With just a couple of weeks to go until the regular season, teams seem to be finalizing their rosters and depth charts. Not every team crossed every want off their list this offseason, but with a few moves, we can help shore up weaknesses or further the rebuilding process. To that end, here are 10 trades teams should consider making as we head toward Opening Day. Some are more realistic than others, and some might have to wait for the trade deadline, but a few of these aggressive moves now could shape expectations for the new season.
1. Milwaukee Brewers trade OF Domingo Santana to the San Francisco Giants for RHP Jeff Samardzija
The Giants' active winter should have one more big move. After bringing in a couple of older stars in Evan Longoria and Andrew McCutchen, the team should try to get younger by trading for the 25-year-old Santana. Hunter Pence's contract ends after this season, and Santana -- whose bat was 25 percent above average in his breakout 2017 season -- would provide a meaningful upgrade now and into the future. The Giants could then sign Alex Cobb at an annual salary below Samardzija's $18 million, helping them stay below the competitive balance tax this season.
For Milwaukee, removing Santana leaves a still-loaded outfield consisting of Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain and Ryan Braun. Jeff Samardzija has three years and $54 million remaining on his contract, but the Brewers have been involved in the free-agent market for pitching and could absorb Samardzija's salary. His Fielding Independent Pitching last year was 3.61, and his strikeout to walk rate was behind only Clayton Kershaw's in the NL, so he should improve on last season's 4.42 ERA.
2. Atlanta Braves trade RHP Julio Teheran to the New York Yankees for OF Clint Frazier
The Yankees have a solid rotation with Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray, CC Sabathia and Jordan Montgomery, but what they don't have is depth. Teheran has alternated good seasons with bad over the past four years, with 2017 being one of the bad ones. One thing the 27-year-old has had little problem with is providing innings, averaging 32 starts and 197 innings per year, and the Yankees could use that. Even better for the Yankees, although Teheran is owed $20 million over the next two seasons, his salary for tax purposes is roughly half that amount because of the average annual value of his deal.
The Braves have at least one more year to go before they contend, and they have a massive stash of pitching prospects who could get valuable experience in Teheran's spot in the rotation this year. Their current outfield should be Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis and star prospect Ronald Acuna, but both Inciarte and Markakis are left-handers. The right-handed Frazier could see time initially platooning with Markakis -- who's in the last year of his $44 million contract -- before eventually taking over for him. Frazier struggled in his call-up last season, but his patient approach should work as he adjusts to the majors.
3. Cleveland Indians trade RHPs Mike Clevinger and Aaron Civale to the Baltimore Orioles for 3B/SS Manny Machado
The Orioles were rumored to be seeking a Heyward-like package for Machado -- the Braves received young starter Shelby Miller and prospect Tyrell Jenkins when they dealt him to the Cardinals after the 2014 season. The Miller equivalent here is Clevinger, who struck out more than a batter per inning with an above-average 3.70 FIP and a great 2.85 ERA in 21 starts last season. The Orioles aren't winning this year, and they might not get a better offer for Machado at the trading deadline.
As for the Indians, getting one of the game's best players for a year helps their chances in the stacked AL race. Jose Ramirez would move to second base, while Jason Kipnis moves into a super-utility role. Spotting for the inexperienced Bradley Zimmer, the oft-injured Michael Brantley and the oft-ineffective Lonnie Chisenhall in the outfield, Kipnis should get plenty of playing time if his bat snaps back.
4. Yankees trade CF Jacoby Ellsbury to the Chicago Cubs for OF Jason Heyward and $36 million
Ellsbury has roughly $68 million left on his contract, while the Cubs owe Heyward nearly twice that. Swapping players with the Cubs while picking up some of the financial difference would means the Yankees pick up a similarly valued player with a lower payroll tax number, while the Cubs get a similarly valued player without the long-term obligation.
Both players have no-trade clauses, but the change of scenery might appeal to both. Convincing Heyward he will receive ample playing time could be a tough sell, but Heyward can play all three outfield spots, and the Yankees already plan to rotate outfielders through the DH slot. Is such a deal likely? Probably not, but both clubs could benefit from it.
5. Kansas City Royals trade LHP Danny Duffy to the Boston Red Sox for 3B Michael Chavis and RHP Tanner Houck
Bringing back Mike Moustakas might feel good, but the Royals are going to be bad. Duffy is coming off two solid seasons and has a reasonable four years and $60 million remaining on his contract. The 29-year-old lefty is perhaps the Royals' most tradeable asset, and for a rebuilding team, it might be best to move him now given the inherent risk in pitcher health.
The Red Sox have an excellent top-three in their rotation with Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello. But question marks follow with Drew Pomeranz missing time this spring with a forearm strain. Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright won't be ready to start the season due to knee injuries, while Brian Johnson and Roenis Elias make for uninspiring replacements. Adding Duffy would stabilize the rotation now and into the future. Chavis and Houck are good prospects, but closer to the back end of a top-100 than the front. They fit better in K.C.'s rebuilding timeline while fueling Boston's desire to win now.
