Nothing Livens Up the Winter More Than a Blockbuster Trade.
by John Perrotto
The groundwork for trades was laid during the General Mangers meetings in Orlando from Nov. 13-15. Thus, there figure to be a fair number of deals consummated when the sport’s top decisionmakers get together again from Dec. 11-14 at Orlando for the Winter Meetings.
Here are three traded we would make:
The Miami Marlins send right fielder Giancarlo Stanton to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handers Walker Buehler and Jordan Sheffield and middle infielder Omar Estevez.
Stanton is on the block despite winning the National League MVP award because new owners Bruice Sherman and Derek Jeter want to cut the payroll and rebuild. However, the Marlins’ options are limited because Stanton has a full no-trade clause.
However, he would likely waive it to play in his native Southern California. While Miami wouldn’t have much leverage, they should at least be able to acquire a top-notch prospect such as Buehler, who would step into their rotation, as well as two younger players with upside.
The Toronto Blue Jays trade third baseman Josh Donaldson to the San Francisco Giants for right-hander Chris Stratton and outfielder Chris Shaw.
Donaldson is eligible for free agency after this season and the Blue Jays don’t want him to walk without getting more than draft pick compensation. The Giants need to appease their fan base following a last-place finish in the NL West.
Donaldson would give the Giants’ offense a major boost and be a huge upgrade over Pablo Sandoval. Adding two promising major league-ready players in Stratton and the left-handed hitting Shaw would help the Blue Jays contend in 2018 and beyond.
The Pittsburgh Pirates trade right-hander Gerrit Cole to the New York Yankees for right-handers Chase Adams and Luis Medina and third baseman Miguel Andujar.
The Yankees are poised to make a World Series run after reaching Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Adding a pitcher like Cole, who has two years of contractual control remaining, could put them over the top.
Meanwhile, Adams and Andujar could help the Pirates being a rebuilding process as they are ready for the majors but blocked on the Yankees’ depth chart. The 18-year-old Medina is a lottery ticket at this stage of his career but could pay off big.
John Perrotto, an independent sports journalist, based in Beaver Falls., Pa., has covered Major League Baseball since 1988, and he is a regular contributor to USA TODAY Sports Weekly. You also can catch him at www.facebook.com/johnperrottosportswriter.
