Trade predictions for the 2022 MLB Winter Meetings, San Diego

The industry is buzzing about the fact that the winter meetings will begin in San Diego. But what about the trade market, and how can we get free agents signed up?

We asked ESPN MLB experts Bradford Doolittle & David Schoenfield to help us find the best fit for players whose names were mentioned in trade rumors.

There might not be one. Juan SotoThere are many big names that could move, including a high-level blockbuster who will rock the hot stove season as we saw at MLB’s trade deadline. Our experts can help you determine if there is an All-Star or an ace coming to your favorite team.

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The Toronto Blue Jays Should trade one of their catchers for the…

Doolittle: St. Louis Cardinals

The Blue Jays’ surplus of catchers who are starting-worthy is one of the best bets for the hot stove season.Gabriel Moreno, Danny Jansen And Alejandro KirkHowever, it is not yet clear which one will be chosen. Moreno has the greatest trade value while Jansen is the least. So I’m sending Kirk to Cardinals to succeed future Hall of Famer Yadier Molin.

Kirk could be St. Louis’ regular backup with Andrew Knizner He is his back. Kirk is a good enough hitter to be DH on a consistent basis. He also has the same contact ability as Molina. It is vital that the offense is well-developed. Ivan Herrera If everything goes as planned, the Cardinals would remain in that position for many more years. The DH slot will allow them to get enough at-bats.

Toronto will need a starting pitcher who has some control in the return. The Redbirds could send a lefty Matthew Liberatore Tyler O’Neill, who is a Canadian outfielder. O’Neill’s removal would allow Jordan Walker to be moved into the St. Louis lineup. The Blue Jays would then have a place for O’Neill, who is a Canadian-born outfielder. Teoscar Hernandez. John Schneider would also be able to use the information. Whit Merrifield As a super-utility hitter, he is more popular than as an outfield regular.

Schoenfield: Cleveland Guardians

The Cardinals will undoubtedly add a starting catcher to their roster. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak repeatedly stated that this was the team’s main objective this offseason. Mozeliak has also stressed the importance of defense, which is quite understandable considering Molina was employed by the team since 2004. Kirk could be ruled out. He is fine defensively but his bat-first approach and weight issues could make him a more long-term DH. Although I see the Cardinals buying a catcher (see the below), it is not one from the Blue Jays.

Jansen is being sent to the Cleveland Guardians by me for the Jays. Last season, Cleveland’s backstops were apathetic at.180/.267/.267. Oakland’s Guardians were also linked. Sean MurphyThey also have a great prospect available for an opportunity in Bo NaylorHe hit.263/.392/.446 and had 21 home runs (and twenty stolen bases). Over Double-A as well as Triple-A. The Guardians rarely make 3-for-1 deals, unless they are the ones receiving the players. I believe that excludes Murphy, Moreno, and Kirk who could cost prospects the Guardians may not want to lose.

Jansen would be wise to split his time with Naylor, allowing the rookie to settle in to the job. Jansen is under two years of team control, and although he may not be able to match his 2022.855 OPS, there are solid platoon options here since Naylor pitches left-handed. The Guardians have many pitching prospects in the upper minors and the Blue Jays could benefit from deep rotation depth so I’ll send a right-hander Xzavion Curry Toronto. Toronto.

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The Milwaukee Brewers Should trade one of their aces for the…

Doolittle: Philadelphia Phillies

After you have had a good time, Corbin BurnesI’ve decided to make megadeals on the basis of base-based megadeals. If I had to move one my aces (I am playing the role of BrewersGM here), which have two years left of control, there are more dealable deals that can be made by extending his contract and then dealing away Brandon Woodruff. I am sending Woodruff to Phillies. He could then field an amazing rotation. Aaron Nola, Zack WheelerWoodruff and Ranger Suarez.

Reason: Phillies General Manager Dave Dombrowski is not shy about dealing prospects. I could therefore get an eventual Woodruff replacement, Andrew Painter, or Mick Abel. I could also solve the extend-him-or not dilemma. Willy Adames You could include him in the trade. The Phils could send Bryson Stott As his replacement and include Rhys HoskinsThe Phils could move, whose bat would make a difference in Milwaukee, where his offense is desperately needed. The Phils could make a move Kyle Schwarber To first base, you should be more active in the outfield.

