MLB Trades: Hot Trade Predictions Before Spring Training

Trade rumors are swirling and teams are getting antsy to pull the trigger on a move.  There are several players who are hot and some who have cooled since the winter meetings.  This slideshow will give you, the reader, a feel for what could happen.  

We will break down the deals and give you a scenario for each transaction.

1. Matt Garza to the Toronto Blue Jays

Blue Jays Get: Matt Garza

Cubs Get: Chase d'Arnaud, Joel Carreno and Alan Farina

The Blue Jays have come up short in their bids for some major arms this offseason, but could very well pull off a deal for Matt Garza.  The Blue Jays will have to decide who they want more, J.P. Arencibia or Chase d'Arnaud.  I ultimately think d'Arnaud will be the odd man out and will be the key to this deal.  Joel Carreno is a future closer who should make the team out of spring training and Farina is a talented prospect in the minor leagues. 

According to The Chicago Sun Times, Cubs President Theo Epstein sees Garza as "exactly the type of pitcher [the Cubs] want to build around," but they are open to any offers on anyone. Theo Epstein would like to make a play for Kyle Drabek here, but that could be asking a bit much of Toronto.  D'Arnaud is probably the Blue Jays' top offensive prospect and could be a find for the Cubbies.  The Cubs have also let it be known that they are looking for a future closer and could find their guy in Carreno.  

2. Seth Smith to the Athletics

Athletics Get: Seth Smith and Eric Young Jr.

Rockies Get: Tyson Ross, Matthew Sulentic and Josh Donaldson

Seth Smith had a very good season in 2011, but with the addition of Michael Cuddyer, he has been relegated to spot duty, which is a little above him at this point.  While he may not light the world on fire, he could become valuable for an organization in need of an outfielder like Oakland.  Eric Young Jr. is another candidate that has been ousted from everyday playing time and while he may not be an everyday player in Oakland either, he could become a super-utility guy like Martin Prado or Ryan Freel.  

The Rockies need depth at starting pitcher and Tyson Ross would be their gem.  He had spots of pure amazement in Oakland, but also a ton of inconsistency as well.  He is not the top prospect he once was, but could be a perfect No. 4 or 5 starter in Colorado.  

Sulentic is a mid-level outfielder who is a little bit away from reaching the majors, but could be a prime fourth outfielder in the future.  Josh Donaldson could be the backup to Ramon Hernandez this season and should battle it out with Jordan Pacheco for that playing time.  

3. Martin Prado to the Tampa Bay Rays

Rays Get: Martin Prado

Braves Get: Reid Brignac, Nevin Ashley and Alexander Colome

Martin Prado had a wonderful 2010, but fell back to earth in 2011.  He is the perfect definition of super-utility and should fill the same role in Tampa.  He can play about anywhere on the field and should, in fact, be on the field more than he was in Atlanta.  

The Braves have a high asking price for Prado, which is a little over his value, and the price should continue to decline until a deal gets done.  Do not be surprised if the Braves throw in more and the Rays do as well.  

Reid Brignac had a stellar 2011 and could get a chunk of playing time until Tyler Pastornicky is ready.  Nevin Ashley is a solid catching prospect, who projects to be a backup at some point and Alexander Colome had his moments in 2011, but is more of a swingman for the bullpen.  He could be a solid pickup under the right circumstances. 

4. Carlos Quentin to the San Francisco Giants

Giants Get: Carlos Quentin

White Sox Get: Brett Pill, Gary Brown and Wilmin Rodriguez

The White Sox are in a rebuilding mode and are looking to unload many top players.  Quentin has been as good as you could ask for, but his time has run out in Chicago.  The Giants would love to have an improvement over Nate Schierholtz and this could be their answer. 

The key to the deal would be prospect Gary Brown, who is not quite ready, but is an attractive piece to the puzzle for Chicago.  If he lives up to the hype as a top prospect, then look out AL Central.  

Brett Pill was once a top prospect in the Giants organization, but only projects as a utility guy, which is always a luxury in the American League.  Wilmin Rodriguez is also an intriguing left-handed reliever, who could be a setup guy in the future for the White Sox. 

5. Gavin Floyd to the Baltimore Orioles

Orioles Get: Gavin Floyd

White Sox Get: Brian Matusz, Ryan Adams and Zachary Phillips

The Orioles have the offense to compete in the AL East, but their pitching has been dreadful to say the least.  Gavin Floyd could bolster that staff to help compete in such a tough division.  The Orioles also have the funds to pick up Floyd's option in 2013 and could look to sign him to an extension.  

The Orioles would have to give up former first-round pick Brian Matusz in the deal, but they may be tired of waiting for him to come around.  Matusz has the stuff, but he also tends to get down on himself when he gives up the bombs or big innings.  The White Sox could help Matusz along the way and he may end up being a No. 3 or 4 guy in their rotation down the road.  

Ryan Adams is still young enough to be considered a solid prospect and if he can learn to hit big league pitching, could find himself as an everyday guy.  Zachary Phillips is a bit of an unknown here, but may end up as a solid lefty specialist in the majors. 

