By Mark Halpern
So in part one of this series, I talked a lot about certain players rumored to be traded. Those rumors heated up a little today for the likes of Max Scherzer and Kris Bryant as the Tampa Rays have now shown interest. This comes as no surprise that Tampa would try and trade for them as their organization has done well when it comes to wheeling and dealing. Craig Kimbrell has become a name to watch as Boston and Pittsburgh have begun to show some interest. Pittsburgh has also been dealing with the Phillies for Tyler Anderson but is held up as one of the prospects to go to the Phillies has a medical issue. The Houston Astros upgraded their bullpen today by trading with the Mariners. Houston gets Kendell Graveman and Rafael Montero for infielder Abraham Toro and Joe Smith. Looking around the league and the only new rumor is a quote from the Nationals GM “Everyone is available except for Juan Soto, so don’t even inquire about Soto.” Today is only Tuesday, and I expect late tomorrow or early Thursday, we will see plenty of more speculation and possible changes in rumors.
In part one of my free agency talks, I mentioned the games elite, but they are not the only ones who will possibly move to a new team. Pitching is a massive category for free agents at the end of the season. Names like Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, Lance Lynn, Kelly Jansen, and Archie Bradly will be seeking new contracts. Syndergaard, who is still recovering from Tommy John Surgery, probably will be staying with the Mets on a 1-year deal to show that he is healthy to pitch and get a more significant contract. Stroman has done ok in New York and will be seeking a new 3–4-year deal. I think there will be several teams in on him, especially the cross-town rivals, the Yankees. Lance Lynn is an interesting one. He is having a fantastic year at 10-3 with a 1.91 era. He has been a solid pitcher for his career, and extensive market teams won’t shy away from offering him a big contract. I see the Mets, Nationals, Yankees, Boston, and Atlanta to be in on him unless the White Sox make him an offer he can’t refuse.
In the outfield, some big names are Michael Conforto, Tommy Pham, Jackie Bradly Jr, and Nick Castellanos. This is just a sample of some of the available outfielders. Conforto has said he wants an eight-year deal in the range of 250-300 million dollars. He won’t see this unless he starts hitting again. His fielding is impeccable, but he won’t get that even from the Mets if he is hitting at .230 with few home runs and rbis. Tommy Pham, I have always liked. He is a speedster and a good fielder. He won’t warrant a 7–8-year deal, but a solid four-year deal from a club like Boston, Toronto, or even Oakland wouldn’t surprise me. As for Bradley, Jr and Castellanos have had a decent year and could play anywhere in the league. They are in no way big contracts but will be a great addition to whoever decides to sign them, and that is how the old man sees it.
Check-in for the final part of this series as the trade market heats up and more on available free agents and where Old Ops Guy thinks they will end up.
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