MLB Trade Speculation: 15 Hitters Who'll Be Dealt over the Winter

Given that the New York Yankees developed a series of prospects in the mid-1990s that almost single-handedly kept them in World Series contention for 15 years, their reticence to call up Jesus Montero and other top minor-league talents over the past few years makes little sense. Montero could step into the role of incumbent DH Jorge Posada next spring since Posada is headed for free agency at season's end. But the fact that he is not up already indicates a certain lack of organizational confidence in the 21-year-old.

As many Yankees prospects do, Montero might soon become trade bait. The team absolutely needs to address its pitching deficiency this winter, and to do so, they must prepare to part with players like Montero. Nor are the Yanks the only club in position to ponder trading a critical piece this winter: Batters all over the league may be on the move, for reasons financial, personal and competitive. Here are the 15 best trade candidates for teams looking to bolster their lineups this winter.

1. Logan Morrison

Demoted August 13, Morrison was reinstated as a full-fledged Florida Marlin August 23. That minimum stay in the minors might be enough to smooth over the budding conflict between the Marlins and their young slugger—it might not. The organization has never been known as a patient or savvy one, so they just might deal Morrison this winter if they feel he has not learned whatever backward lesson they tried to teach by sending him down.

Whatever team might land Morrison—let's call them the Shmoronto Shmue Jays—would be getting a left-handed hitter with plenty of power and plate discipline. Morrison will be just 24 next season, and is a premium hitter, though, he will never be even an average defensive left fielder. The Marlins should hold onto him, so they'll probably get rid of him.

2. Michael Bourn

The Braves would love to hang onto Bourn through his final arbitration year in 2012, but unless they can trade Derek Lowe, it may not be possible. Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Brian McCann, Dan Uggla and Martin Prado all are in line for not-insubstantial raises on their 2011 salaries, and the Braves might not be able to retain Bourn unless they can unload at least Lowe or Chipper Jones.

Bourn's defensive prowess makes nixing Nate McLouth's option an easy choice, and his presence atop the lineup—he leads the NL in stolen bases and has a .360-plus OBP each year—is of great value. The Braves just have to hope they get a chance to cash in on his talent.

3. Marlon Byrd

Consider Byrd the Camry to Bourn's Town Car: Bargain shoppers ill-equipped either financially or in terms of expendable minor-league talent can turn away from Atlanta and try to acquire Byrd from the Cubs.

Two years into a modest three-year, $15-million deal with Chicago, Byrd has far outstripped his cost of ownership by racking up 6.1 WAR (according to FanGraphs) and playing great defense in center field. He's scheduled to make $6.5 million next year, and the Cubs would love to retain him, but if Tyler Colvin shows them he can handle right field, the team might ship out their 2010 All-Star in order to make room for center-field prospect Brett Jackson.

4. Andre Ethier

This season has been less than stellar for Ethier, a decent defensive right fielder and very good hitter when on his game. But he still figures to be an attractive free-agent option after 2012, and he all but said back in April that he would be out the door when he got his chance.

Given that he'll make eight figures in his final year or arbitration eligibility, though, the Dodgers might decide not to wait around and see whether he is bluffing. Ethier would fetch a good price on the trade market, with few capable outfielders available this winter. If he rediscovers his power in a new home, it could be a great buying opportunity. Los Angeles might have been even more inclined to deal him prior to foolishly giving away outfield prospect Trayvon Robinson for nothing useful at the trade deadline.

5. Hunter Pence

Like former teammate Bourn, Pence moved at the trade deadline. The Phillies, as the Braves did in acquiring Bourn, gave up a good bit to get Pence on the premise that he is under team control in 2012. And it might well be that the Phillies, who draw huge crowds and have a great chance to pile up another World Series run's worth of playoff revenues, will be better able to retain Pence than many believe.

But the facts are these: Pence made $3.5 and $6.9 million in his first two trips through arbitration, and might very well reach eight figures in his final turn before free agency. The Phillies need to secure a shortstop, be it Jimmy Rollins (who will also get a nifty bump by reaching the open market) or someone else. Cole Hamels will get a raise as his first multi-year deal expires and he hits arbitration. And Cliff Lee will see his salary double in the second year of that surprise deal he signed last winter. Brad Lidge and/or Roy Oswalt might not be back next year. If either stays, though, Pence probably has to go.

6. B.J. Upton

Potential is a devilish bedfellow in baseball. Upton has it in spades, but over the past three seasons, his production has been in steady and constant decline. This season, he's struggled to keep his OPS around .700, and his defense has gone downhill, whether because of wanting effort or the removal of leather whiz Carl Crawford from left field.

But Upton just turned 27, and he still has a world of potential in front of him. He could yet become a terror with both an offensive and defensive explosion. The Rays probably will deal him this winter as they move into the Desmond Jennings era, but Upton will be a worthwhile upside risk for someone.

7. Yonder Alonso

Alonso's bat might be of a higher quality than any other available this winter, and unlike most of the other names on this list, he has a ton of controllable seasons between him and free agency. The problem is that his glove, if you can imagine it, is significantly worse than Morrison's. He will never be able to play anywhere but first base, and he's not even a stud defender there.

