One move each MLB Team should make this offseason
By Brad Rowland
Miami Marlins – Sell high on Dee Gordon
The Marlins have a myriad of issues, highlighted by a dearth of talent in the starting rotation after Jose Fernandez. Beyond that, the lineup is a bit of a mess, with only Giancarlo Stanton (and maybe Christian Yelich) serving as “sure thing” options for the future.
Dee Gordon looks like the second-best position player on this roster right now, but it is time to sell high. Gordon is among the MLB leaders in batting average while cruising past the competition in stolen bases (50+ in back-to-back years), but this season looks like a fluke. Gordon sports a BABIP north of .380, and given that his career baseline is .345, regression is likely on the way. Throw in the fact that he still isn’t walking and Gordon is a one-dimensional force.
Miami could likely extract real value from Gordon in a season in which he posted a 5+ WAR, and now is the time to move on from the 27-year-old.
Milwaukee Brewers – Move Jean Segura, Start Orlando Arcia on Opening Day
Jean Segura isn’t an awful MLB shortstop. Of course, that isn’t a tough bar to clear these days, given the dearth of talent (especially offensively) at the position. Still, Segura is in the midst of a season in which he has fewer than 1 WAR and he’ll be 26 years old to begin the 2016 season.
That isn’t old by MLB terms, but Segura’s problems at the plate are well-documented, and he could be in need of a change of scenery. Fortunately for Milwaukee, he is young enough to command something in return via trade, and the Brewers have a ready-made prospect to fill in to begin the 2016 season in Orlando Arcia.
Arcia will be just 21 years old to begin 2016, but he tore it up (126 wRC+) in double-A as a 20-year-old and folks in the industry are very high on his talents. Milwaukee likely isn’t in the mix for the World Series next season, so it is time to invigorate the fan base with an up-and-comer, and moving Segura could help strengthen the team’s reserves for the future.
Next: Twins and Mets