The MLB offseason has slowed down considerably since the winter meetings and now with 2014 on the horizon, there are a number of moves that still could go down and with names like Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz and Matt Garza on the market, names like Jimmy Rollins, David Price, Jake Peavy, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee could be on the trading block for the rest of the offseason.
Price is the top name that is expected to move and while he did not get traded at the winter meetings, the Rays are motivated to deal him because he has arbitration and two more years of team control before he is a free agent. The team pulled off a similar move for James Shields last season with the Royals and the team got Wil Meyers out of it and with Price being much better than Shields, the team wants more in their package. The Seattle Mariners were looking like a good option for Price, but the high "price" in prospect Taijuan Walker and the fact that the pitcher did not want to sign an extension in Seattle means a deal is likely done.
Price is a Cy Young winner and had a great finish to the season and his resume and age makes him the top name on the market. The Phillies reportedly were listening to offers on Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, but nothing much came of that during the winter meetings, but that doesn't mean teams like the Dodgers, Rangers and yes the Mariners again, aren't interested and the team could pull off a move for one of those names. The Phillies have also reportedly been thinking about moving shortstop Jimmy Rollins and that could be a more realistic move for the team.
Rollins is getting into his upper 30s and after having a down season in 2013, a number of teams could be interested in buying low on Rollins, who has had some dynamite seasons in the past. Two seasons ago Rollins stole 30 bases and had over 20 home runs, but he regressed in 2013 and now someone could try and cash in on him for another season, but the top issue is the fact that he has a no trade clause in his contract. The Phillies are in a slight rebuild and while they think they have a chance in the NL east, they likely will need to make a move to get that done.
Price is just 28 years old and Hamels is 30 and each would be excellent additions to any rotation, but it will take a big package to get either pitchers. Both are lefties and that makes them more valuable and Price comes in with a great ERA since 2010 and he comes in after winning the Cy Young a couple years ago with a 20-5 record and sub 3.00 ERA. Price will cost a bit for any team, but that's what happens when a Cy Young winner is on the trading block and any team that trades for him would be getting one of the best young established pitchers in the game.
