Andrew's Most Compelling MLB Trade Candidates Pt. 2
Rounding out my list of players who could be dealt over the coming weeks, including their best landing spot...
It is time for Part 2 of my most compelling MLB Trade Candidates feature.
Part 1 was published on Friday, with the likes of Juan Soto, Tyler Glasnow, Corbin Burnes and Jonathan India included.
You can read Pt. 1 in full by visiting the link below:
As a reminder, this list is made up of players who have been included in multiple reports about being on the trade block. As was the case in Pt. 1, all the candidates included in Pt. 2 seem likely to be on the move at some point this offseason.
Let’s dive right in to Part 2 of my most compelling MLB Trade Candidates…
7. Gleyber Torres, 2B / SS, New York Yankees
2023 Stats (Hitting): 158 G, 672 PA, .273/.347/.453/.800, 25 HR, 68 RBI, 28 2B, 13 SB, 67 BB, 163 H, 118 OPS+, 2.9 WAR
I leadoff Part 2 with Gleyber Torres because it seems feasible that this is the offseason the Yankees are finally ready to cut their losses with the second baseman.
Due to a crop of talented young middle infielders, Torres has become somewhat expendable. Plus, if the Yankees are successful in pulling the trigger on a trade for Juan Soto and then absorbing the star’s $30 million salary in 2024, it would make sense for them to move on from Torres’ contract. Torres is projected to earn around $15 million in 2024.
Torres’ legacy in those iconic and storied Pinstripes is a complicated one. Once touted as the next great thing, with the potential to become an all-time Yankee, the two-time All-Star has failed to meet those lofty expectations. While he hasn’t flammed out like other highly-thought of Yankees prospects such as Gary Sánchez and Clint Frazier, Torres hasn’t exactly hit the heights we all thought he would when he mashed 38 homers in 2019.
Still, the righty bat has been solid enough in the Bronx, and he had a nice season in 2023. Torres hit .273/.347/.453/.800 with 25 homers, 28 doubles, 68 RBIs and 90 runs scored. He also ranked sixth among all second basemen with a .800 OPS. And, at 26-years-old, there is still room for Torres to grow and perhaps fulfill some of that potential elsewhere.
Who I Want To See Trade For Torres: The Seattle Mariners have expressed interest in Torres before, so it makes sense they revisit that possibility this offseason. Seattle needs some more pop in the middle of the lineup, which Torres could provide, as well as replacing the production of Teoscar Hernández, who is now a free agent. Torres would be an effective everyday infielder for the Mariners, and escaping the pressure and bright lights of New York City could yield a positive uptick in performance from the two-time All-Star.
8. Shane Bieber, RHP, Cleveland Guardians
2023 Stats (Pitching): 21 G, 6-6, 3.80 ERA, 1.234 WHIP, 128 IP, 107 SO, 20.1 K%, 6.4 BB%, 34 BB, 110 ERA+
The Cleveland Guardians are the original OG’s when it comes to producing and developing elite arms, before flipping them when the price gets too high. They’ve made an absolute art form out of it, and Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger are some of the pitchers that have been moved at just the right time.
Shane Bieber could be the next one. The two-time All-Star and 2020 Cy Young winner is a year away from Free Agency and, based on previous history, it would make sense for the Guardians to try and move their ace now. They have a slew of rotation options, including the likes of Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, Gavin Williams and Cal Quantrill, so Bieber is somewhat expendable at this point.
Listen, you aren’t getting a peak-of-his-powers, Cy Young caliber pitcher anymore in Bieber. He has got a lot of milage on the body, and he’s been beaten up a lot. Right elbow inflammation cost Bieber a chunk of the 2023 season, and he finished the year with a 3.80 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. Furthermore, the right-handed pitcher set career-lows in strikeouts per nine innings (7.5), strikeout percentage (20.1 k%) and average fastball velocity. His fastball had the lowest whiff rate in baseball in 2023.
However, this is still Shane freaking Bieber we’re talking about and, when healthy, he can still be a high-end frontline starter in Major League Baseball. He looked healthy in his final two starts in September and the fact that he’s open to a long-term extension following a trade, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, should act as a sweetener for any admirers out there.
Who I Want To See Trade For Bieber: The Braves are looking to bolster their rotation having missed out on both Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray already this offseason. Atlanta is firmly in win-now mode and a healthy Bieber would be a potent weapon for that rotation. If not the Braves, the Cubs would also make sense given that they really need to give ace Justin Steele a legit running mate in 2024. And, if all else fails and the Giants whiff on other targets, Bieber pitching and thriving on the West Coast could be a tantalizing possibility.