The Top Player on All 30 MLB Teams Who Will Be on the Block This Winter

With trade season now behind us, attention can be turned to what promises to be an exciting playoff push in the first season under the expanded playoff system.

However, it's never too early to look ahead at what should be an exciting offseason as well. The free-agent class, headlined by Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke, has a number of players who will command top dollar and could push a team over the top.

The trade market also appears to be a deep one, as a number of players could be on the move at this year's winter meetings after what was a relatively quiet trade season last year.

So here's a look at each team's top player who could wind up on the trade block this winter, and while all of these players won't wind up being dealt, you can bet that at least a handful of them will be playing elsewhere in 2013.

Baltimore Orioles

Player: RHP Jake Arrieta

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2016

Overview

The Orioles made it abundantly clear at the deadline that top prospects Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy were not available, and as a result, right-hander Jake Arrieta was a name apparently brought up as a player teams coveted at the deadline (h/t Dan Connolly of Baltimore Sun).

The 26-year-old went 16-14 with a 4.88 ERA in 40 starts over his first two seasons in the league, but he struggled to a 6.13 ERA this season before being demoted. The team could look to sell him while he still has some value, and if teams were interested at the deadline, there's no reason to think they won't be this winter as well.

Boston Red Sox

Player: CF Jacoby Ellsbury

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Ellsbury put together a phenomenal season in 2011, hitting .321 BA, 32 HR, 105 RBI and stealing 39 bases to finish second to Justin Verlander in AL MVP voting.

However, a shoulder injury kept him sidelined most of the first half this year, and he has hit just .262 BA with 2 HR, 16 RBI and 11 SB when he has played. His stock is certainly not at its highest, but given the direction the Red Sox appear to be heading, it would not be surprising to see the team look to deal him before his contract is up at the end of next season.

New York Yankees

Player: No one

Overview

The Yankees have a pair of no-brainer options to pick up on Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, as well as decisions to make on whether to re-sign Mariano Rivera, Nick Swisher, Hiroki Kuroda, Russell Martin, Ichiro Suzuki, Eric Chavez, Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez.

As far as trade candidates, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain are both arbitration-eligible for the final time, but Hughes figures to be retained, and Chamberlain does not have much trade value at this point. Expect the Yankees to address their outfield situation via free agency and rely on the return of Michael Pineda to shore their rotation, as they likely won't be trading any established players.

Tampa Bay Rays

Player: SP James Shields

Contract: Signed through 2012, Team Option through 2014

Overview

Shields' name popped up on the trade block last offseason and at the deadline, but to this point, the Rays have opted to hold on to the franchise's all-time win leader.

However, the Rays have significant needs in their lineup and an abundance of good young pitching, so if someone comes along with the right deal, Shields could be on the move. He has a $9-million option for 2013 and a $12-million option for 2014, so his team control and relatively low price tag make him an even more appealing option.

Toronto Blue Jays

Player: C J.P. Arencibia

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2016

Overview

The Blue Jays have been headed for an inevitable catcher controversy for some time now, as 2011 rookie J.P. Arencibia was expected to be pushed this season by top prospect Travis d'Arnaud.

Instead, d'Arnaud wound up lost for the season with a torn PCL, while Arencibia has missed significant time as well with a fractured hand. Long-term, d'Arnaud is the better prospect, and if he proves healthy this winter, that could mean Arencibia will be on the move. He's got terrific power and is still just 26, so there should be no shortage of interested teams.

Chicago White Sox

Player: No one

Overview

The White Sox have some big decisions to make regarding options on Gavin Floyd ($9.5 million) and on a much larger scale Jake Peavy ($22 million, $4-million buyout), but as far as players they will look to shop, they really don't have anyone.

Gordon Beckham and Phil Humber are both first-time arbitration eligible, so they could potentially be shopped, but that seems unlikely. Beckham still has upside, but his value is not very high right now, while Humber would generate little if any interest after posting a 6.50 ERA this season.

