MLB Trade Rumors: 8 Blockbuster Trades We'd Love to See Happen
The off-season free agency frenzy has already begun, and so far we’ve seen only a handful of players switch teams. Dan Uggla was dealt to the Braves, Javier Vazquez returned to the NL, and Victor Martinez joined fellow countryman Miguel Cabrera in Detroit.
While unsigned free agents Cliff Lee, Adrian Beltre and Carl Crawford will make great impacts for their new teams, we can’t forget that there is more than one way to improve your team.
Here we take a look at eight trades that should happen this off-season for a variety of reasons. Whether it be due to salary concerns or an attempt to re-build with young players, some big names could be dealt this winter. Here are eight transactions that are both realistic and beneficial.
Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox for Prospects
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Victor Martinez has already signed with the Detroit Tigers and with Adrian Beltre’s outrageous contract demands (agent Scott Boras reportedly is seeking 5 years at $90 million), it seems unlikely he will return.
Couple those losses with the retirement of Mike Lowell, and the Sox will have nearly $30 million coming off the books with a massive hole in the middle of their line-up. How could they solve that? How about a trade for San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez?
Despite playing in a pitcher’s ballpark, Gonzalez has smacked 107 home runs over the last three seasons. If he can bring his talents to the friendly confines of Fenway, those already impressive numbers could skyrocket.
The fact that Padres GM Jed Hoyer was formerly an assistant for the Sox means he has a thorough knowledge of Boston’s farm system, which should help facilitate a trade. In all likelihood San Diego would request a package involving top prospect Casey Kelly and one of the Sox' elite first basemen – Anthony Rizzo or Lars Anderson.
The Pads will lose Gonzalez to free agency next season and Kevin Youkilis is equally fantastic defensively at third base as at first, making this trade seem like a no-brainer.
Zach Greinke to the Yankees for Prospects
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Yesterday, a close source to Greinke claimed that the 27-year old righty would be willing to accept a deal to New York despite his social anxiety problems. While this currently seems unlikely, this trade could become a real possibility if the Bombers were unable to land Cliff Lee.
As we saw in October, the Yankees' rotation could use some serious help. A.J. Burnett has been an utter bust and Greinke is an affordable ace who is under contract until 2012.
The Royals would likely ask for Jesus Montero in any deal, but could possibly settle for a handful of the Yankees' young, high-ceiling prospects.
Jacoby Ellsbury and Prospects for David Wright
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Over the past few months, there have been rumblings around the Red Sox organization that they would prefer to deal Jacoby Ellsbury. The speedy outfielder’s rehab reportedly conflicted with the Sox' own ideas and the once untouchable prospect is now on the chopping block.
Around New York, there have been musings that either Jose Reyes and David Wright could be dealt after the team struggled to a 79-83 record.
Assuming Boston loses Adrian Beltre, Wright could fill the third base void for the Sox. Ellsbury’s value is at an all-time low and it could take additional prospects for the Sox to acquire Wright, but 28-year old Gold Glove-caliber third basemen with 30-30 potential don’t hit the market every day.
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Shaun Marcum to Cincinnati for Prospects
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The Reds were baseball’s biggest surprise last season. Behind the MVP performance of Joey Votto, Cincinnati won 91 games to claim their first post-season appearance in fifteen years.
Unfortunately once the Reds made the playoffs, they simply didn’t have the pitching to compete. Edinson Volquez has the makings of an ace, Johnny Cueto has great stuff and Bronson Arroyo has been serviceable, but this team needs an upgraded pitching staff.
My solution? A deal for Toronto’s Shaun Marcum. The 29-year old righty isn’t overpowering, but has one of the best changeups in baseball. Toronto is looking to rebuild and could be convinced to deal Marcum in exchange for a few prospects.
Perhaps first base prospect Yonder Alonso could be dealt. He was ranked as the organization's third-best prospect, but is stuck behind Joey Votto.
Vernon Wells to the Mets
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With a $16 million price tag, the Blue Jays would be more than happy to unload Vernon Wells. Meanwhile, the Mets could use a third outfielder to compliment Carlos Beltran and Jason Bay. Enter Wells.
The 32 year-old outfielder batted .273 last season with 31 homers and 88 RBI. There is pressure on New York to improve in a hurry, and assuming they can’t land either Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth, Wells would make a tremendous pickup.
If the Mets were willing to give up a few low-level prospects, they could easily pry Wells away from Toronto.
Russell Martin to the Red Sox
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After losing Victor Martinez to the Tigers, the Red Sox could enter the season with unproven Jarrod Saltalamacchia as their starting catcher. The 27-year old Martin tanked last season, and is on the chopping block.
If the Red Sox are willing to take a risk on the talented catcher, they could reap the benefits. In 2007 Martin batted .293 with 19 homers and 21 steals.
It wouldn’t take much for the Sox to acquire Martin, and he seems like a risk worth taking.
Matt Garza or James Shields to the White Sox For Prospects
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The Rays have an enormous amount of young pitching talent, and could easily be convinced to trade either Garza or Shields. Meanwhile, the White Sox rotation has more holes than a sieve.
Tampa looks to be in a rebuilding mode, as they are expected to lose both Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford, and could easily be convinced to deal some of their veteran pitchers.
Shields has looked terrible recently and could be dealt on the cheap, but Garza could take a little more prying. At only 27, Garza is still in his prime and just posted a 15-10 season with a 3.91 ERA and 150 strikeouts.
Perhaps a package centered around the young Cuban Dayan Viciedo (who looks primed for a move from third to first) could entice the wallet-conscious Rays.
Grady Sizemore to Atlanta For Prospects
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After underperforming in 2009, Cleveland fans were ecstatic when Grady Sizemore returned for opening day in 2010. Alas, their excitement was short-lived. Sizemore batted a paltry .211 in 33 games with zero homers before going down for the season.
What does that mean for a savvy GM? It means that Sizemore’s value is at an all-time low. This is a player who hit 33 home runs and stole 38 bases just two seasons ago. Only 28, Grady still has plenty of tread on his tires and could be a huge coup for a team that is willing to take a risk.
The Nate McClouth experiment was an utter failure for the Braves, and Grady could step into McLouth’s center field spot. The Braves added pop in Dan Uggla, but could still use a top of the order hitter to set the table for the big Uggla and young sensation Jason Heyward.
Two years ago, it would have taken a package built around a top prospect to land Grady, but now I think the Indians would deal him straight up for pitching prospect Mike Minor.
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