The freshest batch of rumors is in, and the reports suggest that a couple of potent bats could be on the move in the months prior to spring training.
Several teams have been aggressive in reshaping their rosters. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres have been extremely busy upgrading and reshuffling in order to get the most talent on their respective rosters. The smartest teams use a mix of free agency and trades to make changes.
Making trades can be difficult, though, as negotiating for top players is never easy. Every organization values a player differently, hence the difficulties that often ensue.
Regardless, the following players are likely candidates to be dealt at some point during the winter months.
Josh Hamilton hasn't posted poor numbers on par with B.J. Upton since signing with the Los Angeles Angels prior to the 2013 season, but many would argue that he has been more disappointing given the five-year, $125 million contract he signed that offseason.
He has just 31 homers and 123 RBI in 240 games with the Halos, but it's his OPS of .741 that is most disappointing. While with the Texas Rangers from 2008 to 2012, his OPS was .912.
The organization might be at wit's end with the 33-year-old. Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that they've tried to trade him this offseason: "The Angels, according to major-league sources, have discussed a possible Hamilton trade with at least two teams this offseason, the Rangers and the Padres."
Rosenthal notes that the talks were "exploratory in nature; they did not gain traction." MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez echoed that statement:
That still doesn't negate the fact that Hamilton could be on the move.
Hamilton is owed $83 million over the next three seasons, so it'll take a team with deep pockets to take him on. The Halos would certainly cover part of the cost, but not enough to attract smaller-market clubs.
Trading Hamilton would simply be a move to rid the organization of some excess salary; there's no way the team gets anything of extreme value for him. He's a high-reward, bounce-back candidate for 2015, but teams don't dish out top talent for a veteran in that regard.
Of course, general manager Jerry Dipoto is doing his best to downplay the talks, via Rosenthal: "We are absolutely of the belief that the ability is there for him to do the things that he has done in the past. Now we have to help him turn the key to bring the ability out."
GMs contradict trade rumors all the time for various reasons, so make of this situation what you will. In the end, don't be surprised if Hamilton has a new address next season.
Seth Smith
The Padres suddenly have a rather stacked outfield.
Wil Myers, Carlos Quentin, Rymer Liriano, Cameron Maybin, Will Venable, Abraham Almonte and Seth Smith are currently on the roster. The Dodgers have also finally traded Matt Kemp to the Friars, as their official Twitter account announced, so that's another player who needs playing time in the outfield. And the team has finalized a trade for Justin Upton, reports Rosenthal.
Of the big group of outfielders, one could assume that Quentin would interest American League clubs that could offer him time at designated hitter. Liriano and Maybin are both players with high upside, so there should be interest there.
But an underrated player who could be on the move as a result of this overhaul is Smith. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick hears that his name has been coming up in talks:
Smith slashed .266/.367/.440 last season. He was best against righties, though, as he slashed .270/.359/.455 against them.
Teams looking into Smith will utilize him as the left-handed-hitting portion of a platoon in either left or right field. This is where the 32-year-old stands at this point in his career, so he's nothing more than a complementary piece in an already deep lineup.
A deal for Smith is the type of acquisition that could put a strong team over the top. Hiding weaknesses against southpaws becomes a lot easier with a player like Smith waiting on the bench to take his hacks.
The Padres would do well to trade him. He's one of their most valuable trade assets, and they still have other holes to fill. With potentially nine outfielders for four jobs (don't forget a reserve outfielder), there's some dealing to be done.
Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn.
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