Cleveland Indians

Player: RF Shin-Soo Choo

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Choo has undoubtedly been the Indians' most consistent hitter in recent years, as he combines terrific on-base skills with a good mix of power and speed that makes him a perennial candidate for a .300 BA, 20 HR, 20 SB season.

The Indians roster needs a major overhaul moving forward, and while dealing Choo would be a step backwards in the short-term, it could mean two steps forward long-term, as he would likely fetch a solid return of prospects.

Detroit Tigers

Player: UT Ryan Raburn

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Raburn entered the season as a breakout candidate, as he was slated to see everyday at-bats for the first time after averaging 15 HR over just 340 at bats the past three seasons in a utility role.

However, he failed to lock down the second base job after hitting just .172 BA, 1 HR, 12 RBI on the season, and now entering his final season of arbitration eligibility, he is a non-tender candidate. The team will likely look to deal him first though, and considering he is a versatile defender and has power potential, they may be able to find a suitor.

Kansas City Royals

Player: RF Jeff Francoeur

Contract: Signed through 2013

Overview

The Royals took a chance on Francoeur prior to 2011 on a one-year, $2.5-million deal, and he rewarded them with a .285 BA, 20 HR, 87 RBI, 22 SB season. That earned him a two-year, $13.5-million extension, but he has struggled mightily this season.

With top prospect Wil Myers on the way and both Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain entrenched in starting outfield spots moving forward, Francoeur will be the odd-man out, and the Royals will likely do whatever they can to unload his $7.5-million salary next season.

Minnesota Twins

Player: 1B/DH Justin Morneau

Contract: Signed through 2013

Overview

The 2006 AL MVP, Morneau put together a dominant four-year stretch from 2006-2009, posting an average season of a .292 BA with 30 HR and 118 RBI and teaming with Joe Mauer to give the Twins a formidable one-two punch. However, injuries set in from there, and he's not been the same player since.

He's managed to stay relatively healthy this season and has hit .278 BA, 17 HR and 68 RBI, and the Twins could look to use that uptick in production to find a taker. He makes $14 million next season, but the Twins have a potential replacement in Chris Parmelee, and if they can save some of that contract, he could be moved.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Player: 1B/DH Kendrys Morales

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

After missing most of 2010 and all of 2011 with injuries, Morales has bounced back nicely this season with a .275 BA, 18 HR, 63 RBI line.

There was a logjam at first base to enter the season with Mark Trumbo and Albert Pujols in the fold alongside Morales, and while they all found their way into a starting role, Morales remains dispensable. Due to hit free agency after the 2013 season, expect the slugger to be shopped this winter.

Oakland Athletics

Player: CF Coco Crisp

Contract: Signed through 2013, Option for 2014

Overview

After leading the AL in steals last season with 49 and playing solid defense in center field, the A's overlooked the fact that Crisp had an OBP of just .314 and signed him to a two-year, $14-million deal with an option for a third year.

He's had an adequate season this year, hitting .253 BA, 10 HR and 39 RBI with 31 steals, but his OBP is still below average at .320. Still, there is always a market for speedy catalysts, and if the A's are willing to eat some of his remaining money, they could find a taker for the veteran.

Seattle Mariners

Player: SP Jason Vargas

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Vargas has enjoyed a breakout season this year, going 14-9 with a 3.80 ERA as the 29-year-old has given the Mariners a terrific second starter alongside Felix Hernandez.

A number of teams showed interest at the deadline, and while he no longer has the added appeal of being controlled for an extra season, he could still appeal to teams on the trade market this winter. With the Mariners set to bring up their talented young pitching prospects, Vargas likely won't be in Seattle beyond 2013 anyway.

Texas Rangers

Player: No one

Overview

The Rangers have a pair of major contributors hitting the free-agent market this offseason in Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli that they will need to decide what to do on, and pitchers Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz are headed for arbitration.

The team does have a decision to make regarding what to do with top prospect Jurickson Profar, as Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus are currently locked into the everyday middle infield spots. That decision will likely come after next season though, as the team could opt to ease Profar into an everyday role. Immediate picture though, they have no established player likely to be dealt.

