MLB Trade Rumors: Chris Carpenter & 10 Unexpected Names Who May Become Available
With the offseason wrapping up and Spring Training just around the corner, most of the significant offseason moves have already been made, as teams look now to make minor moves to help fill out their roster and provide some depth.
However, as the season grows near and even into the first few months of the season, there could be a number of big names suddenly available on the trade market as teams look to make the most of upcoming free agents and rebuilding team hope to strengthen their rosters.
So here are 10 names, some of which you may be surprised to hear, who may become available on the trade market this coming season.
Jose Reyes
1 of 10
Age: 28
Career Stats: .286 BA, 74 HR, 379 RBI, 634 Runs, 331 SB, 924 Games
2010 Stats: .282 BA, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 83 Runs, 30 SB, 133 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Just a few years ago, Reyes was on par with Carl Crawford as the game's most complete and dangerous leadoff hitter. His season averages from 2006-2008 were .292 BA, 16 HR, 69 RBI, 66 SB as he was arguably the best table setter in all of baseball.
However, he has been hampered by injuries the past two seasons, missing a total of 155 games, and the Mets have suffered because of it. Regardless, when he hits free agency following the 2011 season, he will be looking for a contract similar to the seven-year, $142 million megadeal that Crawford signed this offseason.
He won't get it from the Mets, so look for them to deal him if they fall out of contention early.
Joakim Soria
2 of 10
Age: 27
Career Stats: 8-10, 132 Saves, 2.01 ERA, 281 Ks, 9.9 K/9, 238 Games
2010 Stats: 1-2, 43 Saves, 1.78 ERA, 71 Ks, 9.7 K/9, 66 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Soria has quickly established himself as one of the best closers in all of baseball since breaking into the league in 2007, and he has saved 115 games over the past three seasons despite playing for some less than spectacular Royals teams.
His name has been thrown around in trade rumors the past few seasons, and many feel it is almost a foregone conclusion he will be Mariano Rivera's heir as the Yankees closer when he becomes a free agent after the 2012 season.
For the time being, however, he is the second-highest paid player on the Royals, and they have a number of holes that could be patched with the salary relief and prospects that would come in a trade of Soria.
Jose Bautista
3 of 10
Age: 30
Career Stats: .244 BA, 113 HR, 335 RBI, 350 Runs, 736 Games
2010 Stats: .260 BA, 54 HR, 124 RBI, 109 Runs, 161 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
A career utility player, Bautista came out of nowhere last season to lead baseball in home runs, as nearly half of his hits were home runs. He played a big part in making baseball in Toronto interesting again in 2010, and he won't take anyone by surprise in 2011.
However, the chances that Bautista matches, or even approaches, the numbers he put up in 2010 are slim. He is a free agent after the 2011 season, and it could go one of two ways. Either he has another huge season and the Blue Jays can't afford him, or he falls back to Earth.
In either case, the Blue Jays would be smart to deal him while his value is high, and if he starts the year out strong, they might do just that.
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Justin Upton
4 of 10
Age: 23
Career Stats: .272 BA, 60 HR, 208 RBI, 226 Runs, 41 SB, 422 Games
2010 Stats: .273 BA, 17 HR, 69 RBI, 73 Runs, 18 SB, 133 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Upton seemed destined for stardom after a .300 BA, 26 HR, 86 RBI, 20 SB season in 2009, but he took a step back in 2010. While he is still just 23, and already has three-and-a-half seasons of big-league experience under his belt, there was talk he may be on the market this past offseason.
The Diamondbacks are clearly in a full-on rebuild, and they are incredibly short on pitching. Despite his down season, Upton still has enough potential to fetch an incredible package of prospects, and the Diamondbacks are certainly not short on needs.
There were talks with the Red Sox this offseason before they signed Carl Crawford, and Upton could become available at some point this season.
Mark Buehrle
5 of 10
Age: 32
Career Stats: 148-110, 3.85 ERA, 120 ERA+, 1,287 Ks, 359 Games
2010 Stats: 13-13, 4.28 ERA, 102 ERA+, 99 Ks, 33 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Buehrle has been a staple in the White Sox rotation since 2001, making at least 30 starts each year and winning an average of 14 games per season. He is a fan favorite, and he has given the White Sox some memorable moments with a no-hitter, perfect game and one of the best defensive plays in recent memory.
