MLB trade rumors: Surprise fire sale adding stars for Yankees, Phillies, Mets to bid on?

An out-of-nowhere fire sale could add two big stars to this year’s hot stove market in Major League Baseball.

In a winter already primed to have huge names changing teams for franchises like the Yankees, Mets and Phillies to bid on, two more could soon enter the mix: Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and left-handed starter Robbie Ray.

Here’s the latest on a possible fire sale in Arizona, per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

“I think one of the takeaways for us was just to get a feel for what the trade market would be for various guys, evaluate the free-agent market as it comes out and see what happens, and reconvene,” Hazen said.

The report went on to detail the Diamondbacks describing their front office as “open-minded” on retooling and moving players that will soon be free agents, like Goldschmidt and Ray.

Goldschmidt, 31, rebounded from a slow start to post another gigantic offensive season (33 HR, 139 OPS+) for the NL West contenders. Since becoming a regular in 2012, Goldschmidt owns a 146 OPS+ and 201 home runs while playing a stellar first base and profiling as an all-around player.

If Goldschmidt is put on the market, both the Yankees and Mets would likely have interest.

Top 10 free agents

Ray, 27, had an uneven year (24 starts, 3.93 ERA, 5.1 BB/9) one season removed from Cy Young consideration. Despite Ray’s numbers declining almost across the board after a dominant 2017 (2.89 ERA), his strikeout numbers (12.0 per 9) remained elite. Lefties with his kind of stuff and recent track record rarely get moved.

If Ray is dealt, the Yankees and Phillies would likely have interest.

Joe Giglio may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoeGiglioSports. Find NJ.com on Facebook.