6 MLB Stars That Could Be Traded in the Offseason

The trade deadline wasn't too exciting outside of Zack Greinke getting dealt at the last minute to the Houston Astros, which means this upcoming winter could be chock-full of blockbuster deals.

Things can and will change when the offseason rolls around, and teams looking to contend in 2020 have to be willing to make a big splash on the trade market if they don't want to spend big in free agency.

So, who might be on the move? Here are six MLB stars that could be traded in the offseason.

6. OF George Springer, Houston Astros

If the Astros decided to lock up George Springer, it wouldn't come as a shock. However, with Springer becoming a free agent in 2021 and their top prospect being outfielder Kyle Tucker, it's not out of the question they move Springer to address other needs, especially in the rotation since Gerrit Cole will be a free agent. The Astros aren't the Yankees from a payroll standpoint, so they can't pay everyone on this team. They need to free up some long-term money, which unfortunately means Springer becomes trade bait.

5. OF Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers may have waited too long to do this, but they are in desperate need of pitching, especially in the rotation, and because they have arguably the worst farm system in baseball, they'll need to move a big league talent to get something of substance. That means Ryan Braun has to go. He still has two years of club control left at a reasonable price, and even at his age he's still an above league average player with some power.

4. LHP Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona did their best to trade Robbie Ray at the deadline, and you have to figure they'll do so once the offseason hits. Ray is a left-handed power pitcher that could fetch a nice haul, especially with the lack of starting pitching on the market. The Diamondbacks aren't going into a full rebuild, but they're turning this roster over to something new and younger. It'd be shocking if Ray isn't dealt.

3. OF Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies

The Rockies probably didn't get close to moving Charlie Blackmon at the trade deadline, but they've vastly underachieved this year and are one of the worst teams in the NL. Something has to change, and using a player with a .985 OPS, who happens to be 33 years old, as trade bait could warrant a significant haul of talent, especially since he still has two years of club control (and two players options) remaining.

2. SS Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians

It's not a matter of if the Cleveland Indians trade Francisco Lindor, it's a matter of when. Lindor won't be a free agent until 2022, so they have time to hold onto him, but as the years go by the value goes down. Cleveland will have to semi-tear it down soon, so moving a star player who you won't be able to afford to keep around is the next course of action. After all, there were already rumors of this in the offseason as some reporters and writers were looking ahead to next year.

1. OF Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox

Before you label this as crazy, think about it. Boston has already locked up some of their core players, including Xander Bogaerts, and with Mookie Betts becoming a free agent in 2021, it doesn't appear he'll sign an extension. So, instead of letting him walk without getting anything in return, trading him this upcoming winter might be the smart course of action, especially if Chris Sale is reevaluated in six weeks and his elbow requires surgery. If he can't headline the rotation next year and be his dominant self, the 2020 season will look similar to this season: underwhelming and disappointing.