6. Tampa Bay Rays trade RHP Chris Archer to the St. Louis Cardinals for RHP Alex Reyes, C Carson Kelly, OF Harrison Bader and LHP Austin Gomber
Archer is an ace, but Alex Reyes might become one after missing the 2017 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Missed time hasn't diminished Reyes' prospect status significantly -- he's 27th in Keith Law's top 100. Kelly is an MLB-ready catcher blocked by Yadier Molina in St. Louis for three more years; for Tampa Bay, he'd split time with Wilson Ramos before taking over next season. Bader can step into an outfield spot right now, while Gomber is a low-ceiling lefty who might make a rotation at some point. Dealing Archer is a tough call, but acquiring three players ready to start and contribute helps the team transition long-term.
For the Cardinals, Archer fixes their lack of big upside in their rotation beyond Carlos Martinez. Adam Wainwright struggled last season, and his ability to remain a starter has been questioned. Luke Weaver has fewer than 100 MLB innings, Michael Wacha has significant injuries in his past and Miles Mikolas hasn't pitched in the majors since 2014 after spending three years in Japan. Jack Flaherty and Reyes provide depth, but the Cardinals need help at the top if they are going to make a run at the Cubs. Archer gives them that.
7. Los Angeles Dodgers trade 1B Edwin Rios to the Orioles for RHP Brad Brach
The Dodgers found gold in signing Brandon Morrow last year, and they tried to repeat that this offseason with Tom Koehler. But Koehler's shoulder injury will make that impossible. The team could roll with what they have and trade for bullpen pieces at the deadline like they did last season, but a deal could solidify their bullpen right now.
Brach has been one of the better relievers for several seasons, but a good bullpen isn't likely to get the Orioles to the playoffs. Even with Zach Britton out initially, Mychal Givens or Darren O'Day could handle their closer duties. The O's might get better prospects by waiting until the deadline, but in Rios they get a good young bat. Rios would initially be blocked in Baltimore by Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo, though the latter isn't going to be blocking anyone if he doesn't start hitting again.
8. Oakland Athletics trade 2B Jed Lowrie and RHP Liam Hendriks to the Brewers for INF Jonathan Villar and OF Brett Phillips
Lowrie is an average-hitting, average-fielding second baseman, qualities Milwaukee could use. Two of Oakland's top prospects, Franklin Barreto and Jorge Mateo, play up the middle and are on the way. Lowrie would fit better in Milwaukee than Villar, who has mixed the good with the bad in his career, going from 20 percent better than league average at the plate in 2016 to 30 percent below last year. Oakland might be more willing to explore that inconsistency, and if he fails, they can easily move on.
Phillips appears blocked after the Cain signing and the Yelich trade, but in Oakland he could compete for playing time with Dustin Fowler. If both turn into starters, Matt Joyce isn't a long-term solution in left field. Hendriks is a solid reliever who could help a contender during the two years of control he has left. Six years of Phillips plus a wild card in Villar for a year of Lowrie and two of Hendriks looks fair.
9. Royals trade RHP Kelvin Herrera to the Los Angeles Angels for OF Michael Hermosillo and RHP Luis Pena
The Angels have done a lot to improve this offseason, except in the bullpen. Cam Bedrosian and Blake Parker are good, but Jim Johnson, Kenyan Middleton and Jose Alvarez don't inspire a ton of confidence. Even though Herrera had a relatively disappointing season as the Royals' closer last year, he would do a lot to help the Angels finish off opponents. The elite velocity is still there, and if the Angels value closing experience, Herrera has it. For K.C., Hermosillo adds to a thin outfield just made weaker by Jorge Bonifacio's suspension, while Pena is a flier on perhaps the next Kelvin Herrera.
10. Philadelphia Phillies trade 2B Cesar Hernandez to the Rays for INF Brad Miller and RHP Jose De Leon
Given the tepid market for Neil Walker and Ian Kinsler, it's fair to conclude there isn't a big market for average second basemen right now. In most situations, that might lead the Phillies to hold on to Hernandez, but they're not in most situations. Second baseman Scott Kingery is one of the best prospects in baseball and knocking on the door of the majors. Miller could keep the seat warm and then play a utility role after they finish messing with Kingery's service time, then insert Kingery as their regular for the rest of the season. As for the injured De Leon, the Phillies can afford to wait a year to see if surgery helps him recover his lost value.
For the Rays, Hernandez would be a cheap upgrade with multiple years of team control. Miller doesn't have a large role, and while losing De Leon hurts, he was already done for 2018, limiting the number of years the Rays could utilize him at the lowest possible cost.