MLB trade season heated up over the weekend as the Royals traded right-hander Brady Singer to the Reds for second baseman Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer. I viewed it as a win-win trade for both teams.
The Reds needed to add veteran bulk innings to their rotation. Enter Singer, who has pitched at least 150 innings in each of the past three seasons, including 179 2/3 last season while going 9-13 with a 3.71 ERA. He’s also a ground-ball pitcher, which works well in the small confines of Great American Ball Park. He’ll join a rotation of Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder and Graham Ashcraft, giving Cincinnati the pitching depth it takes to win. The Reds could afford to trade India because Matt McLain, one of their best players, is expected to play second base full-time in 2025 after coming back from shoulder surgery.
From the Royals’ perspective, they needed a leadoff hitter, someone who could provide traffic for Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez in the middle of the order. India has a career on-base percentage of .352. The Royals aren’t sure if he’ll play second base or somewhere else because he was overseas when the trade was made and they couldn’t immediately discuss it with him. However, if he ends up playing second base full-time, their incumbent, Michael Massey, has the ability to play all over the diamond and could even move to the outfield as well. Wiemer fits as a platoon-type player in center field and gives them much-needed outfield depth.
Now that the trading season is here, I thought it was a good time to tackle more than two dozen of your trade questions and share some of what I’m hearing. Thanks as always to all the subscribers who asked questions.
Note: Submitted questions have been edited for clarity and length.
What would a strong Mets package for Garrett Crochet look like? Would Brett Baty, Luisangel Acuña, Blade Tidwell, Marco Vargas get it done? — Timothy W.
I think the deal would have to look more like Acuña, Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert perhaps? I keep hearing that White Sox general manager Chris Getz is focused on position players, not pitching in return for Crochet. He could change his mind, but if he sticks with that approach, I think that trio would be close to getting a deal done.
Three-team trade proposal:
White Sox get: Justin Crawford, Mick Abel, Eduardo Tait, Tai Peete, Jonny Farmelo
Phillies get: Garrett Crochet
Mariners get: Alec Bohm
— Andrew J.
I like the concept of the deal, although I get the impression that the Phillies are more focused on acquiring an outfielder and a reliever than they are a starter. The White Sox are more focused on acquiring future middle-of-the-order bats. So this proposal doesn’t really fit what those teams are most actively looking to do. Bohm fits great with the Mariners though.
Wilyer Abreu finished fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. Will Boston trade him? (Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)
Could the Red Sox land Crochet for a package led by Wilyer Abreu, perhaps with Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia, Chase Meidroth, and/or Mikey Romero? If not, is there any package that doesn’t include (Boston’s) “big four” (prospects) that the White Sox would likely accept? — David G.
Based on what the White Sox are saying, I think a package of Casas, Abreu and Connor Wong probably gets close to landing Crochet. The Red Sox could then replace Abreu with prospect Roman Anthony in right field, replace Wong with Kyle Teel at catcher, move Devers to first base and sign either Alex Bregman or Wily Adames in free agency.
Can the Orioles pry Crochet away from the White Sox without giving up (one of their two top prospects), Coby Mayo or Samuel Basallo? Maybe a build package around outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Dylan Beavers and a young pitcher? — David B.
There’s no way the Orioles are getting Crochet without including Mayo or Basallo as part of a package. Teams are lining up for Crochet and the White Sox aren’t trading him unless they land at least two everyday position players whom they can put in the middle of their lineup going forward.
The Red Sox trade Masataka Yoshida to the Diamondbacks for Jordan Montgomery. Who says no? — Jeff S.
I like the Red Sox side of this trade proposal. I think pitching coach Andrew Bailey and their advanced pitching room could get Montgomery back to his form from 2021-23, a three-year stretch when he was consistently good. Yoshida is a below-average defender whose best role is as a designated hitter. After two MLB seasons, has a career slash line of .285/.343/.433, which is a good indication of his likely performance in the future. However, he has 10-15 home run power and if I’m Arizona, I’d prefer to re-sign Joc Pederson. Yoshida makes $18.6 million a year so he would be a savings of only about $4 million in 2025 compared to Montgomery, and I’d rather try to rebuild Montgomery’s career than take on Yoshida, who is signed at that amount through 2027.
How likely is it the Braves go after Jordan Montgomery or maybe Zack Littell (from the Rays) if they can’t re-sign Max Fried, or do they roll with what they’ve got and hope one of Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep can hold down a spot in the rotation? — Jeremy P.
