Trade Targets for the Baltimore Orioles

Sep 3, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Todd Frazier (21) in the on-deck circle in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Duquette has said several times that he hopes to fill one of the Orioles’ needs through a trade.

It is often much easier to trade for offense than it is pitching, as teams are unwilling to part with starting pitching.

There are several All-Stars who are on the trade block and could be logical fits in Baltimore. And, I’ll throw in one extra name just for controversy’s sake.

Todd Frazier – The Cincinnati Reds Third Baseman is the reigning Home Run Derby champion, and also is only owed about $6 million in 2016.

Frazier is also a former first round pick, which we know lights up Dan Duquette’s eyes. Frazier has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons and is a career .257/.321/.463 hitter who averages 28 HRs, 32 doubles, 150 hits, 136 strikeouts.

The Reds are looking for major league talent for him. I would think they might want back Trey Mancini, either Mike Wright or Tyler Wilson, Chance Sisco, Adrian Marin, Mike Yastremzki, or other blossoming players. And they will want several of those guys.  The price will be steep, but that is how it goes when you are trading for an All-Star.

The other issue is that Frazier’s main position is not a major need for the O’s. If they would make the trade, my first goal would be moving Frazier to first base, which I think he could do, or one of the corner outfield positions.  If not, then Manny Machado finally makes the move to short stop, and J.J. Hardy becomes more of a full-time DH. However, if Hardy returns to 2014 form, this would hurt your defense and have two of your best fielders out of position.

Carlos Gonzalez – This isn’t a grand revelation that is from out of left field. The O’s rumored interest in Gonzalez is now going on a few years. The 30-year-old outfielder is a corner outfielder, a position of need for the O’s.

CarGo would be an expensive acquisition, at north of $16 million. The Rockies would obviously need to eat some salary. But, for a 30-year-old with several years of team control, it might be worth it.

Gonzalez is a .290/.347/.524 hitter who averages 31 home runs, 34 doubles, 173 hits, 103 runs, 147 strikeouts. He is not quite as durable as Frazier, as he has only played more than 150 games once in his career, although that was in 2015.

The Rockies are a team looking to get younger, and they always seem to be in need of pitching. Maybe Dylan Bundy would be an option here, as would other pitching options, although it is not like the O’s have a wealth to deal from. Other options would be promising players like those mentioned above for Frazier.

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Freddie Freeman – Freeman is also a two-time All-Star (see a trend here) who does fill a position of need (first base) for the Orioles. His contract is most certainly expensive, but the Braves are looking to rebuild and would likely eat a lot of that in 2015. He is owed almost $10 million in 2016.

Freeman is a career .285/.366/.466 hitter, so more average, less power.  He averages 22 HRs, 35 doubles, 166 hits, 87 runs and 139 strikeouts over a 162-game season.

Freeman has only ever played first base in the majors for Atlanta. As for what it would take to get him, I think the same type of players as above fit the bill here as well.

For those wondering if Matt Wieters can be traded, he can, but not until after June 15.  So, that won’t work. And I looked, and he can’t be called a player to be named later, because they cannot be on the active roster.

Nick Markakis – How about another Atlanta Brave? One who is familiar to Baltimore and its fans?

The Braves would likely have to eat part of Markakis’ contact, but it would provide the O’s with the solid, everyday right fielder they so sorely missed in 2015.  Markakis just turned 32 and is a career .291/359/.429 hitter. Nick did have a career low in home runs in 2014 in Atlanta, but that number would likely go back up to double digits in hitter-friendly Camden Yards.

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Markakis is due $11 million in 2016, similar to what it would probably cost to re-sign Gerardo Parra. And, if the O’s could get the Braves to eat some money, this deal might allow the O’s to make a real run at Chris Davis.

After what the O’s trotted out last year at right field, I think you would be hard-pressed to find many Oriole fans who wouldn’t be ok with Markakis returning to right field for the Orioles.