MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Whispered Blockbuster Deals That Could Actually Happen
While the 2010 MLB offseason has been quiet thus far, rumors have been surfacing on various players going to various teams. The free agents get most of these rumors, as they can sign with any team. However, other players under contract have been getting looks, and a trade involving that star can send shockwaves throughout baseball.
Already we've had one major trade this offseason. Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla was traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Michael Dunn and utility man Omar Infante. If a trade sending Uggla to the Braves, who already had an All-Star second baseman in Martin Prado, can happen, then there are many others that can.
Some of the following trades may happen due to the player being unhappy, others due to the team being unhappy. Others could just simply be two teams seeing the right pieces to their own respective puzzles.
Mark Reynolds to Baltimore
1 of 10
The hot team originally in trade circles for him was Oakland, but he has a no-trade clause in place for them, so that won't happen. Baltimore, however, does not seem to have that. As a team, they had little power aside from Luke Scott and Ty Wigginton, so it could work.
The key in this deal would be what Arizona gets in return. David Hernandez would certainly go there, as would a contact hitter. It's a sacrifice Baltimore would probably be willing to make as they begin their resurgence under new manager Buck Showalter.
Carlos Quentin to Philadelphia
2 of 10
The White Sox have reported that they are not shopping Quentin, but I do believe that if the price is right he would absolutely go to the Phillies. They have an opening with the departure of Jayson Werth that Quentin would fit nicely, and I could see them sacrificing a prospect or two in order to win now. Imagine if he returned to his 2008 form? That's a very dangerous lineup now.
Zack Greinke to Texas
3 of 10
Greinke has been a very hot rumor for trades to just about anywhere. Most sources say he won't be in a Royals uniform come 2011, but few teams are being tossed around publicly. I'm willing to throw one out there in the Texas Rangers.
This is, of course, conditional on Cliff Lee deciding to join the Yankees. If he does, the Rangers will absolutely make a play for Greinke to still have an ace in their pitching rotation. They made the World Series for the first time last year, no way that they go into fire sale mode just because they lost Lee.
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Jonathan Papelbon to Atlanta
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The trade market for Papelbon isn't very good, especially considering his salary next year will be eight figures after a very off-year for him. The Red Sox have their future closer in Daniel Bard, so they might just try to get what they can since he'll be a free agent in 2012. Who would take him though?
The only team I could see trying this is the Braves. I'm not a Braves expert, so perhaps they could give me a myriad of reasons why this won't work. Still, Billy Wagner has now retired, but the team is still great. Just stick Papelbon in there and it should all work out, so long as Boston eats a good amount of his salary.
Kosuke Fukudome To...?
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I looked through the Cubs roster and originally checked on the possibility of trading Carlos Zambrano. Given his second-half rebound and his apparent desire to block any trade, along with the Cubs not shopping him around, I think he'll remain a Cub one more year.
Kosuke Fukudome, however, is a different story. He has one year left on his deal and the Cubs will try and get what they can for him. The Red Sox came up a lot for a possible landing spot, with them trading Dice-K. No way that this will happen. Who would pick him up though? I'm honestly not sure. Washington could be a possibility, since they've shown a desire to spend money to get big names there.
That being said, Mike Morse has shown promise in his limited time in right field so far, and they are far more likely to go after...
Matt Kemp to Washington
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Sending Kemp anywhere may have seemed out of the question before this year, but it seems a lot more realistic now. Yes, the Dodgers say they aren't trading him, but it could still happen if a team felt like this was an off-year rather than a red flag.
That being said, if any team was going to take him, it would be Washington. Even with his off-year, he's a big improvement over Nyjer Morgan, and they'll try and dangle a young guy or two in front of the Dodgers to try and get them to bite.
Justin Upton to Toronto
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Would the Diamondbacks really trade their star 22-year old right fielder? That's what the rumor mill says. He is still under contract until 2015, and not too many teams are still looking for a right fielder. If anyone could make it work though, it's Toronto.
They can easily move Jose Bautista back to third base and put Upton at the corner, and they seem to be one of the teams that have the pieces Arizona wants. They're already a power-hitting team, and putting Upton's bat in the lineup would just make it that more powerful.
Prince Fielder to Chicago White Sox
8 of 10
Prince Fielder is almost guaranteed to be elsewhere next season with how often his name comes up here. Yes, the Brewers would love his bat in the lineup, but it doesn't seem in the cards. As for a team where he could fit, the Chicago White Sox comes to mind.
It's another conditional big deal, as it would presume Paul Konerko doesn't re-sign. That being said, it could still happen even if he does, as one of the two could DH. The likely targets going to Milwaukee would be Gordon Beckham and Edwin Jackson if this deal were to happen.
Jose Reyes To...?
9 of 10
I originally thought of David Wright as a potential trade target this offseason. Then I figured there was no way the Mets would trade their star player. Jose Reyes, however, seems like a stronger possibility.
He's been struggling the past couple years, and now that the option has been picked up, the Mets may try to shop him around. This to me would be ridiculous, personally, as Reyes wants to sign long-term with the Mets and their management seems to want him for the long haul. With all the front office shuffling going on this offseason with the Mets though, it could very well happen.
Where would a shortstop go trying to look for a fresh start? A lot of different teams fit the bill here. Maybe the Giants if they don't get Uribe back? Maybe another team that we haven't heard about yet? If it does happen, it will be late in the offseason seemingly out of nowhere, hence why it sounds crazy right now.
Adrian Gonzalez to Boston
10 of 10
This rumor has been moving around a lot in recent weeks, and while it could happen, it requires some disbelief to look past. It requires Boston giving up at least a couple good bats, since the Padres won't have any if they trade him. It will require Youkilis playing third base next year. He can, but it will jar people that aren't used to seeing him there.
Most likely, it will require giving up a big prospect on the Red Sox's part, and furthermore believing that after a .500 season and losing Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre in the offseason (he's not gone yet but I don't see him re-signing), the Red Sox could actually compete in the AL East.
That being said, if both sides look past this and pull the trigger, there's the story of the offseason.
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