MLB Trade Rumors

Midway through Hot Stove season, there’s been a lot of activity, but a lot has been left unsettled.

There are still many teams looking to fill needs, and there are still many players looking to fill their pockets.

Here’s a list of 10 teams who will be the most active between now and spring training.

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First off, I don't think it takes expert analysis to realize the Mariners probably won't be competing in 2011.

However, baseball is a funny game. The same Mariners that lost more games than anyone expected in 2010 could make a quick turnaround as soon as 2012—possibly sooner.

With the offseason wrapping up and Spring Training just around the corner, most of the significant offseason moves have already been made, as teams look now to make minor moves to help fill out their roster and provide some depth.

However, as the season grows near and even into the first few months of the season, there could be a number of big names suddenly available on the trade market as teams look to make the most of up coming free agents and rebuilding team hope to strengthen their rosters.

The Cubs have agreed to acquire right-handed pitcher Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays for a package of prospects on Friday. The Cubs will send Chris Archer, Brandon Guyer, Robinson Chirinos, Hak Ju-Lee and Sam Fuld to the Rays for Garza and a minor-league pitcher and a minor-league outfielder, according to Bruce Levine.

Garza is only 27, so he is a young pitcher who will be under club control for three years. So why would the Rays trade him? For one, they are trading from a position of strength. They already have a solid rotation  penciled in for 2011. 

Manny Ramirez is without a doubt one of the most powerful and productive hitters to ever play the game of baseball.  Manny has a career average of .313 and has hit 555 home runs in his colorful career.  Manny is a 12-time All-Star and has won the Hank Aaron award twice.  He has won two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox (2004,2007) and was the World Series MVP in 2004.  

Entering his final year of salary arbitration, Jonathan Papelbon will likely cash in on a big pay day following the 2011 season. 

However, with a declining skill set and Daniel Bard as the closer of the future, there is next to no chance he signs a long term deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Papelbon is due to make roughly $11 million for the coming season.

The presence of Bard and the acquisition of Bobby Jenks makes the possibility that Papelbon does not finish the year with the Red Sox all the more likely.

The free agent cycle for baseball seems to be wrapping up. The final major names are beginning to get contracts, and most teams have stopped shopping around and are just trying to get things sorted out for next season.

While some teams made moves to make a playoff push next year, other teams have gotten rid of their stars and are relying on rebuilding this year. Nonetheless, there are a few teams that are continuing to make moves, even as spring training approaches. Which teams are set, and which continue to make moves?

As the quantity and quality of remaining free agents continues to shrink, those remaining are continuing their search for a team in 2011. Those that remain searching for teams include major names that were expected to have already found a team by now, including Adrian Beltre, Carl Pavano and Rafael Soriano.

Besides that, players who have been the subject of trade rumors find themselves still there as they remain with their current teams. Justin Upton was never close to being moved despite much discussion for a few weeks, and Jonathan Papelbon remains a member of the Red Sox.

Let me start by saying that, while it's non-zero, the chances of Felix Hernandez being traded this winter are pretty small.

Felix has stated many times that he loves Seattle. He has a no-trade clause that we know includes the Yankees. We don't know the other teams, but the team that may be the most willing to give up a huge package is probably out of the running.

If it wasn’t already clear, the 2010-11 off-season has broadcast to the world the Chicago Cubs’ full-blown dormancy in the National League Central.  I’m not saying the Cubs won’t be heard from in 2011, but they’ll likely make fewer national television appearances than Barack Obama.  Don’t call them the Pirates yet, but also don’t call them the Reds, Brewers, Cardinals, or probably the Astros.  That’s right, the Cubs are officially stuck in .500-ville.  Picture the New York Knicks, except outdoors, and also without LeBron Ja