3 potential landing spots for Ramon Laureano
By David Hill
At some point, it has to end. Eventually, the Oakland A’s will stop selling off their players and actually look to build a core around key players that exemplify the passion that the team needs. Ramon Laureano would be one such player.
But those times may not happen for years. Ownership is determined to squeeze every last cent they can out of the A’s, not caring if they alienate their fanbase or if the product on the field is utterly putrid. That would include trading someone such as Laureano, whose years of team control and fire make him the perfect candidate to build around.
Three potential landing spots for Ramon Laureano
Meanwhile, this could be the perfect time for the A’s to trade Laureano. Center fielders are few and far between for teams looking to contend and Laureano could fetch a solid return. The perpetual rebuild will continue forward with another player donning a different uniform.
The Oakland A’s are going to have plenty of suitors for Ramon Laureano. Let’s take a look at three potential fits for the outfielder.
Philadelphia Phillies
Five different players have made at least eight appearances in center for the Phillies this year. None of them have been any good.
Odubel Herrera has been the Phillies best center fielder thus far in 2022. He has posted a .668 OPS and an 88 OPS+ heading into Thursday. And that is the best production they have received. To compound matters, none of the options that the Phillies have appear to be a long term solution.
Laureano would be. He is under team control for two more years beyond this season, something that would allow the Phillies to actually let Herrera walk in free agency. His solid all around production at the plate and excellent defense would fit perfectly in a Phillies’ outfield in need of both at the position.
The biggest question would involve what the Phillies would have to part with in order to bring Laureano on board. None of their top prospects have panned out for years, leaving one to question the organizational philosophy. However, any trade package for Laureano would likely include intriguing outfield prospect Johan Rojas, a player whose future projections are rather varied.
The Philadelphia Phillies could use Ramon Laureano. It is a matter of whether or not they have enough to make a trade work.