Here are tradeable prospects for each team
The Winter Meetings begin Sunday in San Diego, and the commerce rumors have already got began to swirl. They’ll proceed to take action even after golf equipment go away city on Wednesday, as a result of the month of December normally is nice for a couple of important offers.
Contenders need veterans to bolster their possibilities, whereas rebuilding groups need expertise for the longer term. Who are some prospects who may very well be on the transfer? We undertake the extremely speculative train of figuring out a doubtlessly tradeable farmhand for every of the 30 organizations under. It’s unlikely that 100-loss golf equipment (Nationals, Athletics, Pirates, Reds) are going to half with kids, however that does not cease us from hypothesizing.
Blue Jays: Orelvis Martinez, SS/3B (No. 2/MLB No. 70)
Signed for $3.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in 2018, Martinez has the perfect energy in Toronto’s system, slammed 30 homers in Double-A at age 20 and likewise possesses plus arm energy. But he batted simply .203/.286/.446 with a 28 p.c strikeout fee and is blocked by Bo Bichette and Matt Chapman.
Orioles: Jordan Westburg, INF (No. 5/MLB No. 76)
Baltimore is near competing and should determine whether or not it desires to maintain constructing from inside or use some items to make trades. They have massive leaguers at each center infield positions with Gunnar Henderson able to play third (or second or brief), so they might determine Westburg and his practically prepared energy bat (27 homers in 2022) may convey again some massive league assist at different spots.
Rays: Mason Auer, OF (No. 11)
Auer went from being a fifth-round select of San Jacinto (Texas) JC in 2021 to batting .292/.372/.487 with 48 extra-base hits and 48 steals between Single-A and High-A in 2022. He wants extra polish however would make a sexy commerce chip as a result of he comes with well-above-average uncooked energy, pace and arm energy.
Red Sox: Nick Yorke, 2B (No. 4)
Boston has a surplus of center infielders and is not going to face pat after a last-place end within the American League East, so maybe Yorke may very well be had. The 2020 first-rounder from a California highschool slumped to .231/.303/.365 in High-A however he rebounded within the Arizona Fall League, recapturing his superior hitting potential and displaying 20-homer potential.
Yankees: Oswald Peraza (No. 3/MLB No. 50)
The presence of high prospect Anthony Volpe and good shortstop depth within the system may make Peraza expendable, although he is a superior defender to Volpe and will push him to second base in New York’s lineup of the longer term. Signed for $175,000 out of Venezuela in 2016, he batted .306/.404/.429 in an 18-game September stint with the Yankees and comes with 20-homer upside and plus pace, arm energy and glovework.
Guardians: Will Brennan, OF (No. 19)
Cleveland instantly finds itself with loads of outfield choice within the Majors and higher Minors, together with Brennan, a 2019 eighth-rounder from Kansas State with an analogous profile to Steven Kwan. He batted .314/.371/.479 between Double-A and Triple-A, led the Minors with 166 hits and ranked second with 40 doubles, then went 15-for-42 (.357) in Cleveland.
Royals: Tyler Gentry, OF (No. 8)
Outfielders are the energy of Kansas City’s system, together with Gentry, who batted .326/.422/.542 with 21 homers and 10 steals between High-A and Double-A. The 2020 third-rounder from Alabama options average-to-solid instruments throughout the board but may get squeezed out of the Royals’ outfield of the longer term by Gavin Cross, Nick Loftin and Drew Waters.
Tigers: Izaac Pacheco, 3B/SS (No. 8)
Though Pacheco has stable energy and offers comparable protection at third base, rebuilding Detroit has quite a few proficient left-side infielders. Signed for an above-slot $2.75 million as a 2021 second-rounder from a Texas highschool, he batted .254/.331/.408 with 11 homers and 12 steals between Single-A and High-A in his full-season debut.
Twins: Edouard Julien, 2B (No. 14)
Julien’s superior bat is nearly prepared for the large leagues, although it’s unclear the place he suits finest defensively. The Twins may promote excessive after Julien led the Arizona Fall League in hitting (.400 common) after he posted a .931 OPS in Double-A through the common season.
White Sox: Cristian Mena, RHP (No. 10)
At age 19, Mena reached Double-A on the finish of a season by which he logged a 3.80 ERA and 126/38 Okay/BB ratio in 104 1/3 innings at three ranges, however he is nonetheless a few years away from serving to a White Sox membership that’s trying to win now. The costliest pitcher in Chicago’s 2019 worldwide class, he signed for $250,000 out of the Dominican Republic and works with a low-90s fastball whereas flashing a plus downer curveball within the higher 70s.
