The winter meetings have come and gone, but the ripple effect they left is still being felt around the MLB. Even with names like Matt Kemp and Josh Donaldson being moved in recent weeks, there are several notable players still reportedly on the market.
Cole Hamels, one of the best arms in trade discussions, has been a popular name yet again with six clubs currently looking for his services. Meanwhile, Justin Upton might be teaming up with another big slugger on the West Coast to change the face of a franchise.
Before the next big trade is made this offseason, here's a look at the latest rumblings from around the league.
Cole Hamels
Not that anyone noticed, but Hamels put together another phenomenal season last year. Even on a Philiadelphia Phillies team that finished 16 games under .500, the ace was in rare form with the lowest ERA of his career.
After years of relenting to move its biggest assets, Philly has already moved both Jimmy Rollins and Antonio Bastardo. Now, the Phils might be willing to deal Hamels, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe:
The Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Rangers are interested in Hamels. The sleeper team is the aggressive Astros. The Giants may be in if they can’t get James Shields. The feeling has been that if the Red Sox would pick up Hamels’s 2019 option at $20 million, he would waive his no-trade. The five years remaining on Hamels’s deal would be worth $110 million. Would he want an extension beyond that to OK a trade?
Needless to say, quite a few teams liked what they saw in Hamels last season. Much like Jon Lester, the 30-year-old pitcher brings true No. 1 value to any rotation—including the Chicago Cubs.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are simply searching for even more depth in their rotation while the others need Hamels' services. On the heels of another great season, landing with the Cubs, San Diego Padres or Texas Rangers would give him the best shot at another playoff run.
If the San Francisco Giants do get into the fold, Hamels along with Madison Bumgarner and a healthy Matt Cain would be dangerous. However, Hamels will want to land in a spot where he can be the ace and have a shot at the title, making the Cubs a perfect fit.
Justin Upton
Oh, Justin Upton. Coming off a year where he posted great numbers yet again, the Atlanta Braves are reportedly looking to get value for him on the trade market.
One potential landing spot for the impressive bat is with the Padres. Mark Bowman of MLB.com passed along the latest on the Upton trade rumors:
Last season, Upton won his second Silver Slugger award after going .270/.342/.491 with 29 home runs and a career-high 102 RBI. Adding the slugger would instantly bolster any lineup regardless of the talent on the roster.
With the Padres already reportedly making the addition of Kemp, acquiring Upton along with Seth Smith would make for a stout outfield corps. Bringing in more pitching would instantly make this team a contender in the loaded NL West.
Allen Craig
Prior to last season, Allen Craig might have been one of the biggest names on this list. However, a down season for the Boston Red Sox slugger has teams overlooking him on the trade market.
Cafardo also passed along the latest on talks surrounding Craig:
The Marlins have Craig on their list of possible acquisitions as they pursue a righthanded hitter to play first base. They’re doing their homework on the 30-year-old, who had very good years with St. Louis before he was sent to Boston at last year’s trading deadline. Milwaukee also has some interest in Craig in a platoon with Adam Lind.
Both the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers will want to do their homework after Craig's disappointing 2014 season. Coming off two straight years with double-digit homers and 90-plus RBI, Craig wasn't able to come close to either mark last year.
After hitting .237 with the St. Louis Cardinals, he finished with a staggering .128 average in 29 games with the Sox. Boston likely won't get the value they had hoped for initially, but Craig can help either lineup for two teams hoping to make the playoffs.
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