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The winter meetings have come and gone, but the ripple effect they left is still being felt around the MLB. Even with names like Matt Kemp and Josh Donaldson being moved in recent weeks, there are several notable players still reportedly on the market.

Cole Hamels, one of the best arms in trade discussions, has been a popular name yet again with six clubs currently looking for his services. Meanwhile, Justin Upton might be teaming up with another big slugger on the West Coast to change the face of a franchise.

Before the next big trade is made this offseason, here’s a look at the latest rumblings from around the league.

Cole Hamels

Not that anyone noticed, but Hamels put together another phenomenal season last year. Even on a Philiadelphia Phillies team that finished 16 games under .500, the ace was in rare form with the lowest ERA of his career.

After years of relenting to move its biggest assets, Philly has already moved both Jimmy Rollins and Antonio Bastardo. Now, the Phils might be willing to deal Hamels, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe:

The Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and Rangers are interested in Hamels. The sleeper team is the aggressive Astros. The Giants may be in if they can’t get James Shields. The feeling has been that if the Red Sox would pick up Hamels’s 2019 option at $20 million, he would waive his no-trade. The five years remaining on Hamels’s deal would be worth $110 million. Would he want an extension beyond that to OK a trade?

Needless to say, quite a few teams liked what they saw in Hamels last season. Much like Jon Lester, the 30-year-old pitcher brings true No. 1 value to any rotation—including the Chicago Cubs.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are simply searching for even more depth in their rotation while the others need Hamels’ services. On the heels of another great season, landing with the Cubs, San Diego Padres or Texas Rangers would give him the best shot at another playoff run.

If the San Francisco Giants do get into the fold, Hamels along with Madison Bumgarner and a healthy Matt Cain would be dangerous. However, Hamels will want to land in a spot where he can be the ace and have a shot at the title, making the Cubs a perfect fit.

Justin Upton

Oh, Justin Upton. Coming off a year where he posted great numbers yet again, the Atlanta Braves are reportedly looking to get value for him on the trade market.

One potential landing spot for the impressive bat is with the Padres. Mark Bowman of MLB.com passed along the latest on the Upton trade rumors:

Last season, Upton won his second Silver Slugger award after going .270/.342/.491 with 29 home runs and a career-high 102 RBI. Adding the slugger would instantly bolster any lineup regardless of the talent on the roster.

With the Padres already reportedly making the addition of Kemp, acquiring Upton along with Seth Smith would make for a stout outfield corps. Bringing in more pitching would instantly make this team a contender in the loaded NL West.

Allen Craig

Prior to last season, Allen Craig might have been one of the biggest names on this list. However, a down season for the Boston Red Sox slugger has teams overlooking him on the trade market.

Cafardo also passed along the latest on talks surrounding Craig:

The Marlins have Craig on their list of possible acquisitions as they pursue a righthanded hitter to play first base. They’re doing their homework on the 30-year-old, who had very good years with St. Louis before he was sent to Boston at last year’s trading deadline. Milwaukee also has some interest in Craig in a platoon with Adam Lind.

Both the Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers will want to do their homework after Craig’s disappointing 2014 season. Coming off two straight years with double-digit homers and 90-plus RBI, Craig wasn’t able to come close to either mark last year.

After hitting .237 with the St. Louis Cardinals, he finished with a staggering .128 average in 29 games with the Sox. Boston likely won’t get the value they had hoped for initially, but Craig can help either lineup for two teams hoping to make the playoffs.

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The start of the MLB season is still months away, but rumors surrounding some of the biggest stars are already getting chaotic. No player is safe during the winter meetings, including some of the most notable names for franchises.

Two of the most heralded players on the market are Matt Kemp and Justin Upton. The two sluggers have lit up the West Coast and East Coast, respectively, and might be on the move during the offseason.

Whether it’s during the winter meetings or after, myriad players will be relocating ahead of the 2015 season. Here’s a look at the latest rumors coming out of San Diego.

Matt Kemp

Even a great end to the 2014 season hasn’t saved Kemp from being involved in trade rumors.

