Outfield trade market offers depth

Contenders looking to trade for an outfielder have plenty of options

July 11th, 2018

What outfield lacks in big names on the trade market, the position more than makes up for with the sheer number of players who could be moved.
Clubs with an eye on adding an outfielder should have plenty of possibilities, particularly at the corner spots.
Given that, expect to see lots of activity between now and the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Here's the latest on some of the key outfielders who could be changing teams.
, Orioles
Like teammates Manny Machado and Zach Britton -- two of the most popular names on the rumor mill of late -- Jones is a rental player the O's are open to trading for future talent. Given his advancing age (33 on Aug. 1), declining production (.738 OPS is his lowest since 2008) and remaining salary ($17M in 2018), though, don't expect a huge return for this longtime franchise face.
Jones also has 10-and-5 rights (as a veteran with 10 years of MLB service time, the past five with his current club), meaning he has the ability to nix any deal. Perhaps the biggest thing Jones has going for him is that he is one of the few outfield options who can handle center field.
The Cubs have been linked to Jones, per MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal as written in The Athletic (subscription required), with the idea being that he could provide outfield depth and clubhouse leadership.
, Rangers
Choo is in the middle of a late-career resurgence, thanks to an ongoing 48-game on-base streak entering Wednesday -- MLB's longest of 2018. Since that started on May 13, the 14-year vet has slashed an impressive .333/.463/.590, helping him make the All-Star roster for the first time in his career.

The rebuilding Rangers would love to capitalize on Choo's hot stretch by picking up future talent and unloading some of the $42 million he is due from 2019-20.
Not to mention, he'll turn 36 on Friday, plus trading him now would prevent him from becoming a 10-and-5 player heading into next season, as Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram points out. As is, Choo has a clause in his contract that allows him to block deals to 10 teams per season.
, Tigers
Castellanos presents a bit of a dilemma for the Tigers, as he's starting to come into his own while they're still in the early stages of a rebuild. The 26-year-old is scheduled to reach free agency after 2019 -- a point when Detroit may not yet be headed back toward contention.
With his .306/.359/.523 line, 28 doubles and 15 homers entering Wednesday, Castellanos is in the middle of a career campaign. That's tough to give up on -- but it also makes him an even more valuable trade asset, as MLB.com's Mark Feinsand notes.

, Rockies
While the Rockies are only 4 1/2 games out of a National League Wild Card spot entering Wednesday, there may be some urgency if they want to trade Gonzalez. He gains 10-and-5 rights on July 19, as MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi noted, meaning the 32-year-old outfielder would have the ability to decline any deal.
No longer the hitter he once was, Gonzalez has a .761 OPS, and since he does most of his damage at hitter-haven Coors Field (.931 OPS vs. .650 on the road), suitors will be wondering just what kind of production the free-agent-to-be can provide in a new home park.
and , Reds
As a right-handed power hitter who averaged 32 homers with a .788 OPS across 2016-17, plays strong defense in left field and remains under club control through 2021, the 29-year-old Duvall should be a sought-after trade chip.
Thing is, his average and OPS have dipped to .204 and .688, respectively, in 2018, in part due to a deflated .232 BABIP.
Similarly, Hamilton has seen his stock drop as his playing time has dwindled this season. He's hitting just .232 but has improved his ability to take a free pass with a career-high 10.2 percent walk rate (albeit with a career-worst 26.4 percent strikeout rate).
The 27-year-old's speed still makes an impact in center field and on the bases (22 SB, 4 CS), so it's possible a contender could see a fit as a late-inning defensive replacement/pinch-runner. Either Duvall or Hamilton could make sense for the outfield-depleted Indians, as Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal writes.

, White Sox
After finally breaking out in 2017, this season hasn't been as productive for Garcia, 27, mainly due to a lack of health. He's hitting .282 with an impressive .542 slugging percentage but has played just 35 games due to a troublesome right hamstring that forced him to the DL again Tuesday.
While this injury is expected to be more mild than the first one, according to GM Rick Hahn, it still undercuts the club's chances to garner interest in the ever-aggressive Garcia, who is making $6.7 million this year and has one more year of control.
, Marlins
While he's far from a star, Dietrich -- who turns 29 on July 19 -- brings some defensive versatility as a corner outfielder capable of handling second or third base in a pinch. A lefty hitter, he also has a knack for knocking around right-handed pitchers (.841 OPS vs. RHPs in 2018, .791 OPS vs. RHPs in his career), making him an ideal target for a contender seeking a platoon bat on a cost-efficient $2.9 million salary and two more years of control after 2018.
The Cubs and Brewers could be among the teams in the mix for Dietrich, as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman notes. The Indians also make sense. The Marlins nquestionably are sellers, so they may take advantage and move a hot hitter while they can.

, Blue Jays
Granderson finds himself in a similar situation to 2017, when he was swapped from the Mets to the Dodgers for his pop, on-base ability and veteran leadership.
The 37-year-old has shown this year that he still can slug (.446) and get on base (.353), doing most of his damage against right-handers. As such, Granderson could make sense for a club like the Cubs, Rosenthal writes.
, Mets
Released by the Braves on May 20, Bautista resurfaced with the Mets and has found some life with a .400 on-base percentage and .440 slugging.
Now 37, Bautista is a few seasons removed from the franchise slugger he was with the Blue Jays, but he's still a patient hitter (20.7 percent walk rate) who can pop a mistake from time to time. That might help him find his way to a contender eyeing a pinch-hitter with postseason experience.