MLB Power Rankings: 16 best players most likely to be dealt by the trade deadline
By Tim Boyle
11) MLB Power Rankings: Trade candidate Garrett Cooper
Garrett Cooper is a better trade deadline piece for teams to target than most may realize. The Miami Marlins first baseman and corner outfielder has some shades of Trey Mancini. However, it’s not the Houston Astros who will have as great of a need to add him at the trade deadline. Chosen for Cooper is a team that could see itself go in two different directions.
If the Los Angeles Angels can put themselves in a position to buy this year, Cooper will be a nice part-time or bench piece for them. He could completely replace Jared Walsh as the team’s starting first baseman. At the very least he can give them depth off the bench.
10) MLB Power Rankings: Trade candidate Rich Hill
Maybe Rich Hill will never retire. This year, he’ll begin the season on the Pittsburgh Pirates alongside a couple of other trade deadline candidates. Hill will be a mercenary any team in need of an arm at the deadline will seek. Taking a look around the league right now, there is a club hoping to compete with a likelihood of needing an arm midseason.
Hill will go from the Pirates to the Minnesota Twins this summer. This does require the Twins to stay alive in the pennant race. They were ultra-aggressive at last year’s trade deadline. As long as they aren’t eliminated at the trade deadline, a deal for Hill feels very Twins-like to give their questionable rotation a boost.
9) MLB Power Rankings: Trade candidate Randal Grichuk
Randal Grichuk will get a lot of at-bats for the Colorado Rockies this year. However, when the trade deadline nears, teams will look at him as a possible platoon option or bench piece. More of a corner outfielder these days and a guy who can hit well versus lefties, Grichuk will be happy with the team he lands with after the deadline.
The Houston Astros will be the ones to add Grichuk to the roster this summer. In a trade with the Rockies, they secured themselves some corner outfield depth. It allows Yordan Alvarez and Jose Abreu to share first base and DH duties. Kyle Tucker can even get a little more rest from defense. The Astros showed last year with their additions of Trey Mancini and Christian Vazquez at the deadline they aren’t afraid to turn starters into role players. This could be exactly what happens with Grichuk.