Look no further than the defending World Series champions to see why general managers around baseball will spend a good portion of the next month considering trades for infielders.
San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean acquired Marco Scutaro last summer in what would turn out to be a pivotal trade. Though Scutaro had struggled with the Colorado Rockies, he went on to hit .362/.385/.473 with San Francisco as the Giants advanced to the postseason and won the World Series.
Here’s a speculative look ahead at 10 potentially available infielders. Each of these players has the ability to help a contending team, and could draw interest in the five weeks leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31:
Chase Utley, 2B, Philadelphia Phillies
Contract status: $15 million salary in 2013, free agent after season
What he offers: From 2005-10, Utley was the game’s top second baseman and one of the top players in baseball. Now 34, he’s expensive and in decline. As a franchise icon for the Phillies, he could be especially difficult to obtain.
Yet he will have trade value as long as he’s healthy. Utley still offers power from the left side while getting on base at an above-average clip.
His value could be a moving target as the Phillies determine whether to sell and teams around baseball assess Utley’s health.
Teams such as the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics could have interest in obtaining a second baseman of Utley’s calibre.
Kendrys Morales, 1B/DH, Seattle Mariners
Contract status: $5.25 million salary, free agent after season.
What he offers: Players who hit .272/.332/.432 have value. Players who hit .272/.332/.432 in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field while earning just $5.25 million have even more value.
The switch-hitting Morales could appeal to teams like the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles this year. The Mariners should be willing to sell, assuming they don’t try to extend Morales themselves.
Chase Headley, 3B, San Diego Padres
Contract Status: $8.58 million salary in 2013, under team control through 2014.
What he offers: Headley emerged as an MVP candidate last year, hitting at an elite level and playing in all but one of the Padres’ games. One year later, he’s having his worst season as a major leaguer.
Headley has just six home runs and a .324 on-base percentage for the Padres and he now earns $8.58 million, so he’s no longer the bargain he once was. Should the 39-40 Padres decide to trade Headley, they won’t get nearly as much for him as they might have last winter.
Even so, he could restore some of his trade value with a strong month of July. It’s not as though there are many more appealing alternatives at third base.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers
Contract status: $10 million salary in 2013, $16 million salary in 2014, mutual option in 2015 includes $4 million buyout.
What he offers: While 2012 was an unqualified success for Ramirez, 2013 has been a season of mixed results. The 35-year-old missed approximately one month with a knee injury and has since hit .273/.351/.435 with five home runs.
It’s enough to interest contenders — until you consider Ramirez’s contract. There’s approximately $25 million remaining on the deal, and that’s a lot more than most teams are willing to pay for a year and a half of an aging third baseman having a good, but not great, season.
Credit Ramirez for his power and on-base skills; he can still hit. Whether he has real trade value is another question altogether.
Kevin Frandsen, 1B/2B/3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Contract status: $850,000 salary in 2013, arbitration eligible through 2015.
What he offers: No one’s going to mistake Frandsen for a franchise player, but he hits left-handed pitching and can play multiple infield positions.
The right-handed hitter has a solid .285/.333/.442 batting line against left-handers in parts of seven MLB seasons. He has done even better than that since joining the Phillies in 2012, with an overall batting line of .320/.381/.451 during the last two years.
There’s no name value here, but Frandsen has excellent contact skills and the ability to draw the occasional walk while playing around the infield.
That’s a skillset that makes Scutaro a $7 million player, so teams should still have interest in someone who can offer a good portion of Scutaro’s ability at a fraction of the price. As a bonus, Frandsen is under team control for two seasons after 2013.
Brendan Ryan, SS, Seattle Mariners
Contract status: $3.25 million salary in 2013, free agent after season
What he offers: Defence up the middle matters a great deal, and where better to start than shortstop? Contenders looking for a bench player capable of making an impact with the glove could call the Mariners about Ryan, one of the game’s best defensive shortstops.
The 31-year-old won’t hit at all, but could be used as a late-inning defensive replacement on a playoff team. The Mariners might be open to parting with Ryan since 23-year-old shortstop prospect Brad Miller has done nothing but hit since being selected in the second round of the 2011 draft and could be ready for the MLB level.
Luis Valbuena, 2B/3B, Chicago Cubs
Contract status: $930,000 salary in 2013, arbitration eligible through 2016.
What he offers: Valbuena has started laying off of pitches outside of the strike zone, and he is drawing more walks than ever for a .359 on-base percentage. He’s affordable, with a salary of less than $1 million, and controllable long-term.
The left-handed hitter has never hit quite like this before, so there’s reason to view his production with some skepticism. That said, it’s difficult to find infielders capable of adding value on offence, so Valbuena figures to draw some interest.
Michael Young, 1B/3B, Philadelphia Phillies
Contract status: $16 million salary in 2013, of which the Texas Rangers pay $10 million. Free agent after season.
What he offers: Young’s a league-average hitter capable of hitting left-handers and playing multiple positions on the infield. But at age 36 his power is diminishing and he’s a below-average defender.
The Rangers are paying most of his salary, which means the Phillies are responsible for just $6 million this year. Even at that price, he’s arguably an overpay.
Keep in mind that the Phillies may be able to pass him through waivers and trade him in August.
Adam Dunn, 1B/DH, Chicago White Sox
Contract status: $15 million per season through 2014.
What he offers: Dunn offers power, and lots of it. He remains a threat to hit the ball out of the park at any time, especially against right-handed pitching. Plus, he can still draw lots of walks.
However, his low batting average keeps his on-base percentage below league average. He has no defensive value to speak of, and will earn a considerable sum before his contract expires following the 2014 season.
While Dunn could help some contending teams if used properly, his salary cuts into any trade value he might otherwise have.
Justin Morneau, 1B/DH, Minnesota Twins
Contract status: $14 million salary, free agent after season.
What he offers: Morneau still has time to increase his trade value, but right now it wouldn’t be very high. He has just three home runs and a .382 slugging percentage to go along with his $14 million salary.
If Morneau starts hitting, he could appeal to contenders seeking a left-handed bat. Even then, he’s a lifetime Twins player who could be difficult to obtain in a trade. Minnesota should have ample time to decide on a course of action, as Moreanu could clear waivers and be traded in August.