Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins and Chicago White Sox could be great trade partners.
Garett Cooper has quietly been one of baseball’s most underrated hitters the past couple of seasons. This is one of the many downsides of being stuck on a sub 70 win team. However, a change of scenery could give Cooper the recognition he deserves from the rest of the league.
Last season he hit .284 with a .845 OPS. The previous year he hit .283 with a .500 slugging percentage. In 2019 he batted .281 with 15 home runs. He has gotten better with age. Since the start of 2020, the 31-year-old has a 133 wRC+ in 383 plate appearances. Even better for the White Sox, he plays right field.
Cooper did suffer a left elbow injury that forced him to miss the second half of last season. However, he should be ready to go for the start of the 2022 season, assuming it starts on time.
Cooper has been in the thick of trade conversation for the past couple of seasons. The Marlins just added Avisaíl García who figures to take over the duties in right field. Garcia’s addition makes the Marlins’ outfield rotation crowded so it would make sense for them to finally move Cooper, especially if they add a center fielder after the lockout.
Cooper would give the White Sox some more offense and a stop-gap in right field while their prospects develop.