Arizona Diamondbacks potential trade packages involving OF surplus

With the acquisition of Kyle Lewis from the Seattle Mariners early this offseason, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ outfield surplus grew even stronger.

Although GM Mike Hazen doesn’t envision Lewis enjoying center field, and his harm historical past suggests a shift to designated hitter is smart, he stays a candidate to play the outfield.

That brings the variety of 40-man roster outfielders with MLB expertise to 6: Lewis, Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Daulton Varsho, Jake McCarthy and Pavin Smith.

Six outfielders — Lewis the lone righty bat — and solely 4 positions within the lineup for them, together with DH.

With a comparatively weak free-agent pool of outfielders, the D-backs’ surplus ought to give them a leg-up on the commerce market.

Nevertheless, what groups make for viable commerce companions?

Let’s check out three attainable commerce packages to plug holes at different positions with a wealth of expertise within the outfield.

Commerce No. 1

Toronto Blue Jays get: McCarthy and money concerns

D-backs get: C Danny Jansen

Why this commerce is smart:

Final season, the D-backs had been one of many least productive groups offensively on the catcher place, posting a wRC+ of 63 (100 is common) and -0.3 wins above alternative. They completed twenty fourth and twenty fifth, respectively, in these two stats.

In addition they struggled defensively, rating twenty fifth in framing runs — runs the catcher’s framing saves his pitchers — and tied for twenty fourth in defensive runs saved.

Whereas Jansen isn’t a proficient pitch-framer (-1.4 framing runs), he’s slashed .243/.321/.496 with 26 homers and a wRC+ of 124 since 2021. Final season, his 140 wRC+ ranked first amongst catchers with not less than 200 plate appearances.

The Blue Jays have a surplus at catcher, with Jansen the lone participant over the age of 25.

Nevertheless, they reduce ties with left-handed hitting outfielders Bradley Zimmer and Raimel Tapia, and Jackie Bradley Jr. is a free agent. The one remaining lefty bat on the 40-man within the Blue Jays outfield is Nathan Lukes, a 28-year-old with zero MLB plate appearances.

Why this commerce doesn’t make sense:

Hazen stated his end-of-season press convention that he didn’t suppose the workforce wanted so as to add catching, however stated they’d goal protection in the event that they did.

Jansen blossomed right into a potent offensive power, particularly sharing the load the previous two seasons. Nevertheless, he was within the thirty eighth percentile in framing and forty fifth percentile in pop time to second base.

On the opposite facet of the deal, the Blue Jays could go for the restricted array of free-agent lefty outfield bats to handle that gap.

Somebody like Andrew Benintendi or Brandon Nimmo could make extra sense than buying and selling for McCarthy, whose underlying knowledge hints at attainable regression.

Commerce No. 2

Detroit Tigers get: Smith and SS/2B Blaze Alexander (No. 14 D-backs prospect)

D-backs get: RHP Joe Jimenez

Why this commerce is smart:

Diamondbacks right-handed relievers struggled in 2022, posting a 5.03 ERA and hanging out fewer than two males per stroll.

Including a pitcher the caliber of Jimenez, who’s been an All-Star earlier than, is a serious step in the best path for the workforce’s bullpen.

He posted a 3.49 ERA with a 2.00 FIP and struck out 77 guys in 56.2 innings final season. He additionally posted a career-high in common fastball velocity (95.9 mph).

Hazen acknowledged the shortage of energy the D-backs have had within the bullpen and has already taken steps at addressing that concern with the Carlos Vargas acquisition. Jimenez offers the workforce with energy and a few delicate closing expertise (20 saves in 297 appearances).

As for the Tigers, they struggled offensively within the outfield and at first base final season.

Smith hasn’t set the world on fireplace as a serious leaguer simply but however has a profession .283 common with a 125 wRC+ in 298 minor league video games.

Alexander would give the Tigers a center infield prospect with an ETA of 2023 and hit .301 with 20 residence runs in 98 video games in 2022. With Jonathan Schoop set to grow to be a free agent on the finish of subsequent season, Alexander provides Detroit a reputable alternative going into 2024.

Why this commerce doesn’t make sense:

Smith’s positional versatility continues to be of stable use for the D-backs. If first baseman Christian Walker obtained injured, Smith might fill in — as he might at a nook outfield spot.

For the Tigers, Jimenez could internet a commerce bundle that returns the next ceiling for Detroit elsewhere. Coming off his finest season, they could look to promote excessive. Arizona’s commerce bundle is extra in step with the pitcher Jimenez has been since 2019 (4.83 ERA, 4.23 FIP).

Commerce No. 3

Miami Marlins get: McCarthy, INF Buddy Kennedy and RHP Edwin Uceta

D-backs get: LHP Jesus Luzardo and money concerns

Why this commerce is smart:

Historical past at all times has a humorous manner of repeating itself.

Whereas it isn’t a one-for-one swap just like the Zac Gallen for Jazz Chisholm commerce of 2019, these two groups hyperlink up once more as a result of the Marlins have a surplus of beginning pitching.

Not solely that, however additionally they have a evident want for outfield assist, as their outfield ranked twenty eighth in wins above alternative and twenty ninth in wRC+ in 2022.

In the meantime, McCarthy ranked thirty third in wins above alternative for outfielders regardless of being 96th in video games performed. His 116 wRC+ ranked in a Thirty fifth-place tie amongst 131 outfielders with not less than 250 plate appearances.

The Marlins additionally ranked second in baseball final yr with 122 stolen bases. McCarthy tied for thirteenth amongst all gamers in steals.

Maybe an neglected commodity on this commerce is Kennedy, who began 24 video games at both third or second base in 2022.

Kennedy had an important offensive season in 2021, however took a step again between Triple-A and the majors this previous season. Nevertheless, he offers assist in a utility position at a cheap wage, which is a necessity for the Marlins after declining the choice of infielder Joey Wendle.

On the opposite facet, D-backs southpaw starters had a 5.48 ERA in 2022, whereas Luzardo broke out in Miami with a 3.32 ERA and 30% strikeout fee.

Furthermore, Luzardo has 4 extra seasons of workforce management, whereas McCarthy has six. Each side get younger, controllable property at positions of significance.

Buying Luzardo, in some respects, additionally permits Arizona to bounce an extra starter to the bullpen — Drey Jameson, Madison Bumgarner (in the event that they strategy that position change), and so forth.

Why this commerce doesn’t make sense:

As talked about beneath the primary commerce, McCarthy’s underlying knowledge hints that regression could also be in his future. Whereas he hit .283 with a .427 slugging proportion, his anticipated statistics confirmed these numbers ought to’ve been .249 and .357, respectively.

Now, MLB is eliminating the shift transferring ahead, which might positively have an effect on McCarthy. The 24-year-old outfielder had a .296 weighted on-base common in his 134 plate appearances this season going through a shift, .362 when not shifted towards.

Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless trigger for skepticism over what his offensive ceiling is when he hits the ball on the bottom half the time.