DENVER — Even here, in the Mile High City for a celebration of a first half well played, there are a handful of All-Stars wondering what the next couple weeks might look like.
Some of them are almost certain to be traded — hi, Kris Bryant! — and some others might be dealt, too. It’s a strange situation to be in, representing one team in this showcase event, while knowing you could soon be wearing the uniform of another team.
Joey Gallo is one of those players, and he was asked about the possibility at media day.
“At the end of the day, in my head and my heart, I feel like I’ll be a Ranger,” Gallo said. “It’s all I’ve ever been my whole life, so I can’t really think about ever not being a Texas Ranger. But at the end of the day, it’s a business. If the team feels moving me might fit them better, then I understand that. But you still try to play hard every day and win games.
“I’m not really too worried about what’s happening outside of what I can control.”
That feeling, of course, is common. Let’s take a look at which players might be dealt before the July 30 deadline.
MORE: Best highlights from 2021 MLB All-Star Game
Kris Bryant, Cubs
Contract status: Free agent after 2021
Thoughts: After what was essentially a lost 2020 season, Bryant was back to his old self in April and May, with an average north of .300, an on-base percentage above .400 and a slugging percentage topping .600. His June was a disaster, though; he hit .114 in 23 games, and the Cubs plummeted along with him.
July’s small sample size has been good, though, and his versatility will be seen as a huge plus for the team that acquires him. He could be a full-time starter at third base or at either corner outfield spot, and he can fill in as the center fielder, too, all while producing at an MVP level at the plate. Yes, please.
Potential destination: Mets. No contender needs an offensive kick in the pants more than the Mets. Sure, a big problem is that they just need their established guys to hit better — hi, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto and Francisco Lindor — but adding a versatile bat such as Bryant’s to the lineup is kind of a dream solution.
Joey Gallo, Rangers
Contract status: One more arbitration year; free agent after 2022
Thoughts: Forget about his slow start and first-round exit in the Home Run Derby. Gallo is one of the best power hitters in the game; he has 24 homers already this season, including 11 in his final 12 games heading into the All-Star break. And he leads the AL with 72 walks, a big reason for his .402 on-base percentage in 2021.
He’s a big dude (6-5, 250 pounds), but he can play all three outfield positions, though he’s probably not a full-time option in center. He did start 25 games there as recently as 2019. And he has 72 career starts at first base, so there is a little more flexibility.
The Rangers don’t have to trade him, of course, and it’s worth mentioning they didn’t deal Lance Lynn last season when he was in a similar “one year left” situation.
Potential destination: Padres. Hey, the goal in San Diego is to win a World Series. The Padres are really good as they are currently constructed, but they’re motivated and have the farm system to deal for Gallo. They’d love to put a lefty power bat in the lineup with Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Tommy Pham and Co.
Nelson Cruz, Twins
Contract status: Free agent after 2021
Need to know: He’s a DH only, of course — he just turned 41 and hasn’t played in the field since 2018 — which limits his suitors to American League teams. But that’s the only downside to Cruz, who is as consistent of a hitter and power source as there is in the game. He’s right around a .300 batting average again, with 18 homers and a 162 OPS+.
Potential destination: A’s. The A’s need a little more pop in their lineup, and Cruz comes with no money attached beyond 2021. Don’t completely rule out the White Sox, though, if either Eloy Jimenez or Luis Robert has a setback on the road back from the IL.
Kyle Gibson, Rangers
Contract status: One year, $7 million remaining
Thoughts: This is Gibson’s ninth year in the bigs, and he’s never been better. Gibson, a right-hander who played his college ball at Mizzou, has a stellar 2.29 ERA. In a season in which starting pitchers are regularly checking out after five innings, Gibson has lasted at least six full frames in 13 of his 17 starts. He’s the prize of the starting pitching market at the moment, and someone will have to overpay to get him.
Remember the Lynn thing we mentioned with Gallo? Yep, just because the Rangers can trade Gibson doesn’t mean they necessarily will.
Potential destination: Cardinals. Yeah, the Cardinals are long shots to make the postseason this year, but they fully intend to contend in 2022. Making the move to get Gibson now could make sense.
Adam Frazier, Pirates
Contract status: One more arbitration year; free agent after 2022
Thoughts: How many teams could use a second baseman who’s batting .330 this year? Pretty much every contender could find a spot in the field for him. Remember, Frazier’s a full-time second baseman now, but he’s played 156 games in the outfield in his career, mostly on the corners.
Potential destination: Yankees. If the Yankees decide to make a run, he’s perfect. He’s a lefty bat in a right-heavy lineup. He could pop a few more homers with that short porch in right field. And, mostly, the Yankees really need the consistency of a guy batting .330 to get on in front of all those sluggers.
Nick Castellanos, Reds
Contract status: Two years, $32 million with $20 million mutual option for 2023; opt out after 2021 season
Thoughts: This one probably isn’t likely, but the opt-out is the big thing. If the Reds fall too far behind the Brewers in the NL Central — basically, what happened to the Cubs and Cardinals in June — it’s possible they could decide to move Castellanos.
He’s proven his worth as a hitter, and with teams going back to full attendance capacities, there could be a good market for Castellanos’ services in the upcoming offseason. If the Reds feel he might opt out, they could move him.
Potential destination: Braves. Atlanta already needed a big outfield bat, even before Ronald Acuna’s awful injury. Now, if the Braves feel like they’re contenders, they pretty much have to make some sort of move to upgrade the offense.
Craig Kimbrel, Cubs
Contract status: $16 million club option for 2022; $1 million buyout
Thoughts: Has any player revived his trade value more than Kimbrel in 2021? He had been mostly a disaster for the Cubs in his first two seasons with the team, rolling up a 6.00 ERA in 41 appearances. But he’s back to vintage Kimbrel this season, posting a 0.59 ERA with 53 strikeouts and only 10 hits allowed in 30 2/3 innings pitched.
He’s the back-of-the-bullpen piece pretty much every contender craves.
Potential destination: Astros. Ryan Pressly has been very good as the club’s closer (1.50 ERA, 9.2 K/BB, 15 saves in 16 opportunities), but the rest of the bullpen has been . . . well, let’s just say it has not been a strength. This is a club that is motivated to win it all in 2021, in an effort to show that previous success — including the 2017 World Series title — wasn’t just about the cheating. Even though, y’know, the Astros definitely cheated.