MLB Rumors: Latest Trade Talk at Start of Winter Meetings

A stream of speculation will flood the MLB rumor mill with executives convening for the annual winter meetings.

Now that a few trades and free-agent acquisitions have set the mood, action will heat up on both fronts. With every general manager getting the chance to talk shop and exchange offers, don't be surprised to see some deals hit the wire.

The hot stove is buzzing with trade chatter at the onset of the winter meetings. Many tidbits involve the usual headliners (Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Jeff Samardzija), but other, less expected names are permeating the discussion as well.

Let's take a look at three recent rumors spreading around the league.

Angles Make C.J. Wilson Available

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Bopping their way to an MLB-high 98 wins, the Los Angeles Angels led the league in runs scored while ranking No. 15 with a 3.58 team ERA. One would expect pitching to top their winter wish list, but there's talk of them shopping a notable arm.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, C.J. Wilson is on the market, which has opposing general managers wondering if they're gearing up for a bigger splash in free agency.

"Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson is available in trade, rival GMs say, causing some to wonder whether they might be trying to set things up for a big run at a bigger pitcher, either via free agency (Max Scherzer, James Shields) or trade," Heyman wrote.

Perhaps the most recognizable name in Los Angeles' pitching staff, the 34-year-old posted a mediocre 4.51 and 1.45 WHIP in 2014. Among qualified starters, only Francisco Liriano walked a higher percentage of batters.

Player	Team	BB %
Francisco Liriano	PIT	11.7
C.J. Wilson	LAA	11.2
A.J. Burnett	PHI	10.3
Roberto Hernandez	LAD	10.1
Zack Wheeler	NYM	10.0

He's old, coming off a bad year, and to complete the low-trade-value bingo, incredibly expensive. Per Cot's Baseball Contracts, the lefty is slated to make $38 million over the next two years.

Given all those hindrances, an unnamed GM described Wilson's stock by saying, "Good luck," according to Heyman.

Red Sox Shopping Yoenis Cespedes, Keeping Young Guns

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After signing Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, the Boston Red Sox have too many hitters to play and too few pitchers. Ben Cherington loaded up on tradable assets in hopes of turning the surplus into a front-line hurler.

So who's most likely to exit Beantown? ESPN's Jayson Stark detailed which position players are staying put this winter:

"

It would be easier to list the position players the Red Sox won't talk about than the ones they will. So let's do that. Clubs that have checked in say the Sox have no interest in dealing Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts, Christian Vazquez or Rusney Castillo. And obviously, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia aren't packing any suitcases.

"

Ramirez will shift to left field so Bogaerts can stay at shortstop with Sandoval manning third. Betts earned the center field gig after a strong debut, and Boston doubtfully gave Castillo a huge contract to sit on the bench.

That leaves Yoenis Cespedes as the odd man out of Boston's outfield logjam. Stark added that the slugger is drawing interest, but the Red Sox won't force him out if nothing materializes:

"

But it's Cespedes who is generating massive interest, and figures to be the centerpiece of some major package or other. The Red Sox have told everyone, though, that they've plotted out scenarios in which he's still on their team. So if their path to trading for a starting pitcher takes them down some other road, they're surprisingly cool with that.

"

Since joining the majors in 2012, the Cuban outfielder has belted 71 homers in three seasons with a .464 slugging percentage. Teams are naturally interested in a scarce power source, but his .301 on-base percentage last year makes him expendable for Boston.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal mentioned the San Diego Padres as a potential trade partner.

He won't draw Cole Hamels like Bogaerts or Betts possibly could, but Ian Kennedy, Rick Porcello or Mat Latos could come in play. Boston will eventually have to move at least one of its offensive pieces before Opening Day.

Wade Davis and Greg Holland 'Attracting Trade Interest'

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Despite possessing baseball's most power-starved lineup, the Kansas City Royals reached Game 7 of the World Series behind speed, defense and a dominant bullpen.

The trio of Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and Greg Holland shut the door down on any lead brought into the sixth or seventh inning. While Herrera caught fire at the perfect time, Davis and Holland formed a treacherous duo all year.

Player	IP	ERA	WHIP	K/BB	WAR*
Wade Davis	72	1.00	0.85	109/23	3.1
Greg Holland	62.1	1.44	0.91	90/20	2.3

Given their lack of pop and James Shields potentially skipping town, the Royals have holes elsewhere they can fill by moving one of their relief aces. Rosenthal reports a growing market for both hurlers.

"Royals setup man Wade Davis and closer Greg Holland also are attracting trade interest, and it's possible one of them could be traded for a hitter," Rosenthal said.

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The traditional guard would suggest Holland holds more intrigue due to his 93 saves over the past two seasons. Davis, however, trumped him with a ridiculous 1.00 ERA and 3.1 WAR, via FanGraphs, in setup duty. Just ask Andrew Miller if teams appreciate a premium middle reliever.

At the very least, Kansas City should do its due diligence on both 29-year-old relievers. 

Note: All advanced statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs.