MLB Trade Rumors: Zack Greinke, 10 Other Former All-Stars Who Could Be Moved
Some of these players are still All-Stars in their prime. Some of them left their better days behind them and are close to retirement. But the one thing that they have in common is that they are all on the trading block.
Here are 10 former All-Stars who could be wearing new uniforms by the start of next season.
Jonathan Papelbon
1 of 10
All-Star: 2006-2009
The Red Sox don't have to trade Papelbon, but they maybe they should part ways with the 29-year-old right-hander after the worst season of his career.
Red Sox cult hero Lou Merloni certainly thinks so.
Papelbon's ERA and WHIP rose to 3.90 and 1.269 respectively (previous career highs were 2.34 and 1.147). He's walking more batters and giving up more hits. That said, however, he's still one of the most effective closers in the game.
Papelbon will make upwards of $11 million next season, so Boston will have to pick up a large portion of his salary if they hope to trade him. But a market for him certainly exists, especially since Rafael Soriano is the only elite free agent closer available. It's also a prime opportunity for the Red Sox to install Daniel Bard as the closer, something they can't really do if Papelbon is still around.
The free agent reliever market is one of the strongest in recent memory, so Theo Epstein can soften the blow of losing Papelbon by signing a couple of quality arms. He could also use the prospects Papelbon will fetch to pursue a big bat like Adrian Gonzalez.
Carlos Zambrano
2 of 10
All-Star: 2004, 2006, 2008
The contract is a killer—almost $36 million over the next two years. But for a team desperate for a top-of-the-line starter, Zambrano may just be the answer.
He had an up and down 2010 season but finished strong, with a 1.41 ERA over his last 10 starts. Zambrano's still only 29 and his stuff is as filthy as ever. If he can stay healthy, and out of trouble, he'd be a major asset for any club.
The Cubs have no reason to hold on to Zambrano since they don't seem to be going anywhere in the next couple of years. But they will have to eat a substantial portion of that contract if they hope to move him.
Adrian Gonzalez
3 of 10
All-Star: 2008-2010
At this point it's only a matter of time before Gonzalez is moved. The Padres have admitted they can't re-sign him. Teams like the Red Sox have shown an interest in acquiring him. And Gonzalez himself has expressed a willingness to change teams.
Gonzalez had labrum surgery recently and reportedly won't even be able to swing a bat until March. This may take him off the trade market until he's healthy again, if only because San Diego GM Jed Hoyer wants to get full value for his superstar.
With a career OPS of .875 and four consecutive seasons of at least 30 home runs, who could blame him?
Expect Gonzalez to be moved by the trade deadline if not during spring training.
.png?w=256)
Prince Fielder
4 of 10
All-Star: 2007, 2009
After Gonzalez, Fielder may be the top player on the trade market. He will be a free agent after 2012 and the chances of him re-signing with Milwaukee are slim. The Brewers have indicated their desire to move the left-handed slugger, and despite Fielder's physical shortcomings, they will find a healthy market for the 26-year-old first baseman.
Milwaukee needs rotation help and Fielder is the piece that can get it for them. The Brewers reportedly want to keep Fielder until at least the beginning of the season, but they'll be motivated to trade him by midseason at the latest if they want any kind of return.
Fielder would be best suited going to the AL and becoming a DH. However, his .919 career OPS makes him an enticing option for any team looking for a big time slugger from the left side of the plate.
Zack Greinke
5 of 10
All-Star: 2009
Perhaps the most intriguing story line on the hot stove is the speculation surrounding the 2009 Cy Young Award winner.
Greinke is the best pitcher available on the trade market, and possibly on the free agent market as well (with all due respect to Cliff Lee). The demand for a certifiable ace is through the roof, with teams like the Rangers, Brewers, Blue Jays and Red Sox showing considerable interest. But will the Royals move him?
Greinke has two years and $27 million remaining on his contract, a bargain price for a No. 1 pitcher. He's also still only 26 years old and may not yet have fully tapped his potential. An extension with the Royals is unlikely given the disarray of the Kansas City organization, so GM Dayton Moore may have no choice but to trade his best player.