Angels: Adrian Placencia, 2B/SS (No. 8)
While the Angels system is comparatively skinny, it does have some depth by way of infielders, particularly on the decrease ranges. With Zach Neto probably heading to the higher ranges with Kyren Paris, there are additionally proficient gamers on the grime like Denzer Guzman, Werner Blakely and Placencia, who held his personal in full-season ball in 2022 and began to faucet into some energy.
A’s: Luis Medina, RHP (No. 11)
Yes, the A’s are extra in rebuilding mode. And sure, they simply obtained Medina from the Yankees within the Frankie Montas Trade Deadline deal. But they do have some pitching depth on the higher ranges and guys who miss bats like Medina does — 10.8 Okay/9 in his Minor League profession and 12.8 Okay/9 within the Dominican Winter League this offseason — all the time have worth.
Astros: Korey Lee, C (No. 7)
A shock 2019 first-rounder out of California, Lee has massive uncooked energy that translated into 25 homers in Triple-A and he additionally has properly above-average arm energy. Yet he hit simply .238/.307/.483 at Triple-A earlier than going 4-for-25 (.160) in a quick callup, and Yanier Diaz has handed him on the Astros’ catching depth chart.
Mariners: Bryce Miller, RHP (No. 5)
It may very well be argued that former No. 2 total decide Emerson Hancock is extra “expendable” at this level, however Miller may need extra commerce worth, and the Mariners confirmed simply how shut they’re to competing for a title. With a comparatively set massive league rotation and another choices down on the farm, Miller’s four-pitch combine may fetch a superb return, particularly since after he pitched his strategy to Double-A in his first full season of professional ball, he’s near knocking on the door.
Rangers: Justin Foscue, 2B (No. 5/MLB No. 78)
Texas has extra center infielders than it is aware of what to do with after investing $500 million in Corey Seager and Marcus Semien final offseason, then graduating Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith to the Majors. And toolsy Luisangel Acuña has the next ceiling then Foscue, a 2020 first-rounder from Mississippi State. He batted .288/.367/.483 with 15 homers in Double-A, although his pace, arm and protection are fringy.
Braves: Kyle Muller, LHP (No. 1)
Muller appeared to take a giant step ahead in Triple-A in 2022, significantly by way of discovering the strike zone, so there’s simply as a lot probability he may assist the Braves out in 2023. But he hasn’t been in a position to set up himself within the alternatives he’s been given in Atlanta they usually may determine a change of surroundings is required. Big lefties with plus stuff are all the time in demand.
Marlins: Kahlil Watson, SS/2B (No. 7)
Would Miami be keen to deal the sixteenth total decide within the 2021 Draft after an uneven full-season professional debut (.231/.296/.395 with 30 extra-base hits and 16 steals in 83 video games) that included a suspension and fellow kids Jose Salas and Yiddi Cappe passing him within the group’s shortstop pecking order? If he figures issues out on the plate, he may have well-above-average pace and in any other case stable instruments throughout the board.
Mets: Ronny Mauricio, SS (No. 6)
A one-time Top 100 prospect, Mauricio has undoubtedly confirmed off his energy, with 20 homers in 2021 and 26 extra in 2022, although there are questions on his method and talent to hit. His excellent exhibiting within the Dominican Winter League to this point this offseason (.306/.353/.500) may assist the Mets strike whereas the iron is sizzling, particularly with Francisco Lindor entrenched at brief in New York.
Nationals: Jeremy De La Rosa, OF (No. 10)
While they rebuild, the Nationals won’t be so excited to half with younger expertise. But in the event that they’re trying to flip issues round rapidly, one space of depth they’ve is in younger, toolsy outfielders on the decrease ranges. With a high three prospects of Robert Hassell III, Elijah Green and James Wood, De La Rosa’s power-speed mixture may very well be dangled to herald assist in Washington, and even the higher ranges of the system.
Phillies: Griff McGarry, RHP (No. 4)
Andrew Painter and Mick Abel aren’t going anyplace, and there’s each probability McGarry helps out the Phillies’ workers, both as a starter or reliever, in 2023. But after making it to the World Series, they’ll wish to do all the things potential to get again. That may embody sending McGarry’s swing-and-miss stuff (13.4 Okay/9 in 2022) and spotty command (5.5 BB/9 final yr) someplace to get extra established massive league expertise.