Atlanta Braves

Player: SP Jair Jurrjens

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Jurrjens looked as though he was headed for a huge contract once he hit free agency after going 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 2011, and he earned a raise to $5.5 million in arbitration heading into this season.

However, he took a huge step backwards and wound up demoted to Triple-A this season, and on the year, he's gone 3-4 with a 6.89 ERA through 10 starts. At 26, he's still got upside, and next season will be a make-or-break year for Jurrjens. With depth at starting pitcher, the Braves will likely look to move him this offseason.

Miami Marlins

Player: SP Josh Johnson

Contract: Signed through 2013

Overview

Johnson showed what he was capable of back in 2010 when he went 11-6 with an NL-best 2.30 ERA over 28 starts to finish fifth in NL Cy Young voting. After missing most of 2011, he's healthy again this year and drew plenty of attention at the deadline when the Marlins made him available.

Johnson reportedly drew interest from the Rangers, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Reds (h/t Jon Morosi of CBSSports), and the Marlins could revisit those talks once again this winter.

New York Mets

Player: 3B David Wright

Contract: Option through 2013

Overview

After a down season in 2011, in which he hit just .254 BA with 14 HR and 61 RBI and played in just 102 games due to injury, Wright has bounced back in a big way this year.

With a .313 BA, 17 HR, 79 RBI line he once again ranks among the most productive third baseman in all of baseball. The Mets hold a $16-million option on him for next season, and while he has played well, the team may want to avoid having another star player walk for nothing like Jose Reyes did and could instead shop him before that has a chance of happening.

Philadelphia Phillies

Player: SP Cliff Lee

Contract: Signed through 2015

Overview

After trading Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino and signing Cole Hamels to a massive extension, there was some speculation that the Phillies could look to deal Cliff Lee as a means of freeing up some payroll.

He's due $25 million annually through 2015 and $27.5 million with a hefty $12.5-million buyout in 2016, yet moving him would not simply be done as a cost-cutting measure. He's still one of the best pitchers in the game, so it would take the right package of freed-up cash and prospects to land him. Still, it remains an option and one the Phillies will likely explore this winter.

Washington Nationals

Player: SP John Lannan

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Lannan went from Opening Day starter in 2010 to 10-game winner in 2011 to demoted to Triple-A to open the 2012 season when he lost his rotation spot following the additions of Edwin Jackson and Gio Gonzalez.

The 27-year-old would be in the middle of most teams' rotation, and given the fact the he likely does not factor into the Nationals long-term plans, he could very well be on the move this winter. His depth will be important down the stretch once Stephen Strasburg is shut down, and a good performance down the stretch could certainly boost his value.

Chicago Cubs

Player: SP Matt Garza

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

One of the most talked about names of the 2012 trade deadline, Garza wound up staying put as an injury in the days leading up to the deadline was enough to keep teams away, and rightfully so, as it wound up ending his season.

His value was at its highest in July, when he was not only a stretch-run acquisition but controllable in 2013, but he is still a pitcher in the prime of his career with front-of-the-rotation stuff. The possibility remains that the Cubs could look to lock him up long-term, but if not, expect him to be shopped again this winter.

Cincinnati Reds

Player: No one

Overview

The Reds made a big move last offseason in acquiring Mat Latos from the Padres for a deep package of players, but it appears as though things will be much quieter this offseason.

The team is expected to make a run at a corner outfield option, especially if they turn down their $5-million option on Ryan Ludwick, but they really don't have much in the way of players they'll look to move. Both Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey are first-time arbitration eligible, and if the team signs an outfielder, one of them could be moved, but as of now, it looks like everyone significant will be staying put.

Houston Astros

Player: SS Jed Lowrie

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2014

Overview

Acquired prior to this season in the deal that sent reliever Mark Melancon to the Red Sox, Lowrie has enjoyed a breakout season with a .253 BA, 14 HR, 36 RBI line through 285 at-bats.

Despite that, the team was open to moving him at the deadline this season according to a tweet from Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, and if it had not been for an ankle injury that has sidelined him since July 14, he probably would have been moved. Expect him to be shopped this winter, as the 28-year-old may not factor into the team's long-term plans.