However, Moore is asking for a king's ransom in return, as he should. Greinke, despite a down year this past season, still owns a career 3.82 ERA and has pitched at least 200 innings in three consecutive seasons. On a better team he'd be a lock to win 17-20 games and be a perennial Cy Young contender.
The Royals will likely decide that they will never be able to get a better deal for Greinke than the ones being floated around right now. Plus, they don't want to risk Greinke suffering an injury or, worse, a mental breakdown that would destroy his trade value. Greinke does have a no-trade clause though and can block trades to certain cities, so it will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Justin Upton
6 of 10
All-Star: 2009
Rumors about the availability of the Diamondbacks young stud outfielder came seemingly from out of nowhere. But they are most definitely for real.
GM Kevin Towers has said he would be willing to move anybody on his roster for the right price. And nobody on that team is as enticing a trade target as the 22-year-old Upton. In just his third full season in the majors Upton has already established himself as a bonafide talent with an .824 career OPS and over 200 total bases in each of the last two seasons. He has all of the tools baseball scouts drool over and he's only getting better.
Unfortunately for the rest of baseball, the price for Upton is reportedly ridiculous. Arizona wants four or five top prospects in return for their franchise player, who is due to make almost $50 million over the next five seasons. That may actually be a fair price for one of the brightest young talents in baseball, but for now teams are balking at the cost.
If Towers' demands come down, Upton should be moved fairly quickly. The Diamondbacks need all the help they can get and there are few other impact offensive players available, let alone potential Hall-of-Famers.
Jason Bartlett
7 of 10
All-Star: 2009
The Rays shortstop is in his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent and, rather than pay him upwards of $5 million, Tampa Bay may just trade him now.
There aren't too many free agent infielders that can do what Bartlett can do, so there's sure to be a healthy market for the 30-year-old hitter. Last season he struggled with a .254 batting average and only a .350 slugging percentage. But in 2009 he was terrific, batting .320 with an .879 OPS and 14 home runs.
If teams think they can get the 2009 version of Bartlett then they will pay a pretty handsome price. The Giants, Cardinals and Orioles have all expressed their interest. Tampa Bay could replace Bartlett at short with youngster Reid Brignac.
Carlos Beltran
8 of 10
All-Star: 2004, 2005-2007, 2009
The Mets would reportedly entertain offers for their 33-year-old center fielder, and why shouldn't they?
Beltran appeared in only 64 games last season after appearing in 81 games in 2009. He still has a world of talent, but his inability to stay on the field have Mets officials wondering if it's time to move him.
Beltran is due $18.5 million next season, a figure which would be appropriate if he actually stayed healthy and performed. But for a team desperate to add a big bat (Beltran does have 280 carer home runs), the switch-hitting slugger could be just the answer.
The Mets will likely have to wait to see where Werth and Crawford sign and for how much before seriously listening to trade offers for Beltran.
Kosuke Fukudome
9 of 10
All-Star: 2008
The Japanese import has been a pleasant find for the Chicago Cubs, but with $13.5 million due to Fukudome in 2011 the Cubs will look to move him and free up salary space to go after a player like Adam Dunn.
Fukudome has been solid in his three seasons in the majors, including an impressive debut as a rookie in 2008. Last season he hit .263 with an .809 OPS and 13 dingers. He's a capable right fielder but is not worth the price tag, especially after only playing in 130 games in 2010.
Teams losing out on Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford may turn to Fukudome as their next best option. The Cubs may have to eat some of his contract, but they will be able to find suitors.
Derek Lowe
10 of 10
All-Star: 2000, 2002
The Braves may have solved their offensive woes with the acquisition of Dan Uggla last week. But that does not mean Lowe's job is safe.
The 37-year-old right-hander has $30 million remaining on his contract through 2012, a price tag that is a bit rich. But with the free agent starting pitching market so weak, Atlanta will be able to find teams willing to take on Lowe's contract. The move could allow the Braves to pursue either Werth or Crawford to add to their outfield.
Lowe is still serviceable as a No. 3 pitcher. He's a workhorse who in his major league career has never been on the DL. Last season he pitched nearly 200 innings with a 4.00 ERA. His numbers aren't great, but he's an effective pitcher with whom you know what you're getting.
The Braves will likely wait to see what the market is for starting pitching first before seriously entertaining offers for their starter.
.png?w=480)
