Top 10 Trade Targets this Trading Season – Final 5
RP Rex Brothers (HOU) – Possible fits: TBR, CLE, CHW, CIN, SD
Brothers was acquired by the Astros as part of an April attempt to propel the team into contention for a wild card spot. The contending hasn’t happened for the Astros, and thus Brothers along with Romo and Pineda (both also acquired in the buying frenzy), have been placed on the block.
In short, any team in contention would be upgrading their ‘pen by acquiring the lefty, but the teams listed above are particularly short/weak on lefty bullpen options. Brothers is not just a LOOGY and as such, the price to pay for him will be of an elite set-up man, which Brothers has shown throughout his career he can be. He also comes with a few extra years of club control beyond this year which may make him even more intriguing for interested teams.
SS Javier Baez (MIA) – Possible fits: NYY, WAS, NYM, SF
Javy Baez is in the midst of a breakout year at the plate which has been fueled in part by a decrease in whiffs as well as an “overall better approach” scouts remark. More contact means a better batting average, something that he is lacked in his time in the majors prior to this season. He has always possessed the gift of power, and this year it seems he has become a more complete hitter. There is a debate to be had on whether his near .300 batting average is sustainable (probably not), but that doesn’t mean his career isn’t on the up and up.
The Yankees should be one of the first teams to call up the Marlins about Baez. The team is currently riding with a Jose Reyes-Ryan Jackson tandem at short. Reyes is old (and fragile) and Jackson can’t produce with the stick. It would then be logical that the Yanks would at least inquire about Baez, who in that ballpark, would be a sight to behold with his power. Washington, a team rolling with an aging Steve Lombardozzi at short, could also stand to see an upgrade. Baez would make a better double play partner with 2B Kelly Newell, another player who is in the midst of a breakout year. The other teams mentioned I would say have a less of a need to get Baez, but no less they still do. Is Adeiny Hechavarria truly the hitter he showed to be last year with the Giants? Are the Mets willing to wait longer on Gavin Cecchini to fulfill his potential with the stick? A point in time which may never come?
RP Mark Melancon (PIT) – Possible fits: TBR, NYY, CHW, NYM, LAD
A team would want to acquire Melancon for the same reasons as they would if they wanted to acquire Rex Brothers: each are elite back-end bullpen pieces. Obviously, almost all teams in contention would like to get their hands on Melancon, but the teams listed above are particularly needy for a pitcher of Melancon’s type.
Melancon is the best relief option publicly available this trading deadline. Yeah, Brothers will get you more strikeouts, but Melancon isn’t exactly a slouch in that department, not to mention his ability to get grounders and do superior work against both lefties and righties.
1B/DH Daniel Vogelbach (HOU) – Possible fits: KC, CHW, BOS
To me Daniel “Fatty” Vogelbach is a pure DH type, as his nickname so aptly suggests. So for that very reason the teams listed as possible suitors are exclusively American League clubs.
Needless to say, Vogelbach can flat out rake. Over the past two seasons (including this one) Vogelbach has hit .320 versus right handed pitching to go along with primetime power (.225 ISO last season as a Ray). Not only should the teams mentioned above be all over him, but I think any AL club should be pondering on whether to inquire about Vogelbach, even if there isn’t a clear fit. The bat is that good versus righties. Now versus lefties it is a bit of a different story, as Vogelbach only has a career .296 OBP versus southpaws. So, he isn’t exactly a “complete” hitter, but the bat versus right handed pitching is elite, and any team could stand to add that.
RP Addison Reed (TOR) – Possible fits: TBR, NYY, CHW, NYM, LAD
Reed could serve as a fallback option for a team that misses out on the top 2 relievers available this trade deadline, Melancon and Brothers. A Reed acquisition likely won’t come at as much of a premium price as the other two, so a team without as good prospect resources could easily swing a deal for him.
What makes Reed a bit less attractive is the fact that he has the tendency to give up the longball (especially to the lefties) more often than you would like from a closer, but nonetheless he has been durable and has put up good, if not great, numbers.
Honorable mention: What the Braves have. While the Braves General Manager hasn’t made publicly available any of his big names, I would venture to guess that almost all of them are available with the team obviously looking to sell. Those names would likely include Ruben Tejada, Robby Price, Johnny Cueto, and Mike Minor… perhaps others.
