MLB Trade Rumors: One Move on Every Team Causing the Most Buzz

With Opening Day just a couple weeks away, an offseason full of moves will finally end, as teams set their sights on a World Series berth.

A number of teams made great strides, while others traded away veterans in hopes for future returns.

Any way you look at it, all of these moves bring some risk.

Here are some moves that may give their teams a chance to contend, and others that could fail to provide the anticipated returns.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Jason Kubel

In bringing Jason Kubel to Arizona, the Diamondbacks have added a capable bat who plays sufficient defense.

At $15 million, it's possible they overpaid a bit. Kubel had a breakout season in 2009, going deep 28 times and batting .300 for the first (and only) time in his career. He fell back below .250 in 2010 and struggled again in 2011, playing in only 99 games.

Atlanta Braves: Jack Wilson

With Alex Gonzalez signing with the Milwaukee Brewers this past offseason, the Atlanta Braves re-signed Jack Wilson to fill the void and take on the role as the team's utility infielder.

Wilson is listed behind Tyler Pastornicky at shortstop. But if Pastornicky experiences growing pains adjusting to life in the big leagues, Wilson could be counted on for consistent contributions in the field and the batter's box.

Baltimore Orioles: Tsuyoshi Wada

With the Baltimore Orioles signing of Tsuyoshi Wada, you have to think they're taking a risk in not acquiring a more proven major league pitcher.

The success rate of Japanese players isn't the highest, and with Wada drawing comparisons to a slightly lower-level Dallas Braden, the acquisition may not live up to its billing.

Boston Red Sox: Nick Punto

After coming off the bench for most of his time with the Minnesota Twins, Nick Punto did more of the same for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.

He heads to the Boston Red Sox this season and is slated to be the team's starting shortstop. He'll need to increase his productivity to keep such a starting role on a contending team.

Chicago Cubs: Anthony Rizzo

Despite a .141 batting average with only 10 extra-base hits in San Diego in 2011, Anthony Rizzo has an upside that made him appealing to the Chicago Cubs.

With a new opportunity in a new city, Rizzo will thrive in Wrigley Field, becoming a top young talent in the league.

Chicago White Sox: Kosuke Fukudome

The Chicago White Sox were relatively quiet this offseason, but they did make a move in signing Kosuke Fukudome to fill a role as the team's fourth outfielder.

Fukudome is a career .260 hitter and averaged 12 home runs per season with the Cubs. He should provide consistent enough at-bats to fill a role for the White Sox.

Cincinnati Reds: Mat Latos

The Cincinnati Reds clearly wanted to add a big-name starting pitcher before heading into spring training, and they definitely did that with the acquisition of Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres.

While they'll like his productivity, it seems that even in Ohio the consensus is that the Reds appear to have gotten the short end of the stick in the deal.

Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

After signing a one-year deal loaded with incentives, Grady Sizemore will have millions of reasons to succeed in 2012.

Still, Sizemore has played barely more than 100 games in the past two seasons with very low productivity.

The team was in on the bidding for Carlos Beltran but ultimately fell short. They'll need to continue their pursuit in a dwindling outfield market as they look for insurance for Sizemore.

Colorado Rockies: Michael Cuddyer

The Colorado Rockies picked up a solid outfielder with the signing of Michael Cuddyer to a three-year, $31.5 million deal.

While they'll no doubt love what he brings to the table, the price seems to be too high.

Based on Cuddyer's 2011 season, in which he batted .284 and hit 20 home runs while contributing all over the field, you'd think the Rockies would be getting a steal.

But as is the case with all teams, the Rockies could use some pitching help, and they probably could have spent less on an outfielder and put that money toward pitching.

Detroit Tigers: Prince Fielder

As players all around the league signed contracts for the 2012 season, the baseball world continued to wonder where Prince Fielder would land.

After negotiations with a number of teams failed to produce deals, the Scott Boras client would ultimately get the payday he was looking for, signing a nine-year, $214 million contract.

Averaging nearly 40 home runs per season since coming into the league, Fielder will no doubt make an immediate impact for the Tigers.

The bigger question is how much of an impact the over-sized slugger will make in the later years of his hefty contract.

Houston Astros: Livan Hernandez

Having pitched for seven teams during his major league career, Livan Hernandez found his way to the Lone Star state after signing a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.

Should he find himself resembling his former self, he could find his way onto the 25-man roster and be able to eat innings for a rebuilding team.

Kansas City Royals: Jonathan Broxton

With the recent news that Joakim Soria may end up needing Tommy John surgery and could miss the 2012 season, the Royals' acquisition of Jonathan Broxton could take on increased significance as the team will look to him in important late-inning situations this season.

Broxton saved a career-high 36 games in 2009. And if he shows enough in Royals camp, he could find himself closing games for Kansas City in 2012.

Los Angeles Angels: Albert Pujols

Throughout the season, many wondered whether Albert Pujols would remain a Cardinal for the remainder of his career.

Once the World Series ended and the free-agency period began, it became clear he was headed elsewhere.

The Angels bring in one of the best players of our generation in signing Pujols to a 10-year, $252 million deal.

As is the case with the Prince Fielder contract, the earlier years should certainly go well for Pujols, but paying any player upwards of $25 million as a 40-year-old brings some risks along with it.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Capuano

Chris Capuano is headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending 2011 with the New York Mets.

Having started on a consistent basis only once since 2007, Capuano's 11 wins in 2011 were definitely impressive.

While he does have the stuff to be a starting pitcher, his less than consistent play in recent years could provide more questions than answers for Dodgers fans.

Miami Marlins: Jose Reyes

The Miami Marlins have had the most active offseason in the entire league as they prepare to open play in their new stadium in a few weeks.