However, the White Sox have a surplus of pitching right now, with Gavin Floyd, John Danks, Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson joining Buehlre in the rotation and top prospect Chris Sale ready to make an impact as well. With the signing of Adam Dunn and the team still needing to sign a closer, they will be looking to shed some payroll, and with Buehrle set to make $14 million in 2011, he could be the odd man out.
Matt Kemp
6 of 10
Age: 26
Career Stats: .285 BA, 89 HR, 331 RBI, 349 Runs, 104 SB, 626 Games
2010 Stats: .249 BA, 28 HR, 89 RBI, 82 Runs, 19 SB, 162 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Kemp looked to be the next great five-tool player after a .297 BA, 26 HR, 101 RBI, 34 SB season in 2009 in which he also won the Gold Glove. However, he took a big step back last season, hitting just .249 and striking out a whopping 170 times.
With his current contract up at the end of the season, the Dodgers could choose to deal Kemp if he opens the season strong and shows some of the potential he did in 2009. With the Dodgers' recent financial issues, and the ongoing ownership issues, the team may opt not to re-sign Kemp and will look to make the most of his value with a trade.
Grady Sizemore
7 of 10
Age: 28
Career Stats: .278 BA, 129 HR, 426 RBI, 567 Runs, 134 SB, 821 Games
2010 Stats: .211 BA, 0 HR, 13 RBI, 15 Runs, 4 SB, 33 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Sizemore seemed destined for stardom when he took over as the Indians' starting center fielder at the age of 22 in 2005. After four straight seasons with at least 20 SB and 20 HR and a pair of Gold Gloves, Sizemore fell hard in 2009 when he struggled with injuries and finished with a .248 BA, 18 HR, 64 RBI line. The 2010 season was even worse, as he was again injured and missed substantial time.
All that said, he is still fairly young, and he will be a free agent at the conclusion of the 2011 season. If he starts the season off well and proves he is healthy, he could become a big trade chip for the rebuilding Indians, and he could greatly help a contender.
Chris Carpenter
8 of 10
Age: 36
Career Stats: 133-83, 3.80 ERA, 117 ERA+, 1,494 Ks, 313 Games
2010 Stats: 16-9, 3.22 ERA, 122 ERA+, 179 Ks, 35 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
There is no denying how valuable Carpenter has been for the Cardinals over the past several seasons. His bounce-back from injury is among the most impressive in baseball history, as he has won 33 games in the past two seasons before making just five appearances the previous two seasons.
However, the looming free agency of Albert Pujols is the No. 1 concern for the Cardinals at this point, and with the emergence of Adam Wainwright as the team's ace, Carpenter could be put on the block. He is due $15 million this coming season and will get another $1 million buyout in 2012. If the team could deal him for prospects, it could go a long way towards paying for the megadeal Pujols will be looking for.
Carlos Beltran
9 of 10
Age: 34
Career Stats: .282 BA, 280 HR, 1062 RBI, 1,106 Runs, 289 SB, 1,626 Games
2010 Stats: .255 BA, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 21 Runs, 3 SB, 64 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Beltran signed an enormous seven-year, $119 million deal with the Mets after the 2004 season, and he is among the most complete outfielders in all of baseball. Through six years of the deal, he has posted an average season of .279 BA, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 16 SB and 124 games. While solid, that is far from what the team expected when they signed him.
With his contract set to expire at season's end, he could be among the most attractive options when the trade deadline rolls around. Chances are the Mets won't be in the NL East running, and they will certainly be looking to get something for Beltran if they can land some prospects and save some money.
Felix Hernandez
10 of 10
Age: 25
Career Stats: 71-53, 3.20 ERA, 133 ERA+, 1,042 Ks, 172 Games
2010 Stats: 13-12, 2.27 ERA, 174 ERA+, 232 Ks, 34 Games
Reason He Could Become Available
Hernandez is arguably the American League's best pitcher, and it is hard to believe he is still just 25 years old, after he broke into the big leagues at the age of 19. He took home the first of what could be many Cy Young Awards last season, and he could still get better.
That said, the Mariners are a ways from competing, and if they again fall out of contention, they could be swayed by the right offer for Hernandez. They could fill a number of holes by dealing him and take some steps towards once again contending.
It is a bit of a long shot, but it could happen.
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