MLB Trade Rumors: Latest on David Price, Matt Kemp and More Buzz

Trade activity is starting to heat up around Major League Baseball. While free agency is often viewed as the main avenue teams use to upgrade during the offseason, the open market is pretty weak, which will likely lead front offices to seek trades instead.

As always, it comes down to finding the best overall value. General managers have to decide between giving out a big contract to a free agent, and likely having to slightly overpay in the process, or moving a couple chips from the system to fill the void.

Based on some of the talent rumored to be available for trade, it wouldn't be a surprise to see that option win out, at least early on. With that in mind, let's examine some of the latest buzz as teams map out their winter plans.

David Price

Price is one of the best starters in baseball and is by far the best pitcher who could be available for teams seeking to upgrade their rotation, and there's certainly no shortage of those. This season, the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner posted a 3.33 ERA in 27 starts.

The Tampa Bay Rays would maximize their return on Price if they moved him this offseason since he's not an impending free agent. That said, Buster Olney of ESPN reports some interested teams still want to get a long-term deal in place rather than just the remaining two seasons in order to make a deal:

Depending on how many of the interested teams want a contract extension in place, it could make the entire process more complicated. Price would demand top dollar as a free agent, which makes getting a long-term deal done now tough.

On the flip side, teams willing to take a chance on Price without needing an extension will receive a boost. The asking price will still be very high, but it removes one major hurdle from negotiations and could end up being the difference in getting a trade completed.

Matt Kemp

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a logjam in the outfield. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that's led the team to shop its high-priced veterans, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, with hopes of upgrading other areas of the roster:

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The more realistic notion would be the Dodgers moving one of their expensive veteran outfielders.

That possibility, in fact, already is in the works; the Dodgers, according to major-league sources, are listening on Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, telling prospective suitors, "If you’re interested in one of them, make us an offer."

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Kemp is the most intriguing member of that group because of his upside. The 29-year-old center fielder is coming off two straight injury-plagued seasons, but in 2011 he fell just one home run short of a 40-40 campaign while also hitting .324.

The Fox Sports report states the Dodgers would be forced to pick up some of his remaining salary to get a deal done. If they are willing to do that and a team is willing to bet on a return to full health, he could be a massive offseason acquisition.

There's plenty of risk involved, of course. That said, very few moves are risk free and even fewer have as much potential to help a team as a trade for Kemp would.

Brandon Phillips

Phillips is a tremendous defender with solid power who's been a stalwart at second base for the Cincinnati Reds since the team acquired him in 2006. He's played in at least 140 games in each of those seasons and hit exactly 18 home runs in the past four.

His days in Cincinnati could be numbered, though. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports Phillips is on the market and the New York Yankees have already checked in on his status, but found the initial asking price too high for their liking:

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The Yankees, looking to set themselves up in case star second baseman Robinson Cano signs elsewhere, have checked in with the Reds regarding Brandon Phillips and also asked about free-agent second baseman Omar Infante.

Phillips is said to be available in the right trade, but word is, the initial price is way too steep. Of course, that's the way the Yankees look at Cano's $300 million asking price, as well.

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Keeping Cano is obviously the ultimate goal for the Yankees. Even a consistent producer like Phillips wouldn't be able to match what Cano has provided New York, but the team must prepare in case they aren't able to get a deal done.

The Reds are wisely putting a high price tag on Phillips for now to see if any teams would bite. It should become more reasonable over time, at which point the Yankees could get back involved depending on how things work out with Cano.