Overlooked Players On Losing Teams

It is very easy to overlook players having a good season when they are on a losing team. Also it is even easier to overlook a player having a good season when there is a big name player on the team. Here are some players having good seasons on losing teams. Because they are on losing teams, it also makes them possible trade candidates.

David DeJesus

On the Tampa Bay Rays a 34 year old outfielder is having arguably the best season on the team. I am referring to David DeJesus. He is hitting .269 with a .367 on base percentage in 62 games. to go along with his batting average and on base percentage DeJesus also has 5 home runs, 14 doubles, and only 32 strikeouts in 182 at bats. A team looking for a left handed outfielder who can get on base may be interested in DeJesus.

Kurt Suzuki on the Minnesota Twins is having a brilliant season, yet he is 4th in voting for the All Star Game for American League catchers. Suzuki is hitting .321 with a .378 on base percentage behind the plate  for the Twins this season. In 60 games and 212 at bats, Suzuki only has 2 home runs, but 15 doubles, and just 18 strikeouts. The Twins are unlikely to trade Suzuki before the All Star Game in hopes to get another player from their team in the game, but after the game Suzuki may be traded. Any team looking for a catcher should look at Suzuki.

Alex Rios

The Texas Rangers are just 3 games out of last place in the American League West. They may try to add pieces this trade deadline, but they may also try to sell and start over fresh next season. One player having a great season on this losing team is Alex Rios. He is hitting .319 with a .352 on base percentage. Over his 75 games he has just 3 home runs, but 16 doubles, and 8 triples. Rios isn't hitting for power this season, but he is making contact and driving the ball. The home runs should come soon, the Rangers should trade Rios especially knowing that he is free agent at the end of the season.

The Cubs have been talked about a lot with their two best starters being made available. Jeff Samardjiza and Jason Hammel are the two names coming up most often in discussions, but Jake Arrieta is having a very nice season for the Cubs. In 9 starts Arrieta has pitched 50 innings and recorded 55 strikeouts with just a 1.99 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Would the Cubs trade three of its five starting pitchers this trade deadline?

Oliver Perez

In that National League West the Arizona Diamondbacks are in last place and they have some pieces they can part with. Once a starting pitcher, Oliver Perez has made his way to the bullpen and can be a left handed weapon in late innings. Perez has a 2.48 ERA in 29 innings pitched this season with 25 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP. There may be a number of teams interested in Perez and not much would have to be given up to get him.

Although they do not have a losing record at 38-38, no one can see the Marlins winning the division or a wild card. They won't trade Christian Yelich, but he is being overlooked with the name Giancarlo Stanton on the team. Yelich is hitting .258 with a .342 on base percentage. In 251 at bats he has 6 home runs, 12 doubles, and 5 triples. Also to note, Yelich has 10 stolen bases. He is striking out in about 20% of his at bats, but Yelich has a lot of potential and should not be overlooked in the shadow of Giancarlo Stanton.