5 players who should be traded this offseason

By Dan Zielinski III
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Updated: November 28, 2018

At this time of the year, rumors are swirling on potential trades and free agent signings. While the talk this MLB offseason has centered around free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, there are a plethora of star players available via trade.

Here are five players who should be traded this offseason:

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks

Goldschmidt is entering the final year on his contract worth $14.5 million. Although first basemen typically don’t command significant attention through trades, Goldschmidt is a five-tool player and one of the game’s top players.

The Diamondbacks posted an 82-80 record and third-place finish in the NL West last season. With a division featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies, the Diamondbacks will have a difficult time competing next season, especially with left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin and outfielder A.J. Pollock likely departing via free agency.

Goldschmidt has played in at least 155 games in each of the last four seasons. He hit .290 with 33 home runs and 83 RBIs in 158 games last season.

Although it’s difficult to trade a franchise icon, the Diamondbacks need to move the veteran first baseman. There’s multiple suitors for Goldschmidt, and he’d bring back at least one high-end prospect in a trade.

Madison Bumgarner, LHP, San Francisco Giants

Bumgarner is 29 years old and one of the game’s top left-handed pitchers despite two consecutive subpar seasons.

The lefty has missed time each of the last two seasons due to injuries. He pitched in 21 games and recorded a 3.26 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 43 walks in 129 2/3 innings. Prior to the last two years, Bumgarner notched six straight seasons of at least 200 innings pitched from 2011-16.

New president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi should trade Bumgarner this offseason, even if that means dealing him to the Dodgers. He has one year left at $12 million on his contract, and the Giants are stuck in mediocrity.

Teams are desperate for elite pitching and Bumgarner would bring back a significant package of players that could reshape the future of the Giants.

J.T. Realmuto, C, Miami Marlins

Realmuto demanded a trade last offseason but the Marlins didn’t give in to the request. They held onto the 27-year-old catcher and tried to negotiate a contract extension with him this offseason. Realmuto balked at the offer and continues to beg for a trade.

Realmuto recorded a .277 batting average with 27 home runs and 74 RBIs in 125 games last season.

He’s under team control through 2020. Teams would line up to acquire one of the game’s best catchers, and teams would have to pay a premium to acquire him.

Noah Syndergaard, RHP, New York Mets

Syndergaard is a 26-year-old right-hander with a limited track record of success. He’s never pitched more than 183 2/3 innings in his four-year major-league career. He’s also battled injuries the last two seasons.

He tallied a 3.03 ERA with 155 strikeouts and 39 walks in 154 1/3 innings last season.

Brodie Van Wagenen is the team’s new general manager and seeks to improve the major-league roster this offseason. Trading Syndergaard might be one of the answers to accomplishing that task.

Although Syndergaard is capable of being one of the game’s best pitchers when healthy, he would bring back a significant haul of prospects, especially since he’s under team control through the 2021 season.

Edwin Diaz, RHP, Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are stuck in purgatory and feature a weak farm system. General manager Jerry Dipoto relishes making trades and his elite 24-year-old closer could be the latest player moved.

Diaz was the game’s top reliever last season. In Diaz’s third major-league season, he notched a major-league high 57 saves with a 1.96 ERA, 124 strikeouts and 17 walks in 73 1/3 innings.

Diaz is under team control through the 2022 season.

The Mariners might try to package over-priced veteran Robinson Cano with Diaz in any trade offers. Diaz would require a team to trade multiple high-end prospects if he isn’t attached with a large contract.

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My name is Dan Zielinski III and I have something to say. Welcome to my website, The 3rd Man In. This is where I dish out my own perspective on what's happening in the world of sports!

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