MLB Trade Rumors: 8 Teams That Can Shock Baseball with Winter Blockbusters

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Blockbuster deals are becoming more common, and a number of big-name players have changed teams. The Adrian Gonzalez trade is just one recent blockbluster.

There could be a lot more deals that happen this winter. Teams have players with big salaries that they want to get rid of or potential stars that are currently block. In this second instance, they can either trade the prospect or the player that is blocking them.

It seems likely that at least one All-Star gets traded this winter, and there is a possibility that two are dealt for each other during the 2013 MLB offseason. Each the teams on this list have the potential to pull off a blockbuster deal, but some will be buyers and others will be sellers.

New York Mets

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There is the possibility that the New York Mets pull off a huge deal this winter. If contract talks with David Wright begin to go sour, then the Mets could look to deal him to get maximum value for him.

Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger believes that Jon Niese could be a very valuable trade chip for the Mets this offseason and that they may be able to get a return similar to the one that the Oakland Athletics got for Gio Gonzalez.

Another big-name Mets player, Ike Davis could be on the block as well. Adam Rubin of ESPN New York has reported that the Mets are open to trading Davis this winter in part due to his unwillingness to listen to his coaches.

The Mets could package Wright with one of Davis or Niese in a deal and get a massive return.

Texas Rangers

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The Texas Rangers are going to have a few interesting dilemmas to deal with this summer. First, they are going to need to try to re-sign Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli.

After those issues are resolved, they are going to need to figure out what to do with Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt. This could lead the Rangers to trading away Elvis Andrus. If Texas does decide to trade Andrus, it could look to package him with a prospect or two for David Price.

Tampa Bay Rays

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Pitching is a highly valuable commodity in baseball, and the Tampa Bay Rays have a lot of it. In addition to James Shields, David Price, Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb, the Rays also have Chris Archer, Jeff Neimann and Wade Davis.

Given their abundance of pitching talent, the Rays could afford to trade a pitcher or two. A front-line starter such as Shields or Price could certainly on the move. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks tried to acquire Shields earlier this year.

Baltimore Orioles

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This season has shown that the Baltimore Orioles have a team that is a legitimate playoff contender. They will get even better next season, as Dylan Bundy should reach their starting rotation at some point.

Baltimore will still have some holes that it will look to fill for next season. A left fielder could be high on its wish list. So could a second baseman depending on what is happening with Brian Roberts.

There are a number of young prospects in the Orioles system that would intrigue a team such as the Arizona Diamondbacks if the Orioles went after Justin Upton.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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Without a doubt, one of the hottest names on the MLB trade market during the 2013 offseason will be Justin Upton. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has reported that the Diamondbacks have not written off the idea of dealing Upton this winter.

A number of GMs will undoubtedly pick up their phones and both call and email the Diamondbacks about Upton. If Arizona does deal them, it should see a substantial return for the 20/20 threat.

San Diego Padres

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Chase Headley's breakout season makes him a very interesting trade target for the 2013 offseason. While the San Diego Padres recognize Headley's value, they may not be willing to deal him.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has reported that the Padres are now considering holding on to Headley this winter. Should the Padres change their mind, they could land at least two impact prospects in return Headley.

Chicago Cubs

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There are two players on the Chicago Cubs that could draw significant attention this offseason. Alfonso Soriano has positioned himself as a much more valuable commodity this season, as he is on the verge of a 30-home run, 100-RBI season. He will still not draw a huge return because of his contract, but Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports notes that the Cubs will make him available this winter.

Matt Garza is the other Cub that could be on the move this winter. He will have more value than Soriano since he is a top-of-the-rotation starter with a reasonable contract. As of now, it appears that the Cubs will not trade Garza according to comments from GM Jed Hoyer (h/t Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune).

Los Angeles Dodgers

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With their new ownership clearly willing to spend money and bring in top players via trade, it is hard to count the Los Angeles Dodgers out on anyone that would become available this winter.

They have already traded for Hanley Ramirez, Shane Victorino, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett this season. If the Dodgers miss the postseason after making those moves, then they may look to make another huge splash this offseason. Los Angeles could look to both the free-agency market and the trade market to improve its team.