MLB Trade Rumors: Top 40 Deals GMs Will Aim to Seal at MLB Winter Meetings

There are a lot of trade rumors that float around during the MLB offseason. A number of these deals will eventually be discussed by general managers during the Winter Meetings.

The MLB Winter Meetings allow representatives from all teams an opportunity to meet and a lot of deals and rumors get created and finished during the four days of the meetings.

A number of teams will improve at the Winter Meetings this season because their general manager was able to pull off a shrewd trade or two.

Houston Tries to Dump Wandy Rodriguez

It is no surprise that the Houston Astros are trying to move Wandy Rodriguez and his big salary. The Astros new General Manager will have a number of conversations about him during the Winter Meetings.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox are just one of the many teams that have expressed an interest in Rodriguez.

The Red Sox Make a Push for Gio Gonzalez

Gio Gonzalez will be one of the best pitchers available on the free agent market this winter. One of the teams that has expressed an interest in him is the Boston Red Sox.

Gonzalez is an outstanding young pitcher and he would be an huge addition for the Red Sox. They would solve many of the problems with their rotation by making this move.

Joe Saunders Could Be on the Move

There are some questions about if the Arizona Diamondbacks will bring back Joe Saunders for the 2012 season. They may look to either non-tender him or trade him.

Nick Cafardo believes that he could be had at an affordable price this winter. Saunders will certainly draw attention from a number of teams during the Winter Meetings.

Someone Makes an Effort to Acquire Francisco Liriano

Another interesting pitcher who may come on the market this winter if Francisco Liriano. When he is on his game, he is an outstanding pitcher. However, he does occasionally struggle with his control and he can be inconsistent.

Liriano could be affordable this winter and teams such as the New York Yankees could look to make a deal with the Minnesota Twins if the price is right.

Jair Jurrjens Is on His Way out of Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves have a surplus of starting pitchers. They have already traded Derek Lowe and could be looking to move another one of their starters.

One of the names that has come up in trade talks is Jair Jurrjens. According to Jon Heyman the Braves are seeking a big return for Jurrjens and there are a number of teams, including the Kansas City Royals that could make a run at him.

Teams Looking for a Closer Take an Interest in Huston Street

While there are many closers on the free agent market, most of them are looking for expensive long term deals. This has made Huston Street a desirable option on the trade market.

A number of teams are looking for closers and some have expressed interest in Street. No team has entered serious talks about him, but that could change at the Winter Meetings.

The Texas Rangers Go After Matt Garza

It seems like the Texas Rangers will not be bringing back C.J. Wilson this offseason. They have already announced their intention to move Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation.

The Rangers will likely go after a starting pitcher this winter and they may look to the trade market. According to Ken Rosenthal they have expressed an interest in Matt Garza and the Chicago Cubs appear willing to move him.

Carlos Quentin to the San Diego Padres Is a Possibility

After a disappointing season, the San Diego Padres are looking for a veteran bat to pair with their promising young players. They may look to add this player via trade.

According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union, one of the players on the Padres list is slugging outfielder Carlos Quentin. He may be on the market this winter and could be a good fit for the Padres.

A San Diego Padres Infiedler Is Dealt

The San Diego Padres have expressed an interest in moving either Jason Bartlett or Orlando Hudson. There are a number of teams who could come calling about these players during the Winter Meetings.

The Padres will have an easier time dealing Jason Bartlett because of his salary according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times.

Yonder Alonso Could Be Dealt for a Top of the Rotation Starter

Yonder Alonso is one of the top prospects in baseball but with Joey Votto at first base in Cincinnati, it is no surprise that the Reds have made Alonso available this winter.

Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports has reported the the Reds are looking to get a number two starter in return for Alonso. This is certainly a possibility as many teams see him as a good trade target.

New York Mets Listen to Many Offers on David Wright

Sandy Alderson has already made one shrewd trade this year when he dealt Carlos Beltran to the San Francisco Giants for Zack Wheeler. He might be able to make another move involving David Wright.

With the uncertainty surrounding Jose Reyes' status, it is no surprise that Wright would be an expensive trade target. He will only be moved if the Mets get blown away by an offer, and if they are, they should take the deal.

The Minnestota Twins Go After a Closer

After losing Joe Nathan to the Texas Rangers, the Minnesota Twins are looking for a new closer. Manager Terry Ryan does not believe that Glen Perkins can take over this role.

The Twins will look both at the trade market and the free agent market in an attempt to find a new closer. Which market they take a deeper look at will likely depend on the cost of the available players more than anything else.