The two-time All-Star outfielder was riddled with injuries during 2013, but he bounced back last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Finishing at .287/.346/.506 with 25 home runs and 89 RBI, Kemp has become a hot commodity.

While several teams were initially looking to land the power hitter, just one remains in the hunt. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the latest on the San Diego Padres’ interest in Kemp:

If there’s one thing the Padres lineup lacks, it’s pop. Kemp would immediately bring that to the middle of the order. In fact, he had more homers last season (25) than the entire projected outfield for San Diego of Seth Smith, Will Venable and Carlos Quentin (24).

Making this trade also seems like a win-win for L.A. as well with a loaded outfield already in Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford and Andre Either. It also leaves a spot for Joc Pederson, who finished last season with 33 homers with Triple-A Albuquerque.

If the Dodgers get an impressive package back, they would have even more assets to add to Pederson. For the Padres, the franchise would be able to insert a key bat into the lineup and add a superstar—who is still only 30 years old—to the roster.

Justin Upton

Jason Heyward might not be the only notable name leaving the Atlanta Braves this offseason. Upton’s name has been in rumors for a while now, but it appears talks are heating up at the winter meetings.

However, the haul that the Braves received for Heyward might not be matched by other teams interested in Upton. Heyman, who’s been a busy man during the meetings, has the latest on Upton:

The Braves believe they should get more for Justin Upton than they got from the Cardinals for Jason Heyward.

Rival executives agree with that. Upton, due to better power and overall offense, is worth more than Heyward.

But here’s the problem: Executives also believe the Braves got too much for Heyward, a defensive specialist whose offensive numbers are declining a bit. They see young pitcher Shelby Miller as an overpay, so no one wants to do better than that yet.

Heyman goes on to mention that the Seattle Mariners were reluctant to trade Taijuan Walker, who might be a comparable asset for Upton. Given the slugger’s talent, getting a great prospect in return seems like the only way he’s leaving Atlanta.

After hitting 29 homers and 102 RBI last year, the Braves should get a huge return for him on the market. However, finding a partner willing to pull the trigger might make this deal wait until desperation sets in ahead of the trade deadline.

Marlon Byrd

On a slightly smaller scale, Marlon Byrd has put up similar numbers to both of the previously mentioned players. Being with the Philadelphia Phillies, however, has kept him out of the spotlight recently.

With the Phillies potentially looking to trade quite a few assets, Byrd has been a popular name. Rosenthal passes along the latest on Byrd’s likely destination if he’s moved:

When looking at the numbers, Byrd had a great season last year with a .264 average, 25 homers and 85 RBI. However, being 37 years old might cause some drawback for teams looking to build a franchise for the future.

For a team like the Baltimore Orioles, they have a huge hole to fill after losing both Nick Markakis and Nelson Cruz to free agency. Landing in Baltimore seems like a perfect fit, but there are several other contending teams that might inquire about the slugger.

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Former Major League pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka signed a contract with Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Pacific League in Japan.

The news of Matsuzaka’s signing was reported by The Japan Times following a season for the New York Mets in 2014. Fukuoka is coming off a championship season and signed a player who led the Pacific League in wins three times previously with the Seibu Lions.

Matsuzaka was brought over prior to the 2007 season by the Boston Red Sox but did not live up to the heightened expectations. His best season came in 2008, when he went 18-3 with 154 strikeouts and a 2.90 ERA with Boston.

Since that point, Matsuzaka has mostly struggled to return to that production. Some of that was due to injuries that derailed his success. He spoke about that last season, via Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News:

Speaking from personal experience, I pitched through the pain for a while and I just I hope he doesn’t do that, pitch through the pain and do things that can affect him later in his career. …

There is definitely not much good that can come from pitching through pain. Especially with pain you have to make adjustments to your mechanics and one thing leads to another, not much good that comes from it.

After going 3-3 with a 3.89 ERA last season with the New York Mets, Matsuzaka might have still had some value on the MLB market. Already 34 years old, it appears Matsuzaka will likely find more success in Japan than he did during his final year in the MLB.