Brewers: Joey Wiemer, OF (No. 3/MLB No. 84)
The instruments are simple, coming off of two straight 20-20 seasons within the Minors. Add in the truth that he’s near massive league-ready and rebuilding groups will definitely have curiosity. The Brewers could be dealing from a place of energy, with high prospects Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell all outfielders prepared for, or near Milwaukee.
Cardinals: Michael McGreevy, RHP (No. 9)
St. Louis’ first-round decide in 2021 spent most of his first full season in Double-A and the elite strike-thrower did some good issues, however he additionally didn’t miss a ton of bats and was fairly hittable with Springfield. Now, the Cardinals do wonderful work in serving to pitchers determine issues out they usually may wish to hold McGreevy in Triple-A to again up the large league rotation, nevertheless it appears like Gordon Graceffo has handed McGreevy on the depth chart.
Cubs: Owen Caissie, OF (No. 10)
Caissie suits the basic right-field profile along with his well-above-average uncooked energy and plus arm energy, and he batted .254/.349/.402 with 11 homers as a 19-year-old in High-A. Part of the Yu Darvish commerce with the Padres in December 2020, he ranks because the fifth-best outfield prospect in Chicago’s system, behind Top 100 prospects Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brennen Davis and Kevin Alcantara and 37-homer slugger Alexander Canario.
Pirates: Jared Triolo, 3B (No. 24)
Pittsburgh added Triolo to the 40-man roster this offseason after an up-and-down 2022 season in Double-A, although he completed very strongly. He’s a plus defender, however third base is his finest place, the place Ke’Bryan Hayes isn’t going anyplace. He has seen time at shortstop and even the outfield, so there may be some positional flexibility right here as properly.
Reds: Matt McLain, SS (No. 5/MLB No. 73)
Something has to provide right here, proper? The massive league infield appears fairly stocked and the farm system has some depth on the grime, led by the thrilling Elly De La Cruz. Noelvi Marte is already shifting to 3rd, it appears, and there’s additionally Edwin Arroyo. Maybe McLain can slide over to second, or perhaps the previous first-rounder may develop into commerce bait.
D-backs: Dominic Fletcher, OF (No. 13)
Arizona has loads of outfield upside with Daulton Varsho, Alek Thomas and up to date first-round picks Corbin Carroll and Druw Jones, so they might use Fletcher to shore up weaknesses in different areas. A 2019 supplemental second-rounder from Arkansas and the youthful brother of Angels infielder David Fletcher, he is a high quality defender who batted .312/.378/.486 with 12 homers between Double-A and Triple-A.
Dodgers: Michael Busch, 2B (No. 4/MLB No. 42)
Los Angeles is loaded on the Major League and Minor League ranges and does not have sufficient room to play all its rising younger place gamers. One of the perfect all-around offensive abilities within the 2019 school class, Busch went within the first spherical out of North Carolina and hit .274/.365/.516 with 32 homers this season between Double-A and Triple-A.
Giants: Heliot Ramos, OF (No. 18)
A 2017 first-rounder as a Puerto Rican excessive schooler, Ramos has leveled off and been handed by a number of outfielders in San Francisco’s system. He hit simply .227/.305/.349 with 11 homers in Triple-A and went 2-for-20 with the Giants, although there’s nonetheless plus uncooked energy and arm energy to suit the right-field profile.
Padres: Jay Groome, LHP (No. 12)
Have left arm, will journey? The Padres obtained the 2016 first-rounder from the Red Sox on the Trade Deadline this previous season within the Eric Hosmer deal. After having problem getting going (accidents didn’t assist), he actually began figuring issues out in 2022. His ceiling won’t be as excessive because it as soon as was, however a lefty back-end starter, or one whose stuff may tick up in shorter stints out of the ‘pen, has loads of worth.
Rockies: Adael Amador, SS (No. 3/MLB No. 61)
Colorado loves its homegrown gamers and Amador continues to be fairly far-off. (He’ll play at age 20 in 2023, probably shifting as much as High-A.). But wanting forward, it’s tough to see the place Amador may play up the center, with Gold Glover Brendan Rodgers at second base and Ezequiel Tovar able to take over for a very long time at brief.
