The MLB regular season is now nearly half way complete and that can only mean one thing: it’s trade season. As I’ve already written about in Part I and Part II of this series, a number of surprising contenders (see Astros, Houston) have emerged, while some disappointing sellers (i.e. Boston) must rid themselves of expiring contracts and look towards the future.
Since my last article, where I wrote that the Seattle Mariners should make a move for the Phillies’ Ben Revere, the mindset for a few teams has changed. While I was of the impression nearly two weeks ago that the Mariners could still make the postseason, it seems now that they are 34-42 that they may be better served to sell. You’ll see shortly how that comes into play in this article.
So sit back and enjoy Potential Baseball Trades for Potential Contenders, Part III.
Ben Zobrist to the New York Mets
New York Mets receive 2B/OF Ben Zobrist
Oakland A’s receive OF Michael Conforto and RHP Marcos Molina
In every part of this series, I’ve had the A’s selling a player off. The team has a lot of valuable assets and this seems like a huge moment in Billy Beane’s career. That’s saying a lot, and if he can swing a trade to bring in a pair of prospects like Conforto and Molina, the A’s will be poised for success again in just a couple short years.
The price for a player of Zobrist’s talent and utility will be high. He could fit in well with any lineup in the MLB. His production this season has been pretty much in line with his career averages as he’s slashing .256/.348/.449 with a nice 122 OPS+. For a Mets lineup that has struggled to get on base this season, ranking 25th in the MLB with a .300 OBP, Zobrist would provide a substantial boost. Combine that with the fact that the Mets are unsure when and if David Wright will be returning this season and Zobrist makes perfect sense for Sandy Alderson to go out and get.
Austin Jackson to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants receive OF Austin Jackson
Seattle Mariners receive OF Mac Williamson and RHP Joan Gregorio
I’m going back on what I said in my last article. The Seattle Mariners should probably look to sell at this point. The team’s offense has been a disappointment and the bullpen is a mess. Austin Jackson is in the final year of a contract that pays him $7.7 million annually and getting something before he hits free agency would be a wise move.
The Giants have solid outfield depth when healthy, but health has been hard to come by for this team. Hunter Pence has struggled to stay on the field, Nori Aoki just hit the DL with a broken fibula, and Angel Pagan is playing on two bad knees that may soon land him on the DL as well. With a less than stellar bench, adding a guy like Jackson would reinforce the Giants lineup and provide them with one of the best defensive center fielders in the MLB. Jackson is by no means going to come in and be a world-beater, especially not in the spacious confines of AT&T Park. But bringing him to San Francisco would make the Giants’ outfield defense one of the best in baseball and help to bolster the bench by giving Pagan some much needed rest.
Jonathan Papelbon to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers receive RP Jonathan Papelbon
Philadelphia Phillies receive 1B Cody Bellinger
The Dodgers bullpen has actually pitched decently this season. But after giving up 10 runs on Monday in a losing effort to the Diamondbacks, the team should be looking to bolster it’s relievers core, especially given that has historically been a problem area for them come October. Enter Papelbon, a talented pitcher but one with an albatross of a contract. The Dodgers however are one of the few teams, if not the only team, in baseball who can afford such a contract.
The Phillies should be looking to rid themselves of Papelbon, and getting rid of his contract (and vesting option) should be enough incentive to make a deal. The return of a young prospect like Bellinger isn’t necessarily a great return for them, but again, shedding $12.5 million in salary is a good enough reason to pull the trigger. On the other hand, the Dodgers add a strong right-handed pitcher in Pabelbon who would immediately make the team’s bullpen a formidable group. His 213 ERA+ would be a welcome addition.
Adam Lind to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim receive 1B Adam Lind
Milwaukee Brewers receive RHP Trevor Gott
The Angels are underperforming this season. And that is in spite of Albert Pujols best season since 2011 and another strong campaign from Mike Trout. The team’s biggest problem? A lack of supporting offensive players. The loss of Howie Kendrick has been felt on this team. As I mentioned in Part I of this series, D.J. Lemaheiu is a guy the Angels should go after. But in Lind, the Angels could add another power bat to their lineup, something they’ve been lacking.
So far this season, Lind has been excellent for Milwaukee crushing 11 home runs and slashing .292/.363/.492. He would be able to split time at 1B and DH with Albert Pujols, a particularly valuable commodity given that the Angels will likely want to give Pujols some extra days off from the field. The move would also bolster the teams’ outfield depth as Matt Joyce could play more in left field. In return, the Brewers would receive a relatively polished prospect in Gott who could eventually serve as the team’s closer.
That will do it for Potential Trades for Potential Contenders Part III.
A Part IV will be coming out in the next week and will feature some big names that would absolutely alter the landscape for contenders.
