MLB Trade Speculation: Top 20 Hitters Potentially Available This Winter

With the Major League Baseball season coming to an end, every team will be wiping the slate clean and starting anew. While eight team's will be given a fresh start in the playoffs, the other 22 will be gearing up for a chance at improving their ball club this winter.

If the pre-July 31st chaos was foreshadowing things to come, we can expect this winter to be one wild ride.

While many of the big names rumored to be available this summer ended up staying put, most of them will find their way back into the rumor-mill once each team puts their plan in place heading into next season.

Either way, Major League Baseball will enter the 2012 season with a whole new look.

Here are the top 20 hitters potentially available this winter.

Angel Pagan, OF, New York Mets

Remaining Contract: Last year of arbitration

While many Mets fans seem disgruntled with the season Angel Pagan put forth in 2011, he was more than solid for the team during his two previous years and should draw some interest once teams reorganize.

There's always a market for an above-average outfielder with a .280 career batting average who can steal 35-40 bags per season and reach double-digit home runs.

Adam LaRoche, 1B, Washington Nationals

Remaining Contract: One-year, $8 million (plus $10 million option)

The first year of the Adam LaRoche experiment didn't go well for the Washington Nationals, as the slugger appeared in only 43 games before going down to injury. He only hit .172 with three home runs when he was in the lineup anyway.

LaRoche is notorious for being a second-half hitter so his name generally floats around more during the summer, though he could still draw interest so long as his shoulder heals up as expected.

Over his career, LaRoche has consistently provided his teams with around 25 home runs and 85 RBI, so he could be appealing to a number of teams around the league.

Luke Scott, 1B/DH, Baltimore Orioles

Remaining Contract: Last year of arbitration

The Orioles would have liked to deal Luke Scott before the July 31st trade deadline, but an injury prevented any such trade from coming to fruition.

Scott has a career OPS-plus of 121 and he's hit 75 long balls in part-time duty from 2008-10.

Having the ability to play first base and in the outfield may give his value a slight increase, yet his future is destined to be as a DH.

Aubrey Huff, 1B/Of, San Francisco Giants

Remaining Contract: One-year, $10 million (plus $10 million option)

On the high of their World Series championship, the San Francisco Giants awarded Aubrey Huff an ill-advised extension—one that they'd love to get out of at this point.

Huff's impeccable 142 OPS-plus from 2010 has dropped all the way down to 90 this season. He's hit .244 with 12 home runs and only 59 RBI, while his OBP dropped from .385 to .304.

Had he stayed consistent year over year, the Giants would probably be getting ready for more October baseball right now. Instead, the players will head home while the front office tries to find a suitor willing to take Huff off their hands.

Chone Figgins, 2B/3B, Seattle Mariners

Remaining Contract: Two-years, $17 million (plus $9 million vesting option)

Chone Figgins is by no means worth his contract at this point, but don't be too quick to judge his poor performance over the last two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.

Seattle has turned in to the place where hitters go to die, as they yearly sport the worst offensive team in baseball. Figgins thrived while part of a more potent offensive system with the Angels, and put into the right situation, he could do it again.

When healthy, Figgins can reach 40 stolen bases and an OBP worthy enough to bat leadoff for most teams in baseball. Regardless, he's still not worth his contract so the Mariners would have to cave in and eat a healthy portion of his deal.

Mark Reynolds, 3B, Baltimore Orioles

Remaining Contract: One-year, $7.5 million (plus $11 million option)

Mark Reynolds has done everything the Orioles expected him to do offensively when trading for him last winter. He's hit .220 with 37 home runs, while leading baseball with 195 strikeouts.

The underlying issue is the large hole in his glove at third base, which has left him with a -2.5 dWAR on the season.

The Orioles are an up-and-coming team in the AL, with or without Reynolds. They'll have to decide this winter whether his escalating salary is worth the many deficiencies in his game.

The O's gave up young relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio to acquire Reynolds last offseason, so they'd probably seek more in return to consider moving him.

Adam Dunn, DH, Chicago White Sox

Remaining Contract: Three-years, $44 million

Is it even possible to trade Adam Dunn? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends how much of his contract the White Sox would be willing to eat.

