MLB Trade Ideas Based on the Latest News, Rumors and Speculation

With the number of quality free agents dwindling by the day, MLB trade ideas are quickly becoming the focus of general managers across the game.

After all, sometimes the player that fills a need on one club is on another 25-man roster, potentially a division rival’s. Not surprisingly, there are multiple rumors and ample speculation regarding some well- and lesser-known names.

Here are three MLB trade scenarios based on actual need and published rumors from the last week. 

The following proposals are nothing more than speculation. The point here is to build a trade based on someone else's written or spoken word.

They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, taking into consideration each franchise's strengths and weaknesses. They are also independent of one another. Each trade presented is a singular move and does not take into account any of the other proposals put forward.

Seattle Mariners Acquire David Murphy from Cleveland Indians

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Seattle Mariners Get: RF David Murphy

Cleveland Indians Get: RHP Dominic Leone

Overview

A byproduct of the Cleveland Indians’ acquisition of Brandon Moss is that someone has to go. It isn't because there isn't enough space on the 40-man roster, mind you; it's just that there are too many bodies at two positions.

Consider that the club has Moss, Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, Carlos Santana, David Murphy, Michael Brantley, Mike Aviles and Tyler Holt, among others, vying for playing time in the outfield and at first base. All are on the 40-man roster.

True, manager Terry Francona could make it work. But with offense and depth at a premium around the league, perhaps a trade is in order.

To that end, Terry Pluto from The Plain Dealer expects “the Tribe to work hard at trying to deal Murphy, who has one year and $6.5 million left on his contract."

How about a move to the Pacific Northwest where the Seattle Mariners are in need of a right fielder? True, the Mariners are looking for a right-handed bat, per multiple reports, but Murphy would be a fine addition for two reasons.

First, he has collected a minimum of 24 doubles in each full season with the exception of 2011 and has a lifetime .335 on-base percentage. True, both of those metrics slipped last season, but he is still a capable contributor.

Also, Murphy is only owed $6 million next season and has a $7 million team option in 2016 with a $500,000 buyout. In other words, he is a proven commodity that should fit into the club’s fiscal plan, potentially for the next two seasons.

In return for the left-handed hitter, the Indians would receive right-hander Dominic Leone, who pitched to a 2.17 ERA, 3.07 FIP and a 1.161 WHIP last season.

Yes, trading Leone would hurt the Mariners bullpen, but general manager Jack Zduriencik has a fine collection of young arms at his disposal, lessening the loss. Murphy’s addition would also improve manager Lloyd McClendon’s lineup and give him a veteran presence at the bottom of the order.

Tampa Bay Rays Acquire Ryan Howard from Philadelphia Phillies

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Tampa Bay Rays Get: DH Ryan Howard and $45 million

Philadelphia Phillies Get: OF Matt Joyce

Overview

With the trade of Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Philadelphia Phillies finally made good on a promise to trade a veteran player for an infusion of young talent. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. can’t stop there.

Moving first baseman Ryan Howard (.233/.310/.380) is one option. From Nick Cafardo at The Boston Globe:

"

The Phillies are trying to get teams interested in Howard, and a team source indicated they are willing to pay a great majority of his contract to move him. Howard, who hit 23 home runs and knocked in 95 runs last season, is owed $60 million between 2015 and ’17, which includes a buyout. The Phillies are trying to sell him as a DH. The [Tampa Bay] Rays and [Baltimore] Orioles could have needs in that area.

"

Let’s look at the Rays, who could use some power in the lineup—at the right price, of course.

Howard’s 25 home runs and 95 RBI in 2014 would have led the Rays, and his presence on the 25-man roster would surely give general manager Matt Silverman some roster flexibility this offseason.

In return for Howard and $45 million, the Rays would send outfielder Matt Joyce (.254/.349/.383, 9 HR, 52 RBI) to the Phillies. In essence, the Rays get Howard for three years at $5 million per, adding some muscle to the lower half of the order. The Phillies, meanwhile, get a versatile outfielder with a couple different options.

First off, Joyce is in the final year of arbitration eligibility. That means that Amaro has a window to negotiate a contract. Amaro could also deal the left-handed hitter at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline next season.

Admittedly, this is a far-fetched plan, but that is the type of thinking Amaro is going to have to incorporate if he has any hope of shedding Howard from the payroll.

Miami Marlins Acquire Allen Craig from Boston Red Sox

Steven Senne/Associated Press

UPDATE: December 16 at 12:30 p.m. ET

According to Barry Jackson from The Miami Herald, outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse has signed a two-year deal with the Marlins. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro confirmed the initial report.

This makes a deal for Craig unlikely.

Original Text

Miami Marlins Get: OF/1B Allen Craig

Boston Red Sox Get: RHP Sam Dyson

Overview

The Miami Marlins inked Giancarlo Stanton to a 10-year, $325 million contract, traded for second baseman Dee Gordon and acquired Mat Latos from the Cincinnati Reds.

That is one heck of a start, but the club is still searching for an option at first base. Enter Boston Red Sox outfielder/first baseman Allen Craig.

Not only are the Red Sox "listening to trade offers” for their outfielders in general, per MLB.com’s Richard Justice, but they need help in the relief corps. And given how Craig’s value has dipped after an injury-induced regression last season, perhaps the Marlins will be able to find a match.

How about a straight-up deal involving Sam Dyson for Craig?

Dyson is a young right-hander with a nice arsenal that would slot into the middle innings. True, he held opponents to a .237/.366/.271 slash line against with runners in scoring position, but he has the most experience in low-leverage situations, per Baseball-Reference. Given his age, though, that is to be expected.

Another thing adding value here is that as recently as 2013, Dyson started 21 games in the minor leagues, compiling a 2.67 ERA and 1.231 WHIP across three levels. The versatility is certainly attractive.

Dyson’s also not scheduled to hit free agency until after the 2020 season. That is important because, as Justice noted, Red Sox “general manager Ben Cherington has listened on Craig, but he has shown no willingness to trade him.” 

Well, seeing as how Cherington stated at the end of the season that "there will be some work done in the bullpen," per NESN.com's Ricky Doyle, perhaps a deal involving a cost-controlled reliever with great peripherals and minor league starting experience will be enough to sway him.  

Either way, Craig fits a real need for the Marlins. True, he is not a power hitter, but he was renowned for his ability to get on base prior to last season, can drive the gaps and plays several positions.

Craig, who is guaranteed $26.5 million through 2017, also serves as a free-agent alternative for Adam LaRoche, the former National who turned down an offer from the Marlins earlier in the offseason.

Unless otherwise noted, all traditional, team and advanced statistics are courtesy of FanGraphs.com and Baseball-Reference.com. Contract information pulled from Cot's Contracts. Transaction, injury and game information are courtesy of MLB.com.

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