The Braves are trying to re-sign both Fried and Charlie Morton and have also kicked the tires on several other free-agent starting pitchers who would rank ahead of Montgomery. They’re also high on their young starters, both in the majors and in the pipeline, and since they really don’t have a bad contract to offer in exchange for Montgomery, I don’t see a fit unless the Diamondbacks are willing to eat most of his contract, which I don’t think they’ll do (at least at this time).
Could the Diamondbacks fill their hole at first base by trading Jordan Montgomery to the Cubs for Arizona native Cody Bellinger in a swap of bad contracts? — Zach R.
I love this trade idea for the Diamondbacks. If the Cubs would make that deal, Arizona would call a press conference as quickly as possible! 🙂 The Diamondbacks are due to pay Montgomery $22.5 million in 2025 after he posted a 6.23 ERA over 21 starts and four relief appearances last season. He was so bad that he finished the year in the bullpen. Bellinger had a down year too, but he still managed to reach base at a 33 percent clip, hit 18 home runs and get 78 RBIs. He was worth 2.2 WAR; Montgomery was at -1.4 WAR.
The Cubs are not trying to move Bellinger as they believe he will be better next season. However, that’s not going to stop them from listening to interested teams. Bellinger will make $27.5 million in 2025 and has a $25 million player option in 2026 with a $5 million buyout. He has a much better chance of bouncing back than Montgomery, so I can’t see the Cubs having interest in that swap of bad contracts.
With Matt Shaw looming in the minors, does it make sense for Chicago to package Nico Hoerner and Bellinger to the Braves? That would plug the two holes in the Braves’ roster while adding needed speed/athleticism to their lineup. By taking Bellinger’s contract, that would reduce the prospect package they’d need to send to Chicago. — Clayton P.
The Braves are happy with Ozzie Albies at second base and Austin Riley at third base and Hoerner is not good enough defensively to play shortstop for Atlanta, so he isn’t a fit there. Bellinger would be an upgrade over Jarred Kelenic in left field, but the Braves have made it clear that any payroll room they have will be allocated to the starting rotation, not left field. In terms of Shaw, I really like his short, compact swing and he slashed .284/.379/.488 last season with 21 home runs and 31 stolen bases between Double A and Triple A, mostly playing third base. However, the Cubs’ decision to trade for Isaac Paredes at the deadline was an indication they either felt Shaw wasn’t ready or they planned to play him around the diamond wherever needed. (He can play second base, shortstop and third base.) Paredes is under team control through 2027.
Two trade proposals (for your) review: The Angels trade Tyler Anderson and (a pitching prospect), Samuel Aldegheri or George Klassen, to the Cubs for Bellinger. Also, the Orioles re-sign Anthony Santander and then trade Heston Kjerstad and Colby Mayo to the White Sox for Crochet and reliever Steven Wilson. Thoughts? Love all your articles! — Greg D.
I don’t think the Angels match up with the Cubs for a Bellinger trade. But I love your idea of the Orioles re-signing Santander and then offering Kjerstad and Mayo to the White Sox for Crochet and Wilson. Boom! Let’s see if the Orioles get it done!
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be eligible for free agency after next season. (Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)
Is a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. trade happening? What could the Jays expect as a return? — Yossi R.
The Blue Jays have been steadfast in telling me that they are not trading Guerrero this offseason, even if they can’t sign him long term. Opposing GMs have heard the same. If the Jays are not in contention at next year’s trade deadline and still haven’t extended him, then it’s conceivable they move him at that point. But for now, they believe they can contend in 2025 and would rather build around Guerrero than trade him.
Trade proposal: Yankees trade George Lombard Jr., Will Warren and Oswald Peraza to the Blue Jays for Vlad Jr.? — Michael G.
If they could, the Yankees would make that trade in a heartbeat. But if the Yankees actually proposed that deal to the Blue Jays, all they would hear is a dial tone. That type of offer doesn’t even get a response. Guerrero was worth 6.2 WAR last season, according to Baseball Reference. He slashed .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. If the Blue Jays decide to deal him between now and the trade deadline, I doubt it would be to the Yankees or a team in the AL East. However, if they did consider moving him to New York, then Jasson Domínguez would be the first of many names the Yankees would have to dangle to even start the conversation.
Do you think the Cardinals realistically can/will move Nolan Arenado? — Chris S.