With his return to Japan, he has a chance to reclaim the fame he once had on the international stage.

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The Miami Marlins are looking to sign their biggest stars long term and have offered yet another young player a long-term deal. This time, it’s pitcher Jose Fernandez who was reportedly offered a six-year, $40 million contract.    

MLB‘s official Twitter account passed along the report:

Fernandez, 22, emerged for the Marlins in 2013, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA and 187 strikeouts to win the Rookie of the Year award. However, his sophomore season was cut short by having to undergo Tommy John surgery after just eight starts.   

Even after the surgery, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports noted that taking the deal would be surprising for a Scott Boras agent:

Adam Klug of CBS Sports Radio also passed along his thoughts:

The Marlins recently signed Giancarlo Stanton to a 13-year, $325 million contract after yet another wildly successful season. Following that deal, Miami general manager Dan Jennings spoke about wanting to lock up other young players, like Fernandez, to long-term contracts as well.

“We’ve had some great exchanges. I feel like we’re moving in the right direction,” Jennings said, via Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. “We’ll get it done. We’ll get it done with Scott, too; we’ll just have to rassle a little harder. … We’d love to have (Fernandez) for a long time … shoot, he’s good.”

It seems the Marlins are trying to build toward the future. After several down seasons in the NL East, the team looks like a future contender with Fernandez and Stanton at the top.

It should be interesting to see what happens with Fernandez given his recent injury and the success prior to the surgery. Regardless of what happens, Fernandez’s future looks as bright as any young pitcher if he remains healthy.  

Marlins fans just hope that future is in Miami.

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Outfielder Torii Hunter was a key to the Detroit Tigers’ run to yet another American League Central title. After yet another solid season, Hunter’s name is now generating buzz around the MLB this offseason. 

Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com reported the latest on Hunter:

… one player the Twins have already expressed interest in is outfielder Torii Hunter, per a source.

Teams were allowed to reach out to agents last week, but contractual terms can’t be discussed until late Monday night/Tuesday.

The Twins have made a few calls, including to Hunter’s representatives.

[…]

Word has it that Hunter has thought previously about finishing his career where it began — he was the Twins’ first round pick in 1993. 

Hunter’s best years might be behind him, but the veteran has still contributed at a high level over the last several seasons. The 39-year-old has a .295 average, 34 home runs and 167 RBI over the last two years with the Tigers.

When Detroit’s season came to an end, Hunter spent time watching his sons play college football, but still pondered his return to baseball. Hunter spoke about returning during the 2015 season, via Chris Iott of MLive.com:

I really want to play with the Tigers, but if not I understand … There’s definitely a good chance I will play again though. …

Playing for a contender is very important to me, but taking a lesser role will be hard for me when my core numbers are pretty good, not just for a guy that’s 39 years old but also for a 22-year-old player.

Along with his bat, Hunter’s glove is typically a huge reason for his success. He struggled during the first few months of the season in Detroit last year, but stepped up when the team needed him down the stretch.

During his career, Hunter has won nine gold glove awards, but hasn’t taken one since 2009 with the Los Angeles Angels. Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press passed along his thoughts on Hunter’s value for a team:

His outfield range has significantly diminished from his Gold Glove days but Hunter largely made the plays that needed to be made. …

He is lauded for his professionalism on the field and leadership off the field but could be stuck in a situation where the Tigers could not guarantee the playing time nor paycheck necessary for Hunter to consider another year in Detroit the right situation.

Wherever he lands, Hunter brings both talent and a wealth of leadership ability. Though he has never made it to a World Series, Hunter has played 48 postseason games with a .274 average in 208 plate appearances.

It’s not clear which team Hunter will play for during the 2015 campaign, but he wants to sign with a contender. Having never won a title, he would be 40 years old by the time the playoffs roll around next season.

Still able to contribute even at his advanced age, look for Hunter to excel again next year. Whether he lands with the Tigers, Twins or another franchise, Hunter might be a piece to help push a team over the top.

