The MLB trade rumors market will start to pick back up in a hurry, now that the holidays and winter meetings period has passed.
For the most part, it has been a quiet trade market this offseason, but one can bet things will heat up once the remainder of the top free agents find a new home.
Whether it is a contender looking to add one more piece or a rebuilding team looking to make a splash, there are plenty of ideas being tossed around at this point in time.
Here is the latest.
Will Brett Gardner Be Moved?
It only makes sense that the New York Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman continue to see Brett Gardner’s name tossed around in rumors after an offseason that saw them nab Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran.
For those counting, that means the Yankees have six quality outfielders. For those in the know, the only one of the bunch who may bring back a large return via trade is Gardner.
As the MLB’s Twitter reported during the winter meetings, Cashman and Co. made it known they would not trade Gardner:
But Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com reports that plenty of teams are lining up to trade for the outfielder, and Cashman may do so if he gets starting pitching in return:
Since the Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, at least a half-dozen teams—from the Phillies to the Tigers—have taken a run at Brett Gardner, knowing he’s a free agent at the end of next season. But Brian Cashman won’t move him until and unless he has to for starting pitching.
Gardner did hit .273 with eight home runs, 52 RBI, 81 runs and 24 stolen bases a year ago, but he is set to hit free agency after next season.
All of the cash the Yankees spent this offseason will mean little if the starting pitching prevents them from making noise in the postseason. New York is clearly not keen on moving Gardner, but at some point a surplus has to help upgrade another position—especially if a World Series may hang in the balance.
Keep a close eye on Gardner.
Ike Davis is Not Guaranteed to Remain in New York
What an awkward offseason it has been for Ike Davis.
Davis has drawn interest from more than a few teams and the New York Mets were reportedly likely to move him at one point, per Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Things have cooled since then, and Davis told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that he wants to remain with the Mets:
I have wanted to stay. I don’t want to leave on this kind of note. I have roots here, with the only team I have ever known. It’s something that a player dreams about, staying with the only team you have ever known. I don’t want to say disrespected, but it has probably been talked about more than it should have been. Unless something is actually about to happen, I don’t think it should be publicly talked about.
Well, something may not be about to happen right away, but the Mets have certainly left the door open for a trade, per Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com:
Mets insiders now expect Ike Davis will be in spring training with the team in Port St. Lucie, Fla.—while cautioning they are willing to reengage the Pittsburgh Pirates or Milwaukee Brewers or any other club in search of a first baseman in trade talks in the six weeks before pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 15.
The Mets asking price is reportedly high, which makes sense because the team desperately needs pitching. It is obviously a tough bargain because Davis’ best season was way back in 2010.
It’s no secret the Mets do not have an issue letting Davis go. It just has to be for the right price.
Homer Bailey Continues to be a Name to Watch
Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty remains adamant that the team is looking to extend starting pitcher Homer Bailey, not trade him.
Reality will have to sink in at some point. The Reds are in the red in terms of cash flow and an extension for Bailey, who is just 27 years old and coming off his best year as a pro, with 199 strikeouts and a 3.49 ERA in 209 innings, is simply going to cost too much.
Go ahead and add in the fact there is plenty of interest from other teams, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
The Reds have been very quiet this offseason, but Bailey’s name has come up quite often as possible trade bait. In fact, the Reds could possibly bring back Arroyo if they can deal Bailey.
Bailey is set to hit free agency in his prime, has a no-hitter in each of his last two seasons and teams like the Yankees will obviously come in and scoop him up off the market. The Reds may be better off getting something in return right now.
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