Arenado is owed $32 million in 2025, $27 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027. (The Rockies are on the hook for $5 million in both ’26 and ’27.) Age and decline have caught up with him. Over the past three seasons, his slugging percentage has dropped from .533 to .459 to .394 and his home run output has fallen from 30 to 26 to 16. He’s still a 2.5-WAR player and an elite defender at third base. He’s a future Hall of Famer. However, he’s entering his age-34 season and this isn’t 2022, when Arenado posted a league-leading 7.7 WAR. If the Cardinals are willing to eat a significant part of the contract, there’s a possibility they could move him, but it’s not a slam dunk. Arenado would be a difficult player to trade because of his remaining contract, his no-trade clause, and there are not a lot of teams that need a third baseman.
Trade proposal: Cardinals trade Ryan Helsley, Victor Scott II, and Steven Matz (eating all but $5 million of his $12.5 million salary) to the Yankees for Jasson Domínguez. Who says no, and why? — Dennis K.
That’s an interesting trade idea. I’d make it if I’m the Cardinals because they’re building for the long term and I think Domínguez will be the best player in this proposal in the long term. The Yankees would get one of the best closers in the sport (Helsley) and a speedy center fielder (Scott) who would fit nicely between Juan Soto (if they re-sign him) and Aaron Judge in the outfield. However, Domínguez is the Yankees’ best prospect and I wouldn’t trade him if they don’t re-sign Soto. So, if the Yankees don’t re-sign Soto, they say no.
Devin Williams is signed for one more season. (Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
Could the Dodgers land Devin Williams (from the Brewers) with a combination of Gavin Lux and Landon Knack? — Andre M.
The Brewers need a shortstop to replace free agent Willy Adames, who is not expected to sign elsewhere, but Brewers manager Pat Murphy told me last week that he thinks Joey Ortiz will be able to fill that void. Williams would give the Dodgers another elite high-leverage reliever and then they could sign Adames to replace Lux. So I like your trade idea for the Dodgers, Andre, but not so much from the Brewers’ perspective.
Trade proposal: Devin Williams and a prospect to the Phillies for Alec Bohm? — Cj N.
The Phillies need an elite, right-handed, high-leverage closer and think this deal makes a lot of sense for them, especially if they could turn around and sign either Alex Bregman or Willy Adames to replace Bohm at the hot corner. I don’t think Phillies prospect Aidan Miller will be ready for the majors until at least 2026 or 2027 to play third. I’ve heard the rumors they could have interest in getting Arenado from the Cardinals and I do think playing at Citizens Bank Park would help him, but St. Louis would need to absorb a lot of his contract.
I also like this trade from the Brewers’ perspective because Bohm would solve third base and replace Adames in their lineup, allowing Ortiz to play shortstop with Brice Turang remaining at second.
How about Bohm to Seattle for Harry Ford? The Phillies could get J.T. Realmuto’s (eventual) replacement and Seattle would add a third baseman/first baseman to an infield desperately in need of quality pieces. — Andrew R.
I like the idea of the Phillies looking to get younger and building for the future while they’re trying to win now. This is a creative proposal that I think could work for both sides. The Mariners need to upgrade both first base and third base and could use Bohm, who has two more years of team control, at whatever position is better for them. And, as you point out, the Phillies would get their long-term catcher; Ford should be ready in 2026 to replace Realmuto, who is a free agent after 2025. Smart idea, Andrew!
The Mets and Mariners are frequent trade partners, and their needs line up well. So here’s a trade proposal: The Mariners get Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty, cash, and (maybe?) a top 20 prospect; the Mets get one of Bryan Woo or Bryce Miller. Who says no? — Samuel R.
The Mariners say no because they would get the worst end of that trade. Seattle president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has made it clear he’s not trading any of his top five starting pitchers this offseason; instead, he’s going to try to figure out how to improve his offense through free agency or trading prospects. If I’m the Mets, I’d love to make this deal, but it’s just not realistic.
Does Josh Naylor get traded this offseason? I say no because I don’t see an obvious path for the Guardians to replace his 30-home run, 100-RBI production. But he’ll be a free agent after 2025, and they tend to trade guys before they hit free agency. What do you think? — Michael J.
Because the Guardians made it all the way to the ALCS last season, I think they’re going to try to run it back in 2025 with basically the same team and keep Naylor for the reason you mentioned. The Guardians want to improve their starting rotation and would like another corner bat. They want to add a power bat to the middle of their lineup rather than subtract from it.
The Pirates need corner-outfield (help) and the Red Sox need pitching. Is Wilyer Abreu for Jared Jones straight up a fair trade? — Anonymous U.
That would get a clear “no thank you” from the Pirates to the Red Sox. The Buccos have zero interest in trading Jones. They are building their franchise around Paul Skenes and Jones at the top of their rotation. Neither is available via trade. The difference in the trade value of Crochet and Jones is that the White Sox control Crochet for only two more years while the Pirates control Jones for five more years.