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Prior to the 2014 MLB season, hardly anyone would have predicted the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles to be playing for the American League pennant. Now, just four wins separate both teams from the World Series.

How big is Kansas City’s run so far? So huge that the Google search for “Royals” now comes up with more results about Kansas City than Lorde. That’s what a run can do for a team with just four postseason wins.

For Baltimore, it’s facing a team coming off a dominant four-game playoff winning streak and a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Even against the gritty Royals, the Orioles have confidence after downing three straight Cy Young winners and the Detroit Tigers.

With Game 1 set to begin Friday night, below is the full schedule and prediction for the American League Championship Series.

ALCS Prediction

When the postseason gets underway, pitching is one of the most crucial components to making a deep run. Both the Orioles and Royals were able to contain potent lineups in the division series, but it’s Kansas City that has the more complete rotation.

The one man at the top is none other than James Shields. Since acquiring Big Game James prior to the 2013 season, he has produced stellar starts nearly every time he’s toed the rubber.

James, who will be the starter in Game 1, according to Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star (h/t Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com), went six innings against the Angels in Game 3 of the ALDS, surrendering just two runs on six hits with six strikeouts. More impressively, the bullpen behind him can shut down even high-powered lineups, per MLB Stat of the Day:

If Shields, Yordano Ventura or any other starter falters, the bullpen will be there to pick them up in this series. Equipped with solid arms like Wade Davis and Greg Holland, Kansas City has a massive advantage at the end of games.

On the other side, the Orioles pitching staff is often overlooked in the American League. But after limiting the Tigers to three runs or fewer in two games, they were able to make a statement in the division series.

Chris Tillman and Bud Norris were strong on the mound in Games 1 and 3, respectively, giving Baltimore a chance to pull off two wins. Catcher Caleb Joseph spoke about his battery mates, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com:

We know our starters are really good, and they know they’re really good. They’ve really carried us for a long time now. They’re a close-knit group and they do certain things that I know a lot of other teams don’t do. They’re very into each other’s work. They participate in each others’ bullpens and stuff like that. It’s one of the small things that people don’t see behind the lights that’s helped keep them together. If they give us quality starts, we like our chances.

Along with the stout staffs, both teams also have plenty of pop in the lineup. But one man with plenty of experience in the postseason might be the difference for the Orioles in this matchup.

Nelson Cruz has been one of the best playoff power hitters in the MLB over the last several seasons, proving that point again with two homers in the ALDS. ESPN Stats & Info puts his recent numbers in perspective:

Currently, Cruz is tied with Carlos Beltran for ninth all time in postseason homers. With just two more dingers against the Royals, he would move into a tie with Reggie Jackson and Mickey Mantle for fifth—pretty elite company to say the least.

All things equal, the Orioles lineup will be the difference-maker in this series. Both franchises have proven they can step up in clutch situations, but Baltimore simply has more firepower with Cruz, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones at the plate.

Prediction: Orioles win in six games.

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The 2014 MLB postseason has already brought plenty of intrigue, with several wild finishes taking place. With both matchups on Saturday having their respective Game 1s decided by a single run, expect more of the same.

Insanity ensued on the diamond between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers, with the Cardinals holding on late for a 10-9 win. That victory came against Clayton Kershaw, as ESPN Stats & Info notes:

In the other National League Division Series, the San Francisco Giants jumped out to an early series lead against the Washington Nationals on the road. The Giants now have a chance to begin another long playoff run, but the Nats have a plethora of talent to contend.

Before the Saturday slate gets underway, here’s a look at predictions for both crucial games. An updated bracket for both division series can be viewed at MLB.com.

San Francisco Giants at Washington Nationals

Tim Hudson vs. Jordan Zimmermann. Yet another big matchup on the mound between a young Nats pitcher and veteran Giants hurler.

But what many fans will be watching for is another potential tape-measure home run from Bryce Harper. The young phenom put his stamp on the series already, blasting a solo shot that was a career long for him, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Unfortunately, the Nationals’ one through five hitters went a total of 2-for-17 ahead of Harper. In order to change their postseason fate, the offense will need to back up the strong pitching staff.