The Reds also want the world in any Alonso deal, which is a fair expectation considering his status and upside. But finding the right buyer might be tricky.

8. Delmon Young

The Tigers could probably keep Young for 2012, assuming they do not re-sign Magglio Ordonez to clog their outfield logjam once more. But even if Ordonez is gone, Austin Jackson, Brennan Boesch, Andy Dirks and Ryan Raburn have to find playing time alongside Young, and the picture is increasingly clouded by the fact that Victor Martinez may never catch regularly again.

Young is just 25 going on 26, but his youth is about all he still has working for him. His 2010 power surge has given way to a more usual intermittent sort of pop, and he still never walks. Meanwhile, despite making strides of late, he remains an abysmal outfielder. He'll be a fairly expensive piece, but if a team believes in him and thinks they can use him either in a platoon or a DH role, he could well be dealt for the third time in five years.

9. Peter Bourjos

Here starts the fun.

Bourjos is a piece no team would want to move. He has speed (tons of speed, delightful and enjoyable and really useful speed), surprising pop, great defensive instincts and the basic baseball skills to turn that blend of gifts into a finished product that looks eerily like a slightly less powerful Devon White. Bourjos is also just 24 years old.

But the Angels are in trouble. Jered Weaver's contract extension begins in 2012. Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick enter arbitration for the third time, and that's where the real money is. Bobby Abreu's contract option vested on July 31. The team cannot add payroll, yet they need a new first baseman, at bare minimum.

Rather than spending big on a Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols, the Angels may need to solve their problems through a payroll-neutral trade. The best way to do that: Swap Bourjos straight up for Morrison, and allow Mike Trout to take over as the everyday center fielder.

10. Carlos Lee

Lee is no gem, but his contract is up after 2012, and the Astros will be very motivated sellers if someone shows interest. Stunningly, Lee has made some strides in terms of athleticism and defense the past year or two, especially with his move to first base. He still takes an all-or-nothing approach to plate appearances and walks rarely, but he could be a useful stopgap somewhere if a team elects not to get involved with the long-term bidding war for Fielder and Pujols. 

11. Martin Prado

Trading Bourn might not be necessary if the Braves get approval on a modest budget expansion, and if that's so, then the team could try to cut smaller costs like Prado's 2012 arbitration award. Prado makes $3.1 million this year, but has more value to other teams than to the Braves under current circumstances. 

That's because, by all accounts (both statistical and visual), Prado can more than handle both second and third base, but has been shuffled to left field by the arrival of Dan Uggla in Atlanta. This would be the right move for the Braves, if only they can afford it.

12. Adam LaRoche

An injury that halted LaRoche's season in June ensured what looked apparent already: He would not reach 25 home runs as he had for the three years prior. LaRoche may never get his job back in Washington, given the play of Michael Morse in his absence, but he could help the Nats acquire the center fielder they have been talking about for months: The Cubs could send Byrd to D.C. in exchange for LaRoche, filling each team's need for a transition season and setting up each to address more pressing issues in order to compete in 2013.

13. Alfonso Soriano

Soriano's contract seems immovable, but then, someone bit on Vernon Wells.

That Soriano has under-performed considering the huge deal the Cubs gave him in December 2006 is self-evident, but quietly, he is an above-average left fielder, still has very real power and has proven (to the surprise and chagrin of the Chicago media) to be the heart of the team. It was Soriano who slugged the Cubs to the 2007 playoffs with 14 September homers; Soriano who openly stated that the Cubs did not need Milton Bradley around if he would throw fits like the one that got him sent home from a game in 2009; Soriano who berated Carlos Zambrano in the clubhouse after Zambrano's Atlanta antics earlier this month; and Soriano who spoke with Starlin Castro about his inattentiveness during play on defense Sunday.

All that said, the Cubs have no business trying to trade the man for what would essentially be nothing, especially since they would need to eat over 75 percent of the $54 million left on his contract through 2014. But they'll probably do it anyway, or so the whispers in the city go.

14. Michael Young

Winning—and hitting .337—heals many wounds, and Young and the Rangers seem to have gotten past many of their differences from the spring. Yet, Young seems superfluous as a DH, but will not be displacing any of the team's infielders anytime soon. With 2011 out of the way, he will have just two years and $32 million remaining on his contract, and suddenly, that deal looks much better than it once did. The Rockies, who courted Young all throughout February and March, seem an even better fit given the cruel struggles of Ian Stewart.

15. Jesus Montero

Montero might find a home in the Yankee lineup next season, but if he seems to be no more than a part-time option for them, teams across the league could clamor for Montero. The Brewers may need to trade either Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum for salary reasons, and could plug in Montero to replace free agent Prince Fielder at first base. The A's might finally cave and give up Gio Gonzalez to get Montero. The options are seemingly endless. Honestly, Montero should be a Yankee already, and the fact that he isn't is the only good indicator that he won't be soon. One way or another, though, he will provide the Yankees with value as they try to build a championship club in 2012.