The Los Angeles Angels Look for a Catcher

Even thought the Los Angeles Angels have three catchers on their 40-man roster, they are not happy with them. According to Buster Olney, the Angels have begun to seriously look for a catcher.

Ken Rosenthal believes that one of the players that the Angles have an interest in is Reds' catcher Ryan Hanigan.

Andrew Bailely Is Dealt

There are a number of teams that have expressed an interest in Andrew Bailey this winter. The Seattle Mariners are one of the teams that have seriously pursued him.

It seems very likely that Bailey will not be in Oakland next season. Buster Olney actually believes that there is a 100 percent chance that Bailey is dealt this winter.

Grant Balfour Could Be Another A's Reliever That Is Dealt

The Oakland Athletics may be having a fire sale this winter. If they do, a number of teams will be looking at trying to acquire their relievers.

One name that is certain to draw a lot of interest is Grant Balfour. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, it would not be that surprising if he is moved.

As Is Brian Fuentes

Susan Slusser also believes that Brian Fuentes could be on his way out of Oakland this winter. The Athletics will be in a major rebuilding mode if they trade all three of these pitchers.

Relievers are always in high demand and the Athletics should have no problem finding a taker for Fuentes. The only issue will be if the two sides can agree on a price.

Kurt Suzuki Could Also Be a Part of the Fire Sale

The Los Angeles Angels interest in a catcher has already been discussed and there are a number of other teams who are interested in bringing in a new starting catcher.

Susan Sussler thinks that Kurt Suzuki might not have as much value as he could have because of his poor season. However, trading him will be more dependent on the offers that they get for him than anything else.

Trevor Cahill Will Draw a Lot of Attention

Teams can never have too much pitching and it is rare that a top starter will become available on the trade market. When this happens, teams are willing to pay a premium for them.

This will likely happen if the Oakland Athletics listens to offers for Trevor Cahill. He could net the Athletics a big return that could help define their future.

The Miami Marlins Go After a Big Name Starter

The Miami Marlins have already surprised many people this offseason by making offers to top free agents such as Jose Reyes and Albert Pujols. These may not be the only moves that the team tries to make this winter.

Miami is looking for a big name starting pitcher. Two names that have been linked to the team are James Shields and Gio Gonzalez.

Wade Davis Could Find His Way out of Tampa Bay

While James Shields may be the more popular name that teams are interested in when they talk to the Tampa Bay Rays, he is not as likely to get dealt as Wade Davis.

The Rays have a number of pitchers and this could mean that Davis is dealt. Nick Cafardo sees this as a possibility.

The Martin Prado to the Detroit Tigers Talks Are Rekindled

Earlier this winter it appeared as if the Atlanta Braves and the Detroit Tigers would complete a deal that would send Martin Prado to the Tigers. The deal never happened.

Acquiring Prado makes a lot of sense for the Tigers. He can play second base  for them and also can fill in at other positions as well. They will likely inquire about him again at the Winter Meetings.

Matt Cain Could Be the Best Pitcher Traded This Winter

There are a number of teams that would put together very strong offers for Matt Cain this winter if they knew that they had a chance to acquire him.

Talk seems to indicate that the San Francisco Giants would be willing to trade Cain. The price will be high, but it would be worth it for whoever acquires him.

Jesus Montero Leaves New York

The New York Yankees want to bring in a big time starter to pair with C.C. Sabathia. They may look to the trade market to do this.

Jesus Montero is the best trade chip that the Yankees have. Any trade negotiation that the Yankees have will likely start with Montero and the Yankees are willing to trade him for the right player.

B.J. Upton Could Be a Washington National

The Washington Nationals wanted to trade for B.J. Upton during the regular season but they were not able to work out a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Talks could be reignited between the two sides this winter. Upton has been mentioned as an outfielder that could be on the move by Sporting News columnist Stan McNeil.

Chris Coghlan Might Be Traded

After winning the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year award, Chris Coghlan has regressed offensively. He has not showed the promise that he did just a few years ago.

The Miami Marlins might not have a starting spot for him in their outfield in 2012. This would make him expendable and Stan McNeil believes that he is a possible trade candidate.

Brett Myers Won't Be with the Astros When the Join the AL in 2013

Brett Myers also may not be a part of the team in 2012. The Houston Astros have him under contract until after the 2013 season but they could consider trading him this winter.

Myers is another player that has a high salary and he does not exactly fit into the Astros future plans. He has trade value and will draw interest from teams around the league.

Carlos Zambrano Will Be Traded

Theo Epstein wanted some time to evaluate the situation surrounding pitcher Carlos Zambrano. He has likely had enough time to make a decision.

That choice will almost certainly be that the Chicago Cubs should trade Zambrano. This might be easier said than done as Zambrano certainly has a number of detractors around the league because of his salary and attitude.

