MLB Trade Rumors: Power Ranking Every Team's Best Trade Chips
MLB trade rumors have every team shipping away a good player for prospects or for an even better player.
How many of these rumors are actually true, we will never know. But with the general managers' meetings just three weeks away, there is going to be a lot of discussion.
And with free agency just starting to kick into high gear, there is going to be no shortage of good players available this winter.
The Hot Stove League is starting to fire up, so let's take a look at who is (reportedly) available and whether or not they will actually be dealt.
No. 30: Cincinnati Reds
1 of 30
Potentially Available: Catcher Corky Miller
The Reds just re-signed Ramon Hernandez, so they are set as far as veteran backstops. And Ryan Hannigan is probably the closest thing to "the future" on the current roster.
Miller just reached a minor-league deal with the club. So maybe he'll find more opportunities elsewhere.
No. 29: Philadelphia Phillies
2 of 30
Potentially Available: Infielder Wilson Valdez
A lot of what the Phillies do in the 2010-11 offseason obviously depends on the free-agent market. We know that Cliff Lee is a possible signee, but the club is also likely to lose Jayson Werth via free agency.
Neither of those things might happen. Both might happen.
It's unlikely that the club makes a major move in terms of trading major-league talent at this point. But if they do, Valdez is a good chip to move: Despite less than 90 starts, he drove in 35 runs, drew some walks and hit near .260. He also makes practically nothing: $400,000 last season.
No. 28: Detroit Tigers
3 of 30
Potentially Available: Second baseman Will Rhymes
The Tigers are allegedly one of the top teams interested in acquiring Marlins star second baseman Dan Uggla. To do so, they might have to deal one of last year's starters, 27-year-old Will Rhymes.
Rhymes started 53 games at second last season and, because they just resigned Jhonny Peralta, Ramon Santiago is essentially out of a job.
Assuming they get Uggla, they can deal Rhymes and still have a nice, low-cost utility infielder on the roster.
.png?w=256)
No. 27: St. Louis Cardinals
4 of 30
Potentially Available: Reliever Mitchell Boggs
The Cardinals are going to be buyers in this year's offseason.
They need a third baseman and bullpen arms right now. They will probably have to deal prospects to get the help they need.
There is practically no way the club deals away Colby Rasmus, like some reports have suggested.
No. 26: Texas Rangers
5 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Julio Borbon
The Rangers' second-year player had a good sophomore season in the big leagues. He didn't contribute much power to the outfield (just 18 extra-base hits in more than 400 at-bats), but he did keep the average over .275.
Depending on how the Cliff Lee situation shakes out, they may have to make a move for an arm to fill the rotation. Borbon is young enough and the Rangers do have David Murphy to fill the void left by Jeff Francoeur.
At 24 years old, with World Series experience under his belt, he should be an attractive player for other teams to inquire about. If a starter is available, the Rangers will have to consider adding Borbon to a package of prospects.
No. 25: Anaheim Angles
6 of 30
Potentially Available: Catcher Jeff Mathis, Catcher/1B Mike Napoli
The Angels probably won't deal away both their starting catchers: Mathis started 62 games at catcher for the club last season, Napoli started 59.
Napoli had a far more productive season at the plate (26 homers, 68 RBI), but because he can also play first base, he had twice as many at-bats.
The Red Sox and Rockies are reportedly interested in Napoli because of his versatility and power numbers. So they should fetch far more for him than they would Mathis.
Although he was terribly unproductive last season (.195, three homers, 18 RBI in 205 at bats), Mathis is a cheaper option. He's making nearly one-third of what Napoli is making and he is only 27 years old.
And if the Angels go out and sign one of the available bats at first base (Paul Konerko, Adam LaRoche), they won't miss Napoli's presence in the field.
No. 24: Washington Nationals
7 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Josh Willingham
According to Buster Olney, both the Rangers and A's have shown an interest in Willingham.
Dealing him away—assuming the club loses Adam Dunn—could be a big mistake. They could have switched Willingham over to first base.
But they are in the market for several of the big names out there: Dan Uggla, Cliff Lee, Jorge De La Rosa, even Carlos Beltran.
They are going to have to make a lot of moves to revamp the club the way they want to.
No. 23: Pittsburgh Pirates
8 of 30
Potentially Available: Catcher Ryan Doumit
The Pirates brought in Chris Snyder last July before the deadline, so they can afford to move Doumit.