6. Matt Thornton to the Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers Get: Matt Thornton

White Sox Get: Tim Fedorowicz, Josh Lindblom and Jeff Baisley

The back end of the Dodgers bullpen appears to be unsettling at best, and the Dodgers could certainly use a proven closer to help out the younger players.  Kenley Jansen has not closed yet, and is probably more suited to middle relief.  Javy Guerra had moments last season as closer, but like Jansen, is more inclined for the setup role.  Thornton had a disastrous year in 2011, but if he can look like he did in 2010, the Dodgers would certainly make off well here. 

The White Sox do not have much more time with A.J. Pierzynski behind the plate and finding his replacement is a necessity.  Tim Fedorowicz has all tools for a big league catcher and would fill Pierzynski's shoes admirably.  Josh Lindblom looked good at times in the Dodgers bullpen last season, but could use some more seasoning, which is what the White Sox would have in mind for him.  

Baisley is a journeyman minor leaguer, who can provide a training tool for young minor leaguers entering the system.  He would also be a solid bench bat given the opportunity. 

7. Denard Span to the Washington Nationals

Washington Nationals Get: Denard Span

Minnesota Twins Get: Roger Bernadina, Eury Perez and Daniel Rosenbaum

The Nationals have been trying to land a center fielder for the past million years, but nothing has been able to transpire.  Denard Span is not really considered the future in Minnesota and they would be willing to unload him for prospects before he gets expensive.  

The Nationals would throw Roger Bernadina in there as a replacement right away.  Although he is not the future either, he could be adequate until Joe Benson is ready.  Eury Perez has a high ceiling and would probably be the center of this deal.  Perez has amazing tools and excellent skills for an outfielder, which could help the Twins in their rebuilding process.

Rosenbaum is a solid lefty with rotation promise.  He will require some more innings in the minors, but could be a diamond in the rough for Minnesota.  

8. Ryan Dempster to the Arizona Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Get: Ryan Dempster

Cubs Get: Patrick Corbin

This deal would hinge upon a couple of things.  First, Dempster would have to waive his no-trade clause, which going to a contender, he may do.  Second, the Cubs would have to settle for very little given Dempster's salary.  

Theo Epstein is in a rebuilding mode and would probably want to blow up the roster to make way for a young troop of talent.  Dempster is aging, but could provide Arizona with depth at the end of the rotation.  I am not completely sold on Josh Collmenter performing like last year and I think Trevor Bauer and Wade Miley are both not ready.  

The Cubs could conceivably land Patrick Corbin in this deal, who has some upside, but may not fit into the Diamondbacks' plans for the future.  He is a starter and a southpaw, who could wind up as a middle-of-the-rotation guy in a few years.  I think Theo would pull this deal in a heartbeat given the chance.  The Cubs may have to throw Arizona a little bit of money in the deal as well.  

9. Mark Trumbo to the Brewers

Brewers Get: Mark Trumbo

Angels Get: Taylor Green, Santo Manzanillo and Tim Dillard

The Brewers will regret plugging Mat Gamel at first base and it would make sense for them to go out and find their man in either Mark Trumbo or Anthony Rizzo.  Trumbo or Rizzo would be the future at the position and both are young enough to stay around for a while.  Trumbo has proven big league experience and may require more of a bounty than Rizzo would, but since he is proven, the Brewers, who have some talent at the minor league level, could make Trumbo their main target.

The Angels do not need any major league-ready performers and could stock up on some assets for the future.  Taylor Green is going to hit in the bigs one day, and hit for average.  I would not say he is special in any other form, but he can rake base hits all day long.  Manzanillo has a powerful fastball and would be suited for bullpen work, but the bullpen is becoming more and more important with each passing year.  

Tim Dillard would be a nice workhorse in the pen for the Angels and could provide excellent relief early in games if need be.  

10. David Wright to the Phillies

Phillies Get: David Wright

Mets Get: Domonic Brown, Wilson Valdez and Justin DeFratus

I am a little skeptical on this deal, but the Phillies are seeking an improvement over the aging Placido Polanco and the best man for the job would be David Wright.  I see the Phillies in a win-now mode and giving up Domonic Brown may taint the future a bit, but I do not foresee him lighting the world on fire next season or even the one after that.  

Wright is in the last year of his contract, but would probably be willing to sign an extension if dealt.  He has had some health issues over the last couple of years, but at age 30, can still play and be a valuable part of a team aiming for the World Series.

If the Mets were to trade Wright, it would have to be for the top prospect on the team.  Brown has major potential, but has looked lost in his scarce time in the big leagues.  It could be a factor of him not playing every day, which he would get that shot for the rebuilding Mets.  

Wilson Valdez is a utility guy that could fill in for the absence of Wright, and even pitch out of a jam!  Justin De Fratus could be a potential closer in the future, but he has to work on his mechanics a bit before he reaches that plateau.