MLB trade candidates are coming off the board. The San Diego Padres have since traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees in a seven-player deal. The Boston Red Sox dealt Alex Verdugo to the Yankees for three pitchers. Last week, news broke that the Tampa Bay Rays traded Tyler Glasnow and Manuel Margot to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca.
While Glasnow and others are off the board, who’s next? Both the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers are weighing options for trading their top starters- Dylan Cease and Corbin Burnes. But other intriguing names are being thrown around in trade talks across baseball. Here is an updated list of players most likely to be traded between now and spring training.
Evaluating MLB Trade Candidates
Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Cleveland Guardians
Emmanuel Clase was one of the best closers in 2021 and 2022, posting a 1.32 ERA with 66 saves. He wasn’t as dominant in 2023, posting a 3.22 ERA despite leading the majors with 44 saves and 65 games finished. Cleveland signed Clase to a five-year, $20 million deal with club options in 2027 and 2028 in April 2022. Yet, the Guardians have been listening to trade offers for the 25-year-old. They are interested in acquiring an impact corner outfielder in return, which should be an advantage for Cleveland as Clase will make less than what Josh Hader is asking for on the free agent market. The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers all have outfield depth Cleveland will want.
Jake Cronenworth, INF, San Diego Padres
The Padres are revamping, and Jake Cronenworth could be next. However, trading him will be challenging as he hit .229/.312/.378 last season with ten home runs and 48 RBI. Cronenworth will be 30 this month and is signed through 2030, who is still owed $78 million over the seven-year extension that kicks off with the upcoming season. It might be likely the Padres would be able to trade him if they eat significant money to make a deal or take on another undesirable contract in return. It might benefit the Padres to hang onto Cronenworth, hoping he can rebound.
Jonathan India, 2B, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati keeps listening to offers for Jonathan India, considering they said publicly that they won’t trade him. The Reds held onto the former Rookie of the Year to close out the 2023 season, falling shy of a National League Wild Card Spot. India was in and out of the lineup due to injuries and the arrival of top prospects. Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte and Christian Encarnacion-Stran all made their debuts last season. Plus, the signing of Jeimer Candelario makes India expendable. Altogether, they could push India out of an everyday role heading into Opening Day. The Reds have depth but need to upgrade the starting rotation.
Corbin Burnes, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the right-hander. Many thought Burnes would get traded if the Brewers found the right return. The 2021 NL Cy Young winner will be a free agent after next season, and Milwaukee won’t be able to re-sign him. Will they deal him before the season opens, or will they wait until the deadline? The Brewers will want to add young and controllable pitching in return. Trade partners such as the Orioles and San Francisco Giants could be trade partners for Burnes.
Dylan Cease, RHP, Chicago White Sox
Dylan Cease’s name has been on the trade rumor map this winter. New Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz has been listening to offers but paused the process to see how the free agent starting pitching market shapes out. Once Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell sign, trade talks could heat up with teams who miss out on either pitcher. Cease is under team control for two more seasons as the White Sox match up well with teams such as the Reds and Baltimore Orioles. Both teams have robust farm systems.
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