The best Trade Deadline name for each position
Mark Feinsand
@feinsandThe Trade Deadline is less than five weeks away, and while only seven teams find themselves facing double-digit deficits in the postseason races, a number of contenders are already looking for ways to bolster their rosters for the second half of the season.
As always, pitching figures to dominate the trade market headlines, but there are interesting trade options all around the diamond. MLB.com looks at the best player potentially available at each position, along with the ¡°Buzz Factor¡± surrounding each of them as the calendar prepares to turn to July.
C: Willson Contreras?, Cubs
It¡¯s only a matter of time before Contreras -- one of the last links to the Cubs¡¯ 2016 World Series championship team -- is wearing a new uniform. The 30-year-old impending free agent is having a strong season at the plate, and while some teams are hesitant to install a new catcher in the middle of the season, Contreras has dabbled at some other positions and could always be used as a DH.
Buzz Factor: High
The Cubs have moved most of their big names during the past 12 months. With Contreras heading toward free agency, he seems like a near-lock to be traded.
1B: Josh Bell, Nationals
Bell¡¯s combination of patience and power has made him one of the top producers at first base this season, but that hasn¡¯t helped the Nationals stay in the postseason mix. Bell is on a one-year, $10 million deal, making him a reasonable option on a short-term, second-half commitment.
Buzz Factor: High
Forget the Juan Soto talk; Bell is the Nationals¡¯ biggest trade chip this summer. Washington is already looking ahead to 2023, so moving the first baseman for a prospect or two makes perfect sense.
2B: Whit Merrifield?, Royals
Second base might be the thinnest position in this trade market, as most of the best players there are either on contending teams or are young with multiple years of club control. The 33-year-old Merrifield is under control through 2023 ($6.75 million in 2023, plus an $18 million mutual option for 2024 with a $500,000 buyout), though his performance this season has been beneath his usual standards.
Buzz Factor: Low
Kansas City has resisted the urge to move Merrifield for several years, so trading him while his value is low wouldn¡¯t seem logical. If he heats up during the next month, however, the Royals might finally decide to deal him.
SS: José Iglesias?, Rockies
Iglesias has been a steady presence at shortstop for the Rockies, who signed the 32-year-old to a one-year, $5 million deal in March. A former All-Star, Iglesias could be an upgrade at shortstop for a contender with such a need, bringing solid on-base skills to the back half of a lineup.
Buzz Factor: Medium
The Rockies¡¯ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline is Ezequiel Tovar, who is tearing up Double-A this season and appears to be on a fast track to Colorado. Iglesias won¡¯t bring back a huge return, but the Rockies could certainly land a prospect in a deal for the shortstop.
3B: Brandon Drury?, Reds
Luis Castillo and Tyler Mahle have been the two Reds getting the most attention as the trade market begins to stir, but Cincinnati has some position players worth discussing, including Tommy Pham and Kyle Farmer. Drury might be the most intriguing, however, given his low salary ($900,000 this season) and versatility (he has seen extensive action at second base, third base and both corner-outfield spots during his career).
Buzz Factor: Medium
The Reds have a number of interesting trade chips, and given Drury¡¯s recent play, he should draw interest from a number of teams. General manager Nick Krall will be a busy man in the coming weeks.
RF: Anthony Santander?, Orioles
Santander and Trey Mancini have been rumored to be on the block for years, and while Mancini figures to be on the move given that he¡¯s slated to become a free agent after the season, Santander is arbitration-eligible for two more years. Santander is having a solid season at the plate, and his $3.15 million salary is reasonable.
Buzz Factor: Low
Mancini is the more likely trade candidate, but if a team dangles a legit prospect for Santander, GM Mike Elias could be tempted to move him -- especially with a number of outfield prospects waiting in the pipeline.
CF: Bryan Reynolds, Pirates
Reynolds continues to be one of the most talked-about trade candidates, though it remains to be seen whether the Pirates will actually move him. Despite a power boost at the plate -- he hit three homers in the Pirates¡¯ 8-7 win over the Nationals on Wednesday -- the 27-year-old is having an off year by his standards. But he¡¯s signed for $6.75 million in 2023 and is arbitration-eligible for two years after that, making him a very desirable and controllable asset.
Buzz Factor: Medium
There is no rush for the Pirates to trade Reynolds, but he¡¯s the type of player who could bring back a treasure trove of prospects, making such a move a realistic possibility for the rebuilding Bucs.
LF: Andrew Benintendi?, Royals
The Royals are in the midst of a disappointing season, and with Benintendi headed for free agency at the end of the year, it would be surprising if he wasn¡¯t dealt before Aug. 2. Benintendi had a mild scare this week when he left Monday¡¯s game with a knee injury, but he returned to the lineup on Tuesday, so his health isn¡¯t a concern.
Buzz Factor: High
A number of contenders could use corner-outfield help, and his combination of on-base skills and strong defense makes Benintendi a solid option.
DH: Nelson Cruz, Nationals
Cruz will turn 42 on July 1, but that doesn¡¯t mean the veteran can¡¯t still rake with the best of them. Cruz struggled through the first month of the season (.442 OPS from April 7 to May 3), but he¡¯s posted an OPS around .850 since then, driving in more than 30 runs during that time. The Nationals aren¡¯t going anywhere this season, leaving them no reason to hang on to Cruz, who is signed for one year at $15 million.
Buzz Factor: Medium
Cruz would be an upgrade at DH for many contenders, not to mention a strong presence in any clubhouse. Washington might need to pay down some of his salary in order to receive a solid prospect in return.
SP: Frankie Montas?, Athletics
Despite the constant trade talk that has swirled around the 29-year-old, Montas hasn¡¯t let it impact his performance, which has been solid all season. In a market thin on quality starting pitching, the right-hander might very well be the best available arm this summer.
Buzz Factor: High
It was somewhat surprising that Montas wasn¡¯t moved before the season, but that only meant the demand for him would grow by the summer. The Athletics are in full-on rebuilding mode and Montas is one of the biggest trade chips out there. He¡¯s as good as gone.
RP: David Robertson, Cubs
After throwing a total of 18 innings from 2019-21, the right-handed Robertson is enjoying a renaissance season in Chicago, looking like the pitcher who experienced so much success with the Yankees and White Sox for a decade. The 37-year-old could either fill the closer role or be a setup man for a contender, and with seven postseasons¡¯ worth of experience, Robertson won¡¯t be scared of the bright lights come October.
Buzz Factor: High
Robertson is on a one-year, $3.5 million deal (plus some reachable incentives), making him a relative bargain given the price of other closers around the league. As long as he stays healthy and continues to perform at this level, Robertson could land a solid return for the Cubs given the number of contenders in need of bullpen help.