The usual MLB trade candidates typically follow a pattern. Veterans on cellar-dwelling franchises with contracts close to expiring dominate the pre-deadline rumor mill.
Yet as the August 1 non-waiver deadline approaches, the hot stove has expanded beyond the usual suspects to younger players on cost-effective deals.
Disappointing performance has one fading, polarizing star suddenly perceived as an expendable commodity. There are few people more desired than a young, affordable pitcher, so one is drawing interest despite stinking his way to Triple-A.
Then there’s a premier young talent on a championship contender who could become a bargaining tool due to the team’s offensive surplus. Let’s take a look at three of the league’s latest trade rumors.
Yasiel Puig
Yasiel Puig‘s downfall continues. Hitting .256/.318/.376 with a career-worst 92 weighted runs created plus (wRC+), per FanGraphs, his production continues to decay.
Since breaking out in a major way during his 2013 debut, the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder has posted a lower on-base percentage, slugging percentage and wRC+ in every following season. Also criticized for his off-field behavior, the 25-year-old has fallen from future superstar to a headache the Dodgers might eradicate.
According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, Los Angeles, “at the very least, is open to trading him.” Interestingly enough, a power-minded outfielder tops the team’s wish list along with a left-handed relief pitcher.
In 23 games since returning from a left hamstring strain on June 21, Puig is hitting .300 (24-for-80) with nine walks, matching his tally before landing on the disabled list. While his recent play is somewhat promising, his overall 6.2 walk percentage remains weak, and he only has five extra-base hits during those 94 plate appearances.
Rosenthal suggested the Dodgers might try to use his improved play to salvage trade value and move him before another setback. Needing power to fuel their playoff push, they should only move Puig if they’re leveraging his name value into a more productive outfielder.
Shelby Miller
How many capable starting pitchers get traded three times as a major leaguer before turning 26? It’s a feasible possibility for the struggling Shelby Miller.
The center of a head-scratching trade last winter, the righty has made the questionable deal even worse in hindsight. For the price of center fielder Ender Inciarte, top pitching prospect Aaron Blair and 2015 No. 1 draft pick Dansby Swanson, the Arizona Diamondbacks have received a 7.14 ERA from Miller, who was recently demoted to Triple-A.
“I’ve been struggling up here for a while,” Miller said last Thursday, per the Associated Press’ Bob Baum. “I’m surprised I stayed up here this long.”
Instead of seeing a troubled arm with a .909 opposing OPS and two quality starts in 14 tries, other teams detect a buy-low opportunity. Per Robert Murray of Today’s Knuckleball, the Dodgers and Miami Marlins have inquired about the laboring pitcher.
Miller holds a 3.64 career ERA, so prospective buyers are targeting a solid starter who would otherwise cost a fortune. Just ask Arizona, a team that would be lucky to receive one player on par with Swanson.
Sources told Murray that the Diamondbacks are “not giving him away,” so look for him to work out whatever is ailing him in Arizona. They overpaid to get him, but selling him on the downswing would only compound their mistakes. Unless the Braves agree to trade back out of pity, their best bet is to ride out his troubles.
Jurickson Profar
It’s not quite a shocking development to see teams covet a 23-year-old infielder batting .316/.364/.451.
According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Texas Rangers are fielding a “ton of calls” for Jurickson Profar, who has received limited playing time despite his stellar play:
All things considered, the Rangers would like to keep Profar. His versatility is an asset even though the Rangers haven’t fully exploited it yet. He could also end up as the starting shortstop next season with Elvis Andrus sliding into the utility role.
But right now clubs see he is getting limited playing time even though he can play all four infield positions. If they do trade him, the Rangers would prefer to get a young starting pitcher with as much upside potential as Profar and under their control for the next few years.
Baseball America‘s top-rated prospect in 2013, his road to the majors took longer than expected due to shoulder injuries wiping out most of the last two years. He’s back and playing a little of all four infield spots for Texas, but it hasn’t added up to regular reps. He might still be stuck in the minors if Rougned Odor didn’t punch Jose Bautista.
Per Sullivan, the Tampa Bay Rays are one of the interested teams, and their array of young pitching makes them a natural trading partner for Texas. If the Rangers decide to keep Profar, they could instead offer slugging third baseman Joey Gallo or outfield prospect Lewis Brinson to attain Jake Odorizzi or Matt Moore.
Texas should instead find a way to feature Profar, even if it means sitting the highly compensated Prince Fielder.
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