MLB Trade Rumors: Gio Gonzalez and 8 Trade Targets Boston Red Sox Covet

With the new collective bargaining agreement now in place in Major League Baseball, some teams are smiling, including the Boston Red Sox.

The new five-year CBA calls for a shift in compensation for Type A free agents, so while Jonathan Papelbon will cost the Philadelphia Phillies two first round draft picks, the Red Sox won’t lose anything by going after Ryan Madson, Heath Bell or Francisco Rodriguez.

What this now means for Red Sox GM Ben Cherington is that he won’t face the prospect of losing draft picks if he chooses to sign one of those free agent closers to replace Papelbon, and it also means he could potentially have more prospects at his disposal as trade chips because he won’t be losing additional draft picks.

So, just how will Cherington proceed now? There has been no word about whether or not he will proceed with internal candidates Daniel Bard or Bobby Jenks as closer, or whether he’ll go after the likes of Madson or Bell.

One thing is for sure; Cherington will be looking for an elite pitcher. With John Lackey out for the 2012 season, and Daisuke Matsuzaka shelved at least until the All-Star break, Cherington will be after someone to join Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.

Here are eight possible targets that Cherington and the Red Sox will be looking at.

1. Matt Garza: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox still haven’t finalized compensation for Theo Epstein jumping ship and taking the Cubs job as president of baseball operations. It’s unlikely that starting pitcher Matt Garza would be that compensation, but Sox GM Ben Cherington could be interested anyway.

Garza is certainly battle-tested in the AL East, having spent three seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, and is arbitration eligible, so his contract won’t break the bank for the Red Sox.

2. Joe Saunders: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks have not decided whether or not to tender starting pitching Joe Saunders, and while they have until Dec. 7 to do so, the Boston Red Sox could be interested in his services.

Saunders will likely be awarded around $8.5 million for the 2012 season, so salary won’t be much of an issue for the Sox. Saunders is durable, eats up innings and posted a 12-13 record and 3.69 ERA in 33 starts for the D-Backs in 2012.

3. John Danks: Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams appears to be willing to part with starting pitcher John Danks, and the Red Sox could certainly have interest.

Danks, who was 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA in 27 starts for the White Sox in 2011, will make somewhere around $7 million in 2012, and is capable of pitching 200 innings and putting up quality starts behind the trio of Beckett, Lester and Buchholz.

4. Gavin Floyd: Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams has also been said to be fielding offers for starting pitcher Gavin Floyd as well, so the White Sox have two options that could be available for Red Sox GM Ben Cherington.

Floyd, like Danks, has been durable, with at least 30 starts in each of the past four seasons. Floyd is under contract for $7 million in 2012, with a 2013 team option for $9.5 million.

5. Felix Hernandez: Seattle Mariners

Remember, this is about who the Red Sox covet, and not about who they could actually get in a trade. And there is no doubt whatsoever that GM Ben Cherington covets Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez.

Hernandez is under contract through the 2014 season, so the Sox would have at least a couple of years before having to worry about another contract. While the asking price for Hernandez would indeed be steep, he would still be on Cherington’s wish list for sure.

6. Mat Latos: San Diego Padres

While there is no indication whatsoever that new San Diego Padres GM Josh Byrnes is looking to deal starting pitcher Mat Latos, it certainly wouldn’t hurt Red Sox GM Ben Cherington to check in on him anyway.

Latos, at just 23 years of age, is one of the rising stars in the National League. While just 9-14 for the punchless Padres in 2011, Latos had a 3.47 ERA and allowed just 168 hits in 194.1 innings. Latos doesn’t even become arbitration eligible until 2013, so Cherington could easily work out a nice long-term deal that benefits both Latos and the Red Sox.

7. Trevor Cahill: Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are in a bit of a bind right now. With the uncertainty of their stadium plans, relocation issues and financial concerns, GM Billy Beane has been hamstrung in recent years.

Starting pitcher Trevor Cahill has a very team-friendly contract through the 2015 season, with options for the following two seasons. While Cahill faltered in the second half of the 2011 season, he is still a very attractive option at just 23 years of age for the Red Sox.

8. Gio Gonzalez: Oakland Athletics

There appears to be no question that Oakland Athletics pitcher Gio Gonzalez is the one pitcher that Boston Red Sox GM Ben Cherington covets above all others.

According to Gordon Edes of ESPN, Cherington is very high on Gonzalez, who was 16-12 with a 3.12 ERA in 32 starts for the A’s last season. Gonzalez would certainly fit into the Sox' plans long-term, and his repertoire would resonate well in Fenway Park.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.