MLB Trade Rumors: Panic Moves That Will Be Made By Teams Jilted By Stars
MLB trade rumors are still circulating and teams are not done wheeling and dealing.
Teams that missed out on the big free agents and hot trade targets will still be looking to reload.
Whether that means they have to give up a number of hot prospects in a trade, or give a player a contract above his market value in order to steal him away from suitors, which teams are ready to gamble in order to improve their outlook for the upcoming season?
10. Texas Rangers
1 of 10
The Texas Rangers have a lot of money and plenty of prospects after they lost out on Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke. While the team has a solid rotation, they don't have a true ace.
If they wanted to swing for the fences, they could deal for Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays. The problem, however, would be the return package.
The Rays are likely to ask for a lot of young, top prospects as they have no incentive to move Garza now with his contract on the books for two more seasons. That asking price could include the Rangers' pitching prospects Martin Perez and Tanner Scheppers.
9. Minnesota Twins
2 of 10
The Minnesota Twins missed out on Zack Greinke and they don't seem to like the idea of offering Carl Pavano 3 years at nearly $10 million per season.
If they're unwilling to go after a free agent, then that opens up avenues for trade talks and the team does need to bolster their rotation.
It appears that the chances of Matt Garza being moved are more a matter of when than if. The Twins could swing for the fences and give up the farm to get him.
8. New York Mets
3 of 10
The New York Mets have a new regime in town and they have yet to make any moves this offseason. They've been trying to move Carlos Beltran, but that's been a difficult task.
Tom Gorzelanny could be a viable option for the team if they can pry him away from the Cubs.
However, the team could also use another bat. Jacoby Ellsbury from Boston could find himself on his way out after the Red Sox made a bunch of big signings. Boston was a rumored destination for Beltran and while the chances of him moving there are now gone, the Mets could still find the pieces to grab Ellsbury from the Red Sox.
.png?w=256)
7. Washington Nationals
4 of 10
The Washington Nationals shocked the free agent market with a huge deal given to Jayson Werth. However, they weren't done just yet.
The Nationals made an offer to Cliff Lee, but we all know how that turned out. They even reportedly had a deal in place for Zack Greinke, but he used his no trade clause to avoid going to D.C.
It's clear that the Nationals are tired of being in the basement of the league and they've been retooling their roster to bring them to a level of respectability. Pitching appears to be their main focus and there really aren't many options out there.
If they miss out on the remaining starting and relief pitchers, they could chase after Matt Garza, Joakim Soria or Heath Bell. The problem, however, is that they have to give up a great deal of assets in order to obtain either.
6. Baltimore Orioles
5 of 10
The Baltimore Orioles missed out on a number of players. They tried to get Victor Martinez, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko, but all bolted for other cities.
Now, they're reportedly trying to work out a deal with Adam LaRoche, but until there's ink on paper, nothing is a sure thing.
If that doesn't work out, they might give Derrek Lee the $10 million salary he's looking for. Lee is still a capable player, but he's not young and that's not a cheap contract.
5. San Diego Padres
6 of 10
The San Diego Padres traded away Adrian Gonzalez for little, Miguel Tejada left for a division rival and now they're left trying to rebuild their roster.
There's a good chance that the Padres go after Jason Bartlett, hard. They could offer Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos and more for the shortstop.
The question will be whether or not Bartlett is worth that much to the team.
4. Chicago Cubs
7 of 10
The Chicago Cubs are active in trade talks and there are a number of players reportedly on their radar.
Getting another arm appears to be the main goal and Brandon Webb is a potential name they could chase.
The problem with getting Webb is that he hasn't played since 2009 and it's hard to gauge where he's at as a pitcher. He was a stud back then, but he could be a completely different pitcher by spring training.
3. Los Angeles Angels
8 of 10
The Angels missed out on Carl Crawford, Hideki Matsui left the team for Oakland and they're running out of options.
They could still give a big offer to Adrian Beltre, but the asking price could go as high as $75 million over 5 years.
The team has Mike Trout and Hank Conger to offer in a trade, and they could go after Prince Fielder.
The problem is that Scott Boras represents Fielder and the Angels may trade away valuable prospects only to get a one year rental out of Fielder.
2. New York Yankees
9 of 10
The New York Yankees are hurting badly for a pitcher after losing out in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
While Andy Petitte appears to be set on retiring, the Yankees may try and sign him to a massive one year deal well above his market value in order to have another reliable arm in the bullpen.
Now that Russell Martin is with the team, the Yankees may also go as far as trading away highly-coveted prospect, Jesus Montero, to another team in order to get a starting pitcher.
Matt Garza's a hot name, but the chances of the Tampa Bay Rays dealing him to a division rival are slim to none.
This paves the way for the Cubs to try and ship out Carlos Zambrano to the team. Zambrano is set to make $18 million next season, so that hefty contract wouldn't be easy to swallow, even for the Yankees.
Plus, there's always the chance that Zambrano goes berserk on a teammate or coach.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
10 of 10
The Los Angeles Dodgers missed out on all the free agents and they're back at square one.
There are a number of free agents still out there, but none that fill a great need or ones that can be impact players.
So, the Dodgers do the unexpected and bring out the very player they just shipped away: Manny Ramirez.
.png?w=480)
