2 Mock Trades that could Shake Up the MLB Offseason
Corbin Burnes and Pete Alonso are just a few MLB stars on the trade block this winter. I've constructed a pair of mock deals that make lots of sense for both clubs involved.
Managers, front office members, and players signing deals aren’t the only aspects of the Major League Baseball offseason. Trades are quite possibly more important for a club, and more fun for us fans to follow. With this year’s weak free-agent market, we could see tons of deals being made this winter. Buckle-up.
After lots of thinking, I’ve concocted a few mock deals with the needed ingredients to build a successful team.
While coming up with wacky and outlandish trades is exhilarating, I tried my best to make these two as realistic as possible, while still being entertaining.
1.) Pete Alonso to the Seattle Mariners
With the Polar Bear set to hit free agency after the 2024 MLB season, and the Mets looking like an unlikely contender, New York may want to get something for him this winter.
Many baseball writers, such as Jon Morosi, are reporting it’s a 50/50 chance he’ll be dealt elsewhere before Opening Day.
No player in MLB has hit as many home runs as Alonso since 2019, and the fit to Seattle makes lots of sense.
First basemen Ty France is coming off an underwhelming year and the club has witnessed two division rivals win World Series titles over the last two seasons. The Mariners need to move the needle. Dipoto could be aggressive in acquiring the two-time HR Derby champ, as opposed to looking at a free agent.
The long ball is a very important cog in baseball today, teams live by it and die by it. Seattle was 11th in dingers in 2023. Adding the Mets slugger should certainly get them into the top 10, and possibly into a playoff birth they just missed out on.
I see the Mets asking for a young, MLB-ready starting pitcher, and an outfield prospect in return.
The Deal:
Seattle Receives: 1B, 28, Pete Alonso
New York Receives: RHP, 23, Bryan Woo, and OF, 19, Aidan Smith (Mariners #13 prospect on MLB.com)
2.) Corbin Burnes to the Los Angeles Dodgers
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Dodgers have a clear hole in their pitching rotation. And if Los Angeles loses out on the Shohei Ohtani or Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes, they may lean toward trading for Burnes to fill the gap.
Burnes, 29, is coming off his third straight All-Star season with 200+ strikeouts and won the NL Cy Young award in 2021. It’s no secret he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball, but the Saint Mary’s product could be on his way out of the Badger state.
Tensions have sparked between Burnes and the Brewers, as the clear over $100M worth player likely won’t see that kind of extension from the small-market club. A trade is very likely.
Los Angeles saw their pitcher injuries pile up while their team ERA slipped in 2023, and a Walker Buehler return may not be enough. Andrew Friedman is aggressive and has the prospects to cough up.
Burnes is a great fit for the Dodgers, as he’s had success against the NL West throughout his career, and LA has the funds to extend him for what he’s truly worth.
The Deal:
Los Angeles Receives: RHP, 29, Corbin Burnes
Milwaukee Receives: C/1B, 22, Dalton Rushing (Dodgers #1 prospect on MLB.com), RHP, 19, Payton Martin (Dodgers #11 prospect on MLB.com).