10 trade candidates who could soon be on the move

During the previous few weeks, we’ve seen a lot of the marquee free brokers come off the board, with greater than $3 billion in contracts signed by 5 dozen gamers.

Quite a lot of notable gamers stay on the free-agent market together with Carlos Rodón, Dansby Swanson and Andrew Benintendi, however as these gamers and others proceed to signal, groups across the league will flip to the commerce market in an effort to shore up their rosters for 2023 and past.

MLB.com takes a take a look at 10 potential commerce candidates who could possibly be on the transfer between now and Opening Day (gamers listed alphabetically by final identify):

With Eric Hosmer and No. 2 prospect Triston Casas forward of him on the depth chart at first base, Dalbec is a person with no position on the Red Sox roster. The 27-year-old had a strong 2021 season (25 dwelling runs, .792 OPS), however he managed simply 12 homers and a .652 OPS in 117 video games in 2022, struggling to recapture his efficiency from the prior two seasons. Boston has let groups know that Dalbec is on the market, with Tampa Bay reportedly expressing curiosity.

Having already misplaced Xander Bogaerts to free company, the Red Sox will certainly really feel strain to signal Devers to a multi-year extension. Devers is alleged to be looking for greater than $300 million, and in response to a supply, Boston’s early affords are nicely wanting that whole. Will Boston be taught a lesson from the Bogaerts state of affairs? If the membership and Devers are far aside in extension talks, the Red Sox may look to maneuver Devers with one 12 months remaining till he turns into a free agent fairly than risking him signing elsewhere with nothing to indicate for it aside from Draft-pick compensation.

The Mariners have loads of beginning pitching depth, with Robbie Ray, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Marco Gonzales and George Kirby becoming a member of Flexen and prime pitching prospect Emerson Hancock. Seattle appears unlikely to signal a big-money free agent, so its greatest avenue to filling its remaining holes is the commerce market – which occurs to be president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto’s specialty. Flexen was moved to the bullpen final season when the Mariners traded for Castillo, so shifting him to a membership looking for rotation assist would appear to make sense.

The White Sox have fielded quite a few calls on their All-Star nearer, and though Chicago isn’t actively procuring Hendriks, there’s a sensible chance he could possibly be moved. The White Sox may use upgrades at second base, within the nook outfield spots and within the beginning rotation, so a Hendriks deal may assist cowl a number of of these positions. Hendriks has a restricted no-trade clause that enables him to dam a deal to 5 unspecified groups, giving the White Sox a big selection of golf equipment to speak to in regards to the nearer.

Now that Willson Contreras, Christian Vázquez and Mike Zunino have all landed free-agent offers and the Braves traded for Sean Murphy, the main focus of the catching market turns to Toronto, the place the Blue Jays have three strong backstops on their roster. Jansen seems to be the most definitely to be traded, although Toronto may deal Gabriel Moreno or Alejandro Kirk if the worth is correct. The Rays, D-backs, Astros, Red Sox and Cubs are among the many groups seeking to improve behind the plate, placing the Blue Jays in a robust place.

López was a well-liked commerce goal previous to final summer season’s deadline, and that was earlier than he threw a career-high 180 innings. After going to an arbitration listening to with the Marlins final 12 months — the membership gained — it appears unlikely that Miami will signal him to a long-term extension, even after Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara signed a five-year, $56 million extension a 12 months in the past. If the Marlins can deal López for a controllable bat — assume Minnesota’s Luis Arráez — a deal may come to fruition, particularly with prime prospects Eury Pérez, Jake Eder and Dax Fulton knocking on the large league door. López is underneath membership management by means of the 2024 season.

Shortly earlier than the Winter Meetings, Reynolds requested a commerce out of Pittsburgh, formally placing him on the commerce block. That’s to not say the All-Star outfielder will probably be moved between now and Opening Day; sources say the Pirates’ asking worth is understandably excessive, as Reynolds — who has 51 dwelling runs, 152 RBIs, 54 doubles and an .861 OPS in 304 video games for the reason that begin of 2021 — is underneath membership management by means of the 2025 season.

An All-Star in every of the previous two years, Soto is underneath membership management by means of 2025, making him an inexpensive, enticing commerce candidate for quite a few golf equipment. Given the costs that relievers have commanded to date within the offseason, Soto may deliver again a pleasant bundle of gamers and/or prospects if the Tigers determined to deal him.

Assuming that Oswald Peraza and/or Anthony Volpe get an opportunity to interrupt camp with the Yankees this spring, New York could have a glut of infielders on its roster. Torres is a 12 months away from free company, set to earn no less than $9 million in his last 12 months of arbitration; given the Yankees’ want so as to add one other beginning pitcher in addition to a bullpen piece or two, the 26-year-old could possibly be moved in an effort to trim some payroll. D.J. LeMahieu may assume second-base duties, whereas Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Volpe, Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera may be within the combine if Torres will get traded.

Arizona acquired Kyle Lewis final month, including a much-needed right-handed bat to its left-leaning outfield combine. With 4 younger lefty-hitting outfielders — Varsho, Jake McCarthy, Alek Thomas and Corbin Carroll – on the roster, the D-backs will doubtless look to maneuver considered one of them so as to add one other right-handed bat someplace within the infield. Varsho has already drawn curiosity from quite a few golf equipment, together with the Astros.