The MLB offseason has been quieting down a bit since the big moves involving Prince Fielder and Robinson Cano and as January approaches, the trade market could get back buzzing and names like David Price, Jake Peavy, Ryan Dempster, Cliff Lee and Nick Franklin all could be ones to move in the coming weeks.
Price has been and will remain the top name to get traded this offseason from the Rays due to the fact that he is in line for a raise and a big contract extension down the line. The team has a number of suitors in the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and the LA Dodgers and while a deal has not been done yet, it doesn't mean one won't be going down this offseason. Price is a Cy Young winner and while the Rays want a nice package for him, teams could be willing to pay the price for someone of his caliber, although he did say he did not want to sign an extension with the Mariners.
Speaking of the Mariners, since the team signed Robinson Cano, players like Nick Franklin and Dustin Ackley have looked like they are on the trading block and there are a number of teams that could be interested. The Yankees look set at second base now with Kelly Johnson and Brian Roberts, but the Mariners still have moves that they could make down the line this offseason. The Red Sox are reportedly shopping both Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster and any team looking to make the playoffs and needs pitching is an option for the veterans. The Phillies are trying to rebuild, maybe, which is one reason why Cliff Lee could be on the market, but after previously looking like they might trade him, Philly has kept their ace in the rotation.
Things died down with Price from the winter meetings, but that doesn't mean teams aren't interested, as Yahoo Sports writer Jeff Passan reports that there are teams "actively" looking to deal for the star. The Mariners are likely out of it, as they did not want to deal Taijuan Walker to the team, as he is their best prospect and that is what the Rays want. The team dealt James Shields for uber prospect Wil Meyers last season and that is the type of haul they want. The Mariners love Walker and he ended up with 160 strikeouts in 141.1 innings in the minors last season and also made his MLB debut. The Rangers and dodgers are options as well, but as of right now, it doesn't appear that he will get traded soon, but next month or in February is more likely.
The Mariners have other issues to worry about though, as they have players like Ackley and Franklin to deal and according to FOX Sports, Franklin could get moved. Franklin came in as a shortstop but played second base fairly well last season and now he could be expendable, big helmet and all, after hitting just under .230 with 12 homers, 45 RBI and 38 runs scored in 102 games. Franklin, along with Dempster and Peavy could be some of the next players to get traded.
