There's actually progress happening in the collective bargaining negotiations between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, so it's worth hoping the lockout will be over soon.
While we're at it, we might as well speculate on some trades for when the market reopens.
We came up with eight proposals that we think would be wins for both of the teams involved. For one team, because they got at least one star player. For the other, because they got an appropriate level of talent in return and/or cleared some valuable payroll space.
Going in no particular order, let's check 'em off one by one.
Kevin Kiermaier to the Philadelphia Phillies
As FanGraphs projects the Philadelphia Phillies for an MLB-low 0.6 wins above replacement from the position in 2022, center field must be a priority after the lockout.
Philadelphia's ideal options on the trade market are stars such as Cedric Mullins and Ketel Marte. However, their availability is about as iffy as the Phillies' capacity to afford their high price tags.
Kevin Kiermaier is a different story. The Tampa Bay Rays seem willing to move him, and Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported the Phillies were interested when the markets were still open. He isn't much of a hitter anymore, but the defensive skills that won him Gold Glove Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2019 remain intact.
If the Rays do move Kiermaier, their primary motivation will be to unload the $14.7 million they owe him. The Phillies can afford those rates better than the Rays, but the latter surely values Kiermaier too much to simply dump his contract.
Philadelphia might sway Tampa Bay by offering it the sort of wild cards the Rays specialize in turning into productive major leaguers. Say, 2016 No. 1 pick Mickey Moniak and live-armed lefty Cristopher Sanchez, who originated in the Tampa Bay system before going to Philly in an under-the-radar deal in 2019.
Proposed Deal: Philadelphia Phillies get CF Kevin Kiermaier; Tampa Bay Rays get CF Mickey Moniak and LHP Cristopher Sanchez
Craig Kimbrel to the Toronto Blue Jays
After narrowly missing out on a playoff berth in 2021, the Toronto Blue Jays will look to realize their potential as an American League superpower in 2022.
Still, it's no secret their bullpen could use a proper closer. And if the Jays would rather not do a multiyear deal with Kenley Jansen in free agency, fellow veteran Craig Kimbrel will be there as a trade alternative.
Like with the Rays and Kevin Kiermaier, there isn't much question as to the Chicago White Sox's willingness to move Kimbrel. Yet he comes with a heftier $16 million salary for 2022, not to mention concerns about his status as an elite reliever after he crumbled to the tune of a 5.09 ERA with the South Siders in 2021.
What the Blue Jays can zero in on, though, is that Kimbrel was working out of his comfort zone as a setup man for Liam Hendriks. As you'd expect from someone with 372 career saves, he lives for save situations.
Granted, just because their payroll is more bloated than it's ever been, it doesn't mean the White Sox would simply hand over Kimbrel. Provided they kick in some cash, they could make a play for speedy and sneakily powerful prospect Samad Taylor, who would go from superfluous in the Toronto system to a standout in Chicago's.
Proposed Deal: Toronto Blue Jays get RHP Craig Kimbrel and cash; Chicago White Sox get INF/OF Samad Taylor