MLB Trade Rumors: Updating the Hottest Buzz for All 30 MLB Teams
The free agent cycle for baseball seems to be wrapping up. The final major names are beginning to get contracts. Most teams have stopped shopping around and are just trying to get things sorted out for next season.
While some teams made moves to make a playoff push next year, other teams have gotten rid of their stars and are relying on rebuilding this year. Nonetheless, there are a few teams that are continuing to make moves, even as spring training approaches. Which teams are set and which continue to make moves?
Arizona Diamondbacks
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The Diamondbacks have stated that they are done this offseason. Their acquisitions of J.J. Putz, Melvin Mora and others have been all the franchise decided to make.
Atlanta Braves
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The Braves wrapped up their moves early, acquiring Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla before the winter meetings. While the Pirates were in talks to potentially acquire Kenshin Kawakami, those went nowhere, and Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens and probably Mike Minor will be the starting rotation.
Adding in Uggla, along with Chipper Jones' return and Jason Heyward's likely sophomore improvement, the Braves didn't need to make all that many moves.
Baltimore Orioles
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The Orioles seemed to spring up everywhere during free agent talks. Over the past week, they went from having their name everywhere to making some moves, as they signed Derrek Lee to a one-year deal, which I imagine is for either seven or eight million. They have also penciled Luke Scott in as their designated hitter and look to improve next year, even if they didn't land as many free agents as they wanted.
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Boston Red Sox
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Just because the Red Sox signed Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford didn't mean they were going to hang it up after that. They recently signed Bobby Jenks to a deal to boost their bullpen, they are close to re-signing Hideki Okajima to a deal and rumors continue to buzz around about Daisuke Matsuzaka possibly being traded, though if it hasn't happened by now, then it probably won't.
Chicago Cubs
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The Chicago Cubs made a couple moves this offseason in signing Kerry Wood and Carlos Pena to contracts, but after that, nothing else really happened. They made plays to acquire Brandon Webb and others, but none of those deals went in the Cubs' favor. They tried to acquire Carl Pavano as well, but they won't give him a three-year deal.
The Cubs seem interested in working with who they have now, since they're working with a new manager on top of it all.
Chicago White Sox
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The White Sox have bolstered both sides of the equation this offseason after aquiring Adam Dunn and Jesse Crain. The former adds to a powerful middle of the order that features Paul Konerko, and Jesse Crain replaces J.J. Putz, who signed with the Diamondbacks. The big news is that Ozzie Guillen's contract does not have an extension on it and some changes could happen this year or next offseason.
Cincinnati Reds
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The Reds lost Arthur Rhodes to the Texas Rangers and things have been mostly quiet on their end. They did sign outfielder Jeremy Hermida earlier to help their outfield depth. They have money to use to replace Rhodes, and there are lefty relievers out there that the Reds can sign for a year, though it remains to be seen who that will be.
Cleveland Indians
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The Indians went into the offseason needing a third baseman and came out with a few minor leaguers. At least they still have Shin-soo Choo for awhile, and they got rid of Andy Marte. The Indians are still considering bringing in Bartolo Colon and they did trade for Joe Martinez from the Pirates earlier today, so minor moves are being made.
Colorado Rockies
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The big news on this front was the extensions of Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. While they lost Octavio Dotel to Toronto earlier today, they can shrug that off. They kept their foundation signed long-term and that was the top priority this offseason. Bringing in Ty Wigginton and Jose Lopez is just a bonus.
Detroit Tigers
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The Tigers made their move on the hitting front by bringing in Victor Martinez. On the pitching front, rumors are still abuzz on what they may do. On top of bringing in Joaquin Benoit, they have been linked to Brad Penny and may make another small move or two late in the offseason.
Florida Marlins
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The Marlins have a lot of farm talent, but it's hard to utilize that when the power hitters keep leaving. Dan Uggla is gone and we'll see if Omar Infante can play every day. The Cameron Maybin move was a major deal as well, and I only see the Marlins getting perhaps one more left-handed bat late in the offseason.
Houston Astros
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The Astros seem pretty much done this offseason. They did not make too many moves and if they add any more players to their roster, it will be through the minor leagues. Jeff Keppinger is reportedly being shopped around on the trade market, but personally, I don't buy that. I think he'll remain in Houston.
Kansas City Royals
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Welcome to fire-sale central, population: Joakim Soria. The closer that we get to spring training, the less likely it is that Soria will leave. If the Royals got a trade they loved, he would have already been gone like Greinke and DeJesus were. Their acquisitions were Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera, so they could add a couple bullpen arms who are coming off bad seasons.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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The Angels have been in the rumor mill a lot recently by association. Namely, if Vladimir Guerrero ends up not signing with Texas because they sign Beltre, then Guerrero could be making a return to the Angels. They ended up surprisingly quiet this offsesason after being considered frontrunners for multiple big names, none of who ended up with the team.
Los Angeles Dodgers
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The big news recently is that the Dodgers were apparently considering shopping James Loney and may still do so during the trade deadline. Beyond that, they were rumored to be interested in Marcus Thames, but nothing's come of that. Just as long as the divorce story isn't what's making headlines...
