MLB Rumors: Top 4 Trade Candidates in 2022

 

Nobody is sure when baseball will be open for business once again, but whenever that might be, the trade rumors will start swirling swiftly. There are many players whose names have been circulating, but let's have a look at the Top 4 biggest name trade candidates for 2022. 

1. Matt Olson

The Oakland A's are looking to slash payroll, and are ready to deal some of their top players. All-Star first baseman Matt Olson is projected to earn about $12M in arbitration, a little too expensive for the A's tastes. He would bring his booming bat and his Gold Glove-caliber leather to any team that manages to swing a deal. He has been linked to the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves (who are now at risk of losing Freddie Freeman). 

2. Luis Castillo

The Cincinnati Reds starter has seemingly been on the trade block every season, as teams try to figure out if he's really the pitcher who perennially gets off to a terrible start to the season, or the one who then rights the ship and finishes with typically solid-to-ace-like numbers. He's also been linked to the New York Yankees, the Texas Rangers, and the Los Angeles Angels. 

3. Matt Chapman

Back to the A's fire sale, where Olson's opposite cornerman Matt Chapman would be a huge defensive boost to any team looking to shore up third base (hello, Toronto Blue Jays). Chapman is a 3-time Gold Glove winner, with a ton of power (and a ton of swing-and-miss to go along with it). He's also been linked to... wait for it... yes, the New York Yankees, as well as the New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners. 

4. Chris Bassitt

The Oakland A's starter ascended to unquestionable ace status in 2021, though his season was cut short in September after he took a horrific comebacker to the face. Still, his 12-4 record and 3.34 ERA will have a lot of teams looking for a high-end starter extremely interested. He'll be a free agent after the 2022 season, and no doubt will be far out of the A's price range. Fellow starter Frankie Montas is under team control for two more seasons, so is a bit less likely to be dealt. 

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