Winter MLB Trade Candidates

Michael Ginnitti
Michael Ginnitti, Managing Editor & NFL/MLB ExpertDecember 16, 2022
© USA TODAY Sports

12 MLB Trade Candidates heading toward the new year, including current & future financial ramifications & potential destinations for each.

Rafael Devers (3B, BOS, 26)

1 year, est. $18M for 2023, 2024 free agent

Devers should be the prototypical position player to pay and utilize as your cornerstone pieceSS Xander Bogaert already out the door, and SP Nathan Eovaldi likely next, Boston’s stock is still dropping - not rising. They’re in the process of trying to negotiate an extension here, but based on Xander’s offers, an end game seems unlikely. If he hits the trade block, Devers will draw blockbuster offers from most of the league.

James McCann (C, NYM, 32)

2 years, $24M

This might be a bit of wishful thinking here, but there’s no question the Mets would like to get out from under this contract as quickly as possible - especially with top prospect Francisco Alvarez now purchased, & Tomas Nido (2 more years of control) in the running for a Gold Glove. New York will be looking to retain or replace 3/4s of a rotation, half a bullpen, and a centerfielder this offseason, so paying down McCann’s deal to get back a hole plugger might be worth their time.

Liam Hendriks (RP, CWS, 33)

2 years, $30M

It’s unclear who the White Sox are trying to be in 2023, but clearly getting out of $30M is more important than 35+ saves a year. Contenders will want the White Sox to eat some of this salary, but this feels like a move that gets made.

An Arizona Outfielder

Teams have called about Daulton Varsho (CF, est. $2.7M in 2023, 2027 free agent), but the asking price rightfully remains extremely high. Youngster Alek Thomas (23, CF, pre-arb) could be the piece that moves, and should bring back a price to sets up this team to at least consider getting back into divisional contention in 2-3 years. 

A Blue Jays Catcher

Danny Jansen (28, estimated $3.6M, 2025 free agent), Alejandro Kirk (24, pre-arb, 2027 free agent), & Gabriel Moreno (23, pre-arb, 2030 free agent) make for quite a 1-2-3 punch in Toronto. Shedding Jansen’s number with a near taxpayer roster right now makes the most business sense, but probably brings back the smallest haul. 

Corbin Burnes (SP, MIL, 28)

Est. $12.5M for 2023, Arbitration thru 2024

He’s probably not “officially” on the trade block until an over the top offer comes in. Should the Giants be that team? With Carlos Correa now in the fold, can top prospect SS Marco Luciano become a centerpiece starting point to get this kind of trade talk rolling? Rodon’s 6 year, $162M deal is a foundation for his next contract.

Bryan Reynolds (CF, PIT, 27)

$6.75M in 2023, Arbitration thru 2025

With plenty of team control remaining, there’s no rush for Pittsburgh to trade Reynolds, but there’s always a price. This feels like an early spring move after teams assess their new rosters a little bit. He projects to Brandon Nimmo’s recent 8 year $160M deal in NY.

Carlos Carrasco (SP, NYM, 35)

1 year, $14M + $1M trade bonus

Cookie had his $14M option exercised for 2023, but it feels like that was more of a backup plan for the Mets - who added bodies all around him in the rotation this past month. Teams that missed out on Rodon/Eovaldi down the stretch here will have interest.

Dylan Carlson (CF, STL, 24)

Pre-Arb, 2027 free agent

The Cardinals have a surplus in the outfield - even after trading Harrison Bader at the last deadline. The centerfield market is smoldering, and in demand, right now, so a youngster with big upside could bring back a strong haul to St. Louis. Poaching an arm or two from Houston makes sense here.

Cal Quantrill (SP, CLE, 27)

Est. $5M for 2023, Arbitration thru 2025

Quantrill has now posted back-to-back-to-back strong seasons, raising his value to an all-time high. So why move him? The Guardians have 10 starting pitchers at or very close to MLB ready. They can keep the gravy train moving with an annual sell high move like this, especially before Quantrill gets too expensive.

Pablo Lopez (SP, MIA, 26)

Est. $6M for 2023, Arbitration thru 2024

Lopez was highly coveted at this past August deadline, but the Marlins were looking to be blown away with an offer (rightfully so). Lopez has now posted back-to-back-to-back seasons that prove he’s worthy of top rotation action & money. If the Marlins aren’t willing to be that team, striking on a deal this winter (with two years of control remaining) could prove to bring back a franchise-altering haul. Lopez projects to a 6 year, $110M extension in our system currently.

Gleyber Torres (INF, 26)

Est. $9M for 2023, 2024 Free Agent

Torres projects to be the Yankees’ Opening Day starting second baseman, but shedding his projected $9M arbitration salary this season could be of some business importance. The White Sox make a little sense here, especially as they might have a reliever to send back to NY.


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