MLB Rumors: 30 Players Who Will be on the Trading Block in Winter 2014
MLB Rumors: 30 Players Who Could be Traded in Winter 2014
While the 2013 MLB season has just ended, the speculation and trade talks have already begun. Sure the awards for the top players are starting to be handed out, but why can't we speculate which players, even which award winners, will be on the trading block this upcoming winter? No other sport has trade talks like MLB does and it's something that fans around baseball love to talk about.
Which team is looking to add another big bat? Which team needs a starting pitcher? Which teams need help in the bullpen? All of these questions have yet to be answered and this offseason should be one of the most interesting in recent memory with all of the overpaid and underperforming players as well as contracts that are set to expire in two seasons.
Baseball today is interesting in the way that players can be guaranteed money and expiring contracts for underperforming players are almost guaranteed to be talked about in trade speculation. It looks like this offseason will be a busy one and the MLB Winter Meetings should be as interesting as any in recent memory with a ton of big names on the trading block.
Even some of the top teams in baseball are looking to make deals that involve some of their top players in order to obtain youth or just rid themselves of an expensive contract set to expire after the 2014 season.
It will be interesting to see what teams will be making moves that might take them to the postseason next year. Will the strong just get stronger or will the weaker teams rise to the top after some blockbuster moves this offseason? It remains to be seen.
Take a look at some speculation with one player from each team who is on the trading block in winter 2014 and let me know who I've missed.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
Baltimore Orioles: Matt Wieters
Wieters is one of the best young catchers in baseball and he has something that no many catchers possess: a solid bat. The Orioles would be wise to see what they can get for the talented player behind the plate.
Boston Red Sox: Jake Peavy
Peavy is set to make a ton of money this season and I doubt the Red Sox want to pay a guy who is set to make almost $15 million and had just a 4.17 ERA last season.
New York Yankees: Alfonso Soriano
Soriano was given maybe one of the most overpaid contracts over five years ago and it's set to expire in 2015. The Yankees have money, but are they willing to pay an aging outfielder who couldn't even help lead them to the playoffs last season?
Tampa Bay Rays: David Price
It's been well-documented that the Rays are looking to trade Price and get everything they can out of the pricy lefty who was a former Cy Young winner.
Toronto Blue Jays: Jose Bautista
Jose Bautista is one of the best power hitters in the game, but people are mentioning him in trade talks because he is as expensive as power hitters come. After a down year, the Blue Jays may want to consider picking up some young talent in exchange for him.
Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale
When you look at Sale, you see a string-bean sized pitcher and you don't realize how good the guy actually is. If the White Sox want to build their lineup, they will need to deal this dominant young pitcher.
Cleveland Indians: Nick Swisher
While Swisher is a leader in the clubhouse, he is also the highest paid guy on the team. With his contract not set to expire until 2017, it might be a smart move to unload the guy who hit just .246 last season and made over $13 million.
Detroit Tigers: Max Scherzer
Scherzer's contract is up after the 2014 season and it looks like the Tigers will need to either give him an extension immediately or let him go via trade. He has just won the Cy Young but he might be too expensive for Detroit to afford.
Kansas City Royals: Billy Butler
Billy Butler has the potential to be one of the best first basemen in the league and he is set to make a lot of money when his contract expires after the 2015 season. Unload him now, or later?
Minnesota Twins: Josh Willingham
Josh Willingham has one year left on his three-year deal and he's set to make about $7 million this season, however, the Twins are known as a team that doesn't like to overpay for talent and they will be sure to listen to offers for the third baseman.
Houston Astros: Philip Humber
Humber doesn't make that much money -- as no one on the Astros does -- but his contract is up after the season and he was in the midst of trade talks before the 2013 trade deadline.
Anaheim Angels: Mark Trumbo
Trumbo hit just .236 last season and has been placed on the trading block after excelling in the power hitting category in his first three full years.
Oakland Athletics: Coco Crisp
Crisp is another guy who has just a year left on his contract and the Athletics might be wise to shop him as he's supposed to make around $7 million this season.
Seattle Mariners: Hisashi Iwakuma
Iwakuma is set to make about $7 million this season and he has just two years left on his contract. The Mariners might want to see what they can get for the 32-year-old pitcher.
Texas Rangers: Jurickson Profar
Many teams are interested in the young shortstop and willing to give up a ton of young talent to get him on their team. The Rangers will definitely be listening.
Atlanta Braves: Dan Uggla
Uggla was one of the most disappointing seasons of any second baseman and star player in 2013. However, he's set to make far more money than he should in 2014 and 2015 and the Braves would be wise to rid themselves of a dangerous contract.
Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton
Still in his rookie contract, Stanton makes about half a million dollars per year, but expect that to change. He might not make much money now, but the young superstar outfielder will get a huge payday from a top team and the Marlins can't compete with that -- they need to make a deal.
New York Mets: Aaron Harang
The Mets picked up Harang at the end of the 2013 season and it looks like they might be dealing him again after picking up his two-year, $12 million contract.
Philadelphia Phillies: Domonic Brown
Brown is one of those guys with a ton of potential, but he's also being talked about in the trade market. He is going to make some serious money very soon and the Phillies may want to find a reliable veteran bat instead.
Washington Nationals: Jayson Werth
Werth might be the most overpaid veteran in the league. He signed a seven-year, $126 million contract in 2010 and he's looking like a smart man after signing that deal. The Nationals should be begging teams to take him off their hands.
Chicago Cubs: Jeff Samardzija
Samardzija is an extremely cheap ace -- for now. The Cubs are trying to get younger, but he might be too expensive by the time he becomes a free agent.
Cincinnati Reds: Brandon Phillips
Phillips is outspoken and sometimes arrogant, but he's soon to be traded -- according to reports. He has been on the Reds' trading block since the season ended.
Milwaukee Brewers: Aramis Ramirez
The Brewers seem like they want to get younger and Aramis Ramirez is not helping that plan. The 35-year-old third baseman might get the Alfonso Soriano treatment as he's set to make a ton of money this season.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Jason Grilli
I know Grilli is coming off his best season as a pro, but he can't be due for many more as he's turning 38 next year. While he might have had a solid year and helped the Pirates, they may want to strike the trade market while the iron is still hot.
St. Louis Cardinals: Carlos Beltran
Beltran is an easy choice for the trading block. He is set to make over $10 million this season and will be turning 37. However, he's still got some life in him and some teams will be looking for a solid veteran bat.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Heath Bell
Heath Bell makes way too much money for a guy who had a 4.11 ERA and seven blown saves a season ago. The Diamondbacks will be praying that someone will take him off their hands.
Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki
Tulowitzki is the highest paid player on the Rockies and he's also one of the most talented shortstops in baseball. It would not be surprising if he is one of the first players dealt this winter to a contending team with a ton of money and an aging infield -- like the Yankees?
Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp
It seems like the Dodgers are tired of trying to make Kemp work in L.A., but he's the highest paid player on their active roster. He looks to be perfect trade bait for a team looking to add a superstar and pray he stays healthy. Oh yeah, and the Dodgers already have three solid outfielders.
San Diego Padres: Carlos Quentin
Quentin is not set to be a free agent until after the 2016 season, but he is the highest paid player on the roster and could be traded with the right pieces in place.
San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval
Many teams have inquired about Sandoval and the Giants are listening.