The Nationals have a wealth of young talent but not a ton of postseason experience. That’s where the Giants have the edge. But even with an early victory for San Francisco, Washington has a chance to turn things around on Saturday.

Expect a more consistent game from the Nats offense and a great game from Zimmermann to push the series to 1-1 heading to the West Coast.

Prediction: Nationals 5, Giants 3

St. Louis Cardinals at Los Angeles Dodgers

Much like the other NLDS, this is a matchup of one team that has experienced multiple deep runs in the playoffs against a franchise that hasn’t reached the World Series since 1988. Even with the best pitcher in baseball on the mound, the Dodgers are still 0-1 against the Cardinals.

When the two teams match up again on Saturday night, Zack Greinke will be looking to even the series against Lance Lynn. Scott Miller of Bleacher Report noted the struggles for Greinke against the Cardinals:

Dynamic offenses for both teams mean the two hurlers might have a cushion, but it’s obvious the Cardinals have the mental edge after taking Game 1. Even with a sensational performance by Greinke, St. Louis has the veteran leadership to stage another rally.

Look for another high-scoring game with Lynn holding a 4.81 ERA in the postseason during his career. But if the bats show up for the Cards again, St. Louis will head home with a 2-0 lead and looking to clinch.

Prediction: Cardinals 7, Dodgers 5

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Jake Peavy and the San Francisco Giants barely came away with a 3-2 victory in Game 1 against the Washington Nationals. Game 2 on Saturday promises to bring even more fireworks with a huge pitching duel.

Much like Friday’s matchup, a veteran starter for the Giants will face off with a young hurler for the Nationals. Tim Hudson, 39, will do battle with Jordan Zimmermann, a 28-year-old who has one start in the postseason.

Outside of two seventh-inning home runs by Bryce Harper and Asdrubal Cabrera, it was San Francisco’s pitching staff that got the better of Washington’s lineup. The Giants lineup finished with a .324 average in Game 1 but will have a difficult time keeping that up against Zimmermann.

Here’s a look at the schedule, viewing info and breakdown of Game 2 of the National League Division Series.

NLDS Game 2 Information

Where: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.

When: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. ET

TV: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Game Preview

Here’s the thing about pitching in the postseason: Having experience can sometimes trump talent. However, despite his nine starts in the playoffs, Hudson has just one win to show for it.

The 16-year veteran boasts a 3.46 ERA in the playoffs along with a 3.57 ERA this season. Leading up to the series, Hudson had some interesting comments about the postseason, per Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post:

Obviously they have a talented group over there, there’s no question. They have some great pitching. But come playoff time, talent can take you a long ways, but what do you have between your legs? That’s going to take you real far. And I think we’ve got a group in here that really has some of that.

Ironically enough, Hudson has never been on a team that has advanced out of the division series. Not with the Oakland Athletics or Atlanta Braves, two teams that fell short on six different occasions with Hudson as a member of the rotation.

Meanwhile, Zimmermann has been the most consistent starter for the Nationals all season. His 2.66 ERA and 182 strikeouts are both career highs, and he’s coming off a no-hitter in the season finale, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Along with the young talent on the mound, the Nats also have a wealth of power in the lineup. While a lot of that power failed to show up in Game 1, Harper made a huge statement at the plate.

Harper’s 445-foot home run was not only a mammoth shot but also the biggest swing of his young career. ESPN Stats & Info points out just how huge the swing was for Harper’s career:

Doing that on a postseason stage makes more than just memories, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome for the Nationals. If the batters ahead of him go a combined 2-for-17 as they did in Game 1, solo shots can only put a small dent in the score.

With a chance to go up 2-0 heading back to San Francisco, the Giants might be starting yet another postseason run. Thanks to a talented young roster, the Nats still have the arms and bats to get back in the series on Saturday.

