Three players who could be on the move after strong starts

Victor Robles (16) Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Three MLB players who could be on the move after strong starts

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 4/24/23

While it is still early in the season, it's never too early to talk about potential trade targets. With injuries happening daily, teams in contention will be looking for ways to address holes in their rosters.

Here are a few players starting out the season strong that could find themselves in another uniform before the season is over.

Victor Robles, Outfielder, Washington Nationals

After a stellar rookie year in 2019 that saw Robles finish sixth in the National League Rookie of the Year award, he has failed to duplicate this outstanding season.

Hitting .290 with four extra-base hits and a perfect 3-3 on stolen bases, Robles is looking to continue his success at the dish while providing his elite speed and fielding.

With the Nationals looking like they will be fighting for the first overall pick in 2024 and Robles getting called out by his manager he could be a player they could move on from for a few prospects to help build their farm system.

WHAT A DEKE
WHAT A THROW
WHAT A PLAY pic.twitter.com/sGPsFJl2Yf
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 23, 2023

Eduardo Rodriguez, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers

It's been a wild ride for Rodriguez during his tenure in Detroit after signing a big free-agent deal to leave the Boston Red Sox in 2021.

Back with the team, the Tigers are starting to get the production that they paid for.

With 31 innings pitched on the season, Rodriguez has a 2.32 ERA and a minuscule 0.84 WHIP to go with a career-high 5.0 K/BB ratio.

The Tigers have one of the worst run differentials in the MLB at -42 and they still look like a team a couple of years away from competing.

Trading Rodriguez this trade deadline could help them fetch a decent prospect or two while resetting the salary cap by offloading his contract.

The only pitchers the last 50 seasons to have a two game span of 15.0+ IP, 15+ Ks, 5 or fewer baserunners allowed, and 2 or fewer runs in support:

Eduardo Rodriguez
Randy Johnson
pic.twitter.com/gAfldsJ5zc
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) April 23, 2023

Jimmy Lambert, Relief Pitcher, Chicago White Sox

Largely unknown, Lambert has been very effective out of the bullpen since the start of last season for the White Sox.

With a 3.26 ERA and a 9.5 K/9 in 58 innings pitched over the past two seasons, Lambert could be a big bullpen pickup to a team that is competing for the playoffs.

The White Sox aren't inclined to move Lambert, but with them struggling to compete in a usually wide-open division they could look to start a minor rebuild by shopping him for the best package possible.