Not every MLB team can afford to ink Aaron Judge to a contract. Or throw a bunch of money at one of the top free agents available.
So the next best thing is to trade for a star.
As we enter the 2022 offseason in baseball, there are a few names being thrown around as trade candidates. And I’ll take this moment to focus on one name: Shohei Ohtani.
There’s no way the Los Angeles Angels would deal him, right? Even if he’s in line for a huge contract in the near future, and even with the franchise being terrible, and even with GM Perry Minasian saying out loud that “Ohtani is not getting moved” … we have to throw him on this list as a possibility, and we’ll rate every player on a scale of 1 (not happening) to 5 (he’s gone).
1
DH/SP Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Again, I doubt it, but we’ll throw him on here, especially with the Angels possibly being sold.
LIKELIHOOD: 1
2
OF Bryan Reynolds, Pittsburgh Pirates
He was a name thrown around in the trade deadline earlier this year. Maybe we’ll hear it again this winter?
LIKELIHOOD: 3
3
3B Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox
We’ve seen this before with Boston recently — when a star hitter nears free agency, the Red Sox trade him. So … he could get dealt?
LIKELIHOOD: 2
4
SP Pablo Lopez, Miami Marlins
Tons of buzz about him, and you get why: The Marlins need bats and have a ton of good pitching.
LIKELIHOOD: 4
5
A Brewers star starting pitcher
Could the Brewers trade Corbin Burnes or Brandon Woodruff given their looming free agents? Could they hold on to one or both for the next couple of years? Hmm. I’m speculating, but I think maybe … not this winter.
LIKELIHOOD: 2
6
C Sean Murphy, Oakland A's
Another name who was thrown around earlier this year, and Oakland is in the middle of a rebuild.
LIKELIHOOD: 4
7
1B Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
If the Phillies want to go after a big name in free agency, maybe dealing the slugger would be a good idea.
LIKELIHOOD: 3
8
OF Tyler O'Neill, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals have more than enough outfielders for 2023, so maybe dealing him after a rough season could be a good idea.
LIKELIHOOD: 3
