*Photo from Logo Design Love*
We broke down the top pitching trade candidates to start, so let's look at the top position player candidates now.
1. Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF, Kansas City Royals
1. Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF, Kansas City Royals
*Photo from Dodgers Nation*
Merrifield signed an extension for 4 years this winter, but the Royals are completely terrible and could be looking to purge at the deadline. He is having an amazing season, so trading him now would yield a good return of prospects to build the team around.
2. Hunter Renfroe, OF, San Diego Padres
*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*
The Padres have a crowded outfield, so moving Renfroe would clear it a little. Renfroe is in the midst of a breakout year, with 27 homers, and could net a top pitcher from a team looking for outfield help.
3. Trey Mancini, OF, Baltimore Orioles
*Photo from Camden Chat*
The Orioles are in the midst of a full scale rebuild, and Mancini is one of the only players that the Orioles could trade for a good return right now. He's having a solid year right now, and the Orioles could take advantage of that come deadline day.
4. Starling Marte, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
Marte is having a solid year for the Pirates with his power and speed. The Pirates may not sell at the end of the month because they are still in contention for a wild card spot, but he is due a big payday in the coming years due to some team options for a team that isn't known for big spending. That alone may force Pittsburgh's hand.
5. Yasiel Puig, OF, Cincinnati Reds
*Photo from Yahoo! Sports*
The Reds acquired Puig this offseason, and currently sit just a few games behind in the playoff race. With them being so close, it's likely that the Reds front office will wait until the last minute to decide whether to buy or sell. If they do, Puig could be packaged for a selection of prospects, as he is swinging a hot bat lately.
6. Nicholas Castellanos, OF, Detroit Tigers
*Photo from ESPN*
Castellanos has been noted in saying that he wants out of Detroit, but the front office hasn't dealt him yet. He is set to be a free agent this winter, so he should be dealt now for a good return rather than leaving in free agency for nothing. He has regressed this season, but Castellanos remains a solid threat at the plate.
7. James McCann, C, Chicago White Sox
*Photo from NBC Sports*
McCann has emerged as one of MLB's best catchers this season, earning a spot in the all star game. He is 4th among catchers in OPS and has been credited with the turnaround of Chicago's pitchers. He would net a nice return, but the White Sox might not deal him because of what he has done.
8. Freddy Galvis, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
*Photo from Sportsnet*
Galvis is having a solid year for Canada's team, serving as their leadoff man. The Jays are bad, so he could be dangled, and they could get a half decent return. However, keeping him to mentor the young prospects they have could end up being better for them.
9. Alex Gordon, OF, Kansas City Royals
*Photo from KC Kingdom*
Gordon is a face of the Royals, but he will be a free agent this year, and the team may not want to exercise his $23 million option. Kansas City could be purging at the deadline, so Gordon could be packaged for a nice return. In any case, the Royals will have to eat a chunk of his salary.
10. Justin Smoak, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
*Photo from Call to the Pen*
Smoak is one of Toronto's last remaining vets from their championship window, but his time in Toronto is likely coming to a close. The White Sox are reluctant to deal Jose Abreu, so Smoak could be the best power hitting 1B on the market. His power numbers are down, but he has a high OPS and has something to offer with the glove.
11. Corey Dickerson, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
*Photo from The Sports Daily*
Again, the Pirates may not sell due to the fact that they are in contention, but Dickerson is good with the glove and is having a decent season despite being affected by injuries. They did shop Dickerson this winter, so he could very well be dealt.
12. Todd Frazier, 3B, New York Mets
*Photo from Amazin' Avenue*
Even by Mets standards, the Mets are not having a good season. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen acknowledged that the Mets will try to sell veterans. Frazier has a good on base percentage(OBP) this year, and he provides a good power bat at third base.
13. Clint Frazier, OF, New York Yankees
*Photo from Elite Sports NY*
Frazier was demoted to Triple A earlier this season despite having a solid year, so his time with the pinstripes may be coming to an end. He could be dangled for some pitching help, as the Yankees could use some rotation depth, especially with the fact that ace Luis Severino still hasn't thrown a pitch for them this year.
14. Adam Jones, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
*Photo from the San Francisco Chronicle*
The D-Backs are hovering around .500 for the year, so one bad week before the deadline could prompt them to sell. He still has something left in the tank, as he has a .261 average and 13 homers. He still has some pop, and is a well respected outfielder who could draw a market for his services.
15. Eric Sogard, IF, Toronto Blue Jays
*Photo from the Toronto Star*
Sogard has been a nice hitter for the Jays at the top of their order this year. He has a high OBP, and has a career high in homers this year. He could be used as depth at middle and corner infield positions for any team who may need help in that regard.
16. Dee Gordon, 2B/OF, Seattle Mariners
*Photo from the Athletic*
Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto said he would sell almost everything, and Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion have already been dealt. Gordon isn't the star he once was, but his speed and glove is an asset to any team in need of it. In any case, Seattle will need to eat some money, as he is owed $13 million next year.
17. Jose Iglesias, SS, Cincinnati Reds
*Photo from Red Reporter*
Iglesias traditionally hasn't done much with the bat, but has a very solid defensive pedigree and would fill a hole at shortstop for teams looking for help there. He also would be dealt on the cheap, which also would come in handy for contenders.
18. Melky Cabrera, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates
*Photo from ESPN.com*
Cabrera isn't a game changer, but he continues to be productive. He is a solid threat at the plate with the lowest strikeout rate of his career. He also can be a threat on the basepaths. He will be a free agent at the end of the year, so Pittsburgh could be tempted to move him.
19. Pablo Sandoval, IF, San Francisco Giants
*Photo from CBS Sports*
The Panda has experienced a revival of sorts since coming back to San Francisco. He was a massive problem for the Boston Red Sox(which makes me upset as a Sox fan), but he has arguably been the team's best player. He is owed very little money, as the Red Sox are still paying the bulk of his salary(that was a terrible deal by Cherington), but he may not want to leave the bay area.
20. Billy Hamilton, OF, Kansas City Royals
*Photo from MLB Trade Rumors*
Hamilton hasn't really exploded onto the scene, but he has deadly fast speed(he scored from second on a sac fly), and he has a solid glove, as referenced by this picture of him making a diving catch. His speed would be an asset to whoever trades for him, as KC is likely to purge this team at the deadline.
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