Milwaukee Brewers
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In my opinion, they had the best offseason. Zack Greinke was a great pickup and Shaun Marcum was perhaps the most underrated pickup. After keeping Prince Fielder and signing Takashi Saito earlier, the consensus is that the Brewers are done until spring training and can now relax.
Minnesota Twins
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The Twins continue to bide their time and any big moves in late January or February will probably be moves done by the Twins. Carl Pavano seems to be between the Twins and Nationals now and Jim Thome remains a free agent who could re-sign with the Twins. They need to find replacements for Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier, which they haven't yet.
New York Mets
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It took the Mets long enough, but they've finally been making some moves this past week. They signed pitchers Chris Capuano and Taylor Buchholz to help bolster their rotation and bullpen. Mike Pelfrey could be the only starter that a casual baseball fan might recognize when opening day shows up, unless more moves are made.
New York Yankees
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After finally getting Jeter and Rivera signed, what's the Yankees' big prize in this year's free agent pool? Russell Martin. They haven't been mentioned in recent starting pitcher rumors, so either they're really hoping Andy Pettitte comes back or they're going to work with what they have. I still see them getting a lower-level starter late to be safe.
Andrew Jones has been rumored as a potential fourth outfielder, but it's much too early on that front, even if having a backup who can start if Granderson struggles would be a nice touch.
Oakland Athletics
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The Athletics made a lot of under-the-radar trades over the past month or two that you likely missed. The A's acquired David DeJesus, Josh Willingham and Hideki Matsui, among others. Surprisingly, they're not done yet. I can see them aquiring another reliever to help out their bullpen, though exactly who the reliever will be is not yet known.
Philadelphia Phillies
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Wow have the Phils been busy this offseason. After acquiring Cliff Lee and continuing their shopping of Joe Blanton, they continue to have talks with reliever Chad Durbin in an attempt to bring him back. Once they get rid of Blanton, though, don't expect any further moves from this organization.
Pittsburgh Pirates
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The Pirates managed to get their names in a few rumors, but most of it ended up being hearsay. They did sign Kevin Correia and Matt Diaz to deals, though, and let Zach Duke go, but they did not acquire any big names. They'll continue popping up on many pitcher rumor reports, including Kenshin Kawakami's lately, so they'll still be signing a few here and there in February.
San Diego Padres
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The Heath Bell rumor mill continues to churn, even though there hasn't been any updates on it in some time. Where do you start with the team that lost an innings eater in Jon Garland and their best hitter in Adrian Gonzalez? How about signing Brad Hawpe, Aaron Harang, Jason Bartlett and a myriad of others? There's a lot of work to do here, but the moves show potential.
San Francisco Giants
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The World Series champions didn't need to add a lot. Edgar Renteria was handed an offer by the Cincinnati Reds, so if the Giants want to keep him, they need to act fast. They replaced Juan Uribe with Miguel Tejada and signed Aubrey Huff, and they could still sign someone to be a spot starter. The only move left I think they'll pull is a replacement for Renteria soon.
Seattle Mariners
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The Mariners need hitting help, so what do they do this offseason? Besides signing Jack Cust, not much. They need to find a replacement for Jose Lopez in terms of hitting. They brought in Brendan Ryan, who's good for fielding, and re-signed Josh Bard today, but finding a hitter is way less likely now that David Aardsma is shelved until opening day due to surgery.
St. Louis Cardinals
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The Cardinals pretty much just needed to shore up their infield, which they did by shipping off Brendan Ryan and bringing in Ryan Theriot. Signing Lance Berkman could pay dividends as well. All they need to do now is put 100 percent of their efforts into keeping around Albert Pujols for this decade.
Tampa Bay Rays
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The most recent news on the Rays is that they're interested in signing Manny Delcarmen to a deal, and they now seem off the wagon in acquiring Fred Lewis. With how many players they lost in the offseason, pretty much any signing in the lineup or bullpen is an improvement.
Texas Rangers
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The Rangers have been in free agent talks nonstop this offseason, and even in January, they show no signs of slowing down. After looking like they were about to sign Vladimir Guerrero, rumor has it that they are about to sign Adrian Beltre.
With the Rangers, until something's a done deal you can't count it. Then again, I still don't see Beltre signing with them even if Mike Young is willing to move to DH. In other news, Brandon Webb signed with the team earlier this week. If he remains healthy, that should be a great pickup after they missed out on both Lee and Greinke.
Toronto Blue Jays
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Big news for the final three teams on this slide, with Toronto's maybe being the most surprising. They signed Chad Cordero to a contract earlier to day, which pretty much means Kevin Gregg's gone. The Blue Jays were on the rumor mill for Brian Fuentes as well, but after this signing, I think we can safely discount that.
Washington Nationals
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Saving the most enjoyable to write about for last, the Nationals seem to be in talks with so many players that it keeps people like me busy. They signed Jayson Werth and were in talks for players too numerous to name this offseason. They brought in Chad Gaudin and Henry Rodriguez for the bullpen and are one of two teams in talks for Carl Pavano.
It looks like Adam LaRoche will sign a two-year deal with the Nats and rumors say that they nearly acquired Zack Greinke lately to top off their laundry list. Could they end up signing Joe Blanton, even if they get Pavano?
You know, I wouldn't put it past them.
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