Dunn had an epic meltdown this season. The "Dunn Line" will be replacing the Mendoza Line as the new standard of atrocious hitting, effective immediately. (You heard it here first!) 

In most cases, approaching the Dunn Line would mean your career is effectively done, too. 

Dunn averaged more than 40 home runs per season from 2004-10, so my money says he'll bounce back in a big way next season.

Logan Morrison, OF, Miami Marlins

Remaining Contract: Five years of arbitration eligibility

Logan Morrison's relationship with the Miami Marlins' brass has turned very sour over the last few months, in part because the team unnecessarily sucker-punched the slugger down to Triple-A this summer.

With Ozzie Guillen in town as the new skipper, he'll probably partake in a few sit-downs with the young buck before deciding whether Morrison should be a part of their future.

Morrison slugged 23 home runs in 122 games this season, so he has the potential to be one of the better young outfielders in baseball.

James Loney, 1B, Los Angeles Dodgers

Remaining Contract: Last year of arbitration

James Loney has done nothing but underachieve during his time with the Dodgers. The team expected big things from him after he hit .331 with 15 home runs during a 96-game stint in 2007, but he has yet to reach those numbers since.

Loney will turn 28 years old at the beginning of next season, so he still has time to put together a respectable career. He's hit 41 of his 66 career home runs on the road, so his offensive numbers would likely improve in a new lineup.

Considering he wouldn't cost much to acquire, Loney stands the chance of being the biggest steal among winter trades.

Bold Prediction: The Brewers acquire Loney as a potential replacement for Prince Fielder.

Jason Bay, OF, New York Mets

Remaining Contract: Two-years, $32 million (plus $16 million vesting option)

Jason Bay's play and his contract will make him difficult to move, yet the Mets would like nothing more than to put this colossal mistake in the past.

Bay is below-average in the outfield and the amount of pop he has in his bat isn't quite enough to get the ball out of monstrous Citi Field in New York.

Just two seasons ago, Bay hit 36 home runs with the Red Sox. The potential power is there, but he would be better suited playing his home games at a ballpark that's more fitting to his mold as a hitter.

Denard Span, OF, Minnesota Twins

Remaining Contract: Three-years, $14.25 million (plus $9 million option)

Denard Span was a hot name on the market this summer as teams looked to bolster their outfield. The Twins were hesitant, ultimately choosing to hang on to their center fielder for the remainder of the season.

Span has struggled at the plate this season while coming back from an injury, but throughout his career he's shown the ability to get on base and he provides solid defense in the outfield.

Minnesota may still be reluctant to trade Span this winter, but whichever team loses out on the B.J. Upton sweepstakes may make the Twins an offer they can't refuse.

Alex Rios, OF, Chicago White Sox

Remaining Contract: Three-years, $38.5 million

If there was a team willing to acquire Alex Rios when he had five-years and $60 million remaining on his deal, there may be a team willing to take a chance on him again. You can bet the White Sox would have to eat a portion of his salary to make a deal happen, though.

Rios seemed to get back on track offensively to end the season, hitting .307 with five home runs during the month of September. 

Rios is also an above-average outfielder, so he does have some upside if he can regain some of his offensive form next season.

Carlos Lee, OF/1B, Houston Astros

Remaining Contract: One-year, $18.5 million

Knock on Carlos Lee all you want, but his 4.7 WAR this season is the 16th best in the entire National League.

The move to first base definitely proved to be a wise one for Lee and the Astros, as he set a career-high with a 2.2 dWAR this season. He may be 35 years old and he's definitely overpaid, but Lee can still produce at a high level and he could potentially be had on the cheap.

The Astros will surely eat a large portion, if not a majority, of Lee's remaining salary. He would provide the most value if he were able to split time as a DH.

Bold Prediction: Lee takes over for Jorge Posada as the Yankees' designated hitter.

Alfonso Soriano, OF, Chicago Cubs

Remaining Contract: Three-years, $54 million

While his contract is absolutely absurd, the Cubs will eventually end up eating the entirety of his remaining salary to get him out of town and to start anew.

This is very good for Soriano's potential suitors. He may not be earning his money in Chicago, but Soriano would be a great offensive add for a low cost of only a couple mid to upper-level prospects.