He's a very good defensive catcher and he has been one of the club's better power hitters.
Depending on what happens with free agent Victor Martinez, a few teams might view him as a nice second option. And he makes less than $4 million per season.
No. 22: Baltimore Orioles
9 of 30
Potentially Available: Starter Jake Arrieta
The Orioles don't want to deal away young pitching, but they do have depth in that department: Brad Bergeson, Brad Matusz, Troy Patton and Chris Tillman.
Baltimore is also one of the teams that might be able to pull Dan Uggla out of Florida. A big young starter who is not making much money would be on the Marlins' wish list.
Arrieta had a nice rookie season—starting 18 games for the Orioles—but he struggled with his control and that might be enough to force a trade.
No. 21: Atlanta Braves
10 of 30
Potentially Available: Starter Derek Lowe
Lowe did a great job for the Braves the past two seasons. The record was good, but his presence as a mentor to the younger players (Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrens) and as a placeholder for Tim Hudson during his injury was even more important.
But at 37 years old, with a $15 million per year contract during the next two seasons, it might be time to move him.
He can definitely be valuable to a team in need of a veteran leader who can eat up innings. But the salary makes him hard to move.
No. 20: Oakland A's
11 of 30
Potentially Available: Third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff
Last offseason, the A's went out and acquired Kouzmanoff from the Padres. He might be on the move again this winter.
Kouzmanoff had a decent season in 2010, hitting 16 homers and driving in 71 runs. But he only hit .247 and, worse yet, his on-base percentage was a minuscule .283.
Edwin Encarnacion isn't exactly a major upgrade at the position: He hit .244 with 21 homers and 51 RBI last season with Toronto. Nevertheless, the A's acquired him off of waivers this week.
Still, the A's shouldn't move Kouzmanoff ($3.1 million last season) just because they brought in the more expensive Encarnacion ($5.1 million).
Kouzmanoff is much steadier defensively (just 12 errors in 142 games) than Encarnacion (18 errors in 95 games). Keeping both players is a good option.
No. 19: Houston Astros
12 of 30
Potentially Available: First baseman Brett Wallace
The former first-round pick back in 2008 has already been dealt three times in his very short career. The Astros might consider sending him packing again.
He made his major league debut with Houston back in July, but he really struggled in 51 games, hitting just .222.
The club probably isn't going to go out and acquire someone to take over at first base, but Carlos Lee could switch into the spot considering his lack of skills in the outfield.
Wallace is still so young (just 24) that plenty of teams will have an interest in him: As a two-time triple-crown winner at Arizona State, there's a reason he was taken by St. Louis in the first round.
No. 18: Seattle Mariners
13 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Milton Bradley
There's a chance that the powder-keg outfielder might be headed to his ninth different team in nine seasons.
According to AOL Fanhouse, new Mariners manager Eric Wedge holds no leftover negative feelings towards Bradley from their contentious relationship in Cleveland.
But Bradley will make $12 million next season and at 32 years of age, his production has really dipped in the past few seasons. After hitting .321 in 2008 with Texas, he is hitting just .237 the past two seasons.
Because of that decrease, his salary and his reputation, very few teams would even be interested in Bradley. Don't expect him to be dealt.
No. 17: San Francisco Giants
14 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Aaron Rowand
Rowand signed a big free-agent deal with the Giants around this time three years ago. But he lost the starting gig in 2010, partly because of injury, partly because Andres Torres had a very good second half.
According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman the Phillies might bring Rowand back: He had two very productive seasons in Philadelphia in 2006 and 2007.
The Giants can afford to deal Rowand because of Torres and because they lucked out with Cody Ross.
It's a smart move to try to move him. But the Giants, and every other team, know that the Phillies are not going to leap at the chance to bring in this particular 33-year-old making $12 million.
No. 16: Boston Red Sox
15 of 30
Potentially Available: Starter Daisuke Matsuzaka
Dice-K did not have a very good year last season, so his value for his salary has dwindled considerably. But he remains a big-name pitcher who could revitalize a rotation. Just because he has a no-trade clause doesn't mean he's unmovable.
Matsuzaka is only 30 years old. Someone would be willing to gamble that all he needs is a change of scenery. Boston has plenty of other arms to carry the rotation (Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and John Lackey), so they don't need to pay a fifth starter $8.33 million.
No. 15: Los Angeles Dodgers
16 of 30
Potentially Available: First baseman James Loney
Ken Rosenthal also says that the Dodgers are shopping the relatively light-hitting first baseman.
