Topsy-Turvy at Second Base
MLB-TR reviews some of the logical trade targets the Mariners might chase if they are seeking a 2B and keeping Gordon in CF. I'm not sure this is the direction we go, but it is worth visiting available Cano replacements.
Logan Forsythe, Dodgers: It appears that Forsythe is available, but he's been in a two-year slump and it is probably only 50/50 that he's much better of a hitter than Beckham. Forsythe was a + 2B bat in '15 and '16 (.804, .778) for the Rays, but fell to .678 last season and has been terrible this season. His $9M salary is just about what the M's are saving with Cano suspended, so he very affordable, which include the likely low trade demands the Dodgers will have. He generally a + glove, so he has that going for him. All the same, betting on Forsythe is like drawing to the inside of a straight. It's possible we go this direction, but he's not my favorite bet.
Brandon Drury, Yankees: Drury is very positionally flexible and a decent 2B glove. On the surface, his .766 career OPS looks quite nice but it is a bit of a desert mirage. The bulk of Drury's 3+ years were spent in Arizona. His career Road line is .243-.286-.376/.663. He can play a bunch of positions but there are better 2B bats to add. As a bench guy, he's a treat, but not as a starter.
Neil Walker, Yankees: He's slumped badly in pinstripes, hitting .210-.300-.257, but he was a good bat in Pittsburg and with the Mets. Just last season he was a .801 guy. He's only 32 so it is unlikely that he's forgotten how to hit. He's been a decent glove (until last season) and a quality MLB'er. He's not my first pick, I suppose, but I think he's a betting favorite if we go the 2B route. I would expect the Yankees to ask for something decent.
Devon Travis, Toronto: His bat has totally disappeared over the last two seasons as he has been fighting injuries. He's cheap ($1.4M) but i suspect the Jays would want something useable in return. He's only 27 and once was a pretty good stick. He's worth a bit of a gamble but gambling is not really what the M's should be doing. He's not our guy.
Cory Spangenberg, Padres: Lifetime .715/95 OPS bat.....but vs. RHP he's a .750 hitter. A year lost to injury in '16 is sandwiched by two good '15 and '17 years. Indications are that he's available. He's controlled until 2021 and he plays 3B/LF. He could be a cheapish utility guy when Cano returns. OK, OK, he's hitting .190 at this point in '18, with 2 whole homeruns, so he's not on form, but I still consider him one of the most likely candidates if we go for a 2B dude.
Yolmer Sanchez, White Sox: He's been a 97 and 112 bast over the past two seasons, but his career # is 82. He's principally a 3B this season, but was at 2B most of the time last season. Because it appears that he's figures something out at the plate, I would imagine the White Sox would want something prospecty and valuable for him. He's going to get $5-6M expensive next season, maybe more if he keeps hitting. He's played some MLB SS, so he's a potent utility guy, even if he doesn't start. He's started to sort of rake vs. RHP, but he's also a home dog who struggles away from Chicago. He's worth getting, but at what price?
Starlin Castro, Marlins: He gets nearly $12M this season, so he fits inside the Cano savings. Next year he is going to cost $18M unless you release him for $1M. He was a good SS, back before he made the switch to 2B, and he's a .282/98 hitter with double digit homer pop. Castro is a great guy to get, and he's not going to cost you TOO much, as Miami is unlikely to pay his $18M salary next season. First guy into the Castro sweepstakes might get him. I like our shot here. He's not my first choice, but he might be my 2nd.
Scooter Gennett, Reds: Here's the critical thing about Gennett: He's not just a Cincy band-box hitter. His bat has played well on the road, really well. Last year he hit '815 away, this season it is at .848. He's not a + glove, but his bat more than covers for that. You would have him through '19, but at an arb price north of $10M. Interestingly, his most similar batter through age 27 is Neil Walker. He played 10 games in the OF last season, so he has some stay-in-the-lineup ability even when Cano comes back. He's a career .815 bat vs RHP, albeit in Milwaukee and Cincy. All the same, he would be a heck of an addition. He will require a significant offer, in terms of prospect cost, and you only get him for 2 years, but Scooter Gennet is my first choice if we go bold as we grab a 2B.
Were I a betting man, I think I might bet first on Spangenberg (Dipoto betting on a bounce), then on Walker and Castro, as the most likely guys on this list. For me, give me Scooter.
But were I a betting man, I would bet we go get a COF.
Your mileage may vary.
Moe