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Just a handful of games remain in the 2014 MLB season, and nearly every team knows its fate at this point. A few franchises are still holding out hope to make a late charge into the postseason, but the bubble has popped for others.

Strong starts for the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves weren’t sustained, as both are on the outside looking in. Then there are the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics, who are still in a dogfight for a wild-card spot.

On the other side, the playoff positioning can still be shaken up over the weekend. The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals are hoping to clinch the NL Central, with the title still hanging in the balance.

Rather than delaying the process until it becomes official, here is the full schedule and predictions for the wild-card showdowns.

Wild Card Predictions

AL Wild Card: Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals

The Mariners are still holding out hope of making it into the final wild-card spot, but this matchup seems destined to happen.

Oakland has been scuffling ever since the trade deadline, but it wouldn’t be in this position without Jon Lester in the rotation. If these two teams square off, he will have to outduel another pitcher known for stepping up in the clutch.

James Shields has been phenomenal this season, going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and 180 strikeouts. Big Game James is always a consistent force on the mound for the Royals, as Dave Holtzman of Fox Sports Kansas City notes:

It’s not determined at this point that Shields or Lester will toe the rubber, but it would offer a must-watch game.

If Kansas City’s offense can produce a few runs at home, Shields has the ability to close the door. Thanks to bats like Alex Gordon and the speed of Lorenzo Cain, this team has what it takes to contend in the playoffs.

Prediction: Royals win, 4-2.

NL Wild Card: San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates

Both of these teams are confirmed for the postseason, but the Pirates might not have to face a win-and-in situation. For now, we’ll assume that Pittsburgh and San Francisco will battle for the spot, with the Pirates getting home-field advantage.

Pittsburgh comes in to the contest as one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won 12 of the last 15 games, including two series wins over the Brewers and Braves. Manager Clint Hurdle spoke about the team’s resilience, per Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

I’ve been in situations where you can tell you just aren’t good enough. That thought never crossed my mind this year. The beauty of it is that, on paper, there probably are a lot of teams that look better than us. But I continue to remind these guys that we don’t play on paper. We get to go play on grass. That’s what we do well. We’re a good team. They like being on the team.

The Giants have postseason experience. Not just a few guys who have been in the playoffs, but leaders like Buster Posey and Bruce Bochy, who were part of the 2010 and 2012 World Series-winning teams.

But what the Pirates have is a hunger and one of the best position players in all of baseball. Since his return from a rib injury, Andrew McCutchen has been a catalyst for the team, as ESPN Stats & Info points out:

It will no doubt be a battle that stretches until the final innings, but expect the Pirates to secure a berth into the division series. Thanks to an explosive offense and one of the best recent records in baseball coming in, Pittsburgh will be too much for San Francisco.

Prediction: Pirates 6, Giants 4

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Shortly after the hiring of Dave Stewart as the Arizona Diamondbacks general manager, it was clear changes were coming. On Friday afternoon, it was announced that manager Kirk Gibson was fired from his position.

The Diamondbacks’ official account reported the news:  

During his time as manager, Gibson led the team to a 353-375 record with just one appearance in the postseason. Arizona won the NL West division in 2011 with a 94-68 record but was unable to string together another winning season.

Stewart was hired Thursday, as reported by The Associated Press (via ESPN), and wasted no time in relieving Gibson. Jesse Spector of Sporting News passed along his thoughts on the decision:

Stewart spoke about the upcoming manager search, per Bernie Pleskoff of MLB.com:

The Diamondbacks are currently 63-96 heading into the final weekend of the season, but they have pieces to build around for the future. Despite the struggles for Gibson, the next manager will have a team that has a chance to win.

Having the worst record in baseball also has upside, as Pleskoff notes:

Offensive players like Mark Trumbo and Paul Goldschmidt have shown flashes of greatness, along with Miguel Montero. If those players can continue to swing a good bat in the future, the next manager has weapons to help lead the team.

Unfortunately, the Diamondbacks happen to be in a division along with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. There will need to be changes made to the structure of the team in order to contend with franchises that have postseason aspirations every season.

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