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MLB Trade Deadline 2019: Best hitters who could move

By Joshua Sadlock

DETROIT, MI - JULY 24: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers looks to the home plate umpire after trying to score from second base on a single by Brandon Dixon during the 14th inning at Comerica Park on July 24, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Castellanos was called out on the play. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JULY 24: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers looks to the home plate umpire after trying to score from second base on a single by Brandon Dixon during the 14th inning at Comerica Park on July 24, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Castellanos was called out on the play. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 17: New York Mets Infield Todd Frazier (21) takes a lead during a game between the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins on July 17, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 17: New York Mets Infield Todd Frazier (21) takes a lead during a game between the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins on July 17, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Todd Frazier

At 33, two-time All-Star Todd Frazier’s best days are in the past, but he still offers value to a contender looking for power from a platoon bat. Frazier has rebounded from a miserable season in 2018 where he hit only .213/.303/.390 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI in 115 games. The New York Mets had signed him expecting closer to 30 home runs, but the third baseman was unable to deliver.

Frazier isn’t having an All-Star level season by any stretch of the imagination, but he has been good enough that a contender will justify offering a mid-level prospect or cash for his services. His contract is up at the end of the year, and he is making only $9 million this season. That’s a fair price for the level of production he is still capable of giving. Frazier is hitting .243/.324/.436 this season with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 76 games.

At this point of his career, Frazier isn’t going to be in line for a full-time role on a good team. His best chance of prolonging his MLB career is to show he can effectively work in a platoon. He is hitting .289/.357/.539 with five home runs and 11 RBI in 84 plate appearances against lefties this year.

For the Mets, Frazier is their most easily movable trade chip. He isn’t battling an injury like starter Zack Wheeler and he won’t demand a king’s ransom like Noah Syndergaard. When Frazier does move, it won’t be for a blockbuster return, but that’s still more than the Mets would have been able to get for him last season.

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