MLB Power Rankings: The best trade asset for every team
By Tim Boyle
25) MLB Power Rankings: Cleveland Guardians, Bo Naylor
The Cleveland Guardians should stay competitive which means their best trade asset is a prospect. The story completely changes if things fall apart. Bo Naylor is certainly someone the club could look to shop around. A monster year at the plate in 2022 was a positive sign for his future. As many teams have demonstrated, you can win a lot of games without much production from the catcher spot. The Guardians might benefit a lot more from trading Naylor for a greater position of need and securing the catcher spot with journeymen defenders as long as they can.
24) MLB Power Rankings: New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres is a lot better than some New York Yankees fans may have you thinking. He rebounded last season after a disappointing 2021 campaign yet remains on the “outs” in a lot of ways. The team isn’t built well with its plethora of infield talent and absence of outfielders. Torres might not have a stranglehold on second base in the Bronx. On any other ball club, the reputation could change. He remains one of the best power-hitting second basemen in baseball.
23) MLB Power Rankings: San Francisco Giants, Michael Conforto
There is a big question mark next to Michael Conforto’s name. He sat out the entire 2022 season due to an injury after putting together an awful final season with the New York Mets. Now a member of the San Francisco Giants making some good coin, the most realistic ending for him is to become a trade asset for his new team this summer. Conforto could easily become one of the best trade chips this summer or an absolute bust. Everything in between is up for grabs, too.
22) MLB Power Rankings: Boston Red Sox, Alex Verdugo
The best trade asset on the Boston Red Sox is debatable depending on how you believe they’ll perform. Someone who could become a chip regardless of the performance is outfielder Alex Verdugo. His two years of control makes him more than a rental for any team that inquires. The lone positive performer thus far from the Mookie Betts trade, the best way the Red Sox can salvage it might be to trade Verdugo for someone younger who becomes better.
21) MLB Power Rankings: Arizona Diamondbacks, Christian Walker
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a hard team to pin down. Exactly what is their plan? They made a couple of moves this offseason to set them up for the future. As unlikely as they are to trade Christian Walker, his age doesn’t mix well enough with the youth movement going on in Arizona. He has just two more seasons of control. Striking sooner than later when he can hit for a ton of power and field his position well can set the Diamondbacks up better for the 2025 season when they’re winning the division.