The acquisition of Jose Reyes puts one of this offseason's top targets on their roster, although the structure of the contract could end up hurting the team in the long run.

Reyes' severely backloaded contract helps the team in the immediate future. But if the team fails to contend down the road and needs to trade stars like Reyes, the salary could prohibit any move from being made.

Milwaukee Brewers: Aramis Ramirez

There's no denying that the Milwaukee Brewers had to do something to replace the offense that will be missing in 2012 after Prince Fielder departed for the Motor City.

After kicking the tires on a few options, the team settled on a three-year, $36 million deal with Aramis Ramirez.

Averaging 22 home runs per season over the last three years, Ramirez should be a consistent enough player to provide a spark.

Minnesota Twins: Josh Willingham

With Michael Cuddyer out the door in Minnesota, the Twins turned to Josh Willingham to fill the void left by their most consistent offensive player's departure.

Despite Target Field's reputation as a pitcher's ballpark, Willingham should be able to build off his 2011 season and reach 30 home runs for the first time in his career.

New York Mets: Frank Francisco

Striking out better than a batter per inning in his last four seasons, Frank Francisco takes his talents to the Big Apple in 2012, as he'll eat up late innings for the Mets.

Francisco adds needed depth in the bullpen. And with many opportunities to succeed throughout the year, he should have his best season yet and could reach career highs in strikeouts, innings and wins.

New York Yankees: Michael Pineda

The New York Yankees made a bold move this offseason in unloading a promising slugger in Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for fireballer Michael Pineda.

Pineda has raised some eyebrows with the lack of velocity that he's shown thus far in spring training. But Pineda is still an amazing physical specimen who should turn out to be a stud for the Yankees.

Oakland Athletics: Yoenis Cespedes

After making headlines this offseason for unloading players, the Oakland Athletics finally made some noise with an acquisition when they signed highly coveted Cuban prospect Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year, $36 million deal.

There's great upside with Cespedes, as illustrated by his high number of suitors and early returns in spring training. But the move comes as a bit of a risk for a team that doesn't typically have financial flexibility.

Philadelphia Phillies: Jonathan Papelbon

When the Philadelphia Phillies set out to sign a closer this offseason, they wasted no time in agreeing to terms with former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

He'll no doubt save many games for the Phillies in the coming years and the organization can afford it, but spending $50 million seems to be on the high end.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Erik Bedard

Newly acquired A.J. Burnett won't be the only new starter in the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation this season. The  team also signed Erik Bedard to a one-year, $4.5 million contract this offseason.

When he's been able to stay on the mound, he's been relatively effective, winning at least 13 games in each of the two seasons in which he's started 28 or more games.

He only started a total of 30 games between 2008 and 2009, however, and, after sitting out all of 2010, won only five games in 2011.

San Diego Padres: Carlos Quentin

The San Diego Padres brought Carlos Quentin onto their roster in hopes that he'll be able to help cure their offensive woes.

Heading into a new atmosphere this season, he'll certainly be looking to build on a number of successful offensive campaigns, including 2008 when he was headed for a possible MVP trophy before his season was derailed after a wrist injury in September.

San Francisco Giants: Melky Cabrera

Playing for his fourth team in as many years, Melky Cabrera heads to San Francisco in hopes of building on a 2011 season that saw him reach career highs in home runs, RBI, batting average and OPS.

With plenty of reasons to succeed this year, a strong campaign could make him one of the more attractive outfield options available next offseason. The 27-year-old quite possibly hasn't reached his peak.

Seattle Mariners: Jesus Montero

With the least runs scored in baseball in 2011, the Seattle Mariners clearly needed to address their offense this offseason.

They made that move in trading for Jesus Montero, who will no doubt make an immediate impact.

The team is taking a risk in moving Michael Pineda, however. He had a strong 2011 campaign and appears poised to break out as an elite pitcher, despite any loss in velocity that's currently turning heads.

St. Louis Cardinals: Carlos Beltran

After losing slugger Albert Pujols to the Los Angeles Angels, the St. Louis Cardinals certainly had to do something to replace some of the missing offense.

In signing Carlos Beltran to a two-year, $26 million deal, the Cardinals are getting a player who has hit more than 30 home runs in a season three times and driven in more than 100 runs in eight of his 14 years in the league.

He hasn't hit more than 30 home runs in five years, however, and the soon-to-be 35-year-old outfielder may soon find out that his best days are behind him.

Tampa Bay Rays: Carlos Pena

In his last season with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, Carlos Pena batted a career low .196, striking out nearly 160 times in 144 games.

He saw an improvement in most statistical categories with the Chicago Cubs in 2011. But if he reverts back to his old ways during this stint with the Rays, things could go downhill quickly.

Texas Rangers: Yu Darvish

As one of the most highly touted pitchers in this offseason's talent pool, Yu Darvish signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the Texas Rangers after the team bid $51,703,411 to acquire his services. 

If he pitches the way many expect, the move should pay off immediately. But if he struggles in the way that previous international prospects have, the move could prove to be a costly gamble.

Toronto Blue Jays: Darren Oliver

After seeing three of their relief pitchers from 2011 sign with other teams this offseason (Frank Francisco, Shawn Camp, Jon Rauch), the Toronto Blue Jays took steps toward filling the void with some key acquisitions.

Darren Oliver has been very effective over the past few seasons, posting sub-3.00 ERAs in each of the past four seasons. At 41, he still likely has some tread left on the tires, but it has to catch up with him eventually.

Washington Nationals: Gio Gonzalez

The Washington Nationals made a big statement regarding their intentions to contend in the NL East this offseason with their acquisition of Gio Gonzalez from the Oakland Athletics.

Along with ace Stephen Strasburg, Gonzalez will thrive in his new setting, further improving on his 16-win 2011 season.