Blue Jays
Despite missing the playoffs, Toronto was one of the biggest 2021 success stories. The young core has finally emerged and newcomers George Springer and Jose Berrios have helped launch the Blue Jays into contention.
The bullpen has started to become crowded and Trent Thornton may become the odd man out. The former started full transitioned to the bullpen this past year to mixed results. He posted a 4.78 ERA in 49 innings while striking out 52. He is another player the Nats may want to take a flier.
Orioles
Baltimore has been in a hard rebuild for the last few seasons and are still at least two years away from being ready to fully contend. With that said, Baltimore has to think long and hard about whether or not to extend face of the franchise Trey Mancini. Mancini is the heart and soul of the Orioles, but with one year left on his contract, they need to capitalize on him now if they don’t plan to pay him.
This past year he returned after beating Cancer, slashing .255/.326/.432. Mancini would be an excellent DH candidate for the Nats and would provide some leadership in the locker room.
Rays
Always ready to move on from their players before they reach free agency, Tampa is always open to a deal. That’s where Austin Meadows comes in. The 28-year-old outfielder has two years of arbitration left and can play all three outfield positions. He broke out in 2019 slashing .297/.364/.558, but went on the COVID list in 2020 and has yet to return to form. Meadows provides another bat to help stabilize the lineup and can also protect Juan Soto.
Red Sox
Boston needs pitching, as do the Nats. In that case, trading for Hunter Renfroe is the next best thing. Renfroe is coming off an amazing bounce-back year, hitting .259, with 31 homers, 96 RBIs, and an OPS of .816. Renfroe can DH, but is also a solid defender, having been just recently named a Gold Glove finalist in right field. Renfroe’s bat would be a welcome addition to a lineup that has been lacking pop.
Yankees
Since finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, Miguel Andújar has continued to regress. At this point, a change of scenery may be the best thing for him. For the Nats, he would provide another third base option, who is just now reaching arbitration.
After hitting 27 homers with 92 RBIs in 2018, those numbers dwindled to six homers and 12 RBIs in 45 games this year. For a player whose stock has fallen so much, it wouldn’t take much to trade for him.