MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Justin Upton, Cole Hamels and More

The wild run of MLB offseason acquisitions has slowed down considerably, but teams are hardly done wheeling and dealing. 

While the winter meetings have come to a close, there is still work to do. And with the free-agent market starting to thin out, much of that work will be done via the trade block. 

Let's take a look at some of the most recent gossip on that front. 

San Diego Padres Not Done Chasing All-Stars?

Todd Kirkland/Associated Press

The San Diego Padres are on the verge of acquiring Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that doesn't mean they are done perusing the trade market for powerful right-handed bats. 

According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Friars also seem to be legitimate players for Justin Upton:

On the one hand, the Padres finished 2014 last in the NL in batting average (.226), on-base percentage (.292), slugging percentage, (.342) OPS (.634) and a whole lot of other stuff. They are desperate for an infusion of talent on offense, and this provides just that.

Kemp was one of the best hitters in the league over the second half of last season, while Upton hit .270/.342/.491 with 29 home runs and 102 RBI on a woeful Atlanta Braves offense.

However, imagine the horror on defense. Per FanGraphs, Kemp finished 2014 with an atrocious negative-23 defense runs saved and a negative-25.8 UZR/150. Upton was better but still not great, with zero DRS and negative-1.1 UZR/150. 

Putting those two at the corner outfield spots is a potentially dangerous proposition, particularly in the spacious Petco Park. Is it worth it for the upgrade at offense? It could be, especially if a healthy Cameron Maybin is patrolling center field and making their jobs easier. But there's also definite risk. It could get ugly if both are as bad defensively as they were last year, and the window for success is small with Upton hitting free agency next winter. 

While there are a lot of variables, though, one thing is clear: If the Padres get Upton along with Kemp, they won't be lacking for excitement. And that's precisely what this franchise needs. 

Cole Hamels Drawing Tons of Interest?

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With Jon Lester scooped up off the free-agent market, teams in need of a left-handed ace have turned their attention to Cole Hamels. And according to The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, there are a lot of suitors:

"

The Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Rangers are interested in Hamels. The sleeper team is the aggressive Astros. The Giants may be in if they can’t get James Shields. The feeling has been that if the Red Sox would pick up Hamels’s 2019 option at $20 million, he would waive his no-trade. The five years remaining on Hamels’s deal would be worth $110 million. Would he want an extension beyond that to OK a trade?

"

That's nearly a quarter of the entire league right there, and it really wouldn't be surprising if more teams were in the Hamels Sweepstakes. 

The almost 31-year-old wasn't fazed playing for the last-place Phillies a year ago, finishing with a 2.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 198 strikeouts in 204.2 innings. His ERA+ (151), per Baseball-Reference, was fifth best in the NL. 

Considering Lester just received $155 million and Max Scherzer is going to get about $1 billion (give or take), Hamels is a steal for $110 million over five years. 

It's going to take a lot to pry him away from Ruben Amaro Jr., but with the Phils in the midst of a fire....sale, there's no better time to strike. He's a game-changer. 

Miami Marlins Holding Firm on Henderson Alvarez and Jarred Cosart?

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The Miami Marlins have not been shy this winter. They signed Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million deal. They dealt top prospect Andrew Heaney to get Dee Gordon and Dan Haren. They shipped off two more youngsters in a trade for Mat Latos. 

Next on the check list is a first baseman, but according to The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, they aren't willing to part with Henderson Alvarez or Jarred Cosart to make that happen:

Alvarez and Cosart, both 24, were fantastic last season:

Player	Starts	Innings	ERA	WHIP	ERA+	SO/BB
Henderson Alvarez	30	187.0	2.65	1.24	144	3.36
Jarred Cosart	10	64.0	2.39	1.19	160	1.82

Moreover, with Heaney gone and ace Jose Fernandez still recovering from Tommy John surgery, the Marlins can't really afford to eat into the starting rotation depth anymore.