With pitchers and catchers working out with their respectable clubs, there are some players who have reported, that need to be moved. Even though these players most likely will not be moved until the trade deadline, there are five players that should be moved before the end of spring training. These moves will help their respective clubs move forward and rebuild. Lets take a look at those five players in particular order:
1. Johnny Cueto (Cincinnati Reds)
Johnny Cueto (Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE)
Johnny Cueto is coming off one of the best seasons, as a pitcher, in the history of the Cincinnati Reds. The main reason why he needs to be dealt. Money. Simply put, the Reds cannot afford Cueto. Cueto is set to enter free agency at the end of the 2015 season and he is expected to get paid. If not for Clayton Kershaw, Cueto was hands down the National League Cy Young winner. The Reds have made it clear they want to resign Cueto and Cueto has stated he wants to remain a Red. The problem remains in the fact the Reds are buried under some rough contracts with at least four other players, and I don’t believe they will be able to afford Cueto. The Reds backed themselves into a corner when they made those deals and since they are stuck with them, will most likely lose their ace. Cueto would not have appeared on this list if the Reds had not traded away their #2 and #5 starters from 2014. The MLB All-Star game is in Cincinnati this summer and had the Reds kept their team in tact, they were a legitimate contender for the division. However, when those moves were made, it signaled to some that the Reds were not going to compete in 2015. With Max Scherzer bringing in $210 million over 7 years, one can only imagine how much a guy like Cueto will command. The Reds need to deal Cueto and get some solid prospects in return. Now is the time for Jocketty to make the move.
2. Jonathan Papelbon (Philadelphia Phillies)
Jonathan Papelbon (September 12, 2014 – Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America)
The Philadelphia Phillies are a bad team that need to fast forward their rebuild. They have numerous contracts they need to get away from and Jonathan Papelbon is one that leads the list. Papelbon is set to make $13 million this season. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has made some moves already clearing out some payroll and bringing back some players in return. Papelbon came out earlier this week and said he would be interested in pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays. The 34 year-old closer is coming off a 39 save season, where he went 2-3 with a 2.04 ERA in 66.1 innings. Since Papelbon is one of the better closers in baseball, he would be a great piece to move and net some pieces to help the Phillies rebuild.
3. Ryan Howard (Philadelphia Phillies)
Ryan Howard (September 26, 2014 – Source: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images North America)
Ryan Howard is another Phillies player that is being paid a lot of money and will net some solid players in return. The 35 year-old slugger is set to make a staggering $25 million this season and next. The 2006 NL MVP has had some injury questions the past couple of seasons and since he blasted 58 homers in 2006, his power numbers have continued to drop. As with most power hitters, they strike out a good amount along with their other numbers. Howard did play in 153 games last season, batting .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI. As Howard continues to age, his 2014 numbers are expected to be the norm.
4. Cole Hamels (Philadelphia Phillies)
Cole Hamels, 31, is the prized Phillies possession who is most likely to be moved. Hamels is set to make $23.5 million for the next 4 years, which make him a big target. There is no doubt that of the Phillies players that could be moved, Hamels will bring back the biggest haul of talent. The 2008 World Series MVP has been linked to a couple of teams so far. Even though his 2014 record (9-9) would indicate differently, Hamels had a solid season. In 204.2 innings, Hamels had 198 strikeouts while only walking 59. Like the other two Phillies that are on this list, Hamels is being paid a lot but what separates him from the others is the fact that he is younger and would be under control for four years. That makes him the top player to be dealt in the eyes of Ruben Amaro Jr.
Cole Hamels (Brian Garfinkel/Getty Images North America)
5. Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)
Troy Tulowitzki is one of the better shortstops in baseball, when healthy. With the Colorado Rockies season looking to be heading into the dumps, now would be the time to move Tulo. His injury history these past couple of seasons hasn’t been good, so to trade him before the end of the spring is virtually impossible. The Rockies would most likely get a group of top players in return which would help the Rockies rebuild. When healthy, you can expect Tulo to bat around .300 with 25+ home runs and 85+ RBI. That production from a shortstop is not common and the fact that Tulo is locked up through 2020 makes him extra enticing.
Troy Tulowitzki (September 16, 2010 – Source: Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images North America)
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