Todd Frazier is one of the most confusing trade pieces on the White Sox. He offers massive power potential, yet it seems like no team has shown real interest in him.
Frazier has been in the MLB for the past six seasons, playing for the Reds before the White Sox. In his 791 career games, Frazier has hit .250 with 148 home runs, 422 RBIs and 58 stolen bases. He has atleast 29 home runs, 80 RBIs and 13 stolen bases the past three seasons.
Teams have obviously shown interest in that power stroke. But what worries some off is his contract situation. Frazier is making a modest $12 million in 2017, but he will be a free agent following the 2017 season. Teams are unwilling to offer what Rick Hahn is asking for, for a player who could end up being a rental.
However pitching rentals seem to draw a fairly high package pool. This is due to teams wanting another stud pitcher for their playoff push. Most teams already have their corner outfielders in place. If not, they likely have a cheap power option in the minors.
This offseason has proven that teams are unwilling to pay top dollar for premium power. While Frazier offers 30+ home run potential, it appears as if no team will be willing to trade their top prospects for the White Sox third baseman.
While it has seemed improbable that Frazier would be moved, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reported that Frazier will be moved before the end of the 2017 season.
The only question that remains is: where?
Outside of the Los Angeles Dodgers, no team has shown real interest in Frazier. But with the Dodgers re-signing Justin Turner, Los Angeles no longer appears as a trade destination for Frazier.
The Rockies showed minor interest in Frazier as a first baseman. But until Colorado trades one of their outfielders, Ian Desmond is set to handle first base for the club.
With no teams coming out and showing interest in Frazier, his potential trade destination is all hypothetical.
Regardless, Rick Weiner of Bleacher Report did his best to predict where Frazier might end up. He listed the Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants as two perfect locations.
Weiner wrote:
There's no question that Frazier would be an upgrade over Adonis Garcia in Atlanta, and his name recognition certainly wouldn't hurt ticket sales as the Braves prepare to move into a new ballpark. He'd seem to be an upgrade over Eduardo Nunez in San Francisco as well.
As Weiner notes, Adonis Garcia is currently expected to be Atlanta's Opening Day third baseman. In Garcia's 192 major league games, he has hit .274 with 24 home runs and 91 RBIs.
While Garcia hasn't been necessarily bad, Frazier could out produce the Brave's career output in one season. Frazier would give Atlanta another power bat in the lineup to pair with Freddie Freeman.
It's unseen if the Braves would want to sign Frazier to a long-term deal. But he has said in the past that he wouldn't mind being a veteran leader during a rebuild.
When Atlanta is ready to compete, an infield of Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Frazier would be one of the best in the major leagues.
The Giants are an entirely different monster. San Francisco is going to compete in 2017 and should be considered one of the favorites in the NL. By adding Frazier, the team would be adding a dangerous bat to an impressive, yet power-lacking lineup.
In 2015 San Francisco hit just 130 home runs, 28th in the MLB.
The Giants need to do everything they can to beat the Cubs in the National League. Adding Frazier would give the team one of the best power hitters in the MLB. That spark could be what the team needs in the NL.
Currently Eduardo Nunez is slated to be the team's Opening Day third baseman. Over his 555 career games, he has hit .273 with 34 home runs, 187 RBIs and 105 stolen bases. Once again, Nunez is by no means bad; in fact he is coming off of an All Star season.
But the Giants need another power bat in the lineup. With Frazier readily available, he seems like the perfect fit. San Francisco could be better off adding Frazier and using Nunez in a super utility role.
It is still yet to be seen if the Braves or Giants are interested in Frazier. But atleast to Weiner, they serve as perfect landing spots for the slugger.
The Todd Frazier saga should draw out for the rest of the offseason, and perhaps into the regular season. The only fact now is that whoever lands him is getting one of the best power hitters in the league, and should overall see an immediate boost in offensive production.
Feel free to continue the conversation on Twitter: @DFappiano14
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