cuban, who has the combination of youth and excellence to be chosen. Kyle Tucker is another good option.
Mariners: Jarred Kelenic, OF
Kelenic and Julio Rodríguez are the future of the franchise right now. We could choose either one.
Everyone on this team, except for the best Rangers prospect, has to be on the market right now, right?
Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr., OF
The season feels a bit more empty without the Venezuelan in action, don’t you think?
The Marlins are building a roster that has the potential to inspire fear and Bleday will soon be at the top leading the lineup.
What are the Mets without deGrom? Well, they’d probably still be a good team, but either way: DeGrom, injured or not, is the lifeblood of the Mets.
Nationals: Juan Soto, OF
Regardless of the comparisons with Ted Williams, the Dominican will be at the center of everything in Washington for a long time.
Even ignoring the contract, he is the lifeblood of this team. If only he could also play a reliever.
Brewers: Christian Yelich, OF
He’s not the superstar we expected, but he’s still the best hitter on a team that needs as much offense as possible.
Cardinals: Jack Flaherty, RHP
The Cardinals have seen what happens when they lose their ace.
The answer is probably “no one,” but Happ is a young hitter with several years of contract control ahead of him and perhaps the face of the Cubs after this offseason, depending on what ends up happening.
Pirates: Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
It is still the future and the stone on which the Pirates will build their church.
He has played well since he joined the big team and he continues to improve. And unlike teammate Nick Castellanos – who could be out of his contract this winter – Winker will be under contractual control of the club until 2023.
He’s a healthy on-base machine and, without making a lot of noise, one of the best receivers around. (When healthy).
Dodgers: Mookie Betts, OF
Even in a year short of what is expected of him, he is still the most important of the Dodgers.
Giants: Buster Posey, C
Well, they’re not going to change him now that he’s back playing at this level.
Parents: Fernando Tatis Jr., SS
I should be fined for just writing the words “Fernando Tatis Jr.” and “change” in the same sentence.
Rockies: Ryan McMahon, 2B / 3B
Of course he probably would have put Nolan Arenado in this place a year ago, so who knows.
.