The Dodgers are probably interested in more home runs out of an important power position like first base, and Loney hasn't provided that. He is a great doubles hitter with a respectable batting average, but with Paul Konerko and Adam LaRoche available in the free-agent market, they can add more power to the position.
Loney is very young (just 26) and made just $3.1 million last season, so a smaller-market team that isn't short on home run hitters could be interested.
No. 14: Chicago White Sox
17 of 30
Potentially Available: Carlos Quentin
For a fairly young, very productive everyday outfielder, Quentin is a cheap option: He only made $3.2 million last season.
That could be an interesting chip to deal this offseason as the White Sox try to reclaim the AL Central. Because they seem to have a good chance of re-signing Paul Konerko, if the Sox want to move Quentin and try to find a replacement for Bobby Jenks in the bullpen, they can afford to lose his power numbers.
No. 13: Colorado Rockies
18 of 30
Potentially Available: Second baseman Clint Barmes, Starter Jorge De La Rosa
According to FoxSports' Ken Rosenthal, the Rockies have been receiving "interest" in Barmes.
It makes sense, considering that Chris Nelson might be able to transition over there. With what Troy Tulowitzki did in 2010, he won't be cracking the lineup at short stop. And Eric Young Jr. is also a possible replacement.
So maybe the Rockies can move the 31-year-old Barmes and get something in return, like the No. 2 starter they are after.
If they throw in De La Rosa, who is just 29 and had a great season in 2009, they can ask for a much better starter in return—perhaps James Shields.
No. 12: Chicago Cubs
19 of 30
Potentially Available: Starter Carlos Zambrano
This is a tremendously important offseason for the Cubs. They are going to go after Cliff Lee and maybe another top-line free agent, such as Carl Crawford.
If they do land one of those high-priced stars, unloading Zambrano's enormous salary would be a huge help to the new ownership's pocketbook.
But even if they don't sign a player like Crawford or Lee, Zambrano might be on his way out. He's caused so many headaches for the front office and coaching staff that, after 10 years, he may have worn out his welcome.
And although he hasn't been a top-tier starter since 2007, he has kept his ERA low and stayed about .500 in the win-loss record.
For that he remains a good commodity. Someone will likely pull him out of Chicago this offseason. The Yankees can afford his $17 million salary if they don't bring in Cliff Lee.
No. 11: Arizona Diamondbacks
20 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Justin Upton
Upton was reportedly on the block last year during the deadline. And last week, Arizona general manager Kevin Towers told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that he would be considering moving anyone at this point.
In the case of Upton, don't believe that. The Diamondbacks could definitely get a good player or great prospects in return for the younger Upton brother. But he was the first overall pick in the draft just five years ago.
And it's not like he's been a bust. He hit .300 last season, with 26 homers. He strikes out too much and seemed to regress a bit in 2010, but his future is exceedingly bright. The Diamondbacks have to think long-term, and parting with Upton isn't a smart move.
No. 10 New York Yankees
21 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Nick Swisher
If the Yankees fail to get Cliff Lee, they will certainly have a backup plan in place.
And if that plan involves Zack Greinke, they will have to deal some major league-ready talent to the Royals. Swisher might be a great fit.
On the other hand, the Yankees might try to add another outfielder as a replacement: Jayson Werth is probably more likely than Carl Crawford (although both are probably longshots to join the team). If that is the case, Swisher is probably the odd man out. They just brought in Curtis Granderson, and Brett Gardner is younger, a better defender and a threat to steal bases as well.
No. 9: Cleveland Indians
22 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Grady Sizemore
With the decline of the franchise now complete (they were only two games better than the Royals in 2010), the Indians will probably flirt with dealing their last proven position player.
But the market for Sizemore is not what it once was, considering he's coming off of microfracture surgery on his knee.
The Indians probably still see him as a top-notch, versatile outfielder. And he very well may return to form next season. But because they won't get nearly what they want in return, he's not a safe bet to be dealt.
No. 8: Minnesota Twins
23 of 30
Potentially Available: Delmon Young
Young finally broke through in 2010 and had a very good year: 21 home runs, 112 RBI, .298 average.
And for doing so, he is apparently on the trade blocks.
Plenty of teams out there are going to be interested in his bat and the Twins might be able to squeeze by with Michael Cuddyer there for a while (assuming Justin Morneau returns healthy).
