The best targets on Major League Baseball’s trade market are guys such as Bryan Reynolds and Pablo López, but everyone already knows that.

So, why don’t we dig deeper for value that other teams might be able to mine from trades?

We specifically want to speculate on eight players—four hitters and four pitchers—who look like candidates to be had in low-risk, high-reward trades. Their names should be recognizable given that each was a top prospect in recent history but finds himself with diminished value after having fallen out of favor with his club.

That doesn’t necessarily mean these guys are outright available, mind you, but there’s no harm in asking.

Starting with the pitchers, let’s go through in alphabetical order.

RHP Ian Anderson, Atlanta

Age: 24

2022 Stats: 22 G, 22 GS, 111.2 IP, 115 H (12 HR), 97 K, 54 BB, 5.00 ERA

Contract Status: Under club control through 2026

Why the Risk Is Low

Ian Anderson was a rising star in Atlanta’s rotation in 2020 and 2021, and not just in the regular season. That’s where he put up “only” a 3.25 ERA, compared to a downright historic 1.26 ERA in eight playoff outings.

It’s hard to believe, then, that Anderson was bad enough in 2022 to get optioned back to the minors in August. And now, Atlanta’s rotation is so stacked that he isn’t even guaranteed a spot at the back end.

Why the Reward Is High

At least Anderson’s trademark changeup remained in fine form in 2022. The opposition hit just .209 against it.

The real problem for Anderson in 2022 was his four-seam fastball, which went from being very good to very bad. But even if he wasn’t throwing quite as hard as he did in 2021, it’s a positive that he was still in the mid-90s at an average of 94.0 mph.

Atlanta is hardly obligated to trade Anderson, but it should consider it if a chance to plug the hole at shortstop presents itself on the trade market. He and other pieces could be dangled in talks for, say, Willy Adames or Amed Rosario.