10 Crazy MLB Trades That Could Actually Happen During 2015 MLB Winter Meetings

By Nick Vorholt

10 Crazy MLB Trades That Could Actually Happen During 2015 MLB Winter Meetings

New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi at 2015 Winter Meetings — With a crazy offseason already the winter meetings should provide entertainment for the next week and wonder beyond. Below are ten outlandish deals that could actually happen this winter based on team needs on the field and at the bank. They are in order from least to most likely to happen.

10. Angel Pagan, OF & Sergio Romo, RP - SFG for Jason Vargas, SP - KCR

San Francisco Giants Outfielder Angel Pagan

10. Angel Pagan, OF & Sergio Romo, RP - SFG for Jason Vargas, SP - KCR

San Francisco Giants Outfielder Angel Pagan — Even with the signing of Jeff Samardzija, the San Francisco Giants are still a starting pitcher short. The Kansas City Royals meanwhile have lost both corner outfielders to to free agency. Angel Pagan can fill one and Sergio Romo can fill the seventh inning role, replacing the non-tendered Greg Holland. Kansas City's own pitching woes and Pagan's salary will stop this deal in its tracks.

9. C.J. Wilson, SP - LAA for Rick Porcello, SP - BOS

Los Angeles Angels Starting Pitcher C.J. Wilson

9. C.J. Wilson, SP - LAA for Rick Porcello, SP - BOS

Los Angeles Angels Starting Pitcher C.J. Wilson — Both of these pitchers were OK in 2015. Both teams wanted more. A change of scenery makes sense to help both the teams and the players. Rick Porcello is under team control for more time and is younger, so the Boston Red Sox won't take the risk.

8. Colby Rasmus, OF - HOU for Ben Revere, OF & Juan Meza, P - TOR

Houston Astros Outfielder Colby Rasmus

8. Colby Rasmus, OF - HOU for Ben Revere, OF & Juan Meza, P - TOR

Houston Astros Outfielder Colby Rasmus — The Blue Jays love power and would love to get Colby Rasmus back to play left now that they found Kevin Pillar to play center. The Houston Astros could use some more offensive speed to go with Jose Altuve. Juan Meza is a 17-year-old Venezuelan who is still years away and may be a closer or a starter. The Blue Jays hold back because of Rasmus' high salary.

7. Felix Hernandez, SP & Seth Smith, OF - SEA for Alex Rodriguez, DH, Brett Gardner, OF & Luis Severino, P - NYY

Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher Felix Hernandez

7. Felix Hernandez, SP & Seth Smith, OF - SEA for Alex Rodriguez, DH, Brett Gardner, OF & Luis Severino, P - NYY

Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher Felix Hernandez — This is all about Jerry DiPoto's ego. He thinks he can turn the 76 win 2015 Seattle Mariners into the 2016 and 2017 World Series Champions. He needs a better DH and a better center field option than Leonys Martin. All he has to do is get Robinson Cano to convince A-Rod that the Pacific Northwest is where it's at.

6. J.J. Hardy, SS - BAL for Michael Cuddyer, OF - NYM

Baltimore Orioles Shortstop J.J. Hardy

6. J.J. Hardy, SS - BAL for Michael Cuddyer, OF - NYM

Baltimore Orioles Shortstop J.J. Hardy — It's a bad fit for a bad fit. The Baltimore Orioles desperately need a first baseman/corner outfielder. The New York Mets desperately need a middle infielder. Desperation makes for good bed fellows. If the Orioles think that Manny Machado can slide over to short, they make this deal. The word on the street is that Machado is at third for the foreseeable future.

5. Josh Hamilton, OF - TEX for Homer Bailey, SP - CIN

Texas Rangers Outfielder Josh Hamilton

5. Josh Hamilton, OF - TEX for Homer Bailey, SP - CIN

Texas Rangers Outfielder Josh Hamilton — The Texas Rangers still need more pitching and the Cincinnati Reds need a left fielder. Returning Josh Hamilton to Cincinnati where he had his best season hopefully will help him re-find his swing and his health. Hamilton's no trade clause and Homer Bailey's health keep this trade from going through.

4. Masahiro Tanaka, SP & Rob Refsnyder, 2B - NYY for Carl Crawford, OF, Brett Anderson, SP & Corey Seager, 3B - LAD

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka

4. Masahiro Tanaka, SP & Rob Refsnyder, 2B - NYY for Carl Crawford, OF, Brett Anderson, SP & Corey Seager, 3B - LAD

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka — The past few years Brian Cashman has shown the ability to make smart financial moves. This is one of those. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the money and talent to make moving Masahiro Tanaka worthwhile. Getting Carl Crawford and Brett Anderson helps the New York Yankees compete this year, and Corey Seager is the third baseman of the future to go with Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro. The Yankees hold up because of PR, not baseball.

3. Miguel Montero, C - CHC for Koji Uehara, RP & Trey Bell, SP - BOS

Chicago Cubs Catcher Miguel Montero

3. Miguel Montero, C - CHC for Koji Uehara, RP & Trey Bell, SP - BOS

Chicago Cubs Catcher Miguel Montero — Kyle Schwarber is a catcher, not at outfielder. Moving Miguel Montero opens the catching position for Schwarber. Hector Rondon may or may not be a closer, but Koji Uehara is an elite closer or setup man for this last season before he retires. The Chicago Cubs' lack of faith in Schwarber's defense holds this one.

2. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B - WAS and cash for Adam LaRoche, 1B and Matt Davidson, 3B - CHW

Washington Nationals First Baseman Ryan Zimmerman

2. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B - WAS and cash for Adam LaRoche, 1B and Matt Davidson, 3B - CHW

Washington Nationals First Baseman Ryan Zimmerman — Adam LaRoche was a better fit in Washington than he is in Chicago. Ryan Zimmerman needs to be playing in the American League. Matt Davidson is the once top Arizona Diamondback who has little future in Chicago, but might fit into the Washington Nationals' plans where Anthony Rendon likely will be a second baseman when it is all said and done. The only thing holding this deal back is the amount of money going to the Chicago White Sox.

1. Yasiel Puig, OF - LAD for Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Jackie Bradley, OF & Deven Marrero, SS - BOS

Los Angeles Dodgers Outfielder Yasiel Puig

1. Yasiel Puig, OF - LAD for Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Jackie Bradley, OF & Deven Marrero, SS - BOS

Los Angeles Dodgers Outfielder Yasiel Puig — The Dodgers need help at third. They also need another prospect for the left side of the infield. The Boston Red Sox are the type of team that can help troubled players and they are looking for a right fielder. This deal happens if the Dodgers get tired of the circus that surrounds Yasiel Puig. They are quietly reloading top end prospects while trading away mid-level talent for overpriced big league talent.

Nick Vorholt is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the Cincinnati Reds and all things MLB.

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