With the MLB off-season winding down, free agent signings have dominated the news feed in baseball. Before the 30 teams head to their respective Spring Training locations, here’s how a few can boost their rosters through the trade market.
St. Louis finally ships Arenado, joins Goldschmidt in Bronx
It’s been apparent that St. Louis is heading into a rebuilding phase, making no big signings, with the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and Jordan Romano departing from the team.
The only off-season rumor that has been around is the Cardinals are sending third baseman Nolan Arenado elsewhere. St. Louis had a deal lined up with the Houston Astros, before Arenado invoked his no trade clause.
New York seems like a more appealing landing spot for the 10-time Gold Glove winner. New York fell just short in the World Series and has gone all in, in attempts to return this season. Arenado could be the final piece to the puzzle, with the chance for two additional seasons to run it back with him at the hot corner. The Yankees would mostly likely try to score closer Ryan Helsley as well, making their already lethal bullpen even stronger.
New York doesn’t have a world of prospects to ship in return, but they have enough to get a deal finalized.
St. Louis receives: Spencer Jones, OF (New York’s 2nd ranked prospect); Ben Hess, RHP (New York’s 8th ranked prospect); Everson Pereira, OF (New York’s 10th ranked prospect); Ben Rice, 1B
New York receives: Nolan Arenado, 3B; Ryan Helsley, RHP
San Diego score lineup and prospect depth from Baltimore
The Padres had one of the best overall teams a season ago. However, they’ve seen a pair of crucial lineup pieces depart, with breakout outfielder Jurickson Profar earning a deal with the Braves and defensive guru Ha-Seong Kim still being on the market, with no true rumors of a return to San Diego.
San Diego desperately needs to build a lineup around their stars and a farm system, as theirs grades as one of the worst in baseball. The only two Top 100 prospects for San Diego are not projected to see big league action until 2027.
Enter the Baltimore Orioles, who have a surplus of young players, with many having to platoon to see time on the field in 2025. The surplus of riches includes many former Top 100 who have since graduated, but have numerous years of control remaining on their contract, along with prospects getting delayed due to the log jam.
Baltimore could look to score a true ace, after Corbin Burnes departed for Arizona and bullpen depth. The rotation is headlined by third year starter Grayson Rodriguez, whose sophomore campaign was cut short due to a lat strain. Adding a top of the rotation arm could help Baltimore to a third straight postseason appearance. Dylan Cease would be a perfect fit, with his contract set to expire at season’s end, allowing Baltimore to make up for letting Burnes walk, potentially extending the 29-year-old righty.
San Diego receives: Samuel Basallo, C/1B (MLB’s 13th ranked prospect); Chayce McDermott, RHP (Baltimore’s 5th ranked prospect); Ramón Urías, INF; Ryan O’Hearn, 1B/OF
Baltimore: Dylan Cease, RHP; Adrian Morejan, LHP
Mets go all in on superstar filled lineup, score Robert Jr.
Since Chicago has been the cellar dweller of the American League, there’s been clamoring for the possibility of shipping superstar centerfielder Luis Robert Jr. Though his value is lower than it would’ve been if the South Siders moved him after 2023, his upside could be enough to get teams to strike a deal.
The Mets’ lineup added arguably the best hitter in the game, Juan Soto, on a record-breaking deal in free agency. The addition of Robert Jr. could help New York return to the success they had a season ago.
The Mets have many prospects on the verge of being big league ready who could interest Chicago. With Robert Jr. having two team options after the 2025 season, New York would have to throw in an extra piece to get the deal done, though New York is in win-now mode.
New York receives: Luis Robert Jr.
Chicago receives: Drew Gilbert, OF (New York’s 3rd prospect); Ronny Mauricio, 2B/SS/OF (New York’s 6th prospect); Brett Baty, INF
Boston moves Story to make way for Mayer
When the Red Sox scored Trevor Story after a successful six-year run with Colorado, they expected the production to remain. Instead, inconsistency and injuries have derailed Boston’s hopes. Story has still shown flashes of excellence, though the negatives have usually overshadowed these.
With Boston’s 2021 first round pick Marcelo Mayer being on the verge of joining the big club, it seems like a good time to cut ties with Story.
The Seattle Mariners could use the upside of Story’s middle infield versatility and middle of the lineup upside. The presence in the middle of the order would do wonders for the heart of Seattle’s lineup, one that ranked in the bottom 10 in OPS.
In return, Boston could score a long-term catching option in Harry Ford, who is currently blocked off by Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver in the Pacific Northwest. The 21-year-old could begin to take over as the Red Sox’s primary backstop across the next two years, especially if Connor Wong’s 2024 season was an outlier from his previous year’s performances.
Boston receives: Harry Ford, C (MLB’s 65th ranked prospect)
Seattle: Trevor Story, SS/2B; Vaughn Grissom, INF; Nelly Taylor, OF (Boston’s 25th ranked prospect)
Twins add Díaz to heart of lineup to compete in division
Minnesota finished fourth in the AL Central, despite still finishing above .500. The Twins have good pieces to their team, but could use an additional bat.
With Yandy Diaz’s contract drawing to a close, with a team option for 2026, the Rays would like to cash in on the late blooming first baseman, after three straight productive seasons.
Tampa Bay has been notorious for developing players who they draft, trade for or buy low on, so the return for Diaz could continue with the recent trend. The Rays moved on from Randy Arozarena before the trade deadline last season and with the forecast of the AL East, it doesn’t seem likely that they’ll be fighting for a division title within the next few years.
Minnesota receives: Yandy Díaz, 1B; Brandon Lowe, 2B
Tampa Bay receives: Gabriel Gonzalez, OF (Minnesota’s 7th ranked prospect); Ricardo Olivar, C/OF (Minnesota’s 16th ranked prospect); Michael Helman, OF
All stats are from MLB and all contract information is from Spotrac as of Jan. 25
Contact the writer: vtgoldschmidt@m.marywood.edu