Just a couple weeks ago, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg was watching a perfect free-agent storm happen right before his eyes. Not only was he dominating on the mound, but he also would easily be the best available hurler on the open market this winter.
Instead of trying to maximize his earning potential, the Scott Boras client opted for comfort and familiar surroundings. Doing this was obviously much easier since he was signing a seven-year, $175 million deal with two opt-outs, as well.
It’s not every day we see a player with Strasburg’s potential (and a Boras client) take a deal that’s probably below market value. For teams in need of top-tier starting pitchers, it left them with not-so-inspiring options when looking ahead at the remaining hurlers projected to be free agents in a few months.
There are certain MLB teams with depth on the mound that could take advantage of this situation by putting one or more of their young pitchers on the trading block. Here are six organizations with the ability to do so:
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Miami Marlins
The Marlins’ front office repeatedly said there were no plans on trading Jose Fernandez last winter. That didn’t stop them from listening to some ridiculous offers, though. It was smart to hold onto their ace – not only did they feel this team could be competitive in 2016, but allowing Fernandez another full year to produce after Tommy John surgery will only increase his value.
The right-hander is on the verge becoming arbitration-eligible and is another Scott Boras client. Even if Miami has no plans on dealing him, the market may provide them with an offer they simply can’t refuse.
Cleveland Indians
Out of this entire group, the Indians have the most young pitchers already signed to team-friendly deals. Corey Kluber is under contract through 2019 (with team options for 2020 and 2021) and Carlos Carrasco is signed through 2018 (with team options for 2019 and 2020), while Danny Salazar is the sole hurler of these three currently headed toward arbitration.
Cleveland could’ve easily made somebody available to bolster its offense, but opted to keep them together for 2016. Depending on how the team performs throughout the next few months, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them explore what they could get in return upon making one available.
New York Mets
Why in the world would the Mets trade away any of their young pitchers?! While the Yoenis Cespedes signing showed the team’s finances maybe aren’t as dire as some thought, it’s difficult for any team to hold onto an entire rotation, especially when guys like Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler have all flashed elite potential at some point in their careers.
Out of these five – and again, it depends on how this team performs in 2016 – the two with probably the best chance of getting traded would be Harvey or deGrom. There are concerns with each (Harvey is 3-5 with a 4.93 ERA and 1.53 WHIP; deGrom’s velocity has taken a noticeable dip), but they’re both All-Stars, are in their 20s and have postseason experience.
New York may use next winter to start locking up its rotation, but if there’s a hole on the roster, the best way to fill it quickly could be to leverage this depth of talent on the trade market.
Tampa Bay Rays
Having elite starting pitching under team control and potentially making them available via trade is something the Rays are used to. They’ve taken advantage of it in the past, and could do so again within the next few months.
The most obvious hurler teams would want is Chris Archer, but one can assume Tampa Bay wants to hold onto him for a while longer. He’s under contract through 2019 (and via team options in 2020 and 2021) and is a clubhouse leader. However, someone like Jake Odorizzi could be dealt in exchange for some offense.
That’s exactly what the Rays did this last winter by swapping reliever Jake McGee for Corey Dickerson and flipping Nate Karns to Seattle for Brad Miller and Logan Morrison. While none of these acquisitions have performed up to expectation yet this season, digging into their depth on the pitcher’s mound will be the best way to receive some controllable offensive assets and remain competitive in the AL East.
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Oakland Athletics
Of all the teams listed here, Oakland is most likely to actually take advantage of how the market is forming. We’re all aware of how the A’s operate and it seems as if it’s only a matter of time before Sonny Gray gets dealt.
His 3-4 record with a 5.84 ERA and 1.54 WHIP are eye-opening in the wrong way, but it’s doubtful interested teams would shy away – unless there’s something physically wrong with him.
Without many legitimate options anticipated to be available this upcoming summer and winter, this could finally be the time when Gray has to pack his bags, assuming his production improves. He’s currently in his age-26 season, has shown an ability to consistently produce like an ace and still has multiple years of team control left before becoming a free agent. Those are all things working in Oakland’s favor to receive a significant haul of prospects.
Pittsburgh Pirates
With Tyler Glasnow and Jameson Taillon knocking on the door of the big leagues, the next few months could be the perfect time for Pittsburgh to sell high on Gerrit Cole. In the first week of this season, I mentioned that Gregory Polanco’s extension combined with the organization being pretty stubborn with Cole shows they don’t plan on attempting to retain him for the long-term.
He’s fresh off a career year in 2015 and while he’s had ups and downs so far this season, Cole is a top-of-the-rotation arm that’s only 25 years old and won’t be a free agent until 2020.
Last winter, it was the high price of acquiring top free-agent starting pitchers that caused some teams (ahem, the Diamondbacks) to overpay via trade. This winter, it could happen simply because there aren’t many options to choose from. Which young, elite pitchers do you think could be on a different team by Opening Day of the 2017 season?
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