4 MLB Stars Whose Trade Value Will Significantly Decrease if 2020 Season is Vacated

Several free agents to be and stars stuck on bad teams were counting on a quality 2020 MLB season in order to help bolster their value, but that goal just became increasingly difficult to reach. Now that the 2020 season has been postponed this long and 82 games looking like the regular season number for whenever baseball returns, that means these four studs could probably be had for a cheaper price...

...if their teams are willing to trade them anymore.

4. Diamondbacks SP Robbie Ray

Ray's value seems to be getting worse by the season. He went from an All-Star campaign and a 2.89 ERA in 2017 to a 3.93 mark in 2018 and a 4.34 line in 2019. Having said that, Ray is among the best strikeout artists in the game, and his nasty stuff will always have teams interested him no matter his production. With less time to pump up his trade value, the 2021 free agent could be had for peanuts.

3. Blue Jays RP Ken Giles

The Astros finally gave up on Giles after another roller coaster season, but the 100 MPH flamethrower managed to remake himself north of the border. Giles emerged as the closer for the Toronto Blue Jays, posting a 1.87 ERA and saving 23 games. Any contender wishing to pick at Toronto's scraps will likely be able to trade for Giles without having to attach a top prospect in a trade considering his impending free agency during a shortened season.

2. Royals INF Whit Merrifield

Merrifield has played just three full seasons, but he has established himself as one of the most underrated players in the game. The Royals star has paired his plus versatility and defense with a tremendous ability to put the ball in play. Merrifield has led the AL in steals twice, triples once, and hits in back-to-back seasons. Any contender would be thrilled to come up with enough to entice Kansas City to trade the leadoff specialist, and he could come cheap given how the season will be much shorter. After all, he's already 31and will be making nearly $7 million next season.

1. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado

Arenado signed a monstrous eight-year contract with the Rockies in the 2018 offseason, but the Rockies did seemingly everything in their power to alienate him just a year later, including floating him in nonstop trade rumors (per reports). If the Rockies are still considering dealing one of the few five-tool players in the game today, they might not get the full amount they're asking for. The Rockies trading Arenado after a vacated season in which his value is as low as possible would be unwise, but so is the entire concept of trading him at all, so Jeff Bridich wouldn't be totally acting out of character.