The Marlins are all-in this offseason. They’re taking all the projected income they’ll be making from their new stadium and going after the biggest free agents on the market. No question, they’re trying to put together a championship level ballclub.
Hanley Ramirez could care less.
It’s no secret that Hanley wants to continue to play shortstop. He has clearly stated this fact numerous times. Now reports have emerged that he’d rather be traded than change positions (sort of like how Michael Young reacted to the Adrian Beltre signing last offseason). If the situation gets out of control and if the Marlins have to trade Hanley, what could they get in return and what teams could be a match?
Given that the Marlins are in need of starting pitching and are looking to contend this season, I’d expect them to be asking for at least one high-level starting pitcher in exchange for their star shortstop.
Braves – The Braves have a ton of young pitching and are currently relying on the young Tyler Pastornicky as their shortstop heading into 2012. Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Randal Delgado and Brandon Beachy all fit the bill. However, it would be shocking to see the Marlins trade Hanley to a division rival.
Brewers – Unfortunately for the Brewers, they lack the pitching and minor league depth to explore a Hanley trade.
Cardinals – Wouldn’t that be something if Albert Pujols signs with Miami and then they trade Hanley to the Cardinals? The problem is that the Cardinals don’t have a ton of MLB ready pitching depth. They have top prospect Shelby Miller, but he’s probably at least year away from contributing in the big leages.
Diamondbacks – They have Stephen Drew at short, but Drew was injured for the most part in 2011. The D-Backs do have a lot of young and talented pitching, but more than likely they’d prefer to keep their young arms rather than pursue a poor defensive shortstop.
Dodgers – The Dodgers have a young, speedy, yet unproven shortstop in place in Dee Gordon, but outside of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, their starting nine lack much star power. They’ve been trying to build a patchwork pitching staff this offseason, so it would be surprising to see them trade any of that away. And, no, Clayton Kershaw is not going to be traded.
Giants – The Giants pitching depth has been a huge part of their success over the last couple of years. They are, however, in dire need of a shortstop and offensive help, so Hanley does make sense, but I don’t see them trading away any of their valuable arms.
Mariners – The Mariners badly need offense. With defensive wiz Brendan Ryan currently at short, the M’s might be content to look elsewhere to improve their lineup rather than add Hanley and downgrade their defense. It also doesn’t make much sense for them to trade away one of their two best pitchers, Felix Hernandez or Michael Pineda, so Hanley doesn’t seem to be a fit.
Mets – Reyes signs with Miami, Miami trades Hanley to Mets? Not going to happen.
Nationals – The Nats have Ian Desmond at short, but he needs to make big strides at the plate before becoming a valuabe regular. Given how they seem to be building a winner through their young players, moving a pitcher like Jordan Zimmermann doesn’t seem likely. Plus, they’re a division rival.
Phillies – Vance Worley plus (insert name here) for Hanley? Domonic Brown? There are some pieces that seem to fit here. That being said, the Phillis are reportedly working to bring Jimmy Rollins back, which would be the better defensive fit for a team built around strong pitching. That and they’re a division rival, so a deal would be hihgly unlikely.
Rays – With a ton of young pitching depth and a need at shortstop, the Rays seem like a great potential trade partner. There is little, or no way, that the Rays deal young lefty Matt Moore, but James Shields, Jeff Neimann and Wade Davis could potentially move.
Reds – Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake and Edinson Volquez are all young starters with upside, but the Reds should be building around pitching, especially with the option of young Zach Cozart at short.
Tigers – Jhonny Peralta has rejuvenated himself at shortstop, but he has experience at third and could move there in a potential Hanley trade. The Tigers also have some pitching depth (Rick Porcello, Jacob Turner, etc). Hanley would add firepower to what is already a strong middle of the lineup.
Twins – Seemingly in a bit of a rebuilding mode, the Twins have been rumored to be looking to trade Francisco Liriano dating back to last spring. Liriano for Hanley?
