The Los Angeles Dodgers are potentially looking to move their starting second baseman while the Miami Marlins are continuing their search for a first baseman. What does the market look like?
Dee Gordon logged his first All-Star season in 2014 after leading the MLB in triples (12) and stolen bases (64). Now the Dodgers have let teams know they are open to trading the 26-year-old, apparently because the team's new front office prefers on-base percentage, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Gordon's career OBP is .314.
Gordon slashed .289/.326/.378, but now with statistical guru Farhan Zaidi as general manager and trade maestro Andrew Friedman as the president of baseball operations, a report such as this isn't surprising. Zaidi spent years with the Oakland Athletics working with general manager Billy Beane and Friedman was responsible for constructing a successful Tampa Bay Rays ball club with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball.
The Dodgers can fill the second base position internally with Alex Guerrero or Darnell Sweeney at some point in 2015 while Darwin Barney likely starts the season there. The Dodgers would be able to get the most value they can for Gordon elsewhere on their roster, especially in the bullpen or starting rotation. However Zaidi told reporters that Gordon is a "cost-controlled All-Star second baseman" and the team is not looking to trade him, according to Bill Shaiken of the Los Angeles Times.
Looking to Miami, the Marlins missed out on Adam LaRoche and Brandon Moss, both of whom were initially on their radar to play first base. According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the team is now considering free agent Michael Morse as well as Justin Morneau of the Colorado Rockies for the position. Miami prefers a left-handed bat, but they'll have to execute a trade for that because the free agent market is thin in that department.
Let's not forget the Marlins were considering Baltimore Orioles' first baseman Chris Davis, which would be interesting since his numbers dropped significantly in 2014 and he likely upset the team when he was suspended for Adderall and missed the playoffs.
