It has been no secret that Todd Frazier is available for trade. As the White Sox rebuild, moving an impending free agent in Frazier is towards the top of their priorities.
What has been a secret is where Frazier may end up. The Dodgers showed serious interest earlier this offseason, but with Los Angeles re-signing Justin Turner they’re no longer involved. Teams like the Rockies, Cardinals and Giants have been listed as potential landing spots, but no team has shown advanced interest.
For the most part, fans have been left in the dark about where Frazier could end up being traded. A new report shined a bit of light on a new team who could trade for the White Sox third baseman.
Frazier is a player to keep an eye on if Pablo Sandoval doesn’t cut it and the Red Sox need a big bat in the middle of the order. Frazier is scheduled to earn $12.5 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of the year. By trade deadline time Frazier’s deal will be less than half of that, which could make him affordable to the Red Sox and other contending teams. Frazier hit 40 homers and knocked in 98 runs last season and has a nice swing for Fenway. The White Sox probably won’t deal him before the start of the season.
The Panda’s Plummet
From 2011-2014 Pablo Sandoval was one of the best third basemen in the league. He was voted to two All Star games while never hitting lower than .278. He hit for double digit home runs and atleast 63 RBIs all four years.
And then he signed a disastrous five year/$95 million contract with the Red Sox in 2015. He hit .245 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs over 126 games in 2015 before appearing in just three games in 2016 after injuring his shoulder.
Sandoval has been overweight and inconsistent during his time in Boston. He has looked nothing like his All Star self from San Francisco.
Regardless, Red Sox President Dave Dombrowski decided to give him another chance at third base in 2017. Perhaps he could shock the world and play like he did from 2011-2014 this upcoming season. However more likely than not, he will struggle again leading to Boston looking for a new third baseman.
With top prospect Rafael Devers still a few years away from the MLB, the Red Sox will likely need a new third baseman by the All Star break. Frazier could potential be that guy.
Perfect Fit
When looking at readily available power hitting third baseman there are none better than Todd Frazier.
The third baseman has been in the MLB for the past six years playing for the Reds before the White Sox. In 791 major league games Frazier has hit .250 with 148 home runs, 422 RBIs and 58 stolen bases.
Frazier’s power is inevitable. He is coming off of a 40 home run season and has hit atleast 29 homers the past three years. Outside of his power stroke, Frazier has sneaky speed stealing atleast 13 bases the past three seasons.
The Red Sox proved this offseason that they’re willing to make any move necessary to win, adding both Chris Sale and Tyler Thornburg. If the Red Sox are heavily involved in the playoff hunt by the Trade Deadline, which they should be, adding a power hitter in Frazier could put them over the American League edge.
What Would It Cost?
Rafael Devers is not coming to the South Side. Todd Frazier is a great player, but as a rental he is not worth the 17th best prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline.
While Cafardo doesn’t speculate on a return package, two prospects who make sense for the White Sox are Jason Groome or Sam Travis.
Groome is currently the Red Sox third best prospect and the 41st best prospect in baseball. After being selected with the 12th pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, Groome went on to appear in three games and 6.2 innings, holding a 2.70 ERA and a 10/4 K/BB ratio.
The pitching prospect is just 18 years old and needs more time in the minors. But Groome has the tools to be a dominant front-line starter once he reaches the MLB.
Travis is currently the Red Sox fourth best prospect. He has hit .303 with 22 home runs, 151 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.
Travis would immediately become one of the best pure bats in the White Sox farm system. He is one of the best power hitters in the minor leagues while holding deceptive speed. Adding Travis allows the White Sox to keep Zack Collins at catcher while adding another impressive bat. An infield of Collins, Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Travis would be one of the best in the MLB.
Another option for the White Sox would be to trade for catcher Blake Swihart. He is currently in a three-way competition with Sandy Leon and Christian Vasquez. If he fails, the Sox could look to move him for help at the MLB level.
In 103 major league games, Swihart has hit .271 with five home runs and 36 RBIs. He has also thrown out 28% of all base runners. Swihart is just 24 years old and holds massive potential. With the White Sox he would finally have a chance to prove himself. With a fresh start, Swihart could end up being the All-Star catcher many projected him to be a few years ago.
While Frazier won’t draw the same amount of prospects as Jose Quintana or David Robertson, his value should be sky high at the Trade Deadline. If the Red Sox are serious about competing, they should be willing to part with atleast one of their top prospects to acquire a 40+ home run hitter.
Author’s Reaction
Out of all the Todd Frazier rumors since the Dodgers, this one makes the most sense.
The Red Sox are going to have an obvious need, and Todd Frazier is the perfect solution. Adding him to a lineup that already features Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and others should give Boston one of the best offenses in the American League.
Dave Dombrowski has always been one for big trades. While a deal for Frazier wouldn’t draw as many headlines as their Chris Sale deal did, it would show that he is serious about the Red Sox being World Series contenders.
Speaking of the Sale deal, Rick Hahn likely knows the ins and outs of Boston’s farm system. He likely has a few prospects he wish he could’ve gotten during the Sale trade. A deal for Frazier would allow Hahn to add even more talent to an ever growing minor league core.
It’s hard to call this trade a done deal as Cafardo is more speculating than anything else, but it’d be hard to not call the Red Sox the early favorites.
With a perfect blend of need and assets, the Boston Red Sox could be walking away with Todd Frazier at the Trade Deadline. If so, they could be serious threats to not only the Indians but the Chicago Cubs for the 2017 World Series crown.
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