Opinion

It's not uncommon for a player to go from being a top prospect to being trade bait in a matter of years. That sort of thing happens all the time.

But Jurickson Profar? He's a different story. The Texas Rangers' 22-year-old middle infielder is definitely a former top prospect, but his status as trade bait is...well, even "complicated" is putting it lightly.

First, let's get this out of the way: Jose Fernandez won't come cheap, if he comes at all.

The Miami Marlins are under no obligation to trade the 23-year-old budding ace. And if they do, they'll demand a king's ransom.

Yoenis Cespedes had help, but the fact is the New York Mets were just two games over .500 when he arrived and National League champions when he left. Cespedes isn't perfect, but the fact is his teams have gone 334-229 in games he has started and 179-229 when he hasn't.

Major League Baseball trade rumors are hot this time of year. The New York Yankees landed former Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman in a deal for four minor leaguers Monday, and there should be plenty more moves on the horizon.

When Kenta Maeda took the mound for one of his final starts with the Hiroshima Carp, about three dozen major league scouts made their way to Koshien Stadium to watch. That's three dozen, as in more than 30, meaning on that September afternoon, some big league teams had more than one set of eyes watching the 27-year-old right-hander.

And that was for just one of Maeda's 29 regular-season starts in 2015.

The Los Angeles Angels probably don't need to be told this, but they should feel blessed to have Mike Trout. He's been a regular since 2012—a historically awesome regular since 2012.

But now for something that maybe the Angels do need to be told: They should be mindful of Trout's historical awesomeness possibly going to waste.

What? Did you think the New York Yankees were going to steer clear of star players all winter?

Guess again, friend. The Yankees have gone and acquired a rather big star. In so doing, they have set their immediate future up for quite a bit of intrigue.

Alex Gordon is the alternative.

Exactly what kind of secondary option on the free-agent market to someone like Jason Heyward he can actually be, well, every team with an outfield need is still calculating that.

The San Francisco Giants plunged into the offseason with two clear and pressing needs: upgrades in the starting rotation and reinforcements in the outfield.

The signings of Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto equal mission accomplished on item one. 

Christmas may have slowed down baseball's rumor mill, but not even jolly old St. Nick is capable of completely shutting down America's pastime. 

A pair of notable signings took place over the past week, with the St. Louis Cardinals inking starter Mike Leake to a five-year deal while the Washington Nationals found their second baseman of the present, adding Daniel Murphy on a three-year pact.