MLB trade rumors: Will Andrew McCutchen, Sonny Gray, Todd Frazier be moved?
Former All-Stars like Andrew McCutchen, Sonny Gray and Todd Frazier could be among the big names dealt before the MLB trade deadline.
As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, we will be taking a regular look at some of the biggest names that could be moved.
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
The McCutchen trade rumors, so prevalent over the winter, cooled down considerably due to the former All-Star’s dreadful start and the suspension of Starling Marte (which meant the Pittsburgh Pirates had to move McCutchen back to center field).
But things have changed in recent weeks: Suddenly McCutchen looks like McCutchen again. And maybe, just maybe, he has some value on the trade market.
In the three weeks since Clint Hurdle dropped the former NL MVP to the No. 6 spot in the batting order, he has crushed it, with a batting average near .400, five homers, four doubles and a triple.
It’s a small sample size to be sure. But if the 30-year-old McCutchen can keep it up, the Pirates absolutely must listen to offers from contenders looking to add some punch for the stretch drive.
The return may even be better than they would get for a typical rental because McCutchen has a year left on his contract after 2017.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOT: The Washington Nationals were interested in McCutchen last winter before they landed Adam Eaton. But Eaton is out for the year, and the Nets could use an upgrade over Michael Taylor, who has an on-base percentage below .300 and limited power.
Sonny Gray, Athletics
Just two years ago, Gray looked like a rising star in the American League. He was 25, made the All-Star team and finished third in Cy Young voting after registering a 2.73 ERA with 14 wins.
But things went south in 2016 as the right-hander battled injuries and was awful when he pitched (5.69 ERA in 22 starts).
Gray missed the first month of this season with a lat injury, but he’s been at least somewhat effective since returning to the Oakland rotation. His 4.37 ERA is nothing special, but it’s a full run better than 2016.
Teams looking to solidify the middle or back end of their rotations (and not interested in unloading a bushel full of top prospects) should be interested in Gray. With Oakland already out of contention, the team should be interested in selling.
The former Vanderbilt star likely will cost less in prospects than the likes of Yu Darvish or Johhny Cueto. He’s making a reasonable reasonable $3.6 million and he’s under team control through the end of the 2019 season.
It also doesn’t hurt that Gray has postseason experience, having made two effective appearances against the Detroit Tigers in the 2013 American League Division Series.
Possible Landing Spots: The Yankees and Dodgers could use some rotation help, but are not in need of front-end rotation guys. Each team also has the type of prospects it would take to pry Gray away from Billy Beane & Co.
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Todd Frazier, White Sox
The case for trading Frazier is obvious: He’s 31 and playing out his contract, and the White Sox are going nowhere fast.
Moving the veteran may not be easy, however: He hasn’t been very good this year, the market for third basemen is weak and Mike Moustakas and David Freese also could be on the trade block.
Still, the ChiSox should move him if they can. The former All-Star still has plenty of power (50 home runs since the beginning of 2016) and his plate discipline somewhat alleviates his anemic batting averages. In fact, his WAR indicates he has been a significantly better player than Moustakas throughout their careers.
Possible Landing Spot: Boston, Boston and Boston.
Really, the Red Sox are by far the most logical destination for Frazier, as evidenced by the fact the team scouted him last month. The New York Mets also have been linked to Frazier, but what would be the point of that?
Pablo Sandoval has been terrible for the Red Sox, and guys like Josh Rutledge and Deven Marrero have not stepped up to fill the hole. Now just imagine Frazier’s powerful bat taking aim at the Green Monster as the BoSox try to keep pace with the New York Yankees.