Four early 2023 MLB trade-deadline targets
While May might seem too early to evaluate potential trade-deadline targets, as the standings begin to take shape, it's becoming clear who could end up selling.
Here are four players who may be on the move before the Aug. 1 trade deadline:
Tim Anderson, SS, Chicago White Sox
Since trading away left-hander Chris Sale in December 2016, fans have been hoping that this White Sox core would become perennial championship contenders, but the Sox fail to deliver year after year.
After Tony La Russa's second act as manager unsurprisingly didn't pan out, Chicago hired former Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol to replace him, though that hasn't improved things. Chicago sits 10-21 on the season, seven games back of the American League Central lead, entering play Thursday.
Changes are needed — it's just a matter of how far GM Rick Hahn is willing to go.
Though a rental such as RHP Lucas Giolito is a more likely trade candidate, it'd be worth considering moving Anderson if Chicago wishes to net a substantial return. Despite still being one of baseball's finest hitters, the 29-year-old is one of the few players Chicago has viable prospect to replace in SS Colson Montgomery.
Montgomery, who has a 2024 ETA to the bigs, headlines Chicago's farm system, which MLB.com ranked 26th in the preseason. Moving Anderson while he's in his prime should bring back some promising prospects and pave the way for an early call-up for Montgomery.
Tyler O'Neill, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals, who have had just one losing season this century, find themselves in unfamiliar territory, sporting the worst record in the National League (10-21). If they become sellers at the trade deadline, O'Neill, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, has a realistic chance to be the first to be shipped out.
Like many of his teammates, O'Neill is struggling at the plate. In 28 games, he's slashing .239/.295/.352 with two home runs and six RBI. He could turn things around, but St. Louis should explore moving O'Neill given last month's spat with manager Oliver Marmol over a lack of effort on the base paths.
The Athletic's Jim Bowden floated the idea that the Cardinals could include O'Neill in a package to land a quality starting pitcher, as they have a 4.52 team ERA this season (18th in the majors).
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Kansas City Royals
The seven-time All-Star was erratic in recent seasons pitching for the Yankees and didn't get picked up until late in free agency. So far, Chapman has found the change of scenery to be far better than he could've imagined. In 11.1 innings pitched this season, he has a 1.59 ERA and has struck out 19 batter.
According to Baseball Savant, Chapman is in the 99th percentile in K%, Whiff% and xERA/xwOBA. Additionally, he ranks in the 100th percentile in fastball velocity and xSLG.
With Kansas City at the bottom of the AL Central standings (8-23) and Chapman on a one-year deal, moving the former star closer makes sense. Chapman will be sought-after by contenders this summer if he continues to excel and could be the hottest commodity on the trade block.
Brent Rooker, DH/OF, Oakland Athletics
Oakland is off to a historically awful start (6-25), but Rooker, an offseason waiver claim, has stood out as one of its few bright spots.
The 2017 first-rounder leads the team in average (.320), on-base percentage (.436), slugging (.707), OPS (1.143) home runs (nine), RBI (22) and wRC+ (212). He has already accumulated a 1.3 WAR, which would rank 16th in the majors if he had the qualified amount of at-bats.
On Monday, Rooker was named the AL Player of the Week after going 10-for-24 (.417 batting average) with five home runs and 11 RBI from April 24 through 30.
Although Rooker is under team control through 2025, the Athletics aren't strangers to selling off their most valuable non-rental assets. If he continues hitting well, Rooker could be a trade-deadline acquisition who alters a pennant race.
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