Top 10 Trade Targets this Trading Season – First 5
3B Mike Moustakas (COL) – Possible fits: KC, CHW, SF
The Colorado front office has made it known loud and clear that the third baseman is on the block. However if the Rockies stay hot and continue to win games, they may need to reverse their approach and think about holding onto their best performer. But with the dismal state of their pitching staff this notion of a surge in the standings may be a bit far-fetched.
The Royals would be an ideal fit for the three sacker. In the competitive AL Central acquiring Moose may be just enough to separate them from the pack. Elsewhere in the Central the Sox, who have Junior Lake entrenched as their everyday 3B, most certainly could stand to see an upgrade. The Giants already have a decent 3B option in Jordan Steranka, but bringing Moose into the fold would certainly not bring opposition among Giants fans.
OF Carlos Gonzalez (MIA) – Possible fits: SD, PHI, CLE
Carlos Gonzalez does not fit into the short term nor long term plans of the current Miami front office. It would then seem probable he would be shopped incessantly by the club as he still can rake. The one holdup, however, may be the fact that his contract his monstrous. The Fish may have to agree to pay a part of his remaining salary in order to facilitate a trade to a willing buyer.
I see the Pads, Phillies, and Indians as possible fits. The Padres have Tim Wheeler and Brett Jackson manning their OF corners. Are you going to try and tell me that CarGo wouldn’t be a upgrade for the Pads? An addition of Gonzalez to the Phillies would relegate Thomas Milone to the bench, a role for which he is perhaps better suited, and have Gonzalez take over his spot in the lineup. The Indians, meanwhile, have Jordan Scott as one of their starting outfielders. Like Milone, Scott would seem to be better suited as a bench player on a contender. A productive CarGo would provide a huge jolt to an already explosive Indians offense.
SP Jon Lester (PIT) – Possible fits: NYY, CHW, TEX, WAS
Needless to say, I expect the market for Jon Lester to be grand. Not only does he provide a substantial upgrade for any contender’s rotation this year, but next year as well, as requirements for a vesting option next year will likely be able to be met.
The Yankees have Trevor Cahill and an unproven Bryan Munoz taking up 2/5 of their rotation. If they want to have a shot at competing for a playoff spot this year, acquiring another starting pitcher should be priority number one. Lester would be an ideal fit. The White Sox are essentially in the same boat, with an underperforming starter (Griffin) and an unproven youngster (Macias) taking up 2 spots in their rotation. The Rangers, who just saw SP Chuck Davis go down with a season-ending injury, would probably love to get in on the Lester sweepstakes. If Washington can acquire Lester, they would create a formidable right-left one-two punch atop their rotation, pairing Lester with ace Stephen Strasburg. A Lester acquistion in Washington would also get Daniel Rosenbaum out of the rotation who, let’s be honest, probably isn’t much of a major league pitcher.
1B Adam Giacalone (STL) – Possible fits: SD, KC, CHW
Giacalone seems like the most valuable piece St. Louis still left from their tear down. He would be a perfect fit for a financially handcuffed team in search of a 1B or DH, as he is only owed the minimum for the rest of the season. Giacalone has proven to be a wonderful source of power in 3+ years in the majors with a career .196 ISO to pair with a .282 career batting average.
San Diego, with Dustin Demuth and his .198 batting average manning 1b, will likely be all over Giacalone. The White Sox probably will be, too, and a Giacalone addition would give them a bit of flexibility on how to utilize the versatile George Wood. The Royals, as mentioned earlier, would love to add a bat, and Giacalone would slide right into the heart of their lineup. The question is: do any of these teams have the prospect pieces to get a deal done? St. Louis would most certainly have a relatively high asking price for Giacalone.
SP Jack Armstrong, Jr. (OAK) – Possible fits: TB, NYY, CHW, TEX, WAS
The teams who will be after Jon Lester are likely also to be exploring a deal for the A’s Jack Armstrong. Rumors have been about that the Rays are engaged in discussions with the Athletics to acquire the righty hurler, but with the news of Matt Harvey being shipped to the Rays, I wonder if they are still interested. Nonetheless, Armstrong. Jr is certainly one of the top 2 SP’s available this deadline. What makes him all the more attractive is the fact that is under team control for next year, so not just a rental piece. Much of the reasons are the same for why a team would go after Armstrong as they are Lester.
Could we see mystery teams swoop in and derail these predictions? Perhaps. I hope so.