This deal wouldn’t allow the Brewers to punt the 2023 season. They would be doing the same as the Brewers and would still have a quality base lineup led by Burnes. Freddy Peralta, Eric Lauer, Adrian Houser And Aaron Ashby.

Schoenfield: New York Mets

I toyed around with a Corbin Burnes-to-the-Dodgers deal, perhaps centered around catching prospect Diego Cartaya And pitcher Dustin MayHowever, L.A. needs to add some youth to its big league roster. They might not be willing to lose prospects. Signing would be simpler, frankly. Justin Verlander You can also keep the children.

However, there’s a rival for starting pitching that is more in demand than the Dodgers: The Mets. Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt And Taijuan Walker All free agents. The Mets must rebuild their rotation. This will be very costly if they do it only through free agency. Woodruff’s proposed $11 million salary is much more attractive than deGrom returning at the $40 million per season it might cost to sign him.

It will be a financial loss for the Mets prospects. And while they have hinted at wanting more like the Dodgers, which is to build a strong farm system, the Mets have essentially painted themselves into a corner. You pay when you have to Max Scherzer You’re looking to build a champion team with $43.3 million.

Two of the Mets’ top catchers are in Francisco Alvarez (he’s not moving anywhere) and Kevin Parada (the team’s first round pick in 2022 from Georgia Tech), who hit.361 with 26 runs. Parada’s bat will allow him to move quickly, as Brewers catchers are.202. We’ll also send our corner infielder Mark Vientos To the Brewers in this deal. After hitting.280/.358/.519 at Triple-A, he is major league ready. Although his defense at third is questionable, the Brewers could move him if they feel he is capable of handling the position. Luis Urias To second base and trade Kolten Wong (They’d love Wong’s $10 Million off the payroll).

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The Oakland Athletics Should Sean Murphy be traded for the…

Doolittle: Houston Astros

The Astros appear to be interested in signing Willson ContrerasBut if the talks don’t move forward, Houston would target Murphy to get the upgrades it wants behind the plate. A combination of prospects with young big leaguers and multiple years of team management would make up the cost. Houston may need to do some digging to find the right package. Names like Jose Urquidy Forrest Whitley, an oft-injured perennial prospect, springs to mind.

However, I think it’s worth the Astros anteing up for Murphy’s young catcher. He not only has the ability to improve the champs (not an easy feat) but his strengths also align perfectly with Houston’s.

Schoenfield: St. Louis Cardinals

This is where the Cardinals could land their catcher. Contreras is also available for signing, but he lacks some of the defensive chops that the Cardinals are looking for. Christian Vazquez is also available in free agency. However, the Cardinals should make use of their depth to sign Murphy, a strong two way performer who will be a major offensive upgrade to what they received from Molina in recent years.

It seems like the perfect match. Nolan Gorman Is a man without a job after? Nolan Arenado He exercised his right to stay in St. Louis. Gorman was moved to second base by the Cardinals in 2022. However, his defensive metrics were not good: minus-6 runs of defense saved and a ranking at the bottom of Statcast’s outs above-average. He made more plays in nine innings than the average. Tommy Edman He also played second base more often and turned more double plays in shorter innings. Gorman’s inability to move will be exposed further by the new shift rules that will take effect in 2023. The Cardinals may slide. Brendan Donovan He will be in at second base (he won the Gold Glove as an utility player). Edman will remain at shortstop until prospect MasynWinn arrives.

Is it worth three years of Murphy when you can have six years of Gorman? It’s my opinion. Murphy has been fifth in bWAR over the past three seasons, while third in fWAR. Gorman’s potential for 30-homers is undeniable, but Murphy can fill the larger need. While Gorman can be moved back to third base by the A’s, Murphy can take over the catching duties. Shea Langeliers.

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Doolittle: Milwaukee Brewers

Winker looks like a great change-of-scenery guy after his disappointing season in Seattle. He matches up well with the Brewers, who could swap Kolten Wong for Winker in a straight-up trade. Wong is the Mariners’ second baseman, providing plus defense. At the plate, Winker would be a great complement to righty-hitting Wong. Dylan Moore. The Brewers could sign a young middle-infielder Brice Turang Wong might slot Winker in the DH slot. Winker may have to play some outfield if Rhys Hoskins’ Milwaukee scenarios are true. Rowdy Tellez Need to share the first base/DH playing times. Do I get ahead of myself?

