Fansided

Top 25 tradeable pieces to keep an eye on this season

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 08: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs fields a ground ball during the fifth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 8, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 08: Addison Russell #27 of the Chicago Cubs fields a ground ball during the fifth inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 8, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

15. Addison Russell

On the surface, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell would have very high trade value. The 24-year-old is in only his fourth year in the league and is under team control for three more before free agency. Russell was an All-Star in 2016 when he hit 21 home runs and drove in 95, and he has a reputation as one of the better defenders in the National League. His power numbers are down, but he does have the best batting average and on-base percentage of his career.

A young shortstop with high offensive upside and Gold Glove potential would surely rank in the top 10 of this list in most situations, but Russell isn’t readily available for trade. There is only one player the Cubs should consider trading him for — Manny Machado.

The Cubs have been linked to Machado and the Baltimore Orioles since the offseason when he was being shopped most aggressively. If the Cubs do pull off a trade for Machado, Russell is obviously the odd man out of their crowded infield situation.

Machado is definitely the type of player who could put the Cubs over the top in a season where their fight for a playoff spot looks much more difficult than expected. The Milwaukee Brewers are for real, as are the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. Russell is no longer thought of quite as highly as when he made his MLB debut, but he still has the potential to develop into a perennial All-Star at a key position if his bat comes back around. He is the type of player the Orioles would love to bring back and feature as their rebuild begins in earnest.

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