Andrew Friedman is no secret to doing anything with his power to make Los Angeles a World Series nominee every year.
There have been many examples of him aimed at improving the ball club before the transaction deadline. Some instances involve working on fringes with small movements. Other situations included a big swing for All-Star level talent.
Whether excavating hidden gems, gaining landfill projects/discarded players, or landing established players, Friedman could move again (or more) in the coming months.
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Most of the rumors have been linked to LA’s Chicago White Sox outfielder Louis Robert and, to a lesser extent, Nolan Arenado, third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. As both players analyze AD NAUSEAM, let’s take a look at three other potential trade targets that are achievable and realistic for the team.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Utility Man, Pittsburgh Pirates
Kiner-Falefa is an example of the working on fringes. That being said, he fits the archetype for what Friedman wants from his players.
For one, Kiner-Falefa has immeasurable positional versatility. He is currently starting a short stop for the Pirates, but the 2020 Gold Glove winner can also play 3 base, 2 base and The Outfield. Traditionally, Kiner-Falefa is also a rare attacking man.
In addition to this level of flexibility, having the ability to play the ball seems like a perfect fit for what the want to do. It’s also a chip worth using in postseason play.
On May 17th, Kiner-Falefa hit a splendid .276 with an OPS of 0.673. He will likely be on loan given his contract is rising at the end of the year. That could make him even more attractive to the given the fact that it wouldn’t cost him much to raise a 30-year-old.
At the very least, he will provide covers for Mookie Betts, Hyeseong Kim, Max Muncy and Tommy Edman, making it an upgrade for Chris Taylor.
Lane Thomas, outfielder, Cleveland Guardians
Certainly, this is a possibility for the far left field. If you try diagonally hard enough, there might be something here.
Cleveland is well known for not spending a lot of money. Depending on who you ask, the idea of re-signing Thomas to a multi-year contract may not sound like everything that piques your appetite from the Guardian’s standpoint.
He will become a free agent at the end of the season and if they plan to let him walk, it would be wise to take something in return.
This is where the come in. LA is comfortable to get used to rentals, assuming that it can help players get closer to another World Series title.
Thomas has been out with a bone bruise on his wrist since April 22nd. Will his impending free agency approach or simply in the range of poor plays, Thomas has done something very bad earlier this year. In 45 at-bats, Thomas has zero home runs and has hit .156 with two runs hit.
Again, we have to look at the player profile and see how he fits into the blue boy. Thomas has above average arms in the center field. He is one of the faster outfielders in the game and Proxy is a very efficient base runner. Thomas doesn’t chase either. It is a true staple of the ‘ offensive philosophy. He was ranked in the 87th percentile in this category a year ago.
Cleveland is looking for a playoff spot and thinks it’s extremely competitive to try and win AL Central. At the same time, without Thomas, they played very well. If he continues to flounder, could the poach him in the hope that a new situation with different instructions might unleash something in his case?
Inform Thomas has significantly improved defense at LA’s centers, allowing Tommy Edman to stay in the best 2 bases from a fielding standpoint. This will allow the bench to go down the road with Edman and Andy Page/Tescal Hernandez lineups respectively.
Gregory Soto, left-handed reliefer, Baltimore Orioles
The don’t always seek bullpen help through the trade market (acquiring Michael Kopek last year proved to be extremely important). As Friedman said before, there is usually a high premium on the rescuer. The are also confident in believing that they can rehabilitate discarded pitchers and use their arms from the farm system.
In this case, the left-hander in Baltimore might be the person the team will investigate. Like Kiner-Falefa and Thomas, Soto will become a free agent at the end of the year. He is a power pitcher from the left side, and there is an attractive underlying analysis. According to baseball’s Savant, Soto ranks in the 96th percentile in barrel percentage. He also averages 96.6 miles on fastball.
The batsman squared him and Soto yelled out the contact. He is ranked in the 10th percentile in average exit speed by the opposition party (91.5 mph). Don’t forget that Kopech had horrible numbers on paper when he got it from Chicago White Sox. Needless to say, he became the main X-factor of the team.
Anthony Vanda wasn’t very impressive this year. With Tanner Scott assuming a high-leverage role and Alex Vescia is a man who can face both right-wing and left-handed, Soto stays with the possibility of being upgraded via banda as the left-handed left-handed left-handed will be utilized slowly in the sixth and seventh innings (and in the left-leaf situation).
Baltimore is dead last in the highly competitive AL East Uber. Only the White Sox have fewer victories in the entire American League. Therefore, O can occur when O is slow.
Soto may be the classic “scenery change” case that the correct.
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Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Immagn Image
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