If they can get bullpen help or another, more versatile, defensive outfielder, he might be on his way to another team.
No. 7: Tampa Bay Rays
24 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder B.J. Upton, Starter James Shields
The Rays could be headed for a major transition, depending on what happens in the free-agency market.
Carl Crawford is a safe bet to head elsewhere in 2011, so it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to ship Upton out of town as well.
There have been rumors about this move, but according to Buster Olney, the Rays are asking for several prospects in return. That price is probably too steep, which means Upton should be in Tampa on Opening Day.
Shields is a whole different case. There seems to be a big movement out there to put Shields on the trading blocks. The Rockies might be the most interested party. But the Rays are already set to lose so much this year that parting with one of their front-line starters could sent them to the back of the AL East.
Then again, if dealing Shields fills one of the holes in the lineup, they may have no choice.
No. 6: New York Mets
25 of 30
Potentially Available: Outfielder Carlos Beltran
Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Beltran is willing to waive his no-trade clause in order to be dealt.
That makes moving him a lot easier. But his trade value surely isn't what it was back when he played for the Kansas City Royals.
Obviously, he is a lot older (33) than he was when the Astros pulled him in and made their first World Series run in 2004. But he's also suffered several injuries and his production was declining even before then. He seems to have peaked in 2006.
But most difficult is his enormous salary: He is due over $19 million next year, then he becomes a free agent in 2012.
He can still be a very good player, but the Mets are going to have a hard time moving him. To justify the trade, they'll have to ask for a lot in return.
No. 5: Toronto Blue Jays
26 of 30
Potentially Available: Third baseman Jose Bautista
This all depends on whether or not the rumors about Dan Uggla are true. ESPN.com's Buster Olney says that the Jays are the favorite to acquire Uggla from Florida.
If that happens, the Jays will probably be considered buyers and not sellers in this offseason's market. But that has yet to happen, and with the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox boasting far more talent, they are a long shot to contend in 2011.
Bautista's stock could not be any higher than it is right now. He won the AL home-run title this year. Toronto might recognize that they can deal him and get a lot in return.
No. 4: Florida Marlins
27 of 30
Potentially Available: Second baseman Dan Uggla
There seems to be a consensus that Uggla will be dealt because he turned down the club's four-year, $48 million offer.
He is probably worth more, but how much more?
Uggla is not a great defensive second baseman and he strikes out a ton. But if adding power in the middle infield is a priority, than Uggla is the perfect fit.
The Marlins are probably happy accepting prospects in return for him, which makes it easier on a club trying to win now. And with several teams (Washington, Detroit, Toronto, St. Louis, Atlanta) reportedly showing a lot of interest, his value goes up.
No. 3: Kansas City Royals
28 of 30
Potentially Available: Starter Zack Greinke
The Royals would have been able to get much more in return for Greinke had they shopped him last offseason. But even a disillusioned franchise like the Royals cannot deal away the reigning Cy Young winner.
Greinke struggled a great deal in 2010, although his numbers were very respectable. Still, Greinke is a great backup plan for whichever team falls short in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
The Yankees have to be considering him if Lee decides to spurn them. The Royals probably cannot turn down that type of offer for a player who becomes a free agent after the 2012 season.
No. 2: Milwaukee Brewers
29 of 30
Potentially Available: First baseman Prince Fielder
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin can scream from the mountaintops that Fielder is not available. And he has started to: See here.
But until the club signs him to a new deal, the potential 2012 free agent is going to be the source of trade rumors.
And they cannot all be absurd. Melvin has to at least listen. Fielder's power numbers are too good for a pennant contender to ignore. The GMs for the big market franchises, like either Chicago team, the Dodgers or Boston, have to be making pitches or they wouldn't be doing their jobs.
Fielder probably won't be dealt during this offseason but, depending on where the Brewers are in July, he could be.
No. 1: San Diego Padres
30 of 30
Potentially Available: First baseman Adrian Gonzalez
It may sound crazy, but the Padres have to at least consider dealing their best player.
Last week he said that he will not be willing to take a "hometown" discount to stay in San Diego because it would screw up the rest of the free-agent market. That doesn't sound like the stance of a guy who wants to remain in town.
The Red Sox are already counting down the days until Gonzalez becomes a free agent in 2012, but by then, other teams will go after the 28-year-old power hitter.
Gonzalez's injured shoulder, however, makes it unlikely they will get fair value for him. He seems more destined to be a deadline deal.
.png?w=480)
