MLB Trade Rumors: Each Team's Biggest Trade Bait Still Being Dangled

The MLB season has officially begun now that almost every major league team has played a game. While most teams are concentrating on getting everyone on the same page, as always, there will be trade rumors out there.

This early in the season, it's bigger news if a team is already shopping a player looking to find a new home, rather than trying to find a new piece, since that happens much less frequently.

Here is the player that each MLB team seems to be dangling.

Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gregg

The Baltimore Orioles have a closer issue; Kevin Gregg has the position and earns the money of a closer, but definitely did not play like one last season. They also have Jim Johnson who should be ready to close.

As a result, the Orioles are dangling Gregg to any looking for bullpen help, but until injuries start to occur in teams' bullpens, I don't see anyone biting for a middle-of-the-road closer who can move up to good on a good day.

Boston Red Sox: Whatever Provides Relief Help

The Boston Red Sox already had issues at depth in their rotation, but their bullpen seemed fine until Andrew Bailey needed thumb surgery, as he is out for a few months now.

With the injury to Chris Carpenter from a trade by the Cubs as well, it's likely that Boston may ask for a different player from them, which simultaneously could help them replace Andrew Bailey. Technically they aren't dangling anything since the Cubs already have Theo Epstein from them.

New York Yankees: Freddy Garcia

Even with Michael Pineda getting injured, the un-retirement of Andy Pettitte gives the Yankees a very deep rotation, and makes some talent expendable.

Freddy Garcia's name has popped up as a trade candidate, as has Phil Hughes, and both could be had depending on whether a team needs long-term talent or short-term depth.

Tampa Bay Rays: Wade Davis

Wade Davis is the first player on here where I don't have trade rumors backing it up. The Rays don't seem interested in trading anyone for the moment.

However, Wade Davis lost his starting job and was relegated to the bullpen, so if a team was interested in acquiring him as a starter, certainly he would be expendable if the offer was decent enough. Of course, that's presuming they re-sign James Shields next year, which is currently uncertain.

Toronto Blue Jays: J.P. Arencibia

The Toronto Blue Jays have two catchers ready for the big time. J.P. Arencibia is the current catcher who has already shown his hitting abilities, and they have prospect Travis d'Arnaud as well.

While it's not likely either will be moved, if d'Arnaud moves quickly enough into the major league lineup, then Arencibia will likely be dangled, as teams clearly have interest in him.

Chicago White Sox: Gavin Floyd

Trade rumors have subsided to an extent with Gavin Floyd, but they were everywhere this offseason, and as a result probably won't die down, as teams might see him as a deadline-deal guy.

The closest that can be said about Floyd is that he'll be traded this season, just not for now. The Toronto Blue Jays and others have expressed interest, so a rebuilding team like the White Sox will gladly ship him if the price is right.

Cleveland Indians: Jason Donald

The Cleveland Indians are not really looking to make any major trades as the season begins, and the only player that seems to be dangling at all I simply include for the irony.

Infielder Jason Donald was a throw-in with the Cliff Lee trade, and the Phillies are now actively looking for infield depth, making this deal a real possibility, even if the Indians would get very little in return.

Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

With a completely loaded lineup and no real weaknesses except perhaps the fifth spot in the rotation, there's no real reason for the Tigers to be dangling anyone.

That being said, Brandon Inge could be a potential player to part with, as they have dangled him earlier this offseason, but there weren't any takers. If he can show his defense if nothing else is still great, the Tigers could find him a home later on.

Kansas City Royals: Prospects

The Kansas City Royals are a rising team in the AL Central, and thanks to how weak the division is, they could certainly finish second this season, perhaps eclipsing .500.

If they are in striking distance of Detroit, certainly they would give up a couple prospects to bring in a big player. They have an incredibly deep farm system so they would be able to afford doing that.

Minnesota Twins: Francisco Liriano

I have heard absolutely nothing of the Twins considering dangling Francisco Liriano recently (though it pops up every now and then), but it feels like everyone's accepted that he was going to be a deadline deal when his free agency finally began looming. That period is this year.

Liriano's upside should provide the Twins with new prospects, and if they're out of contention early on, it's clear to me that he'll be traded.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Bobby Abreu

With the signing of Albert Pujols, the surge of Mark Trumbo and the return of Kendrys Morales, there isn't enough room in the lineup for everyone, leaving Bobby Abreu the odd man out.

He's been nearly traded more than once so far, yet has been in the dark about trade rumors despite wanting more playing time or a trade. He seems like a prime trade candidate being dangled, with the only question being who the Angels would want for him.

Oakland Athletics: Kurt Suzuki

The Oakland Athletics are always dangling players available for trade, so seeing players available is no surprise. Besides, Kurt Suzuki seemed to be shopped a bit over the offseason.

Trading him is not a high priority now, but he will likely be traded during the season according to Buster Olney, which is unsurprising given that teams like the Tampa Bay Rays need a real starting catcher.

Seattle Mariners: Chone Figgins

Will someone take this bust off of the Mariners' hands? That has to be the rallying cry for the Seattle Mariners here, as since they signed him, Figgins has been flat out awful.

They dangled Figgins this offseason, but there weren't any takers. Perhaps after another half-season off his deal the mood will change and a team will take a shot.

Texas Rangers: Relievers

There are a lot of teams reportedly interested in the Texas Rangers' relief pitchers, with Mark Lowe and Koji Uehara being the ones most looked at.

