Jonathan Sanchez Traded: Top Remaining Starting Pitchers on the Trade Market

With the report coming that the Giants have dealt left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez to the Royals for outfielder Melky Cabrera, one of the top available arms on the trade market is gone.

However, there are still several impact pitchers that could be had via trade this offseason in what could be an active trade market, considering how weak the free-agent class of starting pitching is.

So here is a look at the top pitchers rumored to be available on the trade market as teams look to bolster their rotations any way possible.

Jeremy Guthrie

It seems as though Jeremy Guthrie has been on the trade block for the past several seasons, and while the Orioles have held onto him up to this point, he is entering his final year of arbitration and if he is going to be moved, now is the time.

He himself is not expecting the team to extend him, and for an Orioles team that is not ready to contend, it only makes sense to move the veteran and get the biggest return they can out of him.

Despite a 17-loss season in 2011, he also reached the 200-inning mark for the third straight season and posted a respectable 4.33 ERA. That should mean a salary approaching $8 million, which is all the more reason to move him.

Wandy Rodriguez

The Astros put ace Wandy Rodriguez on waivers last season, and he was claimed by the Colorado Rockies. In the end, he was pulled back and retained, but he is once again rumored to be available.

Big picture, the Astros are not going to be competitive for several seasons at the very least, and trading Rodriguez for one or more pieces that could aid in the team's rebuilding only makes sense.

The Rockies are once again rumored to be interested, and they likely will not be the only team pushing for his services if he is officially made available.

John Danks

The White Sox were the favorite to win the AL Central by many heading into the 2011 season but fell well short of expectations, and they could be looking to cut some payroll this offseason.

After trading Edwin Jackson at the deadline, Mark Buehrle is now a free agent, while John Danks and Gavin Floyd are entering their final year before hitting free agency.

Danks is rumored to be the most likely to be moved of those two, as the team will also look to bring back Buehrle. After making $6 million last season, he will be due a raise in his final year of arbitration and moving him would help the payroll situation.

Ricky Nolasco

Though the Marlins are as pitching starved as any team in baseball, it has been reported that they are willing to entertain offers for 28-year-old Ricky Nolasco.

Signed to a three-year, $26.5 million deal prior to last season, Nolasco has won 37 games over the past three season but has posted a combined 4.76 ERA.

The Marlins have needs outside of their pitching, and if one of them can be addressed by moving the under-performing Nolasco, expect the Marlins to jump at the opportunity.

Wade Davis

With so many talented starting pitchers and a clear need to upgrade at both catcher and in the outfield, it has long been believed that the Rays would move one of their starters this offseason.

While it was originally believed to be James Shields who would be traded, the team recently picked up his $7 million option and it now appears he will be back.

Instead, the pitcher rumored to be on the block now is Wade Davis, who has won 23 games over the past two seasons. At 25 years old, he's only going to get better.

Gio Gonzalez

When it was recently reported that the Athletics were willing to listen to trade offers for anyone on their roster other than second baseman Jemile Weeks, the immediate player of interest was Gio Gonzalez.

The 25-year-old left-hander has posted a 31-21 record over the past two seasons with a 3.17 ERA, and he made the first All-Star team of his career last season.

However, he also reached Super Two status and will be arbitration eligible for the first time this season, which will mean a hefty raise over his current contract of $420,000. With the team in desperate need of offense, Gonzalez could bring a big return if the Athletics are in fact serious about moving him.

Jair Jurrjens

Despite the fact he is coming off of an All-Star season in which he went 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA, the Braves are reportedly willing to listen to trade offers for the 25-year-old right-hander.

There is no question he has a promising future, but the Braves already have a deep group of starters in Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor, along with prospects Randall Delgado, Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino.

Jurrjens is arbitration eligible this offseason and could eclipse $5 million in salary, and if he is made available, he could be considered the top option on the market not named C.J. Wilson and should net the Braves an impressive return.