The Boston Red Sox Could Trade Jed Lowrie

Jed Lowrie is an interesting player that could intrigue a number of different teams this winter. He does not really have a spot with the Boston Red Sox and another team might be willing to make him an everyday player.

If Lowrie is on the trade market, his value might not be that high. The Red Sox will likely take a mid-level prospect in return for him.

Lorenzo Cain Could Be on the Move

Lorenzo Cain is ready to play in the major leagues. He has proven himself in the minors and is certainly deserving of a spot in center field.

This opportunity may or may not come with the Kansas City Royals. If the team cannot find a spot for him in their lineup, then Cain is one of the best pieces of trade bait that they have this winter.

The Washington Nationals Might Trade Adam LaRoche

There are a number of teams in the MLB that have a opening at first base that they are looking to fill during the winter meetings.

Adam LaRoche could be a trade target for these teams. Will Lasden of MLB.com has indicated that he might not be the Washington Nationals' starting first baseman in 2012 which means that the team could look to deal him. 

The Chicago White Sox's Plans Might Not Include John Danks

John Danks has been one of the best pitchers on the Chicago White Sox roster over the past few years. There are a number of teams that would be interested in him if he were made available.

The White Sox have announced that Chris Sale will be a starter in 2012 which could make the team more willing to deal Danks. He has already been identified as a trade chip by Scott Merklin of MLB.com.

The Minnesota Twins Move Kevin Slowey

The Minnesota Twins thought that they could depend on Kevin Slowey whenever he stepped on the mound, but his 2011 season has them thinking differently.

They seem to have lost some confidence in Slowey. Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com believes that the Twins could deal Slowey at some point during the winter.

Eduardo Nunez to the Atlanta Braves May Happen

Eduardo Nunez did a great job as a utility man for the New York Yankees in 2011 and his performance on the field was enough to catch the attention of someone within the Atlanta Braves organization.

John Harper of the New York Daily News has noted that the Atlanta Braves have already contacted the Yankees about Nunez. Talks should progress and could become very serious at the Winter Meetings.

Nick Swisher Could Also Be a Yankee on the Move

The New York Yankees seem to have their roster almost completely set for the 2012 season, but that does not mean that they will not listen to trade offers.

Buster Olney has noted that the Yankees have had several teams call them about outfielder Nick Swisher. All indications seem to be that the Yankees will need to be overwhelmed in order to deal him.

The Houston Astros Could Trade Carlos Lee

The Houston Astros are looking for a way to get out of Carlos Lee's contract. The team is in a rebuilding mode and he does not fit with their direction.

Houston tried to convince Lee to waive his no-trade clause during the season but they were unsuccessful. They may try again this winter and then eat a large chunk of his salary if it means that they could move him.

Or They Could Deal Brett Wallace

The Houston Astros may hold on to Carlos Lee and use him at first base in 2012. If that were to happen, it does not bode well for Brett Wallace's future with the team.

Jim Bowden thinks that Wallace will be on the trade market if those are actually the Astros' plans for 2012. While he has been a bit disappointing during his stints in the majors, the Astros will be able to find a taker for Wallace. 

Mike Pelfrey Might Be Traded

The New York Mets have had a number of concerns with Mike Pelfrey but they still like his potential. That does not mean that the team will not deal him if the right offer comes up.

He was discussed in a possible deal for Huston Street but the Mets turned it down. They could dangle Pelfrey on the trade market this winter and see what offers they get for him.

Gavin Floyd Is a Popular Name at the Winter Meetings

There has been a lot of interest for Chicago White Sox pitchers. Mark Buehrle is one of the most popular players on the free agent market and John Danks has drawn interest from a number of teams on the trade market.

Add Gavin Floyd's name to the list of White Sox pitchers that are drawing attention. The team could deal him this winter if they get the right offer.

Domonic Brown Might Be Moved

The Philadelphia Phillies were hoping that Domonic Brown would be able to help them in 2011, but he struggled when he was in the majors. There have been some concerns about him as well.

Brown could possibly be traded this winter if the Phillies make a big move. Jayson Stark said that Brown would be a player that could be moved for David Wright. While that deal won't happen, it gives a hint as to how the Phillies feel about Brown.

Luke Scott May Have Played His Last Game as a Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore Orioles will have an interesting decision to make in regards to Luke Scott. They will need to decide if they are going to tender him a contract for the 2012 season.

Roch Kubatko of MASN notes that the Orioles could non-tender Scott and negotiate with him in hopes of signing him to a less expensive deal. As with many non-tender candidates, Scott is also a possible trade chip.