Brandon Lowe Taking part in for the Tampa Bay Rays; CC by License 2.0
With a monumental offseason forward in Main League Baseball, all eyes are on the free-agent class. With names like Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, and Max Fried out there, who may blame the vast majority of entrance workplaces for making an attempt to sink their enamel in to choices costing them nothing however chilly, onerous money? Nonetheless, commerce rumors have run simply as rampant as, if no more than, free-agent rumors. Younger flamethrower ace Garrett Crochet and stud first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have been mock traded to almost each group you possibly can consider on nationwide media retailers. Nonetheless, let’s take a second to debate among the extra underrated names that will discover themselves on a unique group come March 2025 by way of technique of a commerce.
Seattle Mariners Beginning Pitcher
Jerry Dipoto works in mysterious methods. After buying Castillo from the Cincinnati Reds in 2022 within the Mariners’ push for his or her postseason berth in 20 years, Dipoto finds himself doubtlessly on the opposite finish of that deal solely two and a half years later.
Castillo has been nothing in need of astounding for Seattle in his time as a Mariner so far. When first acquired on the 2022 deadline, he went 4-2 with a 3.17 ERA and tossed a gem of a Sport 1 towards the Blue Jays to win the wild card collection. Castillo went 14-9 within the subsequent seasons whereas posting a 3.34 in 2023, and a 3.64 in 2024 (regardless of an 11-12 file).
What holds the Mariners again is their anemic offense, which developed in 2023 and 2024. It was an offense that some would say price them postseason berths in these seasons. It’s at all times been closely rumored that the Mariners would look to half with one in every of their arms of their elite beginning rotation, however often, the names as bait are Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, or Bryce Miller. Castillo’s identify has by no means been talked about in that territory, not till not too long ago.
In concept, it is smart for Castillo to be the man to maneuver, as he’s most certainly to section out of his prime the quickest in comparison with the remainder of the younger arms. Nonetheless, Castillo continues to be able to a number of good seasons of manufacturing, sufficient to hopefully internet the Mariners the offense bundle they would want.
Whereas Dipoto has at present thrown chilly water on the concept they’d commerce Castillo, there may be nothing Jerry loves greater than to tug off a commerce, so you possibly can by no means really rule something out. You might discover good matches in contenders throughout each leagues. The Orioles have been crammed with nice bats, each on the main and minor league ranges. Who’s to say Castillo couldn’t be the one they pair an awesome top-end free company acquisition with to fully revamp their beginning rotation? The Diamondbacks may be an intriguing possibility, as they led all of baseball in a wide range of offensive classes and nonetheless missed the postseason. Maybe they may spare a few of their offensive firepower in change for Seattle’s pitching firepower.
With the Mariners’ want for offense turning into so determined, don’t be stunned if Castillo turns into the piece moved to fill that weak point.
Tampa Bay Rays Second Baseman
The Rays have constantly operated in a farm-like trend. They develop younger prospects, platoon choices, and “misplaced causes”, into productive MLB gamers and pitchers and proceed to promote them off for another group to reap the advantages of their prime, receiving the cost of future prospects in return. This 12 months feels no totally different with the likes of Yandy Diaz and Pete Fairbanks talked about constantly on the commerce market. But, an possibility that sparks far more curiosity is 30-year-old Brandon Lowe.
The second baseman has been a Ray since 2018, and whereas exhibiting potential in a restricted position, he shined brightly in his breakout marketing campaign in 2021. Lowe crushed 39 HRs and 99 RBIs that season, slashing a .247/.340/.863 in addition. Accidents plagued Lowe the next season in 2022, limiting him to simply 8 HRs in 65 video games performed. Nonetheless, since then, it seems to be as should you can lock Lowe in for 20 HRs, 50-60 RBIs, and a normal OPS vary of .770-.780 (assuming his well being cooperates). That could be a productive, center to backside of the order lefty bat that’s proper there for the taking, and one that might make an inexpensive $10.5M in 2025. With Jose Caballero making waves and prime prospect Carson Williams on the best way, Lowe seems to be much less and fewer more likely to open the season with Tampa Bay.
The query then turns into, the place does Lowe land? Any group may use his type of manufacturing to contribute to an offense. The aforementioned Seattle Mariners absolutely wouldn’t thoughts having him of their lineup after how poorly Jorge Polanco turned out final season. The brief porch in Yankee Stadium could also be fairly the match, as New York may search for a approach to exchange Gleyber Torres. How about their Subway counterpart within the Mets? Whereas Jose Iglesias was unreal, Lowe could possibly be an excellent possibility in case Iglesias is unable to duplicate his 2024 kind. The Giants at present are missing a confirmed second basemen on their roster, so maybe San Francisco may make some sense as effectively.
If Lowe is to finish up elsewhere, he must be a key contributor to a lineup, assuming his well being doesn’t intrude with him. There aren’t quite a lot of groups that might not, on the very least, think about bringing him in.
San Diego Padres First Baseman/Designated Hitter
It’s not typically, maybe not ever, {that a} back-to-back-to-back batting league title holder has been traded three separate instances in that span, and but, Luis Arraez might very effectively be on the transfer once more. Acquired in Might of 2024 from the Marlins (after being despatched from Minnesota to Miami the earlier season), Arraez carried out very effectively for the Padres and was a key cog of their run to the NLCS, the place they fell simply in need of beating LA.
The Padres are not at all tearing it down by doubtlessly shifting Arraez, as they may proceed to be a aggressive group for years to come back, and sure a continuing thorn within the aspect of the Dodgers. Nonetheless, after the unlucky passing of former proprietor Peter Seidler, the group funds for the Padres has grow to be a lot much less versatile, and with Arraez estimated to be making $13.7M in 2025, it might be a luxurious San Diego can’t afford.
Arraez has greater than earned such a cost, as he has hit for at the least a .310 common from 2022-2024 (together with 2023 the place he hit .354), however his defensive shortcomings possible deter a group with the funds of the Padres from protecting him round, particularly with the number of center infield expertise current on the group and within the farm system.
This could as soon as once more lead Arraez to be on the transfer. Probably slated for a DH/1B kind position, there should not as many matches for Arraez as one may assume. The Seattle Mariners pop up right here as soon as once more, as Arraez could possibly be an ideal leap starter leadoff hitter for his or her struggling offense, and have a primary base hole ever because the decline and eventual waive of Ty France. The Yankees could possibly be a match, as they appear to interchange each the place play of Anthony Rizzo and the leadoff hitter functionality that Gleyber Torres supplied. How concerning the Houston Astros? They’ve struggled to get productiveness out of the primary base place for a few seasons now, and have been burned by older free-agent signings like Jose Abreu. Maybe they might need to go for the sure-hitting expertise of Arraez versus taking a flyer on a free agent, given their funds is just not the strongest both.
If Arraez does find yourself getting dealt, he would grow to be a pure weapon for the lineup he would reside in. His shortcomings on protection are current, however when you possibly can constantly hit above .300, that could be a sacrifice you’re keen to make. It will likely be curious to see who bites the bullet to convey Arraez aboard.
