Examining The Trade Market For Cesar Hernandez

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez has quietly become one of the league's most underrated players. With the Phillies infield logjam and widespread interest in a cheap, controllable player, there's a good chance he could still be dealt before Opening Day 2018.

Multiple teams had been tied to Hernandez in rumors, including the Mets, the Angels, and the Blue Jays. The Angels have since acquired Zach Cozart and Ian Kinsler, effectively taking them off the table. 'Other possibilities include the Tigers and the Brewers. Few other teams have obvious needs at second base, though Hernandez's versatility as a shortstop and third baseman mean that clubs like the Orioles, Royals, Padres, and even the Athletics and the Marlins could be considered long shots.

Below are four hypothetical trades for the Phillies, with their potential trade partners listed in order from least likely to most likely.

4. Detroit Tigers

• Phillies receive: SP Michael Fulmer, SP Jordan Zimmerman
• Tigers receive: 2B Cesar Hernandez, OF Aaron Altherr, OF Dylan Cozens, SP Franklyn Kilome

Why it could happen: Despite being in full blown rebuild mode, Hernandez comes cheap and controllable for three more years. It's not impossible the Tigers, baseball's worst team last season, could turn it around in that time frame. Noted analyst Jayson Stark thinks it's possible, tying the Phillies to coveted Tigers ace Michael Fulmer. The Phillies could pad the deal by taking a chunk of Zimmerman's monstrous salary and providing several other key pieces to help the Tigers rebuild.

Why it very likely won't happen: The Tigers will want Scott Kingery and/or Sixto Sanchez for Fulmer, and the Phillies won't do that. Also, the Tigers will probably not be good in three years, so the major league-ready pieces the Phillies want to deal probably won't hold much interest for Detroit.

3. Milwaukee Brewers

• Phillies receive: SP Brandon Woodruff, minor league player to be named later, international signing pool money
• Brewers receive: 2B Cesar Hernandez

Why it could happen: The Brewers are battling to complete their rebuild after missing out on the second wild card by just a few games last season. Breakout years from a number of young stars helped them along the way, but they received underwhelming performance from Jonathan Villar at second base after his breakout 2016 season, in which led all of baseball with 62 steals. Woodruff is a potential number three starter who had good numbers in his 2017 debut.

Why it might not happen: There's been no hard rumors connecting the Brew Crew to Hernandez. The Brewers are also on the lookout for pitchers, and are hoping to trade from their outfield depth, meaning they have the same strength and the same weakness as the Phillies. Furthermore, the Brewers do have some internal options at second base outside of Villar, such as Hernan Perez and Eric Sogard. Finally, top second base prospects Keston Hiura and Isan Diaz are only a year or two away, so the stopgap is probably not even necessary.

2. Toronto Blue Jays

• Phillies receive: SP Sean Reid-Foley, SP Aaron Sanchez
• Blue Jays receive: 2B Cesar Hernandez, OF Aaron Altherr

Why it could happen: The Blue Jays have been seeking infield depth all winter, and found some when they landed Alemdys Diaz from the Cardinals. With Troy Tulowitzski aging and Devon Travis unsteady, their middle infield situation remains in flux, and Hernandez would represent a clear improvement.
Why it very likely won't happen: The Blue Jays likely would not want to part with their premier starters or decimate their thin farm system. Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez are crucial to the Blue Jays, and Reid-Foley certainly could be, starting next season.

1. New York Mets

• Phillies receive: SP Steven Matz
• Mets receive: 2B Cesar Hernandez

Why it could happen: The Mets are very thin up the middle, with prospect Amed Rosario headlining a group of either unproven or unsteady players. They've been rumored to be looking for second base help, inquiring after the likes of Ian Kinsler and Hernandez. The Mets also have high ceiling pitching depth - beyond aces Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, that are likely attractive to the Phillies. Zach Wheeler and Steven Matz are two names that leap off the depth chart.

Why it might not happen: Both teams will be wary of trading to a divisional rival. Hernandez could be a force at the top of the Mets lineup for the next three years of control before he hits free agency. The trending-downward Mets probably don't want to help bolster the trending-upward Phillies, either. Furthemore straight up, one for one deals of established players, like Matz for Hernandez, are rare.

(AP Photo/ Laurence Kesterson)