The MLB offseason is now in full swing and that means there will be trade rumors going around all over the place and some of the latest buzz includes big names, including Jose Bautista, David Freese, Chase Headley and Ike Davis as well as many others and some teams involved includes the Phillies, Mets, Braves, Padres, Marlins, Blue Jays and Cardinals.
Bautista has come up in trade rumors already this season involving the Philadelphia Phillies and while that deal was mostly debunked, there have been other reports coming out about the slugger. According to Hardball Talk, the Boston Globe is reporting that the Blue Jays could be open to moving Bautista if they get some young pitching back in return and now might be the best time for the team to sell high. The Blue Jays want two new starting pitchers this offseason and they could feel comfortable trading Bautista since they have Edwin Encarnacion, but they won't give him up without getting something decent in return.
Bautista is getting older and while he has a ton of home runs over the past four seasons, the pitching on the free agent market may not be sufficient and he has dealt with injuries the past couple years, including a wrist problem last season. He will be paid $14 million the next two seasons which is a good amount, but nothing too crazy and that could spark a deal.
David Freese has come up multiple times already in trade talks for the Cardinals and one of the main reasons might be to get an upgrade at another position, as the team likes Kolten Wong and Matt Carpenter and while Freese was a World Series here a couple years ago, he could be on his way out of town. According to MLB.com, the Marlins feel that Freese is an option at third base and while he was a WS hero, at 30 years old it might be time to move on and he is clearly on the trading block after being mentioned so many times, including as a possibly for the Yankees.
The Brewers and Mets could be working together on a deal according to MLB.com and Hardball Talk, as the team could possibly sway Corey Hart for Ike Davis. The Mets have been frustrated with the first baseman and needs and outfielder after losing Marlon Byrd and the swap could be good for both sides and GM Doug Melvin said that first base was a need for the team. Davis struggled last season, but a chance of scenery could be huge for him and his career.
Hardball Talk also reports that the Padres are likely to trade Chase Headley, a player that they decided to keep at the trading deadline last season. The Padres didn't have a terrible season and while Headley hit 13 home runs with 50 RBIs, he had an average of .250 and that could lead to a move, as he will be a free agent after next season.
