MLB Trade Rumors: Latest on Yoenis Cespedes, Howie Kendrick and More

The start of the MLB offseason may be all about free agency and the impending big contracts, but there are plenty of trade rumors floating around the league as well.

The Boston Red Sox could look to move a big bat in the outfield, the Los Angeles Angels could revamp their infield and the Arizona Diamondbacks could change their look at catcher. 

With all that in mind, here is a look at the latest trade rumors from around Major League Baseball.

Yoenis Cespedes

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Bob Dutton of The News Tribune in Tacoma, Washington, passed along an update on Yoenis Cespedes’ future with the Red Sox:

“Word from the Red Sox is they’re willing to trade Cespedes, whom they acquired July 31 from Oakland for Bellarmine Prep grad Jon Lester, and who has one year remaining on his contract at $10.5 million.”

On the surface, Cespedes is a power-hitting outfielder who takes his swings from the right side. He seems to be the perfect match for the Green Monster in Fenway Park and could anchor the middle of Boston’s lineup throughout the 2015 season.

Michael Dwyer/Associated Press

However, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald noted that it isn’t that cut-and-dried with Cespedes:

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Here’s the thing about Yoenis Cespedes: He’d rather swing for the fences than draw a walk. He prefers to play left field even though the Red Sox acquired him to play right, at least initially. And many of the defensive gems that made him a Gold Glove Award finalist were overcompensations for his own mistakes.

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Cespedes is incredibly talented and has the 15th-best slugging percentage in the American League over the last three seasons. It is important to point out, though, that he is eligible for free agency after the 2015 campaign, and the Red Sox will not be able to make a qualifying offer for a draft pick because of a clause in his contract.

That could be a problem.

What’s more, the Red Sox have plenty of outfielders including Jackie Bradley Jr., Shane Victorino and Allen Craig, among others, and Cespedes could bring back a valuable package in any potential trade.

For what it’s worth, general manager Ben Cherington suggested that Cespedes is in his plans for next year, via Lauber, but he could also be working on Cespedes’ trade value:

“He does sort of provide an element in the middle of the lineup—confident hitter with men on base and all of those things that you see—that we can use. We look at the baseline of him being on the team next year as a very good thing. We look forward to having him in the lineup next year.” 

This will certainly be an interesting situation to monitor all offseason given Cespedes’ overall ability level and potential to change the game with one swing.

Howie Kendrick and David Freese

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports provided the latest on Howie Kendrick and David Freese:

“Expect a different look in the Angels' infield next season. ... The team is likely to trade either second baseman Howie Kendrick or third baseman David Freese to address other needs, according to major league sources.”

Any trade the Los Angeles Angels make involving one or both of these infielders will likely be for pitching. The staff is reeling a bit without Garrett Richards and struggled to get the important outs in the playoffs against the Kansas City Royals.

Both Kendrick and Freese are also in their last years of club control and are likely due for solid paydays. If they do leave via that route instead of trade, the Angels would miss out on a chance to bolster the roster with an offseason trade.

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

At least that way, they are guaranteed to get something in exchange for Kendrick and Freese. 

The Angels were eliminated by a Royals team that relied on pitching from the bullpen (and even its starters) more so than power at the plate. Los Angeles could go that route and trade one of these valuable infielders for an arm before potentially losing them on the open market next year.

Miguel Montero

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Rosenthal also supplied an update on catcher Miguel Montero and the Arizona Diamondbacks:

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The Arizona Diamondbacks, trying to create payroll flexibility, are willing to trade catcher Miguel Montero, according to major league sources.

Rival clubs say the D-Backs are shopping Montero. An Arizona official say the team is more in "listening mode." Either way, the effect is the same.

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This would be a noteworthy move because Arizona doesn’t exactly have an internal replacement ready to step in right away and provide consistent production from behind the plate. On the flip side, Montero only hit .243 last year with 13 home runs and 72 RBI and is on the wrong side of 30.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

That’s not to suggest he isn’t a solid catcher in the right role, but championship contenders may need more from their backstop to win the World Series.

To be fair, Montero is incredibly durable and a reliable part of an everyday lineup, having played at least 116 games the past four years and at least 136 in three of the last four years. That is some serious mileage, but Montero may be best served on a contender as the backup option who catches every few days. 

Depth is key in MLB, and Montero would be a valuable tool for any of those presumed contenders.

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