Curtis Granderson, Dee Gordon and Justin Wilson are among the players who could be on new teams before the July 31 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.
Curtis Granderson, OF, Mets
The flailing New York Mets are open for business, with veterans like Granderson, Jay Bruce and Addison Reed likely to be on the block.
The 36-year-old Granderson, who will be a free agent at season’s end, got off to a terrible start. He had a — avert your eyes kids — .122/.175/.211 slash line through May 3.
But he has increased his value after a sizzling couple of months, as MLB Network’s Jon Morosi points out. “He has a .988 OPS — yes, .988 — since May 1,” Morosi tweeted Wednesday.
Overall, Granderson is hitting .232/.328/.471 with 13 homers this season.
“In all my years in baseball, I’ve had plenty of rumors about trades, and I’ve only had (an actual trade) happen once,” Granderson told the New York Daily News. “So it’s useless to worry about it. I’ll just let it play out.”
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: Outfield is not a huge position of need among contenders.
Kevin Kiermaier is out until at least August, so Granderson could be a good fit for the Tampa Bay Rays. But this really doesn’t seem like a Rays-type move.
Adam Eaton is out for the season and Jayson Werth and Michael Taylor have been battling injuries, so the Washington Nationals could be looking for some help. Maybe the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee Brewers would have some interest.
Dee Gordon, 2B, Marlins
Gordon is one of several Miami Marlins who will be available at the trade deadline, and the speedy second baseman is drawing quite a bit of interest.
The two-time All-Star already has played more games in 2017 than he did last season, when he sat out 60 games after testing positive for PEDs. He is hitting .295/.342/.358 with 32 stolen bases and decent fielding numbers.
Gordon won’t turn 30 until next season and is under team control through 2021, so he wouldn’t be a rental for any team looking to add him. He could bring back a decent return if the Marlins are willing to eat some of his contract, which averages about $10 million a season and runs through 2020 (there’s is a team option for 2021).
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays have checked in on Gordon, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
“The Angels have been having trouble at second base and are looking, the Jays have lost Devon Travis to injury and the Royals have long been enamored with Gordon,” Heyman writes.
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Justin Wilson, RP, Tigers
The lefty reliever is putting up the best numbers of his career and figures to be one of the most sought-after players in a market that always craves relief pitching.
Wilson has picked up 10 saves since being named Detroit’s closer in May. He has a 2.34 ERA and an excellent 188 ERA-plus while averaging 12.84 strikeouts per nine innings. He has allowed 13 walks in 34 1/3 innings.
Wilson’s 2017 contract pays him just $2.7 million. He’s arbitration eligible next year before becoming a free agent. That team-friendly contract makes him attractive to potential suitors but also means the Tigers won’t get much salary relief for moving him.
Still, given what relief pitchers can bring back, expect Wilson to be in another uniform soon.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: He’s an effective reliever, so of the course the Nationals have been linked to Wilson. The New York Yankees also could have interest if they can’t land Brad Hand.
But as always with a reliever, assume any contender could get involved.