MLB trade rumors: Will Giancarlo Stanton, Mike Moustakas, Brandon Phillips be moved?
Giancarlo Stanton may be on the trade market while fellow veterans Mike Moustakas and Brandon Phillips certainly are.
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.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Marlins
Odds are Stanton and his huge contract will still be in Miami after the trade deadline. But a fresh round of rumors has emerged about the Marlins slugger, so we may as well address them.
The latest: Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports “significant chatter in a few organizations” that the Marlins have plans to move Stanton for the right price.
“One scenario I heard in Philadelphia this past week was that the Phillies would not only seek Stanton but would also need Christian Yelich in any deal with Miami,” he writes.
Stanton and Yelich? Now that would be a good old-fashioned blockbuster.
On a certain level, such a deal could make sense for both teams. The Marlins have a dreadful farm system, and a deal for Stanton and Yelich could bring back some combination of top Phillie prospects like outfielders Mickey Moniak and Adam Haselay and pitcher Sixto Sanchez.
For the Phillies, it would be a chance to jump start their rebuild with two proven major league stars.
Still, color us skeptical Miami would be willing to deal both outfielders, even if the team says everyone is on the table. Rising star Yelich is just 25 and under team control through 2021. What would be the rationale for trading him?
In any case, if the Marlins move Stanton, expect it to come after the season rather than at the deadline.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: Other than Phillies, the following teams with deep farm systems figure to have some interest: The Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals
Kansas City is willing to move the free-agent-to-be, and it has an interesting pair of suitors: The Yankees and Red Sox.
As they battle for the American League East, the long-time rivals both have glaring holes at the hot corner.
Pablo Sandoval has been a disaster for the Red Sox (.212/.269/.354) and has lost the everyday job. Chase Headley hasn’t been much better for the Bombers, struggling at the plate (.242/.328/.361) and in the field (11 errors and a negative defensive WAR).
And any hopes the Yankees had of improving from within were dashed when top infield prospect Gleyber Torres was lost for the year due to Tommy John surgery.
Moustakas would be a significant upgrade for either team. His 123 OPS-plus is the best of his career, and he already has 19 home runs despite playing his home games at spacious Kauffman Stadium.
Both teams have the prospects to get a deal done. Kansas City can sit back an wait for the best offer.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: It’s hard to see any team other than the Red Sox or Yankees getting Moustakas. Todd Frazier of the White Sox could be the consolation prize for the loser.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds
When the Braves acquired Phillips in the offseason, they knew they likely would try to flip him at the trade deadline if they weren’t in contention.
Well, they aren’t in contention, and the veteran second baseman has been playing well enough (.303/.346/.427) to prove he still has some value. And if Phillips is gone, the Braves could use August and September to give second base prospect Ozzie Albies a tryout, as Mark Bradley of AJC.com points out.
So the free-agent-to-be’s’ days in Atlanta would appear to be numbered.
Next: Will Chris Archer, Marcell Ozuna, Drew Storen be moved?
The only hitch: There is not a vibrant trade market for second basemen. While Atlanta wants to move Phillips, and likely wouldn’t expect much in return, there may not be much interest.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Braves’ best bet is to wait and see what contender might suddenly find itself in need of infield help due to injuries or poor play.