1 potential trade candidate on all 30 teams

November 16th, 2019

Free agency will rightfully garner the majority of headlines during baseball’s offseason, but given that we’ve already heard names like , and in trade rumors, don’t be surprised if it’s a blockbuster swap that steals the show.

With that in mind, here’s a look at one trade candidate from every team:

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

Blue Jays: , RHP

The Blue Jays were shopping their closer last summer before he encountered arm problems, though Giles pitched well down the stretch, erasing any questions about his physical condition. Giles posted a 1.87 ERA in 53 appearances for the season, bouncing back from a difficult 2018 campaign. He earned $6.3 million last season and is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, so Toronto might choose to get something for him now rather than waiting for the summer Trade Deadline.

Orioles: , 2B

Villar just had his best season since 2016, posting a .792 OPS with 24 home runs, 73 RBIs and 40 stolen bases. He earned $4.825 million in '19 and is arbitration eligible for the third and final time this offseason, so GM Mike Elias should be able to flip him for some young talent as the Orioles enter Year Two of their rebuild.

Rays: , 1B

Lowe showed some promise during his rookie year, posting a .779 OPS with seven home runs in 169 plate appearances, but the 24-year-old might be viewed as expendable if the Rays can fill a need (catcher, bullpen) in a trade. should return as the first baseman, though the fate of -- a potential non-tender candidate -- could be the determining factor in Lowe’s future in Tampa Bay.

Red Sox: , CF

What, you expected to see Mookie Betts in this spot? Chaim Bloom has the difficult task of paring the Red Sox payroll below the luxury tax threshold, a process that was made a little more difficult after chose not to opt out of the final three years and $62.5 million of his contract. Betts will certainly be one of the most talked-about trade candidates this winter, but with his salary expected to be somewhere in the $27 million to $30 million range and with the Red Sox likely asking for a prospect-heavy package, he won’t be easy to move. Bradley earned $8.55 million last season, setting him up for an eight-figure salary in his fourth and final year of arbitration. With no center fielders of note on the free-agent market, the Red Sox could command a solid return for a full year of JBJ and possibly cut some payroll -- which ownership has said it wants to do -- in the process.

Yankees: , OF

Frazier proved that he can hit big league pitching in 2019, knocking 12 home runs with an .806 OPS in 246 plate appearances. But the 25-year-old rubbed some people the wrong way at times, which could have played a role (along with his defense) in the Yankees’ decision to keep him at Triple-A from mid-June through Sept. 1. Frazier is still a talented young player with great upside, but the Yankees have a crowded outfield (they’re expected to bring back on a one-year deal to offset ’ recovery from Tommy John surgery), which could lead to Frazier being shipped out of New York, possibly for pitching help.

AL CENTRAL

Indians: Francisco Lindor, SS

Lindor will be a popular name on the trade market this offseason, and if the Indians are serious about moving him, there will be no shortage of teams lining up with bids for the four-time All-Star shortstop. Lindor made $10.85 million in 2019, his first arbitration-eligible season. That figure should jump significantly this year, but with two years of club control remaining, the Indians would be able to land a huge package of prospects/players if they were to trade him, even with the potential of a $300 million free-agent deal coming down the pike.

Royals: , RHP

Kennedy did a solid job closing for the Royals in 2019, successfully converting 30 of 34 save opportunities with a 3.41 ERA. The right-hander could help a contending team in the bullpen, though the Royals would need to pay down part of his $16.5 million salary if they have any chance of moving the soon-to-be 35-year-old.

Tigers: , LHP

The Tigers were taking offers for Boyd throughout the summer, but ultimately held on to the left-hander at the Trade Deadline. His numbers aren’t overwhelming -- he had a 4.56 ERA and allowed a league-high 39 homers in 185 1/3 innings in 2019 -- but he’s entering the second of three arbitration-eligible seasons, having earned $2.6 million this year, so the two years of club control will make him appealing to many teams.

Twins: , OF

Rosario has proven himself to be a power source, slugging 32 homers in 2019 after hitting 51 over the previous two seasons. He earned $4.19 million last season and has two arbitration-eligible years of club control, and while his defense is below average, he can fill a left-field spot for a team in need of offense. The Twins, who have several stopgap options that could step in for Rosario, will be in search of starting pitching this offseason.

