Where the top MLB trade chips could land this winter

Jose Abreu, White Sox 

The idea that the Sox would deal Abreu is a curious one. While they are amid an aggressive rebuild, he is a cost-friendly and highly productive part of their core. However, the decision to move on could be predicated on a rapid rise in earning power, as Abreu could see an arbitration award in the neighborhood of $17 million this winter with another raise due headed into 2019 before reaching free agency a year later.

If the Sox decide moving Abreu could benefit their rebuild more than keeping him, they could see yet another handsome prospect reward in return for the soon-to-be 31-year-old who has averaged 31 home runs, 102 RBIs and a .301/.359/.524 split line in his four-year career. It would also reason that many teams with interest in either Eric Hosmer or J.D. Martinez would have high interest Abreu given he'd cost less in terms of money and commitment. The same could be said for those who like Stanton but are unable to obtain his services for any of the plethora of reasons he could be selectively out of play this winter.

Potential fits: Angels, Cardinals, Giants, Mariners, Mets, Red Sox

Jackie Bradley Jr., Red Sox 

Center field is a position that is in demand in a number of locations this winter, and the Red Sox could be compelled to offer up one of the game's best defenders at the position. A year after producing the fewest home runs in the American League, Boston is dead set on putting a jolt of life into its offensive attack.

To do so, the Red Sox may have to make room by dealing from their considerable defensive stash of outfielders. With Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi not going anywhere anytime soon, it leaves Bradley, who took a step back at the plate over the last year and a half but is still only 27 and played at a near three-win level last year.

Potential fits: Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Royals

Dellin Betances, Yankees 

If Brian Cashman decided to move on from Betances now, it would be sell-low moment with the setup man and occasional closer coming off of his worst season of his career. However, with age on his side (he’ll turn 30 just before opening day) and a complex effort of cutting cost (and avoiding the luxury tax threshold), while still making strategic additions coming into next year (Shohei Ohtani anybody?), the Yankees will have to make some adjustments this winter. Betances could fetch a solid return with plenty of teams looking to beef up their bullpens.

Potential fits: Astros, Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, Rangers 

Zach Britton, Orioles 

The O’s may have waited slightly too long to make the decision to move on Britton. His stock has been damaged by a string of injuries the lefty struggled with last year, as well as time passing since his historically great 2016 effort. However, he still represents a proven ninth-inning option and does not require a long-term deal to add for the next year. For teams at the top looking to boost their bullpen offerings, he’s a perfect fit.

Potential fits: Astros, Cubs, Dodgers, Nationals, Rangers

Alex Colome, Rays

The Rays have been slow to trade their cost-effective chips historically until it becomes a matter of an imminent cost-saving strategy, but this winter could be different. After a year of shaking up their roster with several in-season deals, it looks as if the action could carry even longer into the winter.

One place where they could substantially make waves in a minor rebuilding effort would be trading Colome, who led the American League with 47 saves last year and has converted 90 percent of his chances over the past two years. With three years of control coming along with him and a modest $5.5 million due likely next year, Colome could fetch a nice return for his services.

Potential fits: Astros, Cardinals, Rangers, Royals, Twins

Avisail Garcia, White Sox 

Garcia had a breakout season on the South Side of the Windy City last year, finishing second in the AL with a .330 average and driving in 80 runs. Although he is moderately priced, young (he turns 27 in June) and has two more years of contract control, Garcia could be a prime candidate to be shopped this winter. It would be a sell-high chance for the Sox, as Garcia had never previously approached the level of production he sustained in 2017. It could also led to a more lukewarm return, as teams decide if they can trust him to remain the player he broke out to be in 2017.

Potential fits: Athletics, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rays, Rockies, Tigers 

Randal Grichuk/Stephen Piscotty, Cardinals 

No team has a bigger glut of MLB-ready outfielders on its hands than the Cardinals, and as a result, something has to give. That likely means moving Piscotty or Grichuk this winter given that the club has a handful of MLB-ready minor leaguers — Tyler O’Neill, Harrison Bader and Mags Sierra — pushing at the door, as well as Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham on hand already. That doesn't even count their well-known ambition of adding a true heart-of-the-order contributor who could very well be an outfield inhabitant.

