Last year’s trading close was an exciting minute thanks to the Cubs and Nationals being late to sell and having significant pieces to trade. It’s unlikely we can meet a deadline where Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, both halves of Bryzzo (Kris Bryant/Anthony Rizzo) and so many other namesakes have been dealt out.
The Nats are looking like salesmen again and there has already been some pretty widespread speculation that megastar Juan Soto could be acting. But while Scherzer had a year and a half to go and Turner a year and a half, Soto will not only be 2 1/2 years away from free agency, he could be the most valuable asset in MLB (it’s him or Shohei Ohtani). With the team for sale, trading their one giant business card can be a risk not worth taking.
One Nats person responded to the Soto speculation: “It’s not funny.”
Soto’s agent Scott Boras was almost as succinct: “Forget the Soto trade… won’t happen.”
Assuming that’s true, it should still be a decent trading market, thanks in part to MLB having so many clear have-nots along with some obvious have-nots. (At last count, a full third of teams are on track to either win or lose 100 games.) Here’s a first list of 20 trade candidates:
1. Frankie Montas, SP of A: What else is he doing there, pitching in front of 2,500 spectators? The Mets recently tracked him down, but there will be competition. The Twins, White Sox, Cardinals and Yankees, among others, were linked.
2. Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox SS: Here it is said that he will drop out, and further it is said that he has a good chance of leaving. The Red Sox say they want to keep him long-term, but if they really think Trevor Story’s arm is good enough to go back to shortstop (one scout said he’s throwing “funky”), Boston might go for a semi-rebuild about.
Xander Bogaerts is likely to walk out of his deal and leave Boston.Getty Images
3. Luis Castillo, Reds SP: The Giants have treated Cincinnati like a farm system for the past several years. Ex-Reds Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, Kevin Gausman and Johnny Cueto accounted for four-fifths of their 107-win team’s rotation.
4. JD Martinez, Red Sox DH: His salary is high (he declined his opt-out three years in a row), but he just lost his MLB-high 18-game winning streak.
5. Nate Eovaldi, Red Sox SP: Forget the five homers in an inning to the Astros, he’s a proven big-game pitcher. Eovaldi, like Bogaerts and Martinez, is a potential free agent.
6. Tyler Mahle, Red’s SP: He’s nowhere near his great 2020-21 seasons. Another potential giant. The Mets, whose depth at Max Scherzer’s skewed news is a question, have also been scouting.
7. Nelson Cruz, Nats DH: It was a surprise that he went to Washington at all.
8. Willson Contreras, Cubs C: With so many teams not producing the catcher, he should be popular. The Cubs never came close to lengthening it; Yan Gomes is ready to go.
9. Trey Mancini, Orioles 1B: He’s a really inspirational story and can hit too (especially when he leaves the new caves of Camden Yards).
10. Bryan Reynolds, Pirates OF: The Marlins, Mariners, Yankees and Padres were among the teams interested in the winter. Pittsburgh should work to extend it.
11. Ian Happ, boys of: Easy to see the Cubs selling again.
12. Josh Bell, Nat’s 1B: Back on track after a COVID year.
13. Chad Kuhl, Rockies SP: Kuhl was a great $3 million pickup.
14. Martin Perez. Ranger SP: have a professional year.
15. Andrew Benintendi, Royals OF: Put together a nice hiking season.
16. Marcus Stroman, Cubs SP: Overpriced (although he doesn’t think so), but he was a solid and athletic pitcher.
17. Mark Melancon, Diamondbacks RP: Underrated Closer anchors a surprising staff.
18. Tommy Pham, Red by: Cincy needs moves.
19. Ian Kennedy, Diamondback’s RP: Has the courage to close.
20. Kike Hernandez, Red Sox CF: Outstanding outfielder had big playoffs.