There are lots of possibility on the trade market for outfielders this summer.
Teams can dream about acquiring a franchise bat, inquire about aging sluggers or target undervalued role players.
They can spend tens of millions or pursue players earning barely more than the league minimum depending on ownership’s willingness to absorb bad contracts.
Now that the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is just four weeks away, it’s time to preview the top 10 potentially available outfielders:
Alex Rios, RF, Chicago White Sox
Contract status: $12.5 million salary through 2014, team option for 2015
What he offers: Rios has power, speed and even some on-base skills. With 11 home runs, 14 stolen bases and a .268/.327/.444 batting line, he remains a capable offensive player.
On average, MLB right fielders are hitting .265/.327/.435, so it’s not like Rios’ production is anything special. Yet he would still represent an upgrade for a team like the Pittsburgh Pirates.
As a player who has enjoyed success over a long period, Rios figures to draw interest leading up to the trade deadline. However, his $12.5 million salary limits his trade value, so it stands to reason that the White Sox will get good, rather than elite, prospects if they do complete a deal.
Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Miami Marlins
Contract status: 2013 salary of $537,000, under team control through 2016 as an arbitration eligible player
What he offers: Stanton has as much power as any player in baseball. The 23-year-old offers upside, name value and cost control — an appealing combination for any general manger.
Let’s not get carried away, though. While the Marlins have traded a long list of players in the last 12 months, there are no assurances that Stanton will be next. He’s probably the main reason to watch the 30-51 Marlins in 2013.
Hamstring and shoulder injuries have limited Stanton to 39 games this year. The Marlins may simply decide to keep him, let him re-establish his trade value with a strong second half and market him during the winter.
Not only would that path enable Miami to engage with more teams in trade talks, it would make sense from a financial standpoint. Stanton now earns close to the MLB minimum salary, but his earnings will spike a few months from now after he has gone to arbitration for the first time.
Andre Ethier, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Contract status: $13.5 million salary in 2013, $15.5 million salary in 2014, $18 million salary in 2015-16, $17.5 million salary in 2017, $17.5 million vesting option in 2018
What he offers: What distinguishes Ethier is his ability to hit right-handed pitching. He’s a career .308/.386/.517 hitter against right-handers, which would make him an offensive upgrade for many contending teams.
Yet Ethier is a flawed player. He can’t hit left-handed pitching (.237/.293/.350 career vs. LHP) and isn’t viewed as a strong defender.
This wouldn’t be an issue, except the Dodgers are paying Ethier like a star player. They’d presumably have to absorb tens of millions to get a solid return, despite Ethier’s strong points as a player.
Once Carl Crawford returns from the 15-day disabled list, Ethier won’t have a clear role on the Dodgers. Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig will both start, which could lead Los Angeles to part with Ethier.
Raul Ibanez, LF/RF, Seattle Mariners
Contract status: $2.75 million salary in 2013, free agent after season
What he offers: Even at the age of 41, Ibanez offers lots of power. He has 19 home runs and a .544 slugging percentage as a part-time player in Seattle.
Always a threat against right-handed pitching, Ibanez has six homers against lefties this year. He hit three home runs for the Yankees in last year’s playoffs, which may appeal to general managers envisioning more big postseason hits.
Any team could afford his contract, which is set to expire after the season.
Nate Schierholtz, RF, Chicago Cubs
Contract status: $2.25 million salary, arbitration eligible through 2014
What he offers: Schierholtz is having the best season of his career at the age of 29. The right fielder has a .286/.336/.536 batting line with 11 home runs and 19 doubles.
Not only is the left-handed hitter having a strong season at the plate, he has a history of hitting right-handed pitching. As a bonus, he’s under team control through 2014.
Josh Willingham, LF, Minnesota Twins
Contract status: $7 million salary through 2014
What he offers: The Twins may have missed their best chance to market Willingham. He hit 35 home runs and posted an .890 OPS last year, so he would have had considerable off-season trade value.
Instead, the Twins waited and watched Willingham’s production drop off. The left fielder still has a .356 on-base percentage with 10 home runs, but his batting average (.224) and slugging percentage (.398) have never been this low for a full season.
Norichika Aoki, RF, Milwaukee Brewers
Contract status: $1.25 million salary in 2013, team option in 2014
What he offers: One year after emerging as one of the league’s top rookies, Aoki is in the midst of another productive season. The 31-year-old has a .363 on-base percentage for the 32-49 Brewers.
While Aoki has limited power, his ability to get on base and affordable salary should catch the attention of contending teams. It appears he’s available, as general manager Doug Melvin has said he’s willing to consider trade offers.
Michael Morse, LF/RF, Seattle Mariners
Contract status: $6.75 million salary in 2013, free agent after season
What he offers: Morse will appeal to contenders assuming he returns from the quadriceps injury that now has him on the disabled list.
The 31-year-old right-handed hitter offers power, especially against left-handed pitching. He has appeared at first base and both corner outfield positions, not that he’s known as a good glove at any of those spots.
So far this year, he is hitting .251/.313/.454 with 11 home runs. That line may look ordinary, but Safeco Field suppresses offence, particularly for home run hitters. Morse, who hit 31 home runs two years ago, could make a difference for a contender seeking a designated hitter or corner outfielder.
David DeJesus, CF, Chicago Cubs
Contract status: $4.25 million salary in 2013, $6.5 million team option in 2014
What he offers: When the Cubs placed DeJesus on the disabled list two weeks ago, they expected him to miss a month. The timeline for his return remains unclear, but he would appeal to contenders if his shoulder heals before the end of the month.
The left-handed hitter offers doubles power, a career .354 on-base percentage and the ability to play all three outfield positions. He hits right-handed pitching quite well, but struggles against lefties.
Another point in DeJesus’ favour: he’s affordable this year and controllable through 2014.
Marlon Byrd, RF/CF, New York Mets
Contract status: $700,000 salary in 2013, free agent after season
What he offers: When Byrd signed with the Mets in February, the deal seemed insignificant to most observers. After all, Byrd was 35 years old and coming off of a season in which he hit .210 with one home run in 47 games.
Midway through the 2013 campaign, he has emerged as a bargain signing. His power has returned and he now has 12 home runs and a .262/.313/.489 batting line.
The 34-45 Mets may aim to move the right-handed hitting Byrd for a player who can help in the future.