8 player-team reunions that would be fun to see

At this level of the offseason, you’ve already learn nearly each “list of possible suitors for Player X” that you would presumably devour: Did you hear that Team X is probably organising a Zoom name to debate their conceivable curiosity in Player Y? But a part of the enjoyable of dreaming up theoretical locations for gamers is the nostalgia issue: Who might return from whence they got here?

That’s to say: There are a variety of gamers in the marketplace who left their authentic groups, peddled their wares elsewhere and now might find yourself being a match for the crew they as soon as left. They say you’ll be able to’t go house once more. But in fact you’ll be able to. Obviously you’ll be able to.

Let’s think about these gamers and groups being reunited … and it feels so good. (Note: This just isn’t based mostly on any reporting I’ve performed, however fairly how a lot enjoyable it will be to see.)

Joey Gallo to the Rangers
Gallo’s profession OPS for the Rangers? .833. His profession OPS for the Yankees and the Dodgers? .663. Gallo has hit a minimum of 38 homers thrice in his profession, and whereas it positive seems to be like he’s by no means going to get the strikeouts beneath management, and that .253 common he posted in 2019 seems to be like an all-timer of an aberration, the man can nonetheless hit the dickens out of the ball (and may nonetheless play slightly protection, too). The Rangers want some outfielders. Gallo must get again to a spot the place he’s comfy. The match is fairly apparent right here.

Evan Longoria to the Rays
All proper, this match isn’t fairly as apparent. The Rays don’t really want a 3rd baseman or a chosen hitter — although they may discover Longoria some at-bats at DH and even first base — and Longoria hasn’t performed greater than 129 video games in a season since he left St. Petersburg. But come on: Longoria, by almost each statistical measure, is by far one of the best participant in Rays historical past, the man who represented the turnaround this franchise skilled after they removed the “Devil” of their title. Wouldn’t or not it’s great to see him in that jersey once more?

Wil Myers to the Rays
While we’re at it, let’s get the man whose divisive commerce from Kansas City to the Rays (for Wade Davis and James Shields) was as soon as each stathead’s barroom argument starter. He ended up heading to San Diego from Tampa in a commerce that was considered “the Wil Myers trade” on the time however now it’s identified largely for getting Trea Turner from San Diego to Washington. Myers was as soon as imagined to be the way forward for the Rays. And hey, he nonetheless could be. He’s solely 31, in any case.

J.D. Martinez to the Tigers
The Tigers have been those who discovered what the Astros couldn’t: How to show a middling outfielder into one of many greatest energy threats within the recreation. The Tigers positive might use some energy proper now — together with all the opposite issues that they want — and it’d be downright nice to see Martinez batting subsequent to Miguel Cabrera once more in Miggy’s last season.

Michael Brantley to Guardians 
You could have heard about this, however the Guardians, properly, they are typically slightly quick on outfielders. It has been like that, basically, since Brantley, who made three All-Star Games with the crew, left to signal with the Astros after the 2018 season. Brantley had lastly been wholesome for many of his time with Houston till his 2022 breakdown, which might make him a pleasant calculated threat for Cleveland at a (doubtless) modest worth. This can be extremely enjoyable, and would have the added bonus of being extremely useful for the Guardians, who at all times appear to be two or three bats quick.

Matt Carpenter to the Cardinals 
Carpenter was really a member of the final Cardinals crew to win the World Series: He had 19 plate appearances (and one hit) for that 2011 crew, which wasn’t a lot, however hey, he obtained a hoop out of it. He wouldn’t escape till 2012, and his run from 2013-18, when he made three All-Star groups and obtained MVP votes thrice, reaching as excessive as fourth in 2013, is underappreciated. It fell aside on him on the finish in St. Louis, however his comeback as a Yankee in 47 video games in 2022 (a 1.138 OPS) was as inspiring because it was thrilling to observe. The right-field porch at Busch Stadium is loads farther away than it was at Yankee Stadium, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless look awfully acquainted. And the Cardinals’ lineup positive does want a left-handed bat.

Justin Turner to the Mets
He put up a .696 OPS with the Mets from 2011-13 earlier than remaking his swing and changing into a star with the Dodgers. He might play some third base and likewise DH for the Mets and doubtless be an improve there. If so, it would make Mets followers really feel a little higher about letting him stroll nearly a decade in the past.

Dansby Swanson to the D-backs
OK, OK … so Swanson by no means really performed for the D-backs. But they did decide him first total within the 2015 MLB Draft. They didn’t dangle onto him lengthy, although: They shipped him to Atlanta a mere six months later, together with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair for Shelby Miller (who had a 6.35 ERA in 29 video games, together with 28 begins, for Arizona). This one might be the least prone to occur of this checklist, however it will be good for Arizona followers to get to see him in a D-backs uniform a minimum of as soon as.