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MLB Trade Scenarios: Hot Names to Watch Leading Up to Opening Day

While they aren't the July trade deadline or the winter meetings, the final days of spring training are also a time for trade activity throughout the league, as teams put the finishing touches on their rosters.

This is not a time for superstar players to be on the move. However, those who are out of options and unlikely to make their respective roster or veterans who have been beaten out for a job are another story.

Here is a quick look at some players who have been rumored to be on the move as we wrap up spring training.

 

Ramon Hernandez, Catcher, Colorado Rockies

Last offseason, the Rockies signed veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez to a two-year, $6.4 million deal to help bridge the gap to prospect Wilin Rosario.

However, Rosario stepped forward sooner than expected and launched 28 home runs in 396 at-bats last season to finish fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Yorvit Torrealba appears to be the team's choice to backup Rosario this season, and according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, that will make Hernandez a candidate to be traded or perhaps even released.

 

Ezequiel Carrera (Outfielder) and David Huff (Pitcher), Cleveland Indians

With the offseason additions of Drew Stubbs and Michael Bourn, and with non-roster invitees Scott Kazmir and Ryan Raburn slated to make the 25-man roster, Ezequiel Carrera is clearly the odd man out on the Indians bench.

On the pitching side, David Huff lost out on the No. 5 starter spot and a bullpen spot to Rich Hill, among others.

According to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer, both Carrera and Huff have been informed that they won't make the team and the Indians will look to trade them.

Carrera hit .272/.312/.395 with eight steals in 147 at-bats last season, while Huff has a 5.30 ERA over 55 career appearances (52 starts) and had a 5.82 ERA this spring.

 

Los Angeles Dodgers Pitchers

With their offseason signings of Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers have an abundance of starting pitching. That depth doesn't necessarily mean they have to trade someone, as they already need another arm with Zack Greinke battling elbow inflammation.

As it stands, Ted Lilly and Aaron Harang are slated to open the season in the bullpen with Chris Capuano filling in for Greinke in the bullpen.

According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Harang, Capuano, Lilly and veteran reliever Matt Guerrier are all on the block and it seems likely that the team will move at least one pitcher before the season opens or shortly thereafter.

 

Other Names

The Tigers' No. 5 starter job in Detroit was a solid battle this spring between Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly, and while it appears the team will go with Porcello in the rotation and Smyly as an insurance option, both pitchers would net a solid return (via Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com).

After the Angels found a way to move Vernon Wells to the Yankees, the possibility remains that Alfonso Soriano could be moved. The Cubs were willing to take on $26 of the $36 million remaining on his contract over the spring and they may be a key injury away from finding someone willing to pay that (via Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com).

Among other players out of options, Joey Novak of MLB.com lists Mariners outfielder Casper Wells, Rangers outfielder Julio Borbon, Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil, Orioles right-hander Tommy Hunter and Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata as guys who could potentially be on the move.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

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