The MLB trade deadline is often seen as one of the most exciting times for baseball fans throughout a season. I may be a little biased, but there seems to be a ton of buzz, both negative and positive, in the days and hours leading up to the trade deadline. Obviously the 2020 baseball season has been anything but normal, which makes many wonder if teams will be reluctant to move players due to the ongoing pandemic. Despite the concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, many teams are expected to shop their players or look to trade for impact players, who could hopefully take them deep into the postseason. With that said, let’s look at impact players who could potentially be on the move before next Monday’s trade deadline:
J.D. Martinez
The Red Sox signed J.D. Martinez to a 5 year $110 million dollar contract in February of 2018 in hopes of returning to the World Series. They were successful, as Martinez was a huge part of Boston’s World Series championship title in 2018. In his career, Martinez has been arguably the best DH in the game, and 2018 was no different for the slugger. He put up phenomenal numbers in his first year with the Red Sox, hitting 43 home runs, driving in 130 runs, and batting well over .300, at .330. He finished fourth in MVP voting in 2018 and made the all star team, yet many wondered if he would do the same in his second year with the team. Martinez squashed all doubts in 2019, as he hit 36 home runs, drove in 105 runs, and hit .304, once again making the all-star team. Since 2018, the Red Sox have essentially fallen out of contention, as they missed the playoffs in 2019, and are off to a poor start in 2020. The 33-year-old slugger has an opt-out option following this season, and with how the Red Sox have performed, many wonder if he will indeed choose to test the market or not. With that being said, it is rumored that the Red Sox will at least listen to offers for Martinez. However, the only way a deal gets done is if a team blows them away with an offer, so it remains to be seen if that will happen. Nonetheless, with the talent Martinez has proven to have, it is worth keeping an eye on him to see if a contender looks to acquire an impact bat to boost them through the postseason.
Francisco Lindor
Since his debut in 2015, Francisco Lindor has proven to be one of the best, if not the best shortstop in the game. Lindor finished second in ROY voting in 2015, and has finished in the top 15 in MVP voting every year since 2016. He also has hit at least 30 home runs every year since 2017 and is a 4 time all-star in his relatively short MLB career. Lindor has also shown his prowess on the basepaths, as he has stolen over 20 bases in both 2018 and 2019. The 26-year-old shortstop played a huge role in the Indians World Series run in 2016, which unfortunately for them fell short. After missing the playoffs in 2019, the Indians seemed to be on the decline, as they traded away previous ace Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers. Unlike the Red Sox, the Cleveland Indians seem to be very much in the postseason race this year, as they are currently tied for second place in the AL Central. Despite the team’s success, many executives believe the Indians will not be able to re-sign Lindor when his contract expires after the 2021 season. With Lindor in his prime, it would be very difficult to pry him away from the Indians, who have had him his whole career, but with the right offer, I am sure a deal could get done. The Indians are not super motivated to move a player of Lindor’s talent, but if they are truly under the impression that they cannot resign him after his contract expires, they may look to deal him in order to get a promising return.
Mike Clevinger
Along with Francisco Lindor, starting pitcher Mike Clevinger is a big name who may be on the move before next week’s trade deadline. Clevinger is one of the most attractive pieces on the trade market right now, as he has an affordable contract and is under team control until after the 2022 season. With that being said, the Indians would only consider extremely valuable offers that they just could not refuse. Again, the Indians are very much in the postseason race this year, so they are in no way motivated to move one of their best pitchers. For the past 3 seasons, Mike Clevinger has posted an ERA hovering around 3 and even struck out more than 200 batters in 2018. Unfortunately, Clevinger has had his fair share of injuries throughout his relatively short career, but I am sure that would not play a huge factor in a potential trade. It is most likely not a good idea for anyone to get their hopes up about a Clevinger deal before next Monday, but I would not rule it as impossible.
Trevor Bauer
Trevor Bauer is no stranger to trade rumors, as he was right of discussions last summer before he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds. Bauer struggled in the second half of the season with the Reds in 2019, but is off to a fast start in 2020. Bauer currently holds an ERA below 2 and a WHIP below 1, so it is reasonable to say he is a big part of the Reds success thus far. As of now, the Reds sit in a tie for 3rd place in the NL Central, and if the season ended today would not make the playoffs. The Reds are a team that was destined for playoff contention this year with the expanded playoff rule, so for them to be outside those eight seeds is a bit disappointing for Reds fans. Bauer was selected for the all-star game in 2018 (the only selection in his career) and holds a career ERA right around 4. Bauer is expected to be a free agent after the 2020 season, which is certainly a point worth noting. Although the Reds can still secure a postseason spot, you have to wonder if the Reds front office will attempt to strike a deal in order to salvage some sort of return for Bauer, before he tests the free agent market.
Andrelton Simmons
The Los Angeles Angels came into the 2020 season destined for their first postseason berth since 2014 following promising offseason additions, but have shown no signs of improvement halfway through the season. The Angels currently sit in last place in the AL West and hold the worst record in baseball. There is no doubt the Angels will at least listen to offers on some of their players at the end of their contract, one being: Andrelton Simmons. Following the 2020 season, Simmons will hit the free agent market for the first time in his career. Throughout his 9 year career, Simmons has been an average hitter at the plate and an absolutely elite defender at shortstop. He is up there among the best defensive players at any position in baseball, with both phenomenal arm strength and range. He has picked up four gold gloves in his career, along with three finishes in the top-15 for MVP voting. Simmons is currently in his age 30 season, and although he is not among the best players in the game, he can surely make a big impact on any team if the Angels decide to deal him.
Josh Hader
Since his debut in 2017, Brewers reliever Josh Hader has been among the most dominant relievers in the game. Hader carries a career era a little over 2 and was able to record more than 100 strikeouts in both 2018 and 2019. He has made the all-star team the past two seasons and even finished seventh in CY Young voting in 2018. The Milwaukee Brewers are currently tied with the Reds for the 9th best record in the National League, which does not put them in the current playoff picture. Although the Brewers would be willing to listen to offers on Hader, it would take a kings ransom to move Hader, as he is one of their most valuable pieces. Hader will not be a free agent until after the 2022 season, so the Brewers are seemingly in no rush to move the 26-year-old. It remains to be seen what the Brewers will do with Hader, but do not be surprised if a team makes an offer that they simply cannot refuse.
Honorable Mentions: 1B Josh Bell, SS Xander Bogearts, SP Robbie Ray, SP Trevor Williams, RP Mychal Givens, SP Lance Lynn, RP Trevor Rosenthal, RP Keone Kela, SP Dylan Bundy
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