Schoenfield: San Diego Padres

Brad’s suggestion makes sense, especially considering the Mariners’ stated desire to find a left-handed-hitting third baseman. I do have another deal with the Mariners. I am sending Winker to Padres. Padres have openings at first and DH. And, trust me, Winker will not want to be left field after his struggles. (Sorry Brad. The Brewers need to keep him limited to DH duties.

Winker’s departure from the Mariners won’t hurt the Padres, but it won’t cost them much. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times described what happened in an interview with radio after the season. Divish said that it was “what scouts call tired act.” I think some of his teammates were done seeing him,” Ryan Divish explained, comparing Mitch Haniger’s work ethic with Winker’s apparent lack. Winker is already signed to $8.25 million in 2023. He also has elite plate discipline (84 walk), so the Padres could see a rebound to his big 2021 numbers, which were.305/.394/.556. Winker’s salary is not the only benefit. We will give Moises Lugo, a Mariners minor league reliever, to the team.

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Doolittle: Detroit Tigers

I tried to make a deal to get Torres into the game. Chicago White Sox In a larger exchange Lucas GiolitoBelow is the trade for. I couldn’t find a match and realized that I was trying too hard. I think it was because I loved the idea of Torres joining forces with other ex-Cubs prospects Eloy Jimenez And Dylan Cease on the South Side. It’s a strong narrative, but not enough to make a trade.

I decided that Torres would be sent to the Tigers by me for bullpen help. He will likely be sending two relievers from the list. Gregory Soto, Joe Jimenez, Alex Lange And Jose Cisnero. I believe between Anthony Volpe. Oswald Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera, Isiah Kiner-Falefa DJ LeMahieu and the Yankees would be perfectly content in the middle of infield to handle the departure from Torres. A contender cannot have too many high leverage relief options.

The Tigers need only quality position players.

Schoenfield: San Francisco Giants

There are very few options here, including the White Sox or Mariners. However, I am sending Torres to Giants — subject to Giants not signing one of the free agents shortstops and keeping Brandon Crawford In the final year on his contract, he was there. Giants second basemen, mostly Thairo Estrada And Wilmer FloresThey were solid at the plate, but bad on defense, placing 29th in major leagues with minus-20 DRS. Flores will also need to play more base first in 2023, Brandon Belt Leaves as a free agent. Torres was miscast as a shortstop. However, he was excellent with the glove in 2022 (plus-9 RRS), and is a more proven offensive performer than Estrada.

Naturally, the Giants could sign if they so choose. Aaron JudgeThere may not be any love between these two teams, so the Giants need to move fast. In fact, Brad’s Tigers idea is something I love, so let us make it a tri-way trade, with the Detroit relievers going over to the Yankees and Ryan Murphy, the Giants, to the Tigers.

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Doolittle: Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles are in dire need of a top-of-the-line starter to help them climb the American League ladder. Because they have a deep bench, the Marlins are in need of talented players. They can also ship Lopez to Baltimore. Cedric Mullins. Miami has the starting pitching depth needed to deal Lopez. Mullins would make a great outfield upgrade. Plus, he’s only in his first season of arbitration eligibility.

The Orioles would add a little bit of a spark to their pitching, but it would also open up a space in the center field. They might be able to play. Kyle Stowers There for his bat, and work hard after Kevin Kiermaier His defense is free to him in the form of free agency They could also outbid the market for the one-year contract Cody Bellinger It is to search.

Schoenfield: St. Louis Cardinals

Lopez will be a popular choice for the Marlins. He has two years of team management and will earn an estimated $5.4million in 2023. This comes after he threw 180 innings last season. Due to Jack Flaherty’s unsteadiness and Adam Wainwright’s age, the Cardinals might need another starting pitcher. Marlins could definitely use outfield help. Avisail Garcia Busted as a Free Agent and Prospects like JJ Bleday However, they haven’t ignited. How about Lopez fOr Lars Nootbaar or Alec Burleson Matthew Liberatore, pitching prospect

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The Chicago White Sox need to trade Lucas Giolito for the…

Doolittle: Tampa Bay Rays

Giolito is being traded to me for the next player in our roster. Brandon LoweSo I will be focusing my commentary on the White Sox. Giolito is a solid pitcher and team leader in White Sox clubhouse. He’s a strong bounce back candidate after a disappointing 2022 campaign. Chicago should seriously consider extending his contract. Giolito will become a free agent without that extension. That’s why he is on trade candidate lists.