White Sox: , RHP

Colomé had a solid debut season in Chicago, yet the closer still might find himself playing for his fourth team since the start of 2018. The right-hander had 30 saves and a 2.80 ERA in '19, and while the White Sox opted not to move him at the Trade Deadline, he earned $7.325 million last year and will be due a raise in his final year of arbitration eligibility.

AL WEST

Astros: , RF

Reddick is entering the final year of his four-year, $52 million deal with Houston, so the Astros might need to pay down some of his salary in a trade. , and are all slated to return, and the Astros would love to see seize the right-field job.

Angels: Brandon Marsh, OF

Marsh, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Angels’ No. 2 prospect, is very athletic and can play all three outfield positions. With Mike Trout signed through 2030, under contract through '21 and top prospect racing toward the Majors, Marsh is expendable. If the Angels can move him as part of a package for some pitching, it would make sense.

Athletics: , OF

Canha hit a career-high 26 home runs while posting an impressive .913 OPS -- which was 185 points higher than his career average entering the season -- in 126 games for Oakland. He earned $2.05 million in his first year of arbitration, leaving two more years of club control for the Athletics to dangle in potential trade talks. Canha can play all three outfield positions as well as first base, making him an attractive player to many teams.

Mariners: , OF/DH

The Mariners would probably love to trade , but with his $13.8 million salary for 2020 and a $1 million buyout of his $14 million option for '21, GM Jerry Dipoto would have to pay down a significant portion of that contract to find a taker. Santana, on the other hand, earned just $1.95 million in his first year of arbitration, and after hitting 21 homers with a .770 OPS in 121 games, the 27-year-old should have some value with two years of club control remaining.

Rangers: , OF

The Rangers have some highly touted outfield prospects on the way (, ), not to mention a roster that already includes , , and , leaving Texas with myriad options. Mazara hit 19 homers in 116 games after slugging 20 in each of his first three seasons, while his .786 OPS was a career high. He earned $3.3 million in his first year of arbitration and is under club control for two more seasons.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: , 3B/LF

Riley’s future in Atlanta might depend on the Braves’ success in re-signing this winter. But even if Donaldson leaves, the Braves will surely get interest in Riley, who slugged 18 homers in 80 games as a rookie. Atlanta wants to bring in a big arm but seems to be hesitant to move outfielders and , the club’s top two prospects. would be third base insurance if Riley is dealt and Donaldson signs elsewhere.

Marlins: , RHP

Ureña was Miami’s Opening Day starter in each of the past two years, but a herniated disk and a move to the bullpen resulted in a disappointing 2019 campaign. The right-hander earned $3.2 million in his first year of arbitration, so the Marlins might try to move him with two years of club control remaining rather than pay him $4 million or more in '20.

Mets: , LF/3B

Davis thrived at the plate in 2019, belting 22 home runs with an .895 OPS in 140 games, but he is below average at both third base and left field, two positions for which the Mets have alternatives (/ in left field and /McNeil at third base). Davis, who probably fits better on an AL club, is a logical sell-high candidate who should be valuable enough to land a useful pitcher in return.

Nationals: , CF

The starting outfield of , and returns next season, and while Taylor is a solid fourth outfielder who can play all three positions, he earned $3.25 million last season and is due a raise in his third and final year of arbitration eligibility. The Nationals are going to try to retain both and , so saving a few million here and there might be in Washington’s best interest.

Phillies: , RHP

The Phillies are looking to upgrade their rotation this offseason, likely by importing a veteran starter or two. That means at least one of the youngsters -- Velasquez, and -- could be moved in a trade to bolster another area of the roster. Eflin was the best of the bunch and should earn another shot in 2020, but Velasquez’s stuff still impresses scouts, and his strikeout numbers (10 per nine innings) give him value. Velasquez, who earned $2.249 million in his first year of arbitration, is under club control for two more years.

