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Sense of rumor: All-Trade-Speculation team
- Updated: December 21, 2016
Many of the biggest free agents have agreed to new contracts in recent weeks, but those signings only make the other side of Hot Stove season — the trade market — more prominent.
Teams that miss out on free agents might find trades the best avenue to address their needs. As the rumors build, MLB.com has put together an “All-Trade-Rumor Team,” one position at a time, with key players coming up in talks this winter.
C: Blake Swihart, Red Sox Swihart, once a top prospect, is one of the few catchers mentioned as a trade target for other teams this offseason, but the Red Sox seem to want to keep the 24-year-old. Peter Gammons reported last week that several teams asked about Swihart during the Winter Meetings, but president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski wouldn’t discuss offers. Swihart struggled in 2016 and eventually had left ankle surgery in August, but the switch-hitter acquitted himself well as a rookie in ’15, batting .274/.319/.392 in 84 games.Buzz factor: Reports circulated earlier in December that the D-backs had checked in with Boston about Swihart, but given Dombrowski’s reported reluctance to engage in talks, the buzz at this stage is low.
1B: Matt Adams, Cardinals Adams, a career Cardinal, could find a new home this winter, with Matt Carpenter looking set to take over first base. St. Louis is listening to offers for the big left-handed bat, sources recently told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Adams provides solid production — the 28-year-old slashed .249/.309/.471 with 16 home runs in 118 games this season — but he’s been somewhat injury-prone and dealt with left shoulder inflammation in 2016. Adams is in his second year of arbitration eligibility and wouldn’t become a free agent until at least ’19.Buzz factor: Adams hasn’t been linked to specific teams, so his buzz factor is tame for now, but it could ratchet up as Hot Stove season continues.
2B: Brian Dozier, Twins Dozier has been linked most strongly to the Dodgers, who got little production from second base last year and don’t have a proven option there — Enrique Hernandez currently tops the depth chart, with veteran Chase Utley a free agent and Howie Kendrick in Philadelphia. Trade options don’t get better than Dozier — in 2016, the 29-year-old set the American League single-season record for homers by a second baseman, with 42. The Dodgers struggled against left-handers last season, and Dozier is an impact right-handed bat.Buzz factor: This is starting to feel real. Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reported the Dodgers would part with Jose De Leon, their top pitching prospect and the No. 33 prospect in baseball per MLBPipeline.com, in a deal for Dozier. MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman also reports that multiple teams are inquiring about Dozier, so the buzz is high.
3B: Todd Frazier, White Sox Even with Chris Sale and Adam Eaton already moved, the …
