3 Likely Trade Candidates For This Offseason

Some players have had their names in the rumor mill for months or even longer. For the purposes of this list, we won't be discussing Miami Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez or Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds. We've heard about them ad nauseam. But there are other names that are possible trade candidates now that most of the big free agents have come off the shelves. 

Here's a look at three players who could be landing in new locations for 2023. 

Liam Hendriks

This one has shockingly come to light in recent days. Teams are making offers for the Chicago White Sox lock-down closer, and though the South Siders say they aren't necessarily intent on trading him, they are listening. The New York Mets have been one of the teams rumored to be checking in. 

Hendriks been one of the top closers in baseball over the last four seasons, having compiled 314 saves over that period. He led the AL with 38 saves in 2021, and followed that up in 2022 with another 37. 

Chris Flexen

The Seattle Mariners have an abundance of riches in the starting pitching department, so much so that Flexen was actually bumped from the rotation in September. 

With Luis Castillo, Robbie Ray, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Marco Gonzales ahead of him, Flexen has become expendable. The M's are listening to offers on the 28-year-old who has posted a 3.66 ERA in his two seasons in Seattle. (Gonzales could be had on the trade market, as well.)

Gleyber Torres

The New York Yankees actually had an agreement worked out with the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline this past season to send Torres to South Beach in return for Lopez. That deal didn't go through, but Torres is still a trade chip for the Bronx Bombers, as they expect to have two top infield prospects ready to break into the big leagues this season in Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza. 

But not all Yankee followers think the former 2-time All-Star should be traded.

By no stretch of your imagination is Gleyber Torres a key contributor for the Yankees in 2023, but that doesn’t mean they should give him away in a trade that doesn’t make the team better.

I see a few players on the roster where their departure makes the team better — ain’t him

— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) December 24, 2022

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