The NL East's most attractive trade chips
As one of the Majors' most intriguing divisions, the National League East contains five teams at various stages of their competitive cycles -- the world champion Nationals, the division-winning Braves, the contending Mets and Phillies and the rebuilding Marlins. As such, the division also includes a diversity of talent. Some
As one of the Majors' most intriguing divisions, the National League East contains five teams at various stages of their competitive cycles -- the world champion Nationals, the division-winning Braves, the contending Mets and Phillies and the rebuilding Marlins. As such, the division also includes a diversity of talent.
Some NL East teams have a surplus of pitching. Others have hitting or defense to spare. Here’s a look at each club’s most tradeable asset this Hot Stove season:
Braves: Center fielders
Right now,
Some clubs don’t have any plus center fielders on their rosters. The Braves employ three. Practically, this means they have alternatives to Inciarte, whose guaranteed contract still has two years worth $16.4 million, with a $1.025 million buyout. That salary alone will weigh down Inciarte’s trade value, but he’s still a plus center fielder with offensive upside. Given Atlanta’s other options, it would not be surprising to see him go.
Marlins: Starting pitching
The Marlins are the rare team with both a pitching surplus and an incentive to deal it, considering the unlikelihood they make the playoffs in 2020. In particular, rival clubs covet
“Our pitching is very popular, as you would expect,” Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said at the GM Meetings earlier this month. “I think with a little bit of our history, teams know that we will make trades.”
Mets: Power hitters
The Mets don’t have prospects to trade -- at least not without thinning their farm system to risky levels. They certainly can’t afford to deal away starting pitching at any level. But they do have a pair of big league position players without defensive homes in
The popular Davis was a breakout offensive performer in his first season with the Mets, batting .307/.369/.527 with 22 homers in 453 plate appearances, but he graded as a negative defender at both third base and in left field. Davis could start at either position next season. Or, the Mets could acquire a full-time center fielder, push
Smith is just 24 years old, younger than
Nationals: Outfielders
Specifically,
The Nationals could also get creative, selling high on Eaton in a blockbuster, but a trade of the speedy Taylor would be easier to complete.
Phillies: Payroll flexibility
The Phillies made no secret of their desire to spend last offseason, acquiring
Money can be used in different ways. The Phillies could spend it on
Anthony DiComo has covered the Mets for MLB.com since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDiComo, Instagram and Facebook.