One of the two likely has to be dealt, with Grichuk’s substantial power and Piscotty upside (and club-friendly $7.5 million price tag through 2022) big drawing cards, especially for budget-conscious ball clubs.

Potential fits: Athletics, Braves, Blue Jays, Marlins, Padres, Rays

Brad Hand, Padres 

One of the stunners of last summer’s trade deadline was that the Padres did not move on from Hand, who produced in both the setup and closer roles. The southpaw turned in 21 saves and 104 strikeouts over 79.1 innings, while holding opposing bats under a .200 average for the second straight year. He has turned himself into a premier, ready-to-trade relief option.

It remains to be seen if the Padres will finally pull the trigger on dealing the 27-year-old lefty, but he could fetch a high prospect tag in return and perhaps even an MLB bat as well. While it seems that the club isn’t too prone to deal him, perhaps the Padres could be wooed if the right prospects were involved.

Potential fits: Astros, Brewers, Cardinals, Dodgers

Ian Kinsler, Tigers 

It seems to be a lock that Kinsler will be dealt this winter; the biggest question is where he'll land. The Angels, Brewers and Mets have been the most outspoken in their desires to upgrade their middle infield situation, and there could be a number of other clubs interested in the 35-year-old second baseman with a year left on his deal.

Although he produced a career-worst overall offensive showing last year, he still displayed 20-homer power, double-digit stolen base production and produced a WAR over 2.0. Kinsler stands to be a certain veteran depth-addition to a team with postseason aspirations entering the spring.

Potential fits: Angels, Blue Jays, Brewers, Mets, Pirates, Red Sox 

Jake Odorizzi, Rays 

Odorizzi has been one of the most discussed trade pieces in the game over the last handful of seasons, and this winter could finally be when we see the Rays come around to the idea of moving him. Odorizzi inhabits an interesting threshold in the pitching market this winter, as he represents a cheaper (and younger) option than Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb, all of whom top the free agent market this winter.

Although he does not have the same name recognition of Sonny Gray, Odorizzi’s career numbers compare favorably to the prized righty, who required three top 10 prospects from the Yankees' system to acquire at the July trade deadline. For a Rays organization that is looking to jump-start its minor league system and also has a handful of pitching prospects ready to move up, boosting the offensive potential with soon-to-be ready minor league bats via an Odorizzi trade could be a perfect fit.

Potential fits: Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Rangers, Twins

Marcell Ozuna/Christian Yelich, Marlins 

Although the specter of a potential Stanton deal has dominated the headlines, there also looms a very real possibility that another pair of blockbuster deals could be awaiting in Miami. Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich could be available as well with the Marlins under the mandate of significantly lowering the team payroll — and drastically upgrading their lackluster minor league ranks and MLB starting staff.

Ozuna is coming off a career year and appears to be trending toward joining the ranks of the MLB’s top outfielders. Likewise, Yelich is under contract for another four years and is only 25 years old. Either will command a stockpile of talent in return, let alone if the Marlins dealt both. Ideally, there are other options aboard that would be more desirable to move out, but there are no two greater (or more easily accommodated) trade chips the team possesses than Yelich and Ozuna.

Potential fits: Athletics, Blue Jays, Braves, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Giants, Rangers and Red Sox, among many others

Kyle Schwarber, Cubs 

If one thing is abundantly clear, it is that Schwarber cannot be called upon as an everyday MLB outfielder. He produced a defensive WAR of -1.4 a year ago, which was then capped by getting relegated to pinch-hitting duties when the stakes rose in the postseason. With Anthony Rizzo inhabiting first base, there is no other place on the Chicago roster to hide him away, which will continue to complicate things.

The club still could decide to keep his offensive upside and learn to live with his defensive limitations — or Theo Epstein and company could opt to include him in a bigger play to add starting pitching depth. This could come especially in handy in dealing with American League clubs, where Schwarber would be an instant plug-and-play as a designated hitter. With Jake Odorizzi and perhaps even Chris Archer in play, Tampa and the Cubs could be a perfect match, especially with former Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey joining Joe Maddon’s staff already this winter.

Potential fits: Athletics, Mets, Rays, Royals