The 2014 trade deadline is quickly approaching, and talks among teams have already heated up over the past week. The blockbuster trade sending Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel likely will jolt the trade market and begin the sweepstakes for many players.
So who’s next? What teams are shopping key players right now? Let’s break down the top players that serve as trade bait at the moment.
David Price, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Price is easily the best pitcher on the market, even if you add Samardzija into the mix. The Rays, who sit 8.5 behind first place in the AL East, have made it clear that they will listen to offers to Price and possibly trade him.
However, the Rays are going to ask for a significant package in exchange for the 28-year-old former CY Young winner. It will take a handful of prospects and/or a major-league ready pitcher who is younger than Price.
More than a handful of teams have showed interest in Price, but the Rays could be conservative when it comes to moving him. If Price ends up in the AL, he could be a menace to his former team for years to come. They would be smart to move him to the NL, but teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees and more in the AL seem to have more to offer than others.
Cole Hamels, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are much quieter about whether they intend to trade Hamels, who has a 2.98 ERA for the 37-51 Phillies. Hamels certainly wants to win again and, at 30, Philadelphia might not give him that chance.
If the Phillies shop Hamels, they’ll be looking for pitching prospect, like every team, and young infielders. With Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley making up half the infield, the Phillies will need to rebuild in a few years’ time, if not this season.
The Phillies need to decide whether they want to completely revamp their team, moving pieces like Hamels, Rollins and Utley, or hold onto a valuable commodity until 2018, when his contract is up.
Baltimore Orioles young pitchers
When you talk about true trade bait, highly-touted prospect may be the first thing to come to mind. In the Orioles’ case, they have plenty to offer in the form of talked-about prospects. From infielders to pitchers, the Orioles could use any of a group of players to go after major leaguers in a trade.
Let’s start with the pitchers. The Orioles have Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey; three high draft picks that found themselves in the Baseball Prospectus Top 100 prospects recently. Gausman has proven to be a strong major league pitcher already, while Bundy and Harvey will have their chance soon.
The Orioles also have second basemen Jonathan Schoop, who has 79 games of experience, and catcher Christian Walker, who is a few years away from his time with Baltimore. The team needs to find a strong starting pitcher, but the question is whether it will let go of any of these prospects.
The Orioles have been interested in Price, as well as players like Utley. They value their young arms, so it could be tough for them to let them go.
Chase Headley, 3B, San Diego Padres
Headley is one of the most consistent contributors for the Padres in recent memory, but that’s the exact reason the team should look to get rid of him. A team like the Padres won’t have chance at the postseason with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in the division, so a trade could help the future.
Headley’s numbers are down this year, with a .217 batting average and just 25 RBI, but his body of work speaks of a better game. He’s a lifetime .265 hitter and, at 30, still has a few years left in his prime.
Many teams need help at third base, so the market should be there for a player of Headley’s stature. The New York Yankees seem interested, but may need to overpay for Headley, helping the Padres gain a few more prospects for the rebuilding process.