Bowden: 6 big trades I’d like to see happen at the MLB Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are always one of my favorite times of the year because of all the action and drama, as players join new teams through signings, trades, waiver claims and the Rule 5 Draft. However, for me, nothing moves the needle more than blockbuster trades and everything that comes with them Where stars, prospects and money are exchanged in franchise-changing deals.

During this year’s edition of the Winter Meetings, which kick off Sunday, we could see several all-star and even all-star level players transfer, including outfielder Juan Soto and starting pitchers Corbin Burns, Tyler Glasnow, Shane Bieber and Dylan Cease, among others.

No matter how the trade market goes next week (and beyond), it’s fun to think about the possibilities. Therefore, I decided to provide you with some trading ideas for discussion, debate and analysis. Please use the comments section to rate us – delete the deals you don’t like and let me know which ones you like. I also love it when readers suggest their own business ideas.

Here are six trades I’d like to see happen next week at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s go!

1. Yankees land Juan Soto from Padres

It’s time for the Yankees to make an uncomfortable trade and do what they hate doing most: move some of their top prospects on a one-year lease. Why? Because trading for Soto would be a game changer. Being able to put him in front of Aaron Judge in the lineup would give the Yankees the best offensive duo in the sport. Soto has always had the ability to change his approach and turn some of his high on-base percentage into 50-home run power, and the shortstop in right field for Yankee Stadium and the protection of Judge behind him at command will give him the opportunity to maximize his expensive talent. Also, the Yankees are a team certainly capable of signing Soto to a long-term deal — at trade time or later this winter — if he is open to doing so before hitting free agency at the end of 2024.

The Padres need payroll flexibility and a reboot of some sort, and they should do well in a Soto trade even though they’ve only controlled him for one year. A group of the Yankees’ top prospects — either Spencer Jones or Everson Pereira — plus Oswald Peraza and minor league outfielder Chase Hampton should get the deal done for both sides. Of course, the Padres might prefer to include a couple of major league players like Clark Schmidt and Michael King in the package. Either way, there is the makings of an agreement here.

2. Orioles acquire Corbin Burns from Brewers

The Orioles won 101 games last season but were unable to get past the Rangers in the ALDS. I think it’s important that they trade for the best players if they are truly committed to trying to win a World Series in 2024. They have the farm system to make a trade of this size without sacrificing their future. Burns is their best trade target. The Orioles will only control him for one year, but that might actually be better for them because they should prioritize signing catcher Adley Rutschman, third baseman Gunnar Henderson and shortstop Jackson Holliday to long-term contracts before they start giving such deals to free agents. Burns posted a 3.38 ERA over 32 starts this year and achieved a 200 ERA for the third straight season. He finished eighth in National League Cy Young voting, marking his fourth consecutive year in the top eight, including winning the award in 2021.

To land Burns, the Orioles could offer the Brewers their choice of outfielder Heston Kjerstad, outfielder Colton Cowser or first baseman/third baseman Kobe Mayo, along with two lesser-known prospects in left-hander Cade Povich and infielder Frederic Pincosmi. That’s a solid package for one year with Burns, but it would be worth it for the Orioles if it brought a title to Baltimore.

3. Rangers add Dylan Cease from White Sox

The Rangers are trying to re-sign Jordan Montgomery, but if they can’t reach a deal with him, they could pivot and trade for a holdout. The right-hander posted a 4.58 ERA over 33 starts last season, with a whopping 214 strikeouts in 177 innings. However, he also struck out 79 walks and led the league for the second time in his career with 14 wild pitches. His best year was in 2022, when he went 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA and finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting behind Justin Verlander. Sez will turn 28 later this month and will remain under team control for two more seasons. He’s had a down year, but if Rangers coach Mike Maddox can work his magic and improve Cease’s command and control, he could get back to being a Cy Young candidate.

In exchange for the shutout, the Rangers could offer Cody Bradford, who went 4-3 with a 5.30 ERA this year in eight games and 12 relief appearances in the majors. He also went 9-2 with a 3.63 ERA and 1.170 WHIP in 14 starts at Triple A. Bradford, 25, projects as a solid third or fourth starter. Texas could also include center fielder Leody Taveras in the deal because prospect Wyatt Langford appears to be major league ready, and his best spot with the Rangers would likely be in left field, which would allow them to move Evan Carter to center field. Taveras hit 14 home runs and stole 14 bases last season while making significant improvement defensively over the year and finally playing at an above-average level in center field. He is only 25 years old and has the tools to one day join the 20-20 club. To make the deal work for Chicago, the Rangers would also have to include a solid pitching prospect, and Josh Stephan could get that deal at the finish line. Stefan, 22, has spent some time on the injured list this year, but has a 2.30 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) between High A and Double A, with 78 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings.