Giolito could be dealt by the White Sox, but it would not be part of a larger deal that the Rays made that brought back a starter. Instead, they would have to shift to a base rotation which includes Michael KopechDylan Cease Lance Lynn Recently signed Mike Clevinger. They could pay Clevinger $12,000,000 on a one year, make-good deal. Then surely, they would be able find someone similar to fill his spot for the season. Giolito will likely receive $10 million or $11 million via arbitration for 2023. The former White Sox starter, who is currently a free agent, comes to mind. Jose Quintana.

I like the fit for Lowe. As long as his defense is strong in a post-shift environment at the keystone, and that he’s still healthy from an injury-ridden 2022 season, I am happy. To balance the White Sox lineup, which still tends to favor righty hitters, he would add another lefty bat. He will add power to a team that had difficulty hitting the long ball consistently in 2022. Lowe, a generally average hitter in the majors, could benefit from the ban on extreme swings to improve his pull-oriented swing. More than anything, the White Sox just need a second baseman. Badly.

Schoenfield: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks may be a sleeper, but they still need to have another guarantee. Zac Gallen And Merrill Kelly. Madison Bumgarner It is still available, and rookies Ryne Nelson Drew Jameson and Drew Jameson are potential. However, the D-backs could use another veteran presence that offers more upside than Bumgarner.

The White Sox have what the Diamondbacks have: Left-handed hitting outfielders. They have four of them. Corbin Carroll (untouchable), Daulton Varsho (probably untouchable), Alek Thomas And Jake McCarthy. If I were the Diamondbacks, Varsho (4.9 WAR) and Thomas (struggled rookie with a.619 OPS but played in the minors) would be my trade options. McCarthy, while not a top prospect like Thomas or Carroll, was an outplayed rookie in 2022 and hit.283/.342/.427, while also stealing 23 bases over 99 games. Statcast shows that McCarthy’s expected batting average is.249. McCarthy isn’t a big upside player, but six years as a solid regular (and possibly another low-level prospect) would be a good addition for the White Sox — provided that the White Sox sign Giolito as a starter.

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Brandon Lowe should be traded by the Tampa Bay Rays to the…

Doolittle: Chicago White Sox

The Rays have had name veterans join the team for short runs in the past. Corey Kluber Last season. Giolito could fulfill that role, while also building value for free agency through his association with the Rays’ famed pitching infrastructure. Lowe has four years left on his contract at team-friendly salary, which includes two team options. It is hard to deal with Lowe. Therefore, the White Sox and any Lowe suitors might have to add a decent prospect. Giolito is still only for one season, however it could be a great deal for the Rays.

To cover Lowe’s absence, the Rays have their middle infielders. The replacement of his bat, which plays in middle of the order when Lowe is performing well, would be a bigger concern. You can spend one year on a Bellinger bat as a free agent bat. That might be a good way to shore it up. A rotation should be initiated by Shane McClanahan, Tyler Glasnow Giolito, completed by Drew Rasmussen And Jeffrey SpringsYou can match any opponent. The Rays would also have had a chance to win if Giolito were to leave after 2023. Shane Baz He is now back from surgery and ready to take his place.

Schoenfield: Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are in dire need of a lefty hitter and second baseman. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has had many deals with the Rays over the years. Lowe finished eighth and 10th in the MVP voting in 2021 (when Lowe hit 39 home runs), so it won’t be cheap. Not when he makes just $14m over the next two years (with club options at $10.5 or $11.5). However, Lowe played only 65 games last season due to back problems and his strikeouts, below-average defense and poor defense means there’s a chance that he declines quickly.

This would be a fantastic roll of the dice by the Mariners. Emerson Hancock (the first round pick in 2020) will lose his top pitching prospect. Hancock still has good stuff, but has not racked up large strikeout numbers in the minors. Mariners will need to add a few other pieces, such as outfielder or major league depth. Taylor Trammell Taylor Dollard, pitching prospect