The Winter Conferences start Sunday in Dallas, and prospects will definitely be on some groups’ procuring lists.
Who will get the most effective holiday-season deal, and which golf equipment have the juice to make that form of deal occur?
Whereas previewing the upcoming conferences on this week’s Pipeline Podcast, MLB Pipeline insiders Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo recognized six groups with the prospect capital to swing massive offers in Dallas. Callis and Mayo then assigned every membership a “Tradeability Grade,” a hypothetical metric meant to imitate the 20-80 grading system utilized by scouts to judge the instruments of baseball’s greatest prospects, with a watch towards rating the golf equipment greatest located for such trades.
OriolesTradeability Grade: 65 (Callis)Overflowing with younger expertise for years now, the Orioles are on the level the place they’ve a number of top-level prospects ostensibly blocked on the massive league degree or who challenge to play the identical place once they attain MLB. And after 2024 resulted in one other early-round postseason exit, the Orioles ought to be seeking to enhance wherever they will. Tapping into that elite depth is their most suitable choice. Want a younger outfielder? Baltimore seemingly has numerous: former High 100 prospects Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad; first-round picks Vance Honeycutt (BAL No. 3), Enrique Bradfield Jr. (BAL No. 4); Dylan Beavers (BAL No. 6), Jud Fabian (BAL No. 11). Three of their high 22 prospects are catchers/first basemen: Samuel Basallo (MLB No. 13), Ethan Anderson (BAL No. 13), Creed Willems (BAL No. 22), and their high prospect, Coby Mayo (MLB No. 8) would possibly find yourself at first as nicely. Considerably bettering the large league roster in all probability means subtracting from this embarrassment of prospect riches.
RedsTradeability Grade: 60 (Mayo)The Reds have already made a non-prospect commerce this winter, sending Jonathan India to the Royals to usher in right-hander Brady Singer, and so they nonetheless have the prospect capital to swing one other deal for extra pitching assist in the event that they need to. Potential commerce companions may very well be enticed by Cincinnati’s well-stocked cabinet of offensive expertise, from High 100 prospects Edwin Arroyo (MLB No. 65), Sal Stewart (MLB No. 76) and Cam Collier (MLB No. 93) to just lately graduated bats just like the versatile Matt McLain and slugging outfielder Rece Hinds.
MarinersTradeability Grade: 60 (Callis)You’ll be able to’t go improper projecting Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners to make trades. And after narrowly lacking the playoffs in 2024, it might make sense for Dipoto to look to swing a deal if he can enhance his massive league membership, even on the margins. The Mariners have glorious prospect depth to deal from behind high prospects Colt Emerson (MLB No. 27) and Cole Younger (MLB No. 38), particularly on the place participant facet. Might they dangle infielders like Felnin Celesten (MLB No. 66), Tyler Locklear (SEA No. 6), or Tai Peete (SEA No. 11) in a deal? How about outfielders Lazaro Montes (MLB No. 47) or Jonny Farmelo (SEA No. 9)? They’ve one of many higher catching prospects within the sport in Harry Ford (MLB No. 49), however he is perhaps blocked by Cal Raleigh in Seattle. The Mariners have choices, and they’re at all times seeking to deal.
CubsTradeability Grade: 55 (Callis)The Cubs have eight High 100 prospects, greater than every other group. 5 of the primary six guys on that record are place gamers who ended 2024 at Triple-A or within the massive leagues, and the following man on that record, Cam Smith (MLB No. 73), is final 12 months’s first-round decide and completed the season at Double-A. On the massive league degree, Chicago’s roster doesn’t have any gaping holes. However does it have a real star? The Cubs want pitching and they should create room of their lineup for a few of these rising prospects, all of which makes them more likely to swing a deal to accumulate a star or two to construct round.
DodgersTradeability Grade: 50 (Mayo)How for much longer can we go with out mentioning the Dodgers? The Dodgers won’t have any obvious wants, however they’ve by no means been afraid to make trades both, and now have a World Collection title to attempt defending. Los Angeles nonetheless has an excellent farm system and a little bit of a logjam, since its massive league roster is so stacked. They’ve a trove of wonderful prospects who’re two to 3 years away: Josue De Paula (MLB No. 48), Joendry Vargas (LAD No. 7), Emil Morales (LAD No. 8), Kellon Lindsey (LAD No. 10), Zyhir Hope (LAD No. 11), et al. They’ve the pliability and depth to deal at the least one or two of these guys in the event that they so selected.
TigersTradeability Grade: 45 (Mayo)The Tigers are a playoff crew. Keep in mind that? Their stunning 2024 postseason run in all probability places the Tigers a bit forward of schedule in comparison with the place they thought they’d be this offseason. No person might blame them for seeing alternative within the AL Central. Will they pounce? Detroit has good younger gamers on the massive league degree and an fascinating and rising group of gamers approaching or reaching the higher ranges, like just lately acquired Thayron Liranzo (DET No. 6) and AFL MVP Josue Briceño (DET No. 9).
