Whether you want to admit it or not, your team always has room for improvement. Sometimes there is one player who doesn’t necessarily fit the system. So, in the spirit of the offseason, here’s a look at one player per team who might be better of getting dealt to another team.
Houston Astros
Many critics and fans might be under the impression that the Astros are content with their losing ways, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Astros have been hoarding draft picks and stockpiling crash, waiting for the perfect time to strike. One thing they would benefit from is the trimming of fat from their not-so stellar starting rotation. Case in point: Lucas Harrell. Harrell had a so-so year in 2012, his first full year, but 2013 is one that everyone would like to forget as he led the American league in walks (88) and losses (17). Harrell also posted the worst ERA on the team (5.86). It wouldn’t be an easy sell, but certainly a necessary one.
Chicago White Sox
Hitting home runs is great, but hitting .220 or worse is not going to help your team win any games. Adam Dunn has been quite the enigma in the AL with the White Sox behind a career average of .197 with 86 home runs and 224 RBI in three years. Prior to that, Dunn was hitting .250 with an average of 35.4 home runs and 88 RBI per season in 10 seasons in the National League as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals. The White Sox could easily unload him back in the NL for some solid pitching prospects.
Minnesota Twins
The Twins are loaded with prospects throughout the field, but the one thing they are in desperate need of is pitching. Mike Pelfrey was granted free agency and the only other person worth dealing is Scott Diamond. Diamond had a decent 2012 but his 2011 and 2013 seasons are hardly anything to be happy about. He was 6-13 with a 5.43 ERA and a harsh 1.519 WHIP.
Seattle Mariners
Despite having one of the best offensive showings during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, Michael Saunders’ game has been a rough transition over to the Major Leagues. While he’s not as tall as Richie Sexson, his offensive woes certainly reflect those of the former-first baseman as Saunders is hitting .224 with only 43 home runs and 148 RBI in his five seasons in Seattle.
Toronto Blue Jays
R.A. Dickey is grossly overpaid and his knuckleball doesn’t move when the humidity is high in the Rogers Centre. Dickey is 10-8 with a 5.07 ERA for his career at Rogers Centre. The sooner he’s gone, the better off the Blue Jays will be.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
This one is pretty easy. Josh Hamilton never should have been signed as the Angels are in desperate need of pitching. Not to mention, Hamilton’s numbers in 2013, .250/21/79 in 151 games, was worse than his first season back in baseball after a three-year ban due to testing positive for drugs.
New York Yankees
The Yankees are one of the few teams who don’t have a lot of players that can merit trade value, especially since their team is old by conventional standards.
If anyone, Eduardo Nunez is probably the only player that would draw any reasonable offers.
The Yankees are in desperate need of everything and Nunez’s .267 average plus solid defense on the left side of the infield could make for decent bait.
Baltimore Orioles
It sounds crazy, but Nick Markakis had the worst season of his career in 2013, hitting .276 with 10 home runs and 59 RBI in 161 games. On the whole, Markakis is a career .292 –hitting, Gold Glove-winning right fielder who would make for a great fit on any other AL team in exchange for a reliable starting pitcher and maybe a draft pick.
Kansas City Royals
Mike Moustakas was primed to be the next Alex Gordon who he himself was slated to be the next George Brett; however, Gordon proved to be more valuable in left field and Moustakas is still having difficulty finding his footing. With Emilio Bonifacio still around for one more season it might be a good idea to deal Moustakas to get another solid starting pitcher or some prospects.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have a lot of key pieces to be a great team; however, they struggled in a few positions when it came to consistent hitting. More specifically, at first base. Mitch Moreland should have been that piece, but his .232 average was pretty harsh when paired with 23 home runs and 60 RBI. If they can deal him for a better-hitting lefty with a solid glove they might be primed to dethrone the Oakland Athletics atop the AL West.
Cleveland Indians
The Indians made the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and only missed tying the Detroit Tigers for the AL Central title by one game. Had they had a reliable closer, they probably could have pulled it off. Chris Perez was released which will give the Indians a chance to sign or make a deal for a reliable finishing arm. For that, they may want to consider trading Drew Stubbs as they have plenty of other outfielders waiting in the wings.
Tampa Bay Rays
It’s not likely that the Rays will be re-signing David Price so they’ll definitely be in need of another starter. One place the Rays are heavily loaded on is in the outfield, especially after re-signing David DeJesus. With that, Sam Fuld is the likeliest person to move. It may not get a starting pitcher, but his potential could help, even though he hit .199 with five home runs and 23 RBI in 2013.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are a weird bunch. They clearly have the bats and the starting pitching to dominate a game, but their bullpen is horrific. One player that they could afford to lose which may bring in one or more arms to fill the pen is Rick Porcello. Porcello had a rebound year in 2013, going 13-8 with a 4.32 ERA and 142 strikeouts and could potentially keep the progress moving forward with a different team and less pressure to succeed. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Oakland Athletics
The Athletics shocked the world in back-to-back seasons by taking the AL West title with a group of guys who, on paper, probably should have finished near the middle of the pack. Even though there really wasn’t a standout on the season, with the exception of Josh Donaldson, there was one guy who came up short at the wrong times, Brett Anderson. Anderson has been dealing with injuries the last few years, but is getting close to playing at 100 percent. Now might be the best time to move the crafty left-hander for some more arms in the pen or prospects that General Manager Billy Beane loves so much.
Boston Red Sox
It’s hard to critique a team who just won their third World Series title in 10 years; however, with the new season only a few months away, it’s time to regroup and vamp up for 2014. The one guy who had a rough season and could easily be dealt away is third baseman Will Middlebrooks. Middlebrooks has a decent glove, but his .227 average was a sore spot even though he crushed 17 home runs and knocked in 49 runs in 94 games. The Red Sox can definitely find more of an all-around guy and there are plenty of teams who could use and work with a guy like Middlebrooks.