4. Reds pick up Tyler Glasnow from Rays

The Reds are within striking distance of winning the NL Central in 2024 and there is no better trade target for them than Glasnow. The Rays would prefer to trade him to an NL team and would like to get a young, major league-ready player in return. Glasnow will be a free agent after next season. He went 10-7 this year with a 3.53 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 120 innings. Over his final 13 games of the season, he went 8-4 with a 3.22 ERA and his elite bullpen returned to pre-Tommy John surgery levels. Imagine if the Reds could open the season with a rotation of Glasnow, Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson and Nic Martinez. With whom they agreed a deal this week. They have young player talent, but that kind of promotion into the rotation will be important.

To get Glasnow from the Rays, the Reds would probably have to start a trade with Connor Phillips, who is a top prospect, then add Tampa Bay’s pick for right-handed Graham Ashcraft or left-handed Nick Lodullo, and finish with one of their third base prospects, either Cam Collier or Sal Stewart. . That’s a steep price to pay, but the Reds are ready to go and if they land in Glasnow, I could see them making a huge leap like the Diamondbacks did this year and reaching their first World Series since 1990.

5. The Braves make a move for Shane Bieber from the Guardians

The Braves tried to land Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray last month before the right-handers signed with the Phillies and Cardinals, respectively. Now, their best play might be to try to trade a starter, and Bieber could be a good fit — if his medical reports satisfy the Braves. Bieber posted a 3.80 ERA and 1.234 WHIP in 21 starts this year but missed time with right elbow inflammation. He will be a free agent after next season.

The Braves could offer a package of prospects Spencer Schwellenbach and infielder Vaughn Grissom. Incidentally, Schweelenbach was drafted by Cleveland in the 34th round in 2018 but did not sign and was then selected by Atlanta in the second round of the 2021 draft out of the University of Nebraska. He went 5-2 with a 2.49 ERA this year in 16 appearances between Low A and High A. The 23-year-old is scheduled to start next year in Double A and could quickly reach the majors. Grissom can play second base, shortstop, left field and when fully developed profiles as a 15 homers and 25 stolen base type player. He was quickly moved up to the major leagues in 2022, and over the past two seasons, he has slashed .287/.339/.407 in the major leagues with five home runs in 236 games and five steals. If that package doesn’t work out, Atlanta could offer right-hander AJ Smith-Shofer directly for Bieber or field a third baseman who has what the Guardians really need — a corner outfielder with power, something the Braves don’t have in their system.

6. Marlins acquire Eloy Jimenez from White Sox

The Marlins always seem to have enough pitching to win, but they don’t have enough offense. Last season, they ranked 26th out of 30 teams in runs scored, 22nd in home runs and 19th in OPS and slugging percentage. They could really use a mid-level impact bat, which Eloy Jimenez could provide if he can stay healthy. Jiménez hit .272/.317/.441 last season with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs in 456 at-bats. He is signed through 2024 with team options for both 2025 and 2026. His 2024 salary is $13.8 million, his team option for ’25 is $16.5 million and his team option for ’26 is $18.5 million. (The buyout price for both options is $3 million.) From a team’s perspective, those numbers are more than reasonable in this market if he can stay healthy and do what he can do with the bat. However, the injury risk is real: Jimenez, 27, made his debut in 2019 and made 122 appearances that year, but has never matched that total. However, if he stays off the injured list, he is capable of slashing .295/.358/.500, which he did in 2022 over 84 games, and could be a 25-30 home run, with a 100-RBI bat.

The White Sox need to change the culture of their clubhouse, and at this point it makes sense to move Jimenez. In return, the Marlins could offer Jacob Amaya (an above-average shortstop who this year slashed .252/.345/.407 with 15 home runs and 65 RBIs in Triple A), right-hander Carson Milbrandt (third-round pick in the 2022 draft) and right-hander Jacob Miller (second-round pick in the 2022 draft). The rebuilding White Sox are getting a solid young defensive shortstop and two good pitching prospects while moving Jiménez’s contract — this seems like the type of deal they should at least consider.

(Top photo by Juan Soto: Harry How/Getty Images)