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10 NL players who could be traded this winter

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In this two-part series teeing up next week's (virtual) winter meetings, theScore's MLB editors identify 10 players who could be dealt in each league this offseason and rate their likelihood of being traded.

Nolan Arenado, Rockies, 3B

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
48 8 26 .253/.303/.434 1.0

Remaining contract: 6 years, $199M (2021 opt-out)
Trade probability: ★★☆☆☆
Potential fits: Cardinals, Braves, Nationals, Dodgers, Blue Jays

Arenado's name has surfaced in trade rumors over the last two offseasons. The five-time All-Star publicly voiced his displeasure last January after the team's front office failed to make any improvements to the roster. He remained in Colorado but the Rockies ultimately failed to make the playoffs. The 29-year-old owns a career .890 OPS with 235 home runs to go along with eight Gold Gloves. However, any club looking to trade for the star third baseman might hesitate to pull the trigger due to his opt-out clause after next season, the size of his contract, and Colorado's likely price tag.

Trevor Story, Rockies, SS

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
59 11 28 .289/.355/.519 2.5

Remaining contract: 1-year, $18.5M
Trade probability: ★★★☆☆
Potential fits: Reds, Blue Jays, Phillies, Twins, Yankees, Mets

Story, who's become one of baseball's premier shortstops, likely has a better chance of being dealt than Arenado. The two-time All-Star is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2021 campaign, and the Rockies might be motivated to trade him instead of letting him walk. Story is due $17.5 million next season, which is reasonable for a player who finished with down-ballot MVP votes for three consecutive years. The two-time Silver Slugger is also a threat on the bases, swiping 65 bags over the last three seasons, including an NL-high 15 steals in 2020.

Josh Hader, Brewers, RP

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IP ERA K WHIP WAR
19 3.79 31 0.95 0.3

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2023)
Trade probability: ★★☆☆☆
Potential fits: Nationals, Yankees, Red Sox, Braves, Angels, Athletics, Padres, Dodgers, Marlins, White Sox, Twins

Brewers general manager Matt Arnold downplayed the idea of moving Hader after rumors surfaced in mid-November the star closer was available. However, where there's smoke, there's fire. The two-time NL Reliever of the Year is due for a raise in arbitration in 2021, 2022, and 2023. It remains to be seen how much Milwaukee wants to pay its stud reliever, and the club needs to fill several glaring holes in its lineup. The emergence of NL Rookie of the Year Devin Williams also gives the team a future closer that won't cost as much as Hader, at least for the next three years.

Jean Segura, Phillies, IF

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
54 7 25 .266/.347/.422 1

Remaining contract: 2 years, $30.7M (2023 team option)
Trade probability: ★★★★☆
Potential fits: Blue Jays, Athletics, Reds, Cardinals, Twins, Angels

The Phillies reportedly already engaged with several teams about a potential deal involving the two-time All-Star. Segura spent time at second and third base in 2020, but Philadelphia plans to use NL Rookie of the Year finalist Alec Bohm at the hot corner next season and Scott Kingery at the keystone position. This means Segura will play shortstop unless the Phillies can find somebody to take his contract. He's only produced one season with a .800 OPS or better over nine years and is still owed $28.5 million combined during the next two seasons.

Eduardo Escobar, D-Backs, 3B

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
54 4 20 .212/.270/.335 -0.5

Remaining contract: 1-year, $7.7M
Trade probability: ★★★☆☆
Potential fits: Dodgers, Cardinals, Brewers, Blue Jays, Nationals, Rays

Escobar fell back to earth last season after a career year in 2019. The 31-year-old slashed .212/.270/.335 with four homers in 54 games, which was a significant drop-off from the 35 home runs and 118 RBIs he put up two campaigns ago. The slugger is relatively cheap with a $7.7-million price tag for 2021 and the D-Backs could be motivated to move him if the club falls out of contention early. He's slated to become a free agent following next season and could fetch a decent return if he produces offensively.

