9 Potential Landing Spots for a Brent Rooker Trade
Sportsgrid Staff
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Seattle Mariners
Jerry Dipoto, another executive who can't resist a trade, might see the AL West's down year as the perfect opportunity to go all in. With a rotation too good to waste and a solid team overall, Rooker could significantly boost their offense. However, the Mariners likely have the prospects and ambition to aim for a higher-caliber star than Rooker, making him more of a plan B.
This post by Clay Snowden appeared first on Just Baseball.
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Potential Brent Rooker Trade...Again
Casual fans may not have known the name Brent Rooker before his breakout 2023 season with Oakland. He had played just under 200 games across three seasons for three different teams.
Drafted 35th overall by the Minnesota Twins in 2017, Rooker always possessed elite power, but his high strikeout rate limited his opportunities.
Unable to secure regular playing time with the Twins, Rooker was traded to the Padres. A few months later, he was sent to Kansas City in exchange for a depth catcher.
Rooker’s stint with Kansas City lasted only a few months before he was placed on waivers and picked up by the Athletics. Although his swing-and-miss issues persist (32.4% K rate), his power has remained a standout feature. It seems all Rooker needed was consistent playing time to showcase his value.
After hitting 30 home runs in 2023 (127 wRC+), Rooker has continued his power surge this season, with 11 home runs and a 163 wRC+ through 43 games.
If the struggling Athletics get only one All-Star slot this year, it might go to flamethrowing sensation Mason Miller, who MLB would likely want at the Midsummer Classic. However, given his impressive numbers, Rooker might earn his way to Texas purely on merit as one of the top hitters in the American League.
This post by Clay Snowden appeared first on Just Baseball.
Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland might be the perfect match. The team has a strong preference for trading for players with control. Typically, these players have recently graduated from prospect status, but they might make an exception for a power bat like Rooker.
The Guardians' lineup currently lacks the strength needed to be a serious threat. Although they have several prospects ready to step in, they have yet to hand over those roles.
Kansas City Royals
Kansas City is beginning to resemble this year's underdog favorite. They're a small market team showing signs of potential but still needing some assistance. Their farm system might lack the high-end talent needed to feel secure in making trades, especially for a player they previously decided didn't fit their criteria.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have a history of making unique and successful moves at the trade deadline. They possess the prospect talent and depth to make this happen. Often challenged by payroll constraints, they might view this as the ideal opportunity to be more aggressive than ever.
Chicago Cubs
Will Mike Tauchman return to earth? Michael Busch certainly has. Seiya Suzuki has struggled with injuries, and Patrick Wisdom is essentially a budget version of Rooker. The Cubs are eager to return to the playoffs and have demonstrated a strong willingness to invest in achieving that goal. With one of the better farm systems, they have a mix of young prospects and other options ready to step in.
Atlanta Braves
An obvious fit due to Ronald Acuna Jr.'s injury, an offense that hasn't quite hit its stride, and another year of mediocre performance in left field. However, the problem is that the Braves have previously burned the A's in the Olson and Murphy trades. At this point, would Oakland even consider picking up the phone?
Additionally, the Braves' farm system can't compete with the offers from other teams.
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Philadelphia Phillies
Given how the Phillies operate, no player is too big for them to target. Nick Castellanos has been a mediocre signing at best, and Johan Rojas hasn't developed as expected. Placing Rooker, despite his defensive shortcomings, in left field and moving Marsh to center could elevate an already strong team to new heights.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Despite their star power, the Dodgers have recently fielded some weak lineups due to injuries and underperformance. This has resulted in a lineup where half the players are All-Stars and the other half are replaceable. You can never count out the Dodgers, though.
San Diego Padres
A possible reunion? A.J. Preller is never hesitant to make bold trades. We've already seen him acquire Luis Arraez. It's not out of the question to think Preller's job could be on the line. With numerous flashy moves and significant spending, what has it achieved? If he feels his back is against the wall, he'll likely make the trade, knowing he might not be around if it doesn't pan out.
Seattle Mariners
Jerry Dipoto, another executive who can't resist a trade, might see the AL West's down year as the perfect opportunity to go all in. With a rotation too good to waste and a solid team overall, Rooker could significantly boost their offense. However, the Mariners likely have the prospects and ambition to aim for a higher-caliber star than Rooker, making him more of a plan B.
This post by Clay Snowden appeared first on Just Baseball.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Potential Brent Rooker Trade...Again
Casual fans may not have known the name Brent Rooker before his breakout 2023 season with Oakland. He had played just under 200 games across three seasons for three different teams.
Drafted 35th overall by the Minnesota Twins in 2017, Rooker always possessed elite power, but his high strikeout rate limited his opportunities.
Unable to secure regular playing time with the Twins, Rooker was traded to the Padres. A few months later, he was sent to Kansas City in exchange for a depth catcher.
Rooker’s stint with Kansas City lasted only a few months before he was placed on waivers and picked up by the Athletics. Although his swing-and-miss issues persist (32.4% K rate), his power has remained a standout feature. It seems all Rooker needed was consistent playing time to showcase his value.
After hitting 30 home runs in 2023 (127 wRC+), Rooker has continued his power surge this season, with 11 home runs and a 163 wRC+ through 43 games.
If the struggling Athletics get only one All-Star slot this year, it might go to flamethrowing sensation Mason Miller, who MLB would likely want at the Midsummer Classic. However, given his impressive numbers, Rooker might earn his way to Texas purely on merit as one of the top hitters in the American League.
This post by Clay Snowden appeared first on Just Baseball.