NL CENTRAL

Brewers: , SS

Arcia is a stellar defender with a low-impact bat, so the Brewers would have to find a team looking for a glove-first shortstop -- albeit one with three years of club control who is just entering his first year of arbitration -- to find a trade partner. With and among the shortstops on the free-agent market, Milwaukee could upgrade at the position with a more well-rounded player.

Cardinals: , OF

The Cardinals weren’t ready to trade either O’Neill or last summer, but both players saw reduced playing time in the second half. O’Neill has intriguing power and is solid in the outfield, but even if the Cardinals lose to free agency, they have alternate options including and , not to mention their No. 1 prospect, , knocking on the door. The 24-year-old O’Neill could be part of a package to land some pitching for St. Louis.

Cubs: , LF

Schwarber had his most productive year as a pro, belting 38 home runs with an .871 OPS in 155 games. But his defensive skills still suggest his future is as a designated hitter, making a trade to the AL team the logical move. Schwarber earned $3.39 million last year, his first arbitration-eligible season, and with two years of club control remaining, he should bring back a nice haul of prospects or big league talent.

Pirates: , OF

Marte posted his finest all-around season in his age-30 campaign, hitting 23 home runs with 25 stolen bases, 97 runs scored and an .845 OPS in 132 games. Marte will earn $11.5 million in 2020 after having his club option exercised, while his contract contains another club option for '21 worth $12.5 million. The Pirates’ new GM -- reportedly Ben Cherington -- has a major rebuilding effort ahead, though Marte would likely bring back a solid package of prospects.

Reds: , RHP

Iglesias was a little more hittable in 2019 than his first two years as the Reds’ closer, though he still managed to save 34 games while striking out a career-high 12 batters per nine innings. The right-hander -- who was a popular name on the rumor mill before last summer’s Trade Deadline -- is entering the second year of a three-year, $24.125 million pact that will pay him $9 million in '20 and $9.125 million in '21. The Reds are hoping to contend next season, so if they move Iglesias, it would likely be with an eye toward adding Major Leaguers, not prospects.

NL WEST

D-backs: , LHP

Ray was on the trade block last summer, but Arizona opted to hang onto the left-hander at the Trade Deadline. Ray had some second-half struggles, posting a 4.91 ERA after the break, nearly a full run higher than his 3.96 first-half mark. Ray earned $6.05 million last season, his second of three arbitration-eligible years, so the D-backs could move him for his final year of club control to get assets for him, rather than waiting for next summer’s Deadline or losing him to free agency.

Dodgers: , OF

Pederson recorded career highs with 36 home runs, 74 RBIs, 83 runs scored and an .876 OPS, matching a personal best with a 3.3 Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement. He still struggles badly against lefties (.505 OPS, one RBI in only 50 plate appearances), but dominates right-handed pitching despite some inconsistency at times. Pederson earned $5 million last season, his second of three arbitration-eligible years, so he’ll be due a raise in 2020, likely in the $8 million to $10 million range. With one year of club control and a crowded outfield (2019 NL MVP , , are all returning), Pederson could be a perfect trade chip for the Dodgers to dangle.

Giants: , 1B

Belt has two years and $34.4 million remaining on his contract, so he won’t be easy to move unless the Giants take a big contract back or eat some of Belt’s salary. He has a partial no-trade clause, so he can block deals to 10 teams, but Belt, who turns 32 in April, might benefit from a change of scenery. For the Giants, trading Belt would open first base for , who is blocking their top prospect, , from assuming full-time catching duties.

Padres: , OF

The Padres boast a righty-heavy lineup, so they’ll be seeking a left-handed bat or two in the outfield this offseason to balance things out. Myers has $67.5 million in guaranteed money coming his way over the next three seasons, so San Diego would certainly have to eat a chunk of that contract -- and possibly include a prospect or two -- in order to move him.

Rockies: , 1B

Outfielder would be the pick here if not for his contract, which will pay him $43 million over the next two years (plus a 2021 player option for $21 million and a $10 million player option for '22). Murphy will earn $8 million in '20, the second year of his two-year, $24 million deal, though there’s a $12 million mutual option that includes a $6 million buyout. Given Murphy’s defensive limitations, he might fit best with an AL team that could use him at first base and DH.