With the 2013 Major League Baseball season now in the books, speculation regarding this year’s free-agent class and the developing trade market is beginning to heat up.
Last winter, several of the game’s top-ranked prospects were dealt in exchange for established, veteran talent.
The Royals decided to trade phenom Wil Myers, who is likely to be named the AL Rookie of the Year in the near future, right-hander Jake Odorizzi and two additional prospects to Tampa Bay in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis.
Then, just eight days later, another prospect-based, blockbuster deal transpired as the Blue Jays dealt highly regarded right-hander Noah Syndergaard, top-ranked catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud and two other players to the Mets in exchange for 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey and catchers Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas.
While this year’s offseason is just beginning, it’s a safe bet that numerous big-name prospects will be wearing different uniforms by the start of the 2014 season.