MLB Rumors: Analyzing Trade Whispers as Pitchers and Catchers Report

Spring is almost in the air. Pitchers and catchers are teasing the 2015 MLB season by reporting for camp, but clubs are not done probing the trade market for last-second alterations.

This late in the game, nobody should expect any blockbuster deals before Opening Day. Teams are more concerned with tying up loose ends, usually by dealing spare parts or filling small holes. 

One prominent name still dangles as a sensible trade candidate, giving some gravitas to the hot stove. After him, fringe players pepper the rumor mill at the start of spring training. 

Jonathan Papelbon

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The Jonathan Papelbon saga continues. A terrible team plus a high-priced relief pitcher usually equals a move, which is why the Philadelphia Phillies are expecting to exchange him this season.

According to The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, a transaction remains possible despite negotiations stalling with the Milwaukee Brewers.

"The Phillies feel there’s still an opportunity to deal Papelbon, even though the Brewers scenario hasn’t unfolded as they thought," Cafardo wrote. "The Phillies want the Brewers to take care of the option year but still want a top prospect in return. But there may be a mystery team out there kicking the tires."

Papelbon will earn $13 million this season, per Cot's Baseball Contracts, but the vesting option Cafardo alluded to has complicated trade talks. The closer is well on his way to activating another $13 million payday for 2016 if he finishes 45 games this year.

With Kenley Jansen out eight to 12 weeks after undergoing foot surgery, the Los Angeles Dodgers could jump into the fray. They were linked to Papelbon last July with Jansen healthy, but new management acquired Joel Peralta and Chris Hatcher during the offseason.

It's possible they're the mystery team, but Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi are too smart to overpay for a brand-name closer. 

Dillon Gee

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Another player expected to get dealt all winter, Dillon Gee remains with the New York Mets, where he'll likely get shoved out of a crowded rotation. Despite the surplus of arms, the Mets have not rushed to move Gee or any other hurler, perhaps appreciating the frailty of pitchers.

"If opportunities arise, we'll certainly explore," general manager Sandy Alderson told Newsday's Marc Carig. "But I don't think our situation dictates that we aggressively pursue trade opportunities. That's not something I'm worried about today."

Having submitted a 4.00 ERA last year, Gee is hardly an upper-echelon arm. Barring an injury, he'll probably pitch as a long reliever, a designation the Mets hope they won't need with their burgeoning pitching corps. 

Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News gave a lukewarm update on Gee's status:

"

A Mets team source said Monday that there are no talks involving Gee at the moment. Most teams the Mets had winter conversations with about the 28-year-old, including the Rangers, Rockies and Giants, moved in different directions. Still the team source said they are still open to the idea of trading a starter, including Gee, during spring training.

"

A below-average pitcher by Baseball-Reference.com's 93 ERA+, Gee won't fetch anything more than a low-level prospect. Rather than settle for anything tossed his way, Alderson looks content with stashing his depth just in case.

Pete Kozma

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The St. Louis Cardinals' starting shortstop in 2013, Pete Kozma must now fight for a spot on their 25-man roster.

Out of options, the 26-year-old shortstop can't get sent back to the minors, where he hit .248/.330/.372 last season. If he doesn't make the cut, the Cardinals must release him or find a trade partner.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold, they might have a taker for the middle infielder.

"This winter, [general manager John] Mozeliak fielded calls from other teams about his lefties," Goold wrote. "At least one AL West team had interest in Kozma. By the end of March, the general manager might get the chance to revisit trade options before the risk of losing Freeman or Kozma on waivers."

Kozma isn't there for his bat. Despite hitting a horrid .217/.275/.273 in 2013, he finished just slightly below replacement-level production thanks to his eight defensive runs saved (DRS), via FanGraphs.

He was never equipped to handle an everyday role, but Kozma can help St. Louis or another team as a defensive specialist off the bench.