MLB Rumors: The Latest on Derek Jeter, Prince Fielder, Cliff Lee and More
MLB Rumors: The Latest on Derek Jeter, Prince Fielder, Cliff Lee and More
With the hot stove heating up there are a lot of trade rumors and free agency rumors flying around.
In this countdown we take a look at five free agents and five possible trade pieces.
What is the latest on these players? And more importantly, where are they headed?
10. Derek Jeter, Free Agent
1 of 10
Background: For the first time in his illustrious career, the Yankee captain is a free agent. Derek Jeter has spent every year so far with the Yankees and it would take a miracle for anyone to really think that he would move to another team.
What's the Latest?: Things have been pretty quiet on the Jeter front. It has been speculated, however, that Jeter will command a huge payday from the Yankees.
Prediction: Jeter will be a Yankee and he will make way more money than he deserves for what he is going to be for the life of the contract, but hey that's what you get for being the Yankees right?
9. Fausto Carmona, Trade Bait
2 of 10
Background: Fausto Carmona is the latest Cleveland Indians pitcher to have good stats on a bad team following Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia. The Indians have shown with Lee and Sabathia that they aren't afraid to trade the ace of their pitching staff in order to acquire pieces.
What's the Latest?: While Carmona being trade bait is pure speculation, he will be an interesting person to follow with a team contract option for 2012-2014. If the Indians get a good offer for him, get ready to say goodbye to Fausto.
Prediction: I would think a team like the Dodgers would explore trade options for Carmona. They have a lot of good young talent in their farm system and they could really use some help in the pitching department.
8. Adrian Beltre, Free Agent
3 of 10
Background: Adrian Beltre spent last year with the Boston Red Sox and had a great year. Beltre had the second highest totals in homeruns (28), RBI (102), and batting average (.321). With numbers like that Beltre is sure to be a hot commodity in free agency.
What's the Latest?: The Oakland A's have reportedly been working hard to bring in Beltre, but contract numbers are supposedly far apart. The A's reportedly offered 5 years $64 million and Beltre is looking for 5 years $90 million.
Prediction: If Beltre is really expecting 5 years $90 Million then I think you can count the A's out unless he is willing to take less. I think it is really going to come down to the Red Sox and the Angels. The Angels have had a tough time dealing with Beltre's agent Scott Boras. I doubt that the Red Sox will really want to keep Beltre so I think he waits for the market to shake out and ultimately gets about $75 million from the A's or a team of that caliber.
.png?w=256)
7. Jacoby Ellsbury, Trade Bait
4 of 10
Background: People seem to forget how highly regarded Jacoby Ellsbury was when the Red Sox won the 2007 World Series. He is a world class athlete who impacts the game in a ton of different ways. He is good in the field and has the speed to really be a game changer.
What's the Latest?: Again any trade involving Ellsbury is speculation. The Red Sox were really killed by injuries last season, including injuries that kept Ellsbury out. Ellsbury is still on a rookie contract meaning he is making near the minimum and he finally becomes arbitration eligible this year. The Sox could command a big package for such a favorable situation with Ellsbury.
Prediction: The trade of Ellsbury seems to go hand in hand with the Red Sox desire for Carl Crawford. If the Sox get Crawford they could move Ellsbury to fill other holes. If not they could keep him.
6. Jayson Werth, Free Agent
5 of 10
Background: Jayson Werth has been one of the impact players for the Phillies the past three seasons. Werth is a consensus top five free agent this year and will be getting a huge payday from whoever he signs with.
What's the Latest?: It has been pretty quiet on the Jayson Werth free agency front, but as is the case during any hot stove season, things could heat up really quickly. The Phillies have offered Werth arbitration so that they will at least get compensation if Werth signs else where.
Prediction: Werth has no shortage a suitors but I think it will boil down to the Red Sox and the Giants for a final destination. The Sox have been looking for a power hitting outfielder ever since parting ways with Manny Ramirez. The Jason Bay deal didn't go so well in Boston, so they could be gun shy about a similar player. The Giants have been looking for a power hitter since the days of Barry Bonds. I like the odds of Werth ending up in San Francisco.
5. Adrian Gonzalez, Trade Bait
6 of 10
Background: It really is a sign of the times that a guy like Adrian Gonzalez's days in San Diego are numbered. Gonzalez is one of the MLB's budding young stars but will be a free agent at the end of the 2011 season. The Padres had a great season this year but would likely trade their superstar for a few pieces to make the team better.
What's the Latest?: Gonzalez had offseason labrum "clean-up" surgery and is only under contact till the end of 2011. Both of those factors make a trade unlikely for the San Diego slugger, but I would be willing to wager that he will be traded at some point this season.
Prediction: As I just said I think Gonzalez be traded this year to a contender if the Padres falter. Without knowing who will be in the playoff race it is tough to predict a destination for the first baseman. I know that is a cop-out but I don't have an answer for you.
4. Carl Crawford, Free Agent
7 of 10
Background: Carl Crawford has spent all of his career in Tampa Bay. He is a legitimate five-tool player and will be the most sought after free agent position player this winter.
What's the Latest?: One American League insider was quoted as saying, "Three teams with money will definitely be bidding" on Crawford. The three teams that he was referring to were the Angels, Red Sox, and Tigers. Another MLB writer reported that the Angels are in "serious talks" with Crawford and his agent.
Prediction: I think the Angels will sign Crawford. The disappointment from this season paired with the strengths of how Crawford's game go with Mike Scoscia's style of baseball make this too perfect a fit to ignore.
3. Prince Fielder, Trade Bait
8 of 10
Background: Prince Fielder's name has been creeping up in trade rumors for the past few years. Fielder will be a free agent at the end of this year and after failing to get a long term deal from the Brewers, Fielder is unlikely to remain in Milwaukee.
What's the Latest?: Rumor has it that the Brewers are leaning towards hanging on to Prince this winter, but if a big deal comes there way then they would likely move the slugger.
Prediction: Fielder could be placed in the Gonzalez camp as a guy who will be moved once the season gets under way. If he were traded before the season I could see him ending up with either the Nationals who are looking to add some star power or to one of the AL East cellar dwellers; the Orioles or Blue Jays.
2. Cliff Lee, Free Agent
9 of 10
Background: Cliff Lee is the consensus top free agent this season. After spending the last two seasons with four different teams, Lee is looking for a big contract that will keep him in one place for the rest of his career.
What's the Latest?: Yahoo is reporting that the Yankees are offering Lee between $115 million and $120 million over 5 years. Now it isn't a foregone conclusion that Lee will head to New York. The Rangers have said that they will do whatever it takes to keep Lee, but the deciding factor could be his relationship with C.C. Sabathia.
Prediction: I think Lee ultimately signs with the Yankees. Was there ever any doubt?
1. Justin Upton, Trade Bait
10 of 10
Background: Justin Upton has played in the relative obscurity of Arizona the past few years. Granted he was a big name coming out of high school, but until he is playing on a winning team it is difficult to project what he really can be.
What's the Latest?: Upton is actually on the trading block. He even released a list of teams that he doesn't want to get traded to, but really it was doubtful that he would end with any of the bad teams that were on Upton's list.
Prediction: Reportedly the Red Sox are among the teams that are interesting in acquiring Upton. If they miss out on Crawford and Werth, I think the Sox will do anything possible to get the young phenom.
.png?w=480)