With 50 home runs over the last two seasons, the 35-year-old Soriano can still provide solid power and run production. However, I do feel he has more upside as a DH in the American League.

Bold Prediction: Evan Longoria will be providing Soriano with protection in Tampa's lineup. The Rays need offense and they have plenty of prospects to pique the Cubs' interest.

Carlos Quentin, OF, Chicago White Sox

Remaining Contract: Last year of arbitration

White Sox GM Kenny Williams has been vocal regarding the many changes that will be made in the clubhouse after a supremely disappointing 2011 season. 

Ozzie Guillen was the first to go and Carlos Quentin will soon follow.

Quentin made his second All-Star team this year and has averaged 32 home runs over a 162-game season throughout his career, although he's never been able to play more than 131 games in a single season.

There aren't as many power-hitters in the league as there were five years ago, so Quentin will have plenty of value as a 28-year-old slugger.

Bold Prediction: Quentin is acquired by the Giants, regardless of whether or not they retain Carlos Beltran.

B.J. Upton, OF, Tampa Bay Rays

Remaining Contract: Last year of arbitration

B.J. Upton was close to being traded before the July 31st deadline, but the Rays made the right call in believing they could make a run at the AL Wild Card.

In reality, holding on to Upton was only delaying the inevitable, especially seeing as his value will increase once teams have a chance to regroup this winter.

Upton would no doubt draw heavy interest on the market. Might I suggest that the Rays reload their farm with a couple of bats this time around?

Bold Prediction: The Nationals finally get their speedy center fielder.

Andre Ethier, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Remaining Contract: Last year of arbitration

Before the season I'd of bet my bank account that the Dodgers would choose to build their offense around Andre Ethier rather than Matt Kemp. I'll bet most of you can agree.

With Kemp's near-historic season in 2011, it all but guarantees Ethier will be the one on the chopping block this winter. Don't feel too bad for him, though, as it appears he'd be reluctant to sign a long-term deal in LA anyway.

Bold(er) Prediction: The Nationals use their deep farm system to grab Ethier, too. Can you imagine an outfield of Ethier, Upton and Werth?

David Wright, 3B, New York Mets

Remaining Contract: One-year, $15 million (plus $16 million option)

Was I the only one surprised that David Wright cleared waivers this past August? He's been one of the top third basemen in the league for the better part of the decade and is still only 28 years old.

The Mets are in financial pickle, although it's not believed to be as bad as once thought. 

The team may end up choosing whether to build their offense around Wright or Jose Reyes, so if Reyes re-signs with New York you can expect to see Wright's name floating around in trade talks soon after.

It actually makes sense in a way. The Mets need pitching and if they can re-sign Reyes, they'd be able to trade Wright for some talented young arms.

Bold Prediction: The Angels make a deal to bring Wright to LA.

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Miami Marlins

Remaining Contract: Three-years, $46 million

With Ozzie Guillen heading to Florida to be become manager of the Miami Marlins, I believe it further increases the chance of Hanley Ramirez being dealt this winter.

Both Guillen and Ramirez have larger-than-life personalities and I can't see the two meshing well in the Marlins' clubhouse. The team has been eyeing Guillen for a long time now, so you can bet they will listen to any opinion he has on the matter.

There has been speculation surrounding Hanley potentially being available for a couple of years now but nothing has ever come of it. He'll be coming off a very poor season which saw him play in only 92 games due to injuries.

Bold Prediction: The Red Sox make a run at HanRam.

Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Remaining Contract: Final year of arbitration

While I would be shocked to see the Dodgers trade away Matt Kemp, it is definitely not out of the question for the struggling franchise.

My guess is that GM Ned Colletti will have preliminary contract-extension talks with Kemp this winter to gauge his interest and price-tag in a long-term deal. Kemp's MVP-type season not only made him the biggest name in LA, but it shot his asking price through the roof.

The only way I see this trade becoming a reality is if the current conflict between Commissioner Bud Selig and  Dodgers owner (kind of) Frank McCourt keeps heading south. 

Jeffrey Beckmann is a MLB Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow Jeffrey on his new Twitter account for all of his latest work. You can also hear him each Friday at 1 p.m. EST on B/R Baseball Roundtable.