With all the bouncing-back players are doing between starting and relieving on the Rangers, a trade to further boost their bullpen is not out of the question.

Atlanta Braves: Jair Jurrjens

Right now, all trade rumors on Jurrjens have stopped despite how prevalent they were. However, once Tim Hudson returns to the lineup and the starting rotation becomes crowded, I am convinced that those trade rumors will pop right back up and the team will start shopping him again.

Miami Marlins: Logan Morrison or Chris Coghlan

The Miami Marlins have always been aggressive on the trade market, as they're not afraid to sell the farm if they feel that's what's best. They won't do that this year, but some starters could be gone.

They already asked about Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold, according to Jerry Crasnick, and they may be asking about other outfielders as well. This would mean that either Logan Morrison or Chris Coghlan could be traded, more likely Coghlan since he's the weak link.

New York Mets: Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey has struggled with the Mets recently to the point where he almost lost his starting job. They almost released him as well, but if he gets on a bit of a hot streak, then I have to think the Mets will find a way to get him traded sooner rather than later.

Philadelphia Phillies: Domonic Brown

With John Mayberry, Jr. and Laynce Nix seeing time in left field this year, it seems fairly clear that Domonic Brown is trade bait, since he still has some value as a prospect but still isn't getting playing time.

If the Phillies really don't think he's the answer, then that prospect value will only last a bit longer, and at this point it probably would be in their best interest to either trade him or give him a shot.

Washington Nationals: John Lannan

John Lannan is an interesting case, since the dangling is not being done by the Nationals, but Lannan himself. After his demotion to Triple-A Syracuse, he has now asked for a trade.

He could provide a team with some pitching depth should a fourth or fifth starter get injured, and there's light interest in him, which is better than others have.

Chicago Cubs: Marlon Byrd

The Cubs are rebuilding for the future, and with the possible exception of Alfonso Soriano due to his ridiculous contract, every veteran is likely expendable.

The biggest name being dangled is Marlon Byrd, since he is drawing interest and the Cubs want to bring Brett Jackson up to the major leagues. The Braves and Nationals are the two main teams that are interested in him.

Cincinnati Reds: Paul Janish

The Cincinnati Reds have rookie Zack Cozart as the new starting shortstop for this season, and he already seems like a Rookie of the Year candidate (and my pick). This makes former starter Paul Janish expendable.

He's even more expandable now that he was removed from the 25-man roster at the end of spring training, but on a team seeking emergency depth like the Phillies, he could be added at a bargain.

Houston Astros: Carlos Lee

Carlos Lee has a no-trade clause blocking him from going to many teams. He's probably limited to first base at this point in his career. It's tough to say if he can still put up power numbers.

Having said all that, if the Astros want to get any more prospects, let's face it, Lee is their best bet to get them, even if the trade market's a bit limited.

Milwaukee Brewers: Carlos Gomez

The Brewers have surprisingly great depth at center field, as well as the outfield in general. Nyjer Morgan holds down the fort, Gomez is the backup and Logan Schafer should be the future center fielder.

Morgan's not going anywhere, and GM Doug Melvin has no plans to trade Schafer, which makes me believe that Carlos Gomez is expendable for anyone looking for outfield depth, especially on the defensive side.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Kevin Correia

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a rare situation for them: They actually have a bit of pitching depth, especially when A.J. Burnett comes back.

Currently, they are willing to listen to offers on Kevin Correia, who started last season strong before slowing down. He wouldn't bring in too much for the Pirates, but at least they can actually move people around.

St. Louis Cardinals: Kyle McClellan

Kyle McClellan has been on the trading block nearly all of March, and the only reason he has not been traded yet is due to the injury situation with Chris Carpenter.

Should carpenter return, then McClellan could be traded, and if they do end up signing Roy Oswalt (I should just let this go), then he could be traded very quickly as there wouldn't be anywhere for him in St. Louis.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Gerardo Parra

The trade rumors regarding Gerardo Parra have stopped recently, and on the surface the Diamondbacks seem entirely content with the four main outfielders they have. I still think they're dangling this guy behind the scenes though, going both on this past offseason and a bit of a gut feeling.

Colorado Rockies: Esmil Rogers

Every so often, a club talks about someone as a trade possibility when it probably makes more sense to release them. Such is the case here, since Esmil Rogers is considered a candidate to be traded.

Rogers's stats are so bad, however, that I can't see anyone actually trading for him. The best the Rockies could hope for is a player to be named later, but with the depth they have for pitching now, they'll probably take it.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Andre Ethier

Andre Ethier's name was tossed about as a deadline-deal candidate this past offseason, but they aren't going to trade him before that.

However, with the new owners, there will be less money for the team to work with in the short term, so they will at least start putting out feelers for Ethier now. There should be good interest, it's just a matter of getting the ball rolling.

Ethier is willing to negotiate a new deal so he could very well stay; it depends on how he performs this year.

San Diego Padres: Jason Bartlett

The San Diego Padres are surprisingly tough to decipher here. You would think anyone would be expendable if they get better players in return, but they have already refused to trade Everth Cabrera and Will Venable.

This leaves shortstop Jason Bartlett as someone to dangle. His name popped up in trade rumors during the offseason, and as a veteran on a young team, it only makes sense that someone like him helps bring in another prospect or two.

San Francisco Giants: Barry Zito

If a team called up the San Francisco Giants and noted interest in Barry Zito and offered to take a good amount of the contract, we all know he'd be on the first flight out of the Bay.