Josh Bell, Pirates, 1B

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
57 8 22 .226/.305/.364 -0.4

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2022)
Trade probability: ★★☆☆☆
Potential fits: Nationals, Indians, Tigers, Giants, Astros, Rays, Red Sox

The Pirates fielded MLB's worst team in 2020 and Bell didn't help the cause after putting together the least productive season of his five-year career. His stock is low, but Bell still has plenty of value and could net the rebuilding Pirates decent prospects if traded. Bell made his first All-Star appearance in 2019, hitting 37 homers while posting a .936 OPS and comes with two more seasons of control. He's also projected to earn a modest salary through arbitration, somewhere in the $5.1-million and $7.2-million range for 2021. These factors make Bell a decent trade candidate considering the weak crop of first basemen in free agency.

Wil Myers, Padres, OF

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
55 15 40 .288/.353/.606 1.9

Remaining contract: 2 years, $46M (2023 team option)
Trade probability: ★★★☆☆
Potential fits: Red Sox, Mets, Cardinals, Giants, Astros, White Sox

Myers didn't get as much attention as Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. for the Padres last season, but perhaps he should have. The 29-year-old received down-ballot MVP votes after hitting 15 homers and recording a career-best .959 OPS (159 OPS+). He also finished fifth among qualified players in isolated power (.318) and ninth in total bases (120). Myers' value is at its highest and he's garnered interest from teams in the past - including a reported deal with the Red Sox that was being discussed last February. However, the $46 million remaining on his backloaded contract could be a problem.

Sonny Gray, Reds, SP

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IP ERA K WHIP WAR
56 3.70 72 1.21 1.7

Remaining contract: 2 years, $20.32M (2023 team option)
Trade probability: ★★★☆☆
Potential fits: Angels, Mets, Twins, Blue Jays, Marlins, Padres, Giants, Cubs, Astros, Athletics, White Sox, Rays

Gray has been terrific for the Reds since arriving in a 2019 trade from the Yankees, but that reportedly isn't stopping Cincinnati from weighing all possibilities for the two-time All-Star. Potentially dealing Gray seems like an odd move considering the success he's had over the past two seasons (3.07 ERA, 3.33 FIP), but the club is apparently looking for ways to trim payroll and the 31-year-old's affordable contract might be the easiest one to move. Over the past two seasons, Gray has also been worth more WAR than every starting pitcher available in free agency, according to FanGraphs.

Willson Contreras, Cubs, C

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
57 7 26 .243/.356/.407 1.6

Remaining contract: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2022)
Trade probability: ★★★★☆
Potential fits: Phillies, Angels, Rockies, Padres, Mets, Rays, Cardinals, Nationals, Astros, Blue Jays

Contreras might be the next member of the 2016 World Series team to be jettisoned after the Cubs non-tendered Kyle Schwarber. Although Contreras is a two-time All-Star and one of baseball's top catchers (third in wRC+ since 2016), Chicago GM Jed Hoyer recently mentioned service time would play a part in the future of the team. Contreras may be under contract for two more seasons, but the Cubs also employ Victor Caratini, who is much more affordable and under team control for one more season than Contreras. Plus, if Chicago plans to extend Kris Bryant before he becomes a free agent, they'll need every cent they can muster due to their luxury-tax issues.

Kris Bryant, Cubs, 3B

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GP HR RBI AVG/OBP/SLG WAR
34 4 11 .206/.293/.351 0.5

Remaining contract: 4th-year arb (FA after 2021)
Trade probability: ★★☆☆☆
Potential fits: Braves, Nationals, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Cardinals, White Sox

The 2016 NL MVP scuffled last season, posting a dismal .206/.293/.351 slash line while eating up 12.5% of Chicago's payroll. His struggles were likely due to injuries to his wrist, finger, back, elbow, and oblique; before the 2020 campaign, he was nearly as good as Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. Bryant's chances of being moved before the season begins appear low but a trade deadline deal could be in his future if he's unable to work out an extension before he hits free agency. Considering Chicago's payroll concerns, he'll have to show he can return to his former self before that can happen.

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