Gerrit Cole, Eric Hosmer and David Roberton are being eyed by big-market teams with prospects to trade.
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.
Gerrit Cole, Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates don’t have to trade Cole. If the team thinks it will be back in contention sometime soon, it makes sense to hold on the 26-year-old ace (even if he hasn’t pitched like one this season).
Cole, after all, is under team control through 2019 and is making just $3.75 million this season. Despite his struggles this year, the former No. 1 overall draft pick clearly is capable of anchoring a pitching staff.
But all the reasons for not trading Cole could just as easily be turned around and used as reasons to trade him. Because he’s young, affordable and under team control for two more years, the righthander could bring back a major haul in prospects.
Look at some of the teams looking for pitching help: The New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros all have top-ranked farm systems and are motivated to try to win now. Add in the Chicago Cubs, and it’s likely Pittsburgh could get a nice little bidding war going over Cole.
And oh yeah, Cole is represented by Scott Boras, which means he almost certainly will not be back in small market Pittsburgh after 2019.
So the Pirates should be listening to offers.
One sticking point: Pittsburgh would be selling low in terms of Cole’s productivity. His 4.54 ERA is more than full run worse than his career mark (and his FIP is about the same, indicating he hasn’t just been unlucky).
With more than a month to go until the trade deadline, the Pirates will be hoping Cole can get his numbers more in line with what he’s done in the past.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Yankees and Astros are interested in Cole. The Dodgers and Cubs are also likely to get involved if he hits the trade block.
Eric Hosmer, Royals
Folks around MLB have been operating on the assumption the Royals will be in full fire sale mode, with the veterans like Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas available. A recent hot streak, though, has Kansas City just two games out of a wild-card spot.
Don’t fall for it. The second wild card is fool’s gold for a team like the Royals, who are below .500 and have several teams ahead of them. This is not not a contender.
Which brings us to Hosmer.
The former All-Star first baseman is a free agent at year’s end, and the Royals are afraid of letting him walk while getting nothing in return, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. They probably will trade him and try to re-sign him during the offseason, Nightengale reports.
Hosmer, 27, doesn’t have a ton of power for a first baseman, but he’s hitting .307/.360/.456 and owns three Gold Gloves. You have to figure some contenders will be interested in the lefty-swinging veteran.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: Hosmer-to-the-Yankees rumors have heated up in the last week. A Hosmer rental would make sense for the Bronx Bombers, who have Greg Bird penciled in as their first baseman of the future but need help now (Chris Carter has been a disaster at the plate).
The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners also have been linked to Hosmer, but it’s not clear either team will be buyers.
David Robertson, White Sox
Every trade deadline, some team with a leaky bullpen is willing to overpay for a “proven closer.” That makes it a near certainty the last-place White Sox will move the 32-year-old Robertson before July 31.
Chicago almost traded Robertson to the Washington Nationals for two prospects during the offseason. The Sox were even willing to take on half his salary before the deal fell through.
Well, the price tag has likely only increased since then considering Robertson has been more effective than he was last season. He’s allowed just 14 hits and eight walks in 25 1/3 innings and has a 3.20 ERA with 11 saves for the South Siders.
And he is under contract through 2018, so any team trading for him will not be taking on just a rental.
With 129 career saves, Robertson is a perfect fit for this year’s “proven closer” role.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Nationals continue to be the best fit given their bullpen struggles.
But don’t be surprised if the Yankees suddenly become interested in a Robertson reunion after last week’s disastrous relief appearances.