MLB Trade Rumors: The 10 Hottest Trade Targets This Offseason
The playoffs are still going, but the Hot Stove is starting to heat up as trade rumors begin to swirl and fans look forward to the moves their team will make in preparation for the coming season.
This year's free agent class is highlighted by Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth, Cliff Lee and little else in the way of difference-making star players.
Because of that, many teams may turn their attention to the trade market as they attempt to improve their rosters.
What follows are the 10 players who will be talked about most in trade dealings this coming winter—the 10 hottest trade targets of the 2010 offseason.
David DeJesus
1 of 10
2010 Statistics: .318 BA, 5 HR, 37 RBI
Contract Status: Signed Through 2011
DeJesus was one of the most talked about trade targets at the trade deadline, and he almost certainly would have been dealt, like fellow Royals outfielders Jose Guillen and Scott Podsednik were, had it not been for a torn ligament in his thumb that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
The Royals picked up his $6 million option for the coming season, and now they are faced with the decision of whether or not to trade the 30-year-old as they continue to rebuild.
DeJesus was among the more productive outfielders in baseball in 2008 and 2009, averaging .294 BA, 12 HR and 72 RBI, and he could wind up as a consolation prize of sorts for the teams that miss out on signing free agents Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth.
Bobby Jenks
2 of 10
2010 Statistics: 55 Games, 27 Saves, 4.44 ERA, 10.4 K/9
Contract Status: Arbitration Eligible in 2011, Free Agent in 2012
Jenks is clearly on the way out in Chicago, as he has clashed with front office personnel and is in line to lose his job to flamethrowing lefty Matt Thornton.
He is arbitration eligible, but many expect the White Sox to simply non-tender him, making him a free agent. However, there is a good chance some team in need of bullpen help will make a move for Jenks before he becomes available to the entire league.
Jacoby Ellsbury
3 of 10
2010 Statistics: .192 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 7 SB
Contract Status: Arbitration Eligible Through 2013, Free Agent in 2014
Ellsbury's name always seems to be at the center of any big packages that the Red Sox put together, and he has been identified as someone that the Padres are interested in should they deal Adrian Gonzalez.
Regardless of where he lands, there seems to be a relatively good chance that he will be dealt at some point this offseason, and whoever makes the deal will hope to solidify their outfield defense and gain a top-of-the-order hitter.
Aside from being involved in mega-deals for Adrian Gonzalez or Prince Fielder, Ellsbury could also make sense for the Rays if they lose Carl Crawford, as well as the Mets, who are looking to upgrade their outfield.
.png?w=256)
Jeremy Guthrie
4 of 10
2010 Statistics: 32 Starts, 11-14, 3.82 ERA, 119 Ks, 209.1 IP
Contract Status: Arbitration Eligible Through 2012, Free Agent in 2013
Guthrie has shown flashes of being a legitimate staff ace throughout his time in Baltimore. At the same time, he has also had some awful times, such as the entire 2009 season, when he lost 17 games and posted a 5.04 ERA.
Unless there is a division realignment sometime in the near future, the Orioles will not be in contention in the AL East for the foreseeable future. Guthrie could fetch a couple solid prospects to help with the ongoing rebuilding effort.
Starting pitching is always in demand, and though there are no specific teams targeting Guthrie at this time, his name came up frequently at the trade deadline and could come up again.
Dan Uggla
5 of 10
2010 Statistics: .287 BA, 33 HR, 105 RBI
Contract Status: Arbitration Eligible in 2011, Free Agent in 2012
Uggla took his offensive game to the next level in 2010, as he hit over 20 points above his career average and drove in 100 runs for the first time in his career.
He will never win a Gold Glove, but Uggla is among the best offensive second basemen in the league today, with at least 27 HR in each of his five seasons. The always cash-strapped Marlins will no doubt be unable to re-sign the slugger come season's end, and he could be traded sooner rather than later.
The Giants and Dodgers are obvious possibilities, while the Cardinals are also a possibility as they look to upgrade an offense-starved middle infield.
Fausto Carmona
6 of 10
2010 Statistics: 33 Starts, 13-14, 3.77 ERA, 124 Ks, 210.1 IP
Contract Status: Signed in 2011, Team Option 2012-2014
Carmona bounced back nicely from a pair of rough seasons in 2008 and 2009, when he posted a 13-19 record with a 5.89 ERA, to make the All-Star team as he returned to ace form.
He looked like he might be a one-year wonder after his 19-8 season in 2007, but his trade value is once again high, and the rebuilding Indians may take this opportunity to deal the 26-year-old while his value is up.
Adrian Gonzalez
7 of 10
2010 Statistics: .298 BA, 31 HR, 101 RBI
Contract Status: Signed Through 2011
Gonzalez has long been at the center of trade talks, and had it not been for the fact that the Padres remained in contention the entire season, he almost certainly would have been dealt last season.
The Padres would be wise to realize that a lot of things went right last season and that they played above their talent level.
That said, Gonzalez could be moved before the season starts, as the Padres will most likely not be able to contend for his services when he enters free agency after the 2011 season and should get something for him while they still can.
The Red Sox are atop the list of potential suitors, but the Rangers are also in need of a first baseman and could go after Gonzalez if they are unable to re-sign Cliff Lee.
Francisco Rodriguez
8 of 10
2010 Statistics: 46 Games, 25 Saves, 2.20 ERA, 10.5 K/9
Contract Status: Signed in 2011, Team Option in 2012
Rodriguez has clearly fallen out of favor with the Mets after his late season clubhouse fight with a family member and now his grievance hearing with the team as he looks to reclaim some money that was withheld, and that could lead to a deal this offseason.
Make no mistake—Rodriguez is still among the best closers in all of baseball, and if the Mets do officially put him on the block, there will no doubt be at least a handful of interested teams.
With a new GM, this seems to be a crossroads season of sorts for the Mets, and parting ways with Rodriguez may be part of the plan.
Prince Fielder
9 of 10
2010 Statistics: .261 BA, 32 HR, 83 RBI
Contract Status: Arbitration Eligible in 2011, Free Agent in 2012
Fielder's name surfaced off and on at the trade deadline, but the Brewers chose not to pull the trigger on the blockbuster deal.
That said, with the Brewers re-signing Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo and Corey Hart recently, there is little chance that they'll have the resources to lock up Fielder once he becomes a free agent after this coming season. Look for him to be dealt this winter to the highest bidder.
If the Red Sox are unable to land Adrian Gonzalez, they may turn their attention to Fielder, with the Rangers, Braves and Dodgers also potential destinations.
Felix Hernandez
10 of 10
2010 Statistics: 34 Starts, 13-12, 2.27 ERA, 232 Ks, 249.2 IP
Contract Status: Signed Through 2014
Let me preface this by saying that this is a long shot, and the package it would take to acquire Hernandez would be one of the steepest in the history of baseball. Whatever team he was traded to giving up its top four or five prospects, maybe more.
That said, should a team come along with the right deal, perhaps the prospect-loaded Red Sox, I think the Mariners would certainly consider moving their 24-year-old ace.
Going into last season, the Mariners were a trendy pick to win the AL West and contend for the World Series after they signed Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee. However, things went south, and quickly, and they now appear ready to rebuild.
So while he may not move, you can bet that teams will inquire about Hernandez, and if there is any sign that the Mariners are even willing to listen to offers, he would immediately become the most sought-after player on the market. Again, not probable, but at least possible.
.png?w=480)
