MLB Trade Rumors: 20 Players Whose Movement Could Change the Playoff Picture
With the MLB Hot Stove season heating up at this week's winter meetings, some things are starting to take shape.
The Nationals shocked the baseball world by giving Jayson Werth $126 million. Big names have already been traded and more are sure to come.
Here is a list of 20 players, a mixture of free agents and guys who could potentially be traded, that can make an impact on the 2011 MLB regular season and into the postseason.
Zack Greinke, SP, Kansas City Royals
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There are all sorts of rumors that the Royals are looking into trading the 2009 AL Cy Young winner. He had a down year posting an ERA of 4.17, his strikeouts were down, and he really never got into that rhythm that he had in 2009. His control never seemed as sharp as it was but he still has ace-stuff. His fastball is 93-97 with good movement and his slider is one of the best in baseball.
It will take a big deal for the Royals to move him, but don't be surprised if someone offers it because he is that good. Plus, he is under contract for two years and is only 27 years old.
Carl Crawford, OF, Free Agent
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The biggest winner from the Jayson Werth signing is Carl Crawford. He is younger than Werth and a better all-around player. He hits for average, steals bases, has 18-20 home run power and is one of the best defensive players in baseball.
He is a difference maker for any team that can pony up enough dough to get him signed.
Cliff Lee, SP, Free Agent
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By far the best starting pitcher on the free agent market, Cliff Lee will make a huge impact wherever he goes.
It's clear that from all the teams that have serious interest right now, that the Rangers need him the most. He was the difference for that team and arguably the biggest reason that they were able to make it to the first world series in franchise history.
Matt Garza, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
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All the talk about starting pitchers who could get traded is focused on Zack Greinke, but Matt Garza is not a bad alternative. The Rays have to cut payroll and are taking offers on Garza.
He has a mid-90's fastball and a really sharp breaking ball. He was a bit up and down in 2010 but he still has No. 1 starter potential.
Carlos Beltran, OF, New York Mets
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A few teams have been linked to Carlos Beltran, and when healthy, he is a difference maker. He plays a terrific centerfield and is a great all-around hitter with power and speed.
His biggest issue has been staying healthy. If a team is able to acquire him and he stays healthy, he is a huge impact bat in the middle of a lineup.
Prince Fielder, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
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Prince Fielder has been on the market for the last two years. The Brewers are asking for a lot for him, as they should, given the numbers that he puts up.
Teams are reluctant to give up what they would have in order to acquire Fielder, as they should be given his size and the fact that Scott Boras is his agent and he will look for a HUGE deal for the first baseman when he hits free agency after 2011.
Andy Pettitte, SP, Free Agent
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Andy Pettitte will likely only pitch for the Yankees, if he pitches at all in 2011. However, he is a potential impact pitcher no matter where he goes. He was having a very good season in 2010 before injuries brought a halt to that.
He can still give a team a lot of good, quality innings and be very productive when he pitches.
Justin Upton, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks
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He is only 23 years old and just signed a very affordable 6-year contract before the 2010 season. You can imagine the surprise around baseball when word came out that they would be open to trading Justin Upton.
He had a down year but was really good in 2009, and as I said before, he is only 23 and can still improve.
The trade talk has died down, in fact Arizona says they probably won't move him. If they did, the team acquiring him would have to gut their farm system in order to get him.
Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
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The Dodgers ownership situation is still a mess with the divorce of the McCourts getting uglier every single day; now a judge has ruled that both Frank and Jamie McCourt are still co-owners of the team. They have so much financial uncertainty that it means almost everyone in the organization is up for grabs.
Matt Kemp is a tremendously gifted centerfielder who at times seemed to clash with Joe Torre over how hard he was playing. He has the talent to make a difference in any lineup, if he wants to play.
Heath Bell, RP, San Diego Padres
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Another player whose name has been talked about in trade rumors for a long time, Heath Bell can make a difference for a team seeking late-inning relief help. He has really made himself into an elite closer the last few years in San Diego.
Teams are always looking for bullpen help and Bell is one of the best bets in the trade market.
Jonathan Broxton, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Another potential victim of the McCourt divorce, Jonathan Broxton is one of the hardest throwers in all of baseball. His fastball regularly touches 100 mph and his breaking ball is a true swing-and-miss pitch.
His name was talked about a little bit at the winter meetings, and he could be on the move to a contender that needs help in the bullpen.
Magglio Ordonez, OF, Free Agent
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He doesn't have the power that he used to, but Magglio Ordonez is still a really good hitter. He can work the count as well as anyone and he will put the ball in play.
He doesn't strike out a lot and gets on base at a high percentage (he hasn't posted an OBP lower than .351 in the last 10 years). He may not be the great hitter that he once was but he can still make an impact in the lineup.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Free Agent
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Adrian Beltre is one of the best all-around third baseman in baseball. However, he does come with some risk because he only seems to perform at his full potential in a contract year, it happened with the Dodgers in 2004, the Mariners in 2009, and the Red Sox in 2010.
He has power, is a good hitter and is one of the three best defensive third baseman in all of baseball. He can change a game with either the bat or the glove.
Carl Pavano, SP, Free Agent
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Yankee fans will laugh at the notion of Carl Pavano being an impact player, but you can't deny what he has been able to do the last two years. He came back in 2009 and had to remake himself since he lost some miles on his fastball. The results weren't always great but something was there.
In 2010, the transformation was complete and he became a good pitcher who uses a fastball-changeup combination to get by. He can give a team 200 innings and stability in the rotation. At a time when pitching is so precious, a guy like that can be a tremendous value to a team.
Manny Ramirez, OF, Free Agent
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Manny Ramirez has fallen off in the last two years. He doesn't have the bat speed that he used to, nor does he possess the power that he used to.
However, he can still turn on an average fastball and has doubles power. He can be a solid DH for a team that has power coming from other spots in the lineup.
Jim Thome, DH, Minnesota Twins
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Jim Thome came out of nowhere to put together a very good 2010 season as the Twins DH. His value is based on his power and his ability to get on base.
If a team is weak at the DH spot and is looking for a big upgrade, Thome can be a difference maker at the position.
Carlos Zambrano, SP, Chicago Cubs
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Despite Carlos Zambrano's strong finish to the 2010 season, the Cubs would love to move the outspoken pitcher. He is ill-tempered and will lash out at anyone, at anytime.
That said, he is still a really good pitcher and can make a difference to a team that is a good starter away from contending.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Chicago Cubs
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While the Cubs have not made Aramis Ramirez readily available, he is in the last year of his contract and if the Cubs fall out of the race, they could look to move their third baseman.
He is a pretty good fielder and he has tremendous power at the plate. He can be a middle-of-the-order hitter for a team and provide 30-35 homers if he can stay healthy.
Colby Rasmus, OF, St Louis Cardinals
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He is a budding star for the Cardinals in centerfield, but he and Cardinals manager Tony La Russa have had their issues and it has led to speculation that Colby Rasmus could be moved.
It would be a major coup for any team that is able to acquire him. He is a five-tool caliber player, the only thing that he needs to work on is hitting against LHP's.
Rafael Soriano, RP, Free Agent
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Rafael Soriano was traded from the Braves to the Rays in 2010 and was arguably the best closer in baseball last year; an impressive feat given that he was in the same division as guys like Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon.
He has tremendous stuff and can be a solidifying force at the back of a bullpen.
