MLB trade rumors: Who are the best fits for Marlins’ Adeiny Hechavarria?

On Thursday, it was reported that Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who is currently on the DL with a left oblique strain (but should be back shortly, as he’s currently on a rehab assignment), will likely be traded in a matter of days. Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reported today that a deal is expected within the next 24-48 hours, so it’s likely Hechavarria is on a new team by the end of the weekend.

As MLBDD’s resident roster freak, I’m here to lay out some potential fits for him—both those that have been reported and teams that I think would work for him—and project what each club could look like with the defensively gifted shortstop.

Teams with known interest (as reported by the Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer):

St. Louis Cardinals

While they’re not the most obvious of fits because they have Aledmys Diaz hitting decently enough (definitely better than Hechavarria could), Diaz’s defense has been poor, having already been worth -11 DRS, per Fangraphs. And with Kolten Wong on the DL, there’s an opening at second base (Paul DeJong has hit well, posting a .775 OPS, but he’s walked just once in 69 PAs), and Hechavarria’s defense would help shore up the left side of the infield that already includes another subpar infielder in Jedd Gyorko.

Projected lineup and bench with Hechavarria:

Matt Carpenter 1B
Dexter Fowler CF
Stephen Piscotty RF
Jedd Gyorko 3B
Yadier Molina C
Tommy Pham LF
Diaz 2B
Hechavarria SS

Eric Fryer C
Greg Garcia IF
De Jong IF
Jose Martinez OF

To the minors: 1B/OF Chad Huffman

Tampa Bay Rays

With Matt Duffy seemingly having an endless number of setbacks, Brad Miller again on the DL, and Daniel Robertson not pulling his weight in his first shot as a major league starter, the Rays could definitely use another infielder. However, Tim Beckham has had a solid season on both sides of the ball, so Hechavarria would either have to start at second base instead of Robertson, or play part time at second, short and third. I’m predicting the latter, as Hechavarria probably wouldn’t hit much better than Robertson anyway, and there’s no point in having a rookie riding the bench.

Projected lineup and bench with Hechavarria:

Mallex Smith CF
Corey Dickerson DH
Evan Longoria 3B
Logan Morrison 1B
Steven Souza RF
Shane Peterson LF
Beckham SS
Robertson 2B
Derek Norris C

Jesus Sucre C
Trevor Plouffe IF
Hechavarria IF
Peter Bourjos OF

To the minors: IF Taylor Featherston

Baltimore Orioles

To me, this fit is the most obvious, with shortstop J.J. Hardy out for at least six weeks with a fractured wrist. While Hechavarria doesn’t hit much better than current options Paul Janish and Ruben Tejada, he’s the best of the three defensively, with Janish the only one who even comes close. With Manny Machado at third and Hechavarria at second, the Orioles would have a heck of the left side of the infield on defense.

Projected lineup and bench with Hechavarria:

Seth Smith LF
Manny Machado 3B
Adam Jones CF
Mark Trumbo DH
Trey Mancini 1B
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Welington Castillo C
Hyun soo Kim LF
Hechavarria SS

Caleb Joseph C
Ruben Tejada IF
Craig Gentry OF
Joey Rickard OF

Designated for assignment: IF Paul Janish

My bonus pick: San Diego Padres

The two shortstops on the Padres roster are Chase d’Arnaud and Erick Aybar, neither of whom are the Friars' shortstop of the future. And while Rule 5 pick Allen Cordoba has done surprisingly well with the bat, he’s played all over the field, and I’d speculate he’ll begin next season in the minors as a full-time shortstop. Enter Hechavarria, who is a free agent after 2019, and 2020 would be the worst-case scenario year for Cordoba to be ready to be the starting shortstop. If he’s ready before, the Padres can always trade Hechavarria again. For now, though, they’d have a true starting shortstop with plenty of experience at the position.

Projected lineup and bench with Hechavarria:

Jose Pirela 2B
Franchy Cordero CF
Wil Myers 1B
Hunter Renfroe RF
Cory Spangenberg 3B
Austin Hedges C
Allen Cordoba LF
Hechavarria SS

Luis Torrens C
Erick Aybar IF
Matt Szczur IF

Designated for assignment: IF d’Arnaud

Any teams you think Hechavarria could be a fit for that I didn’t mention? Comment below!