MLB Trade Rumors: Buzz on Josh Hamilton, Cole Hamels and More

Even though the MLB winter meetings have come and gone, the rumor mill continues to spin at a pretty rapid rate. What's already been an active offseason figures to see at least a couple more marquee moves in the weeks ahead.

The trade market remains a solid alternative for general managers around the league as the number of high-profile free agents begins to dwindle. Those teams looking to go all-in for 2015 definitely have options if they are willing to pay the price.

With that in mind, let's check some of the most intriguing names that are being bantered about and examine what it could mean for the teams involved. If they don't get moved during the winter, you can likely expect the rumors to pop back up around the trade deadline next year.

Josh Hamilton

The Los Angeles Angels haven't received anywhere near the type of production they were expecting from Josh Hamilton. He'd racked up three straight seasons with at least 25 home runs and a .340 on-base percentage with the Texas Rangers before the move.

Not only are his numbers down across the board but he's also coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him play just 89 games. In turn, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the Angels are looking into what type of return the outfielder could yield:

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The Angels, according to major-league sources, have discussed a possible Hamilton trade with at least two teams this offseason, the Rangers and the Padres.

The talks were exploratory in nature; they did not gain traction, and the Angels did not contact Hamilton about waiving his no-trade clause, sources said.

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The problem for LA is value. The Angels owe Hamilton more than $80 million over the next three years and is coming off two mediocre years. Any team interested is probably going to want the Angels to pick up some of the tab while also getting a bargain-basement price.

That's likely why those early talks didn't go anywhere. While the front office could take the best available offer and just move on, it's hard to imagine any impact pieces coming back. Waiting to see if the slugger can rebuild some of his value early in 2015 is probably the team's best bet.

Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball over the past five years. At 30, he should still have a couple of years left at his peak as well. So with the Philadelphia Phillies starting to look toward the future, it's no surprise his name is being mentioned in talks.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe notes there are at least seven different teams with varying levels of interest in the ace. He does point out there are some additional hurdles, however, due to Hamels' contract situation and no-trade clause:

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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?

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Ultimately, Hamels just wants a chance to win. Enrico Campitelli of CSN Philly passed along comments made by the left-hander during an appearance on MLB Network Radio: "For whatever city is going after winning, I think that could definitely change every perspective and every desire, because that trumps everything—winning."

Every team on the list could make an argument they would be a lot better by adding Hamels. The one that stands out most is the Chicago Cubs. If they could add him after previously inking Jon Lester, suddenly the outlook becomes far brighter on the North Side.

Justin Upton

Justin Upton may not have become the top-tier superstar many expected when he was taken first in the 2005 draft, but he's still a rock-solid hitter. In his two years with the Atlanta Braves, he's cracked 56 homers while posting a .826 OPS.

He's scheduled to become a free agent after next season, though. Atlanta is seemingly building toward its new ballpark in 2017. Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that has led to the Braves talking with multiple teams about the more productive of their Upton brothers:

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In theory, a lot of problems can be fixed with very few moves. Trading Justin Upton and Gattis for long-term, usable pieces would help. Getting someone to take on the lesser Upton's contract would serve as a nice exorcism in the clubhouse.

But Hart has been trying all that since he got here. He had unproductive conversations with "six to eight" teams about Justin Upton. The other Upton: toxic, and it's looking more and more like the Braves may at least bring him to spring training.

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The team already traded Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the offseason. Moving Upton would cause the Braves to go from having one of the most talented corner outfield duos to an uncertain future. But they don't want to lose him for nothing, either.

While the San Francisco Giants, the Seattle Mariners or the Texas Rangers are logical landing spots, the Braves may wait until the dust settles before moving forward. If several teams still need right-handed power, a bidding war could finally bring them the type of package they want for Upton.