MLB Trade Deadline: 30 players most likely to move

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 10: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with Melky Cabrera #53 after the Chicago White Sox win the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Indians 5-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – JULY 01: Lucas Duda #21 of the New York Mets follows through on a fourth inning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on July 1, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

16. Lucas Duda, 1B, New York Mets

Like his teammate Asdrubal Cabrera, Mets first baseman Lucas Duda’s days in Queens are numbered because one of the top prospects in baseball is hitting the cover off the ball in Triple-A Las Vegas, and also happens to play the same position. Dominic Smith, a consensus Top 100 prospect, is likely to be promoted by the end of the season, and should be the starting first baseman for the Mets in 2018.

Therefore, Duda, who unlike Cabrera has no real second position. Duda last played the outfield in 2014 and never played it particularly well, and since the 31-year-old slugger is in the final year of his contract, it makes sense to trade him at the deadline.

There will likely be a few takers should New York make Duda available. Duda has hit .240/.351/.529 this season with 14 home runs, 17 doubles and 30 RBI – giving Duda 31 extra base hits among his 49 hits this season. His batting average and on-base percentage are roughly that of his career averages (.246 and .344, respectively), but his slugging percentage is much higher than normal (.456) and would be a career high.

There are a few teams in need of help at first base, and the Yankees make the most sense. Duda’s left-handed swing would play well in Yankee Stadium, and given the team’s lack of production at the position, Duda’s presence would provide a lift. Also, assuming the Angels stay in contention after Mike Trout returns to action, Los Angeles would also make sense.

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