MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Franchise Players Most Likely to Be Dealt

Many teams are looking for that blockbuster deal to pull at the winter meetings. It kind of goes without saying that some major players are going to probably be wearing different uniforms next season. But who are they going to be?

Let's take a look at the 10 most likely players to be swapped this winter.

Joey Votto

Joey Votto is one of the premier first basemen in the game. However, who knows if the Cincinnati Reds will be able to keep him after his contract expires in two years?

According to Ken Rosenthal, some of the Cincinnati Reds' owners are debating whether he will be traded. I do not think that this is necessarily probable, but it is definitely possible.

They have a solid bat in Yonder Alonso coming through the minor leagues, so there would be an adequate replacement for him also.

BJ Upton

BJ Upton is always on the trading block. However, again according to Ken Rosenthal, the Washington Nationals might be interested in the fleet-footed center fielder.

He would definitely be good for a lot of stolen bases, and nobody has ever doubted his potential. Again, he is always on trading block, but I would say that a deal very well might happen.

A player can only be shopped around so long, so it is definitely is possible that he will be wearing a different uniform next season.

Andrew Bailey

Andrew Bailey has been linked to numerous teams so far this off-season, and Jared MacDonald very nicely compiled a lot of these rumors here on Jays Journal.

Of course, the market for bullpen pitchers is very thin right now, and with Jonathan Papelbon already off the market, the demand for young closers like Bailey will definitely be on the rise.

The Oakland Athletics will probably be selling anyway, so I think that this rumor is very likely.

Matt Garza

According to a quote of Matt Garza's agent, a lot of offers are about to come in for the right-hander. Just like the market for relief pitchers, the market for starting pitchers isn't that great. Therefore, a very promising arm about to enter his prime looks very appealing.

For the right price, I can definitely see him moving somewhere this offseason. High demand in a weak market would create a great offer for Garza, so that should be appealing.

Gio Gonzalez

Although I do not agree with the overall premise of this article, Splice Today reports that Gio Gonzalez is on the trade market.

He is coming off those two very strong years, and when you combine a weak market for starting pitchers with the fire sale that will probably come down in Oakland, I definitely see him moving.

I'm not absolutely certain where he will be moving, but I definitely do not think that he will be in Oakland next season.

Jeremy Guthrie

I really feel I am making a list of pitchers here, but Jeremy Guthrie has been actively shopped around so far this winter, according to Britt's Bird Watch. He is very durable, and he has had a pretty good amount of success in Baltimore.

Again, people want pitching this offseason, and I believe that the Orioles will also be selling. They need to start building for the future because they are not in a position right now to compete for a very competitive division title.

Therefore, look for him to be moving by the time the snow melts.

Martin Prado

Finally, I found another hitter. Martin Prado was supposed to be the centerpiece of a deal with the Colorado Rockies, according to Jon Heyman.

That deal has not progressed, but the second baseman is still on the market. He has been an important part of the Atlanta Braves offense by providing consistent hitting for average.

Nevertheless, it sounds like he was an option earlier this offseason, so I believe the Atlanta Braves might be sending him out of town before the end of the winter.

Jair Jurrjens

The Atlanta Braves are obviously well represented on this list. Again, according to Jon Heyman, Jurrjens could potentially be on the move this off-season.

I do not think that this is as likely as some of the other rumors on this list, but because he is being pursued by the Yankees, I believe it might be possible.

The reason I say this is because the Yankees like to get what they want, and I feel like they could and very well might offer a relatively enticing offer for the right-hander.

John Danks

John Danks is possibly going to be traded, according to Doug Padilla. He said Danks had not been able to reach an agreement with the White Sox on an extension.

Also, the White Sox might be in a rebuilding phase right now, so it makes sense to grab some value for the young pitcher while they can.

Like I have said multiple times before, the pitching market is weak, so the White Sox will probably get a very good offer for him, and I think they will send him away.

Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels is a franchise player, so even though I do not think that this is the most likely deal on this list, I felt that the rumors mentioned by Jim Salisbury should be addressed.

The left-hander is probably due for an extension this offseason, so if he does not get that, he could possibly be on the move.

I do not like it, and I do not think that it should happen, but I would also say that it is definitely possible if the right circumstances really do come to pass.