Pirates trade Jones to the Orioles for Colton Cowser. Who says no? — Michael T.
The Pirates say no. They’ve worked too hard to build the top of their starting rotation to trade from it.
Carlos Correa will make $37.3 million next year. (Brandon Sloter / Image Of Sport / Getty Images)
Would the Twins seriously consider trading Carlos Correa? — Kramer S.
The Twins love Correa, including his leadership and what he brings to the culture of their clubhouse. However, their three best players — Correa, Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton — have been injury-prone. Correa has a no-trade clause and team president Derek Falvey has publicly indicated he won’t be dealt. But if they could trade Correa to get younger and lessen the health risk of their lineup, they would have to consider it.
It’s no surprise the Phillies are looking for an outfielder. In a scenario where Alex Bregman (doesn’t sign with the Astros), what are the chances they then trade Kyle Tucker to retool their roster? The Phillies could start with a package of something like Alec Bohm, Ranger Suárez and some prospect(s) to get a deal done. — Tom Y.
Tucker is the Astros’ best all-around player and although they haven’t been able to sign him to a long-term contract yet, they’ve made it clear to me they are not trading him — period, end of discussion. If they were to trade him, your proposed package would not be close to enough to land him.
What would a return for Framber Valdez look like for the Astros? They are deep in starting pitching and have a better track record of producing a replacement starting pitcher than, say, one for Tucker in the outfielder, so if they trade one, to me Framber would make more sense. — Michael D.
The Valdez market would have to wait until this year’s class of free-agent starters — led by Corbin Burnes, Rokie Sasaki, Max Fried and Blake Snell — signs. Once that occurs, the teams that miss out might be willing to offer prospect packages for Valdez. But keep in mind, the Astros are trying to win now and have no interest in sacrificing that to build for the future — at least not in 2025. So I think it’s highly unlikely they will trade him. However, in concept, the return would be a package of two good prospects and one solid prospect.
Do you think the Rangers will trade Jacob deGrom to reduce payroll? — Arthur K.
The Rangers believe deGrom will be back to a Cy Young Award-caliber level — and if that happens, keeping him gives them their best shot of winning another World Series. I don’t get the impression they need to reduce payroll. The Rangers have been active in trying to add a starting pitcher, multiple relievers and a left-handed hitter.
Does Mike Yastrzemski or Lamonte Wade Jr. have any real trade value? — Jeff T.
I don’t think either player has much trade value. Yastrzemski just agreed to a one-year $9.5 million contract to play regularly in right field for San Francisco, and most other teams view him more as a fourth-outfielder type. Wade is a solid platoon player and might fit with a team like the Yankees if they found someone to pair with him, but they wouldn’t give up much to land him.
If you were running the Giants, what would you do with Camilo Doval? Electric and controllable (reliever who had an) off year in 2024. He’d be in demand, but is it selling too low? — Alex M.
Trading players is in some ways like the stock market: With his trade value so low, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to sell now. I would put resources into figuring out how to get Doval back to his dominant form. Is he healthy? Can he be helped mechanically? Do they need to change his repertoire or his pitch sequencing? Fix him. Get him right. Then when he dominates again, revisit whether to trade him.
Hi, Jim! I’m curious to hear your thoughts on Buster Posey and if/how he can facilitate meaningful change, specifically on the trade front. — Gregory A.
With three World Series championships as a player, Posey knows what it takes to win it all. He’ll focus on building the Giants with starting pitching and defense first. He has the respect of players across the league, so he’ll be able to recruit free-agent bats. However, I think he’s a bit hamstrung in his first year of running baseball operations for the Giants, with limitations from above on their major-league payroll. It’s going to take time to turn around the Giants, but I believe Posey is the right hire to make them contenders again. But it’s going to require some patience; there is not a quick fix, particularly in a strong NL West.
It’s obviously World Series or bust for the Reds with the window of Elly De La Cruz. … Is there a free agent or trade target who would benefit the Reds (now and) in 2026 or 2027 as they attempt to win the NLCS (before possibly having to consider trading De La Cruz)? — Tim O.
I think the Reds need to upgrade the middle of their lineup with a corner power bat. Anthony Santander would be the perfect free-agent signing for them right now.
What would it take for Seattle to get Luis Arraez (in a trade with the Padres)? — Kyle S.
It would take trading one of these starting pitchers: Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller or George Kirby. In other words, the Padres aren’t looking to move Arraez unless it makes their major-league team better for 2025.
(Top photo of Garrett Crochet: Quinn Harris / Getty Images)