Milwaukee Brewers

Player: 1B/OF Corey Hart

Contract: Signed through 2013

Overview

Despite their struggles this season, the Brewers still have a decent core of players with Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks and Yovani Gallardo signed to long-term deals and a vastly improved farm system.

Hart has indicated he would love to stay in Milwaukee and would be willing to play wherever need (h/t Adam McCalvy of MLB.com). However, he makes $10 million next season, and already at 30 years old, he may not factor into the team's long-term plans.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Player: SP Jeff Karstens

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2013

Overview

Karstens has been one of the Pirates' most consistent pitchers since coming over from the Yankees in 2008, going 23-35 with a 4.30 ERA in mostly a starting role.

He made $3.1 million this season and has gone 5-4 with a 3.89 ERA in 15 starts this season, so he could conceivably get a raise to somewhere in the $5-million neighborhood. With a number of young pitching prospects on the way, the Pirates could decide that's too much to pay a bottom-of-the-rotation guy and look to deal him.

St. Louis Cardinals

Player: No one

Overview

The Cardinals biggest decision of the offseason will be whether or not to re-sign Kyle Lohse, who has gone 14-2 with a 2.81 ERA as the staff ace this season and will likely be one of the most sought-after pitchers on the open market if the team lets him walk.

Aside from that, the team will need to decide what to do with Lance Berkman, but they don't really have much in the way of players who could be traded. Swingman Kyle McClellan drew some interest this past offseason and is entering his final year of arbitration, but coming off of shoulder surgery, it's unlikely anyone would take a chance on trading for him.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Player: RF Justin Upton

Contract: Signed through 2015

Overview

Upton was put on the trade block back in July, and while he was not moved then, those trade talks could be revisited this offseason (h/t Jerry Crasnick of ESPN).

After enjoying the best season of his career in 2011, he's had a down year in 2012. The fact remains, however, that he is still only 24 and is locked up to a reasonable contract, and his asking price will remain high even with the down season.

Colorado Rockies

Player: C Ramon Hernandez

Contract: Signed through 2013

Overview

The Rockies signed Hernandez this past offseason to help bridge the gap to top prospect Wilin Rosario, but when the Rockies struggled and Rosario proved ready to play (23 HR, 58 RBI in 302 at-bats), the team shopped Hernandez at the deadline.

In the end, he stayed put, and while he's hit just .218 BA with 5 HR and 27 RBI on the season, he could still draw some interest from a team looking to add a veteran backstop.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Player: SP Ted Lilly

Contract: Signed through 2013

Overview

After acquiring him at the deadline in 2010, the Dodgers inked Lilly to a three-year, $33-million extension the following offseason, and he won 12 games and posted a 3.97 ERA last year.

He was off to a fantastic start this year, going 5-1 with a 3.14 ERA in eight starts before hitting the disabled list with a shoulder injury. Now entering the final year of his contract, Lilly has a full no-trade clause, but if he winds up losing his rotation spot, which could very well happen now that Josh Beckett is in the fold, he could agree to be moved.

San Diego Padres

Player: 3B Chase Headley

Contract: Arbitration Eligible through 2014

Overview

There was no shortage of teams interested in Chase Headley at the deadline this season, as it was reported in early July by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that at least seven teams had some level of interest in the third baseman.

The Padres appear committed to rebuilding sooner rather than later, as they re-signed Huston Street and Carlos Quentin instead of dealing them. However, if they can find someone willing to pay their steep asking price for Headley, they may consider moving him.

San Francisco Giants

Player: No one

Overview

The Giants biggest offseason question is what to do with free-agent Melky Cabrera, who was enjoying a breakout season before he was suspended for a positive PED test. My guess is they opt to cut ties with him and the controversy now surrounding him.

Aubrey Huff, who has a $10-million option, will likely be bought out for $2 million, and the team will need to re-sign reliever Jeremy Affeldt. However, they don't have anyone who stands out as a trade candidate, though they will be active on the free-agent market in searching for a left fielder.