The MLB trade rumor mill will start spinning as soon as Opening Day goes down and names like David Price, Ichiro Suzuki, Jeff Samardzija, Rick Porcello, Didi Gregorius, Jimmy Rollins and Nick Franklin are some of the biggest names that could move in 2014 and teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, NY Yankees, Mets and LA Dodgers could be interested in making moves.
The Yankees have been involved in rumors regarding Suzuki, but nothing came close to happening during the spring and now he comes in as the fourth or fifth outfielder for the team and that could lead to a trade down the line. Suzuki is coming off of his worst season in the majors and he got pushed out of a consistent role after the team signed Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and brought back Brett Gardner with Alfonso Soriano. The Giants and Phillies have been identified as potential landing spots, while Brian Cashman said that he considers Suzuki an integral part of the team that is expected to contribute this season.
The Yankees will continue to get mentioned in deals involving Suzuki and depending on how injuries and other things develop over the first weeks of the season, which could come sooner rather than later. The Yankees could get in the mix for a pitcher or Nick Franklin down the line, but right now they appear to be fine with their roster as constructed. Samardzija and Price are the two names that have come up the most since the start of the offseason, as the Rays and Cubs are expected to deal those players this season and both almost got traded this offseason.
Price was mentioned in deals with the Mariners and Rangers, while Samardzija came up as well and now both are in on one year deals heading into next offseason. The Rays are likely to trade Price and the Mariners could get involved again, as could the Dodgers if Clayton Kershaw's back continues to stiffen up. Samardzija is young and has shown great potential, while Price is a Cy Young winner and would be an ace in nearly any rotation. The Braves lost both Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy and that could put them in the mix, while the Mariners also may need pitching.
The Mets have been mentioned as a team that could deal for Franklin, as he was sent down after losing the starting SS job to Brad Miller for the Mariners. Franklin was pushed aside after the team signed Robinson Cano and after making a promising start to his career last season, he is back at Triple AAA and could be trade bail this year for the M's. Gregorius has been mentioned with Franklin as a target for the Mets and that could be a fit as well.
