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Heating up the hot stove: Big names top MLB trade market
Could the Pittsburgh Pirates really trade star outfielder Andrew McCutchen? Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Heating up the hot stove: Big names top MLB trade market

In a year in which baseball’s free agent crop is not yielding a wide array of impact options to choose from, more than ever before trades could shape the offseason, restructuring the landscape around the game.

With MLB general manager meetings and Winter Meetings both taking place within the next month, the rumor mill is set to spin wild with names that could be relocating in short order. As always is the case, where there is smoke does not necessarily mean there is fire when it comes to this hot stove. Pulling off a blockbuster trade is not always the easiest proposition and at times can necessitate multiple teams to complete.

However, with the limited market that is openly available, general managers around the game stand to get very familiar with seeing each others' names appear on their cell phones this winter, as teams stockpile their assets in order to compete in what stands to be a complicated offseason of roster improvement.

Who are the biggest names being discussed as potential trade targets? Who could be in the market for those players' specific services as well? Let’s connect some of the early dots on baseball’s winter trade market.

Charlie Blackmon, Rockies

The direction the Rockies are headed in right now seems to be decisively forward. Their 75 wins were their most since 2010, and they have a stockpile of cost-efficient, productive talent. One of those main producers is Blackmon, who produced career highs in batting average (.324), home runs (29), runs scored (111) and OPS (.933). He even leveled out his home/road splits, hitting .313 away from Coors and .335 at home.

The Rockies could be moved to trade high on Blackmon, who will enter arbitration this year after making $3.5 million in 2016. However, with owner Richard Monfort stating a desire to spend more this winter, the team could see a Blackmon increase as a necessary expense and hold on to the highly productive, still very reasonably priced center fielder.

Potential Suitors: Cardinals, Mets, Tigers, Rangers

Ryan Braun, Brewers

The Dodgers have been chasing Braun hard for half a year now, and it is not a pursuit they are likely to abandon. The Brewers have shipped out every valuable (and even semi-valuable) player they had with long-term contracts over the last year, leaving Braun as the last standing obstacle in completing their rebuild.

He proved he can still be a more than productive contributor last summer, with his .305/.365/.538 split line very close to his career average. He also reached 30 home runs for the first time since 2012 also. His attractiveness is limited due to the $76 million he's guaranteed through 2020, as well as a limited no-trade clause, but a handful of well-to-do teams (like the Dodgers) could qualify to take that on and be approved by Braun.

Potential Suitors: Dodgers, Angels, Giants

Brian Dozier, Twins

He had the most stunning breakout performance of the past year, hitting 42 homers and driving in 99 runs. This was largely missed because it was mired in a 103-loss Minnesota Twins campaign, but it could now make him one of the most pursued infielders in the game. He is only due a total of $15 million over the next two years and could fetch a pair of nice prospects in return.

Potential Suitors: Angels, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Miami, San Diego

Todd Frazier, White Sox

He was one of the bigger names traded away last winter, but after a failed White Sox campaign, Chicago is open for business yet again. With his contract set to expire after 2017, Frazier will likely be the focus of a number of team that are looking to add power on their corner infield positions.

Potential Suitors: Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, Giants

Jaime Garcia, Cardinals

It was not surprising that the Cardinals picked up his $12 million option despite having an already packed rotation with Adam Wainwright, Carlos Martinez, Mike Leake, Michael Wacha, Alex Reyes and a returning Lance Lynn. It is because the 30-year-old lefty is the perfect type of trade target for teams looking for pitching on a bone-dry free agent market this year. Despite his bouts with consistency, his mixture of age and strong stuff makes him an intriguing trade focus piece nearly immediately.

Potential Suitors: Rangers, Yankees, Marlins, Angels

Sonny Gray, Athletics

After making the All-Star Game in 2015, Gray followed up with the worst season of his career by far. A strained forearm kept him in and out of the Oakland rotation and far away from the form that saw him win 14 games and finish third in the AL Cy Young race the year before.

Despite all of this, he is still a highly coveted, young (27) talent who is certain to be dealt at some point, due to playing for the perennial cost-conscious Athletics. However, while his stock is at its all-time low, it seems unlikely he will be dealt until he proves that he is back to his old form. However, crazier things have happened.

