Fansided

Nine MLB players who could be traded mid-season in 2016

By Steven McNeil

Sep 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) looks on during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Ryan Braun (8) looks on during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (56) is removed from the game after giving up four earned runs to the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (56) is removed from the game after giving up four earned runs to the Washington Nationals during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

6) Marco Gonzales

The St. Louis Cardinals may have decided by the deadline that they do indeed need an impact bat in their lineup at either first base or in the outfield. So, with the need for an impact bat the Cardinals will have to trade away some of their stacked cupboard of cost-controlled pitching.

Marco Gonzales is probably the most enticing option that the Cardinals will be willing to trade. Gonzales, according to Baseball America, is one of the Cardinals top ten prospects. He broke onto the scene in 2014, after being drafted in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft. Gonzales posted a ERA of 4.15 out of the pen and rotation in 2014, and while that number doesn’t look good, it was only in 10 games.

It also doesn’t account for Gonzales’ 2.80 FIP in six appearances out of the pen in the postseason for the Cardinals in 2014. Gonzales is still very much a prospect at this point, but could see a little more seasoning in 2016 as either a big league reliever/starter or minor league starter.

Unfortunately, Gonzales had a rough start to 2015 in Memphis and then an injury to his throwing shoulder was discovered. Gonzales did make one start for the Cardinals in 2015, but it was unimpressive and was a start he had no business making.

The Cardinals have pitching prospects galore with their most prized possession (Alexander Reyes) set to potentially have a debut in 2015 should the need arise late in the season. By the time mid-season comes, the Cardinals may have a MLB ready Luke Weaver, which would make Gonzales even more expendable.

Next: The cash man

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