MLB Trade Ideas: Updating Suitors for Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder and More
The opening month of the season is a time for optimism around baseball, as everyone is still in the running at that point. Still, there are clearly teams that will not be in that position for long, and they need to look ahead to what moves they may make midseason to strengthen their team moving forward.
There are a number of intriguing options who may find themselves on the trade block sooner rather than later, with no name larger than Prince Fielder, who has been at the center of trade rumors for what seems like years now.
So here is an update on eight of the top potential trade targets and where they are likely to end up if and when they become available this season.
Aaron Hill
1 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
Dodgers, Mets, Tigers, Phillies
The Blue Jays announced on Saturday that they had declined Hill's options for 2012-2014, and while the team could certainly still come to terms on a new deal following this season, they could also look to deal him if he shows flashes of his 2009 form.
Hill broke out in 2009 with a line of .286 BA, 36 HR, 108 RBI, but his average fell to just .205 last season and his power numbers dipped to 26 HR and 68 RBI in what was a tough year for the 29-year-old.
The Dodgers make the most sense as a trade partner, as they have utility man Jamey Carrol as their second baseman right now, and the team would benefit from returning him to that role.
The Mets and Tigers both have young, largely unproven players at second base to open the season, and could be in the market for a replacement at some point. Also, if Chase Utley is bothered by his knee injury again, the Phillies will not want to use Wilson Valdez as their everyday second baseman.
Fausto Carmona
2 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
Yankees, Rangers, Nationals
Carmona was at the center of a good deal of trade speculation last season, but was inevitably not dealt. Considering the Indians don't appear any better off for the 2011 season, he will no doubt be rumored to be traded much of this season, and chances are he will before the deadline.
Granted, he has not been able to duplicate the success that made him a 19-game winner in 2007, but he was an All-Star last season, winning 13 games and posting a 3.77 ERA.
The Yankees will almost certainly look to acquire a starting pitcher at some point this season, and if higher profile names like Chris Carpenter and Edwin Jackson do not become available, Carmona could be the answer. The Rangers and Nationals are both capable of putting together a package to acquire Carmona and have the money to lock him up.
Edwin Jackson
3 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
Yankees, Cardinals, Rangers,
Depending on how the career of the White Sox stud pitching prospect Chris Sale progresses, Jackson could become expendable by midseason if Sale is in fact moved from the bullpen to the rotation.
Both Jackson and teammate Mark Buehrle are free agents at season's end, but Jackson, who is a Scott Boras client, could be looking for a big contract that the White Sox may not be willing to give him. That could result in the team trying to move him before they lose him.
All bets are off, however, if the White Sox jump out to a lead in the AL Central, as they are a team that is built to win now, and would certainly benefit from having Jackson for a pennant run.
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Grady Sizemore
4 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
Braves, Rangers, Mets
Sizemore, like the Indians as a whole, has largely been a disappointment the last couple seasons, as he has been injured and ineffective since his best season in 2008.
He begins the 2011 season on the disabled list after appearing in only 33 games all of last season. Still, he is just 28 years old, and was once a legitimate 30-30 threat who played stellar defense.
The Braves and Rangers are two teams that have moderately high payrolls and are fairly weak at those positions with Nate McLouth and Julio Bordon, respectively. The Mets on the other hand are expected to part ways with Carlos Beltran at season's end, and they could get a jump on signing Sizemore by acquiring him midseason. Regardless, Sizemore will have to show that he still has it to even garner any trade interest.
Heath Bell
5 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
White Sox, Blue Jays, Mets, Reds
If the Padres fall out of contention, and the chances that they are able to duplicate the success that they had last season seem slim with the lineup that they have, Bell will likely be dealt as he will be a free agent at season's end.
The White Sox and Blue Jays are two teams who could be interested in upgrading their current closer situation, as he would allow the White Sox to move Matt Thornton back to the setup role where he was an All-Star last season, and would represent a significant upgrade over current Blue Jays closer Jon Rauch.
The Mets and Reds are two teams with highly paid closers whose options may not be picked up for 2012, so they may look ahead to that and try to acquire Bell and lock him up.
Jose Reyes
6 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
Red Sox, Angels, Giants
What the Mets do in the next year will go a long way towards determining whether or not they will be a contender for the next several years, as they have a ton of money coming off the books with Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Francisco Rodriguez, Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo all heading for free agency.
While the Mets may still make a run at re-signing him, they will almost certainly move him if they are not sure they can get a deal done.
The Red Sox certainly have a hole at shortstop, as Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie represent the weak spot in a stacked lineup. Two teams in need of an offensive spark out west seem like the most likely destinations for Reyes.
The Giants inked Miguel Tejada as a stopgap option, but they could certainly use an offensive boost if they hope to defend their title. Meanwhile, the Angels missed out on both Carl Crawford and Adrian Beltre in the offseason, and showed their willingness to pull the trigger on a deal when they picked up Vernon Wells.
Chris Carpenter
7 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destinations
Yankees, Rangers, Nationals
With the injury of Adam Wainwright, the Cardinals have taken a step back this season and can no longer be considered the favorites to win the NL Central as they have been the past few seasons.
Carpenter has a team option after this season, and it would seem as though priority number one for the Cardinals this offseason would be re-signing Albert Pujols, and that could mean moving Carpenter to free up some money.
If it comes to that, and Carpenter has said he would be willing to waive his no trade clause, the Yankees would obviously be the front-runners to acquire Carpenter as they have a fairly weak rotation. Beyond that, the Rangers and Nationals, who both made serious moves to try to sign Cliff Lee this off season, could also be interested in picking up the 36-year-old ace.
Prince Fielder
8 of 8
Most Likely Trade Destination
Nationals, Blue Jays, Rangers
First off, in order for Fielder to be dealt, the Brewers will have to fall out of contention, as they appear geared up to make a run at the postseason after adding Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum in the offseason and choosing not to give up Fielder to get them. It looks more and more like he will be playing elsewhere in 2012 though, so if the Brewers do falter, they will look to get something for their departing slugger.
While injuries and ineffective play could add a few more teams to this list, right now it looks as though the Nationals, Blue Jays or Rangers would make the most sense. All three teams seemed willing to spend money this past offseason, have some good young talent and are in need of a long-term solution at first base.
For now, however, the Brewers and Fielder are optimistic about what could be a big season for Milwaukee in 2011.
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