Potential Suitors: Over half of the MLB, easily

Kansas City Royals

The Royals have some tough decisions coming up, with Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Wade Davis, Mike Moustakas and Danny Duffy all entering their final seasons under contract. There are not indications that KC will conduct a fire sale of these various assets this winter, but something will have to give eventually. Could the Royals flirt with the market this winter, or will they wait until the trade deadline next July?

Evan Longoria, Rays

Tampa Bay has long resisted inquiries into its franchise cornerstone third baseman, however after another season of finishing south of .500, the Rays could perhaps be tempted to listen longer in an effort to kick things into gear. 2017 will be the first year of the $100 million extension Longoria signed back in 2012, and it will carry through 2022 with an option for 2023.

This type of escalating financial commitment has been something the Rays have stayed away from, but since it carries a modest $13 million tag and does not go north of $15 million until 2021, they could stand pat. But a team like the Dodgers, Braves or Giants could be able to offer the type of prospect/young talent return to land him.

Potential Suitors: Dodgers, Braves, Giants, Yankees

Brian McCann, Yankees

With the emergence of Gary Sanchez, New York is ready to move away from McCann behind the plate. He could serve in the designated hitter role or matinee as a first baseman in a time share scenario, but the Yankees are actively looking to move away from the $34 million more guaranteed on his contract.

There are a number of teams for which he could fit into a role as a part-time DH/C and could take on his contract, especially if the Yankees are willing to share the financial burden.

Potential Suitors: Astros, Braves, Nationals, Orioles

Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

At the surface level, this seems like an asinine idea for the Pirates: trade away your barely 30-year-old franchise centerpiece after one down season, one in which he still hit 24 home runs and drove in 79 runs.

However, there are a number of other items that could make Cutch a very tradable asset this winter. He is beginning to decline away from being a center fielder, and the Pirates have upgrade options in Starling Marte and top prospect Austin Meadows ready to step in. Also, there is the fact that they would instantly get widespread offers if he is placed on the market, due to both his track record and easy to take on price tag for any team.

On one hand, it could be a PR nightmare for a Pirates team that is floating on a raft between returning to the postseason and staying adrift in the middle of the National League. There could also be the idea of letting him return as a Pirate, have a big season, and then look to move him yet again during the year or next winter. However, another down year could permanently curb his image of having superstar potential left. Tough call.

Potential Suitors: Nationals, Dodgers, Astros, Mariners, Rangers

Chris Sale, White Sox

Here stands the crown jewel of the offseason trade wires. It is the perfect storm of scenarios for Sale to finally be seriously made available. He delivered another top-shelf performance in 2016, finishing in the top 10 in the AL in virtually every stat that counts, including career bests in wins (17), innings (226.2) and complete games (6).

He also is due only $38 million over the next three seasons, and two of the seasons are carried in the form of team options that would be no-brainers of the highest caliber. This modest price tag —  which is 50 percent lower than what David Price, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke will make for 2017 alone — makes him an option for literally every team in baseball to pursue and afford. The chase for Sale could be the most wide-spanning since the Cole Hamel sweepstakes of 2014-15 and could reshape the prospect-dry White Sox future for years to come.

Potential Suitors: Red Sox, Dodgers, Tigers, Rangers, Cubs, Nationals, Angels

Tampa Bay Rays rotation

The most focused-upon group of pitching belongs in Tampa, due to the fact that the Rays have hoard of young, talented and affordable arms to choose from. The team has been understandably reticent to move Chris Archer, who has arguably the most team-friendly contract in all of baseball ($6 million per year through 2019, with two team options that total $20 million through 2021), but Jake Odorizzi, Drew Smyly and Alex Cobb each represent a highly intriguing option that could fetch a nice return for the rebuilding Rays.

However, they have no urgent need to move any of them and can afford to sit back and reasonably wait to be wowed. Thus far, no one has compelled them enough to make a move with any of their young guns. But in a winter where the price and desperation for impact pitching could reach a high that makes the Shelby Miller deal from a year ago look mild, Tampa is holding the most valuable deck of cards in the entire game.

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