MLB Trade Deadline Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertJuly 29, 2019
© USA TODAY Sports

With the 2019 MLB Trade Deadline less than 48 hours away, we'll take a look at a few names who remain on the hot stove, including the money remaining on their 2019 salary, and the stability & status of their current contract.

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Noah Syndergaard (SP, 26, NYM)

Syndergaard’s name has been in trade talks for about a year now, and could have a role in what has been a career-worst season thus far (7-5 record, 4.33 ERA, 1.26 WHIP). The 26-year-old is under team control through 2021, and his final two arbitration salaries will rise significantly from a current $6M price tag. Noah has around $2M remaining on his 2019 salary, and should bring back a huge haul for the Mets, whether he’s moved this week, or after the season.

 

Zack Wheeler (SP, 29, NYM)

Wheeler’s 2019 hasn’t exactly matched his career 2018 production (3.31 ERA, 1.1 WHIP), but the pending free agent has shown enough over the past 2+ seasons to prove a worthy addition to any contender this fall. Like teammate Syndergaard, Wheeler has around $2M left on his 2019 salary, but won’t bring back near the return as a rental acquisition.

 

Trevor Bauer (SP, 28, CLE)

Bauer’s deep ball into the centerfield stands would certainly be an interesting way to potentially end his Indians career, but it seems more likely he sticks with Cleveland through 2019 and is moved after the season. Bauer has one more arbitration-eligible season in 2020, and has gone on the record to say he would prefer to sign 1-year deals throughout his career, though that certainly remains to be seen. The 28-year-old has $4.3M remaining on his 2019 salary heading into the deadline, and his 2020 salary likely comes in at around $20M.

 

Matt Boyd (SP, 28, DET)

The Tigers were quietly expected to take a small step forward in 2019, but their 30-71 record says otherwise thus far. In light of this, it’s possible they move their most valuable trade piece in Boyd who carries around $870,000 remaining in 2019, then THREE more years of arbitration control. Detroit could cash in a big return from a strong farm system like Minnesota or the Yankees have, but it remains to be seen if anyone will dive this deep in the next 48 hours.

 

Shane Greene (RP, 30, DET)

Greene would have a heck of a lot more than 22 saves if the Tigers had more than 30 wins to boot in 2019. The 30-year-old is holding a 1.22 ERA & 0.865 WHIP in 37 appearances and likely has multiple suitors from the contenders. He holds about $1.3M remaining on his 2019 salary and is arbitration eligible for the last time in 2020.

 

Madison Bumgarner (SP, 29, SF)

Will they or won’t they? That’s the question MANY teams are asking about the Giants in the next 2 days, with names like Kevin Pillar, Drew Pomeranz, & Will Smith also rumored to have interest. The bottom line here is, even if the Giants think they have a chance to compete in 2019, trading Bumgarner might be the right business move. The 29-year-old is on an expiring contract, and may be reluctant to re-sign with a Giants organization that could be ripping it down and starting over soon. Mad-Bum has around $4M left on his 2019 salary.

 

Robbie Ray (SP, 27, ARI)

Ray is the more affordable pitching option in Arizona (Greinke), but it remains to be seen if the D-Backs will be offered anything worth considering in the final days. Ray is under control through 2020, and has a little more than $2M left on his 2019 salary.

 

Mike Minor (SP, 31, TEX)

Minor has around $3.1M remaining on his 2019 salary, and holds a $9.5M salary in 2020 as well, so a move for him isn’t just about winning now. Teams like the Yankees or Phillies seem to make sense where both 2019 & 2020 are legitimate championship options. It’s possible Texas kicks in cash to make this move more attractive.

 

The Best of the Rest

 PosTeamAge2019 RemainingFree Agent
Yasiel Puig  OF CIN 28 $3.2M 2020
Jonathan Villar 2B BAL 28 $1.6M 2021
Tanner Roark  SP CIN 32 $3.33M 2020
Kirby Yates  RP SD 32 $1.02M 2021
Will Smith  RP SF 30 $1.4M 2020
Ian Happ  OF CHC 24 $200k 2024
Clint Frazier OF NYY 24 $187k 2024
Jose Abreu 1B CHW 32 $5.3M 2020
Wilson Ramos  C NYM 31 $2.08M 2022
Ken Giles RP TOR 28 $2.1M 2021
Todd Frazier  3B NYM 33 $3M 2020
Billy Hamilton OF KC 28 $1.4M 2020
Whit Merrifield 2B KC 30 $333k 2023

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