Meyers, 29, is an excellent defenseman who is coming off the best season of his career at the plate. He hit .292/.354/.373 with a personal best 17.6% strikeout rate. He made dramatically more contact while lowering his pursuit rate on pitches outside the strike zone. Meyers had entered the season with a career batting line of .228/.292/.371. This year’s production was mainly supported by process improvements, but this was a fairly small sample. Meyers had fewer than 400 plate appearances thanks to a right calf injury that bothered him throughout the second half.
Even if Meyers regresses offensively, his glove is good enough to make him a useful player at the bottom of the lineup. He would be one of the better all-around center fielders in the MLB if he could maintain a league-average bat. Meyers also hit base this year with a career-high 16 steals in 21 attempts. He has been under arbitration control for two seasons. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him at a salary of $3.5 million, making him a strong asset – especially with a lack of free agent options at the position.
Kansas City is looking for several outfielders, one of whom they hope to acquire on the trade front. President of baseball operations JJ Picollo has already said he is open to help from his rotation. Left-handed Kris Bubic has been suggested as a trade candidate, although he is a tough player to value after suffering a season-ending rotator cuff injury. Bubic pitched as a #2 caliber starter before his shoulder injury, but has a history of arm problems. He is expected to make a salary of $6 million and has a year out of free agency. 26 years old Noah Cameron could also be available in the right deal, but the Royals would have a high demand for six years of his services.
Cincinnati doesn’t need a center fielder, like TJ Friedl is already locked in position. They saw a right-hitting outfielder Austin Hays hit free agency, however, and they have no one in left field. The Reds also arguably have a rotation surplus and could receive offers at veteran right wing Brady singeralthough his arbitration projection of $11.9 million could be rich for Houston. The Reds are unlikely to relinquish two years of control over Lefty Nick Lodolo for Meijers.
The Dodgers don’t have anyone in center field. Andy Pages can slide to the left, where there is an opening. Tommy Edman can play center field or second base. The Dodgers are reportedly reluctant to lock down their top outfield players with long-term free agent contracts. Meyers makes sense as a trade target. Los Angeles probably wouldn’t act Roki Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan or Justin Wrobleski for Meyers, so it could be difficult to reach a deal.
It’s even more challenging to see an offense against the White Sox. Chicago is still firmly in rebuilding mode and is unlikely to compete for a playoff spot within the next two seasons. They are light on established starting pitching and should not trade controllable weapons for short-term help. It’s hard to see a deal happening, even if the Sox like Meyers as a player quite a bit.
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