In the last article, I wrote about the pending free agents that are still available. Today, we are exploring the names that seem to be available on the trade market. Last night we almost closed out the CBA and it was extended into today, so I believe a deal gets done and the season starts as scheduled. There was just too much momentum created to think otherwise.
If it is true, that the season goes on without missed games, then the teams will have roughly 3.5 weeks to finalize their rosters. This creates a moving market daily and a chaotic pace to which teams are not accustomed. Each team’s GM will have to stay on top of their situation and act quickly to respond to what other teams do, solve their own issues, and field a competitive team for the 2022 season.
I have included a list of players who have come up in trade rumors or at least mentions in this offseason. They are both position players and pitchers. They ranked by projected WAR to provide a context of who might be able to catapult a team to success, who is there to fill a gap, or who is a money fit. Either way, if you combine this article with the free-agent article, you’ll have a relatively complete list of what to expect.
The possible trade candidate list:
The position player list is deeper in talent on this list than on the free-agent list. 1B Matt Olson and OF Byron Buxton leads the way. There are also more starting pitchers that can make a difference as well. That list is led by Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. These players will cost prospects or big leaguers in return, so it will be interesting to see how the free-agent market, and the trade candidates will be utilized to improve teams.