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Alex Rodriguez has officially lost his appeal and will be forced to sit out the 2014 Major League Baseball season. His 211-game suspension was reduced to 162 games, but A-Rod says it isn’t over yet.

Wallace Matthews of ESPN first reported news of the arbitrator’s ruling:

Joel Sherman of the New York Post noted how much the Yankees saved due to this decision:

CBS’ Jon Heyman amended the length of the suspension:

However, Andy McCullough of The Star-Ledger reports that Rodriguez isn’t satisfied:

Rodriguez released a statement on the decision, courtesy of his Facebook page:

The number of games sadly comes as no surprise, as the deck has been stacked against me from day one. This is one man’s decision, that was not put before a fair and impartial jury, does not involve me having failed a single drug test, is at odds with the facts and is inconsistent with the terms of the Joint Drug Agreement and the Basic Agreement, and relies on testimony and documents that would never have been allowed in any court in the United States because they are false and wholly unreliable. This injustice is MLB’s first step toward abolishing guaranteed contracts in the 2016 bargaining round, instituting lifetime bans for single violations of drug policy, and further insulating its corrupt investigative program from any variety defense by accused players, or any variety of objective review.

I have been clear that I did not use performance enhancing substances as alleged in the notice of discipline, or violate the Basic Agreement or the Joint Drug Agreement in any manner, and in order to prove it I will take this fight to federal court. I am confident that when a Federal Judge reviews the entirety of the record, the hearsay testimony of a criminal whose own records demonstrate that he dealt drugs to minors, and the lack of credible evidence put forth by MLB, that the judge will find that the panel blatantly disregarded the law and facts, and will overturn the suspension. No player should have to go through what I have been dealing with, and I am exhausting all options to ensure not only that I get justice, but that players’ contracts and rights are protected through the next round of bargaining, and that the MLB investigation and arbitration process cannot be used against others in the future the way it is currently being used to unjustly punish me.

I will continue to work hard to get back on the field and help the Yankees achieve the ultimate goal of winning another championship. I want to sincerely thank my family, all of my friends, and of course the fans and many of my fellow MLB players for the incredible support I received throughout this entire ordeal.

USA Today shares what the MLBPA has to say:

Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown has a statement from MLB:

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports the third baseman plans on attending spring training:

Wallace Matthews of ESPN reports the Yankees’ statement regarding Rodriguez:

The New York Yankees third baseman was originally suspended for 211 games in early August, which at the time carried through the end of the 2014 season. According to Bryan Hoch and Joey Nowak of MLB.com, Rodriguez was accused of violating the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and the Basic Agreement.

A number of MLB players accepted 50-game suspensions at the same time for their involvement with Biogenesis, an anti-aging clinic that provided performance-enhancing drugs to players. However, Rodriguez was dealt a harsher punishment for his reported role in tampering with evidence.

According to T.J. Quinn and Pedro Gomez of ESPN, the superstar also helped pay for an attorney for Anthony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis.

Despite the evidence presented, Rodriguez formally appealed the suspension with the backing of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), according to ESPN. After finally declaring himself healthy, he rejoined the Yankees and remained active through September.

Rodriguez ended up playing 44 games in 2013, racking up seven home runs with 19 RBI while posting a .244 batting average.

With his team out of the playoff picture, he sat out the final weekend in order to prepare for his case and face it “head on,” according to Andrew Marchand of ESPN. A-Rod noted the importance of the next few days, telling the media, “I’m fighting for my whole life, my whole legacy.”

While this would seem overdramatic in most cases, it is exactly what this appeal was about.

There was an air of confidence from his legal team throughout the summer that the suspension would be overturned. Rodriguez’s attorney, Joe Tacopina, had this to say on the Today Show:

Alex Rodriguez, when we confront this evidence, will have been found not responsible to the point where he should not serve one inning of a suspension, as opposed to 211 games.

I know the evidence against Alex Rodriguez, and I will tell you this — it will never stand up in a court of law or in an arbitration panel courtroom. Never. Because the evidence is based on one person — Anthony Bosch.

Despite this statement, it appears as though the independent arbitrator has sided with the league and Rodriguez will have to serve out his suspension before returning to baseball.

This leaves plenty of questions regarding the three-time MVP’s future in the league. He remains in pursuit of Barry Bonds’ record mark of 762 career home runs (or Hank Aaron’s 755 home runs if you prefer) with a current total of 654, but it will be difficult to reach the pinnacle considering he is already 38 years old.

Rodriguez also has a $275 million contract with the Yankees that runs through 2017, which he signed after winning the AL MVP during the 2007 season. It remains to be seen how the suspension will impact this deal.

Either way, this will remain a landmark decision for the sport in the fight to keep performance-enhancing drugs out of baseball. Rodriguez is undoubtedly the most high-profile player ever suspended, surpassing Ryan Braun, who accepted a deal in July to sit out the remainder of the 2013 season.

Commissioner Bud Selig and the rest of the league will certainly hope that this sends a message to anyone else considering using banned substances in the future.

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While there are still a number of MLB free agents available, most of the top options are already off of the market. This has caused teams around the league to look toward trades to improve the roster for next season.

Of course, franchises are smart enough to avoid giving away a player for nothing. This will keep potential deals from moving quickly as the negotiation process continues through the start of the regular season.

These trades will likely take some time to be completed, but the latest buzz seems to indicate that a move will be made before the offseason ends. Here is a look at the latest trade rumblings from around the league. 

Jeff Samardzija, SP, Chicago Cubs

After two full seasons as a starting pitcher, Jeff Samardzija has proven he has the potential to be an above-average major leaguer. However, the Chicago Cubs do not feel he is worth his cost.

Earlier in the offseason, David Kaplan of CSN Chicago quoted a source who said, “I don’t see him throwing another pitch in a Cubs uniform. I think it’s 99 percent that he gets moved. They’re not ready to win and he brings you the young pitching you need for the future.”

Although the mindset has not changed, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports that the team will wait for the timing to be right:

Multiple industry sources have predicted the Cubs will let the free-agent market play out – Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana are still on the board – and see what happens with the Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes before pulling the trigger on any Samardzija deal.

Still, Samardzija told Mooney that he did not want to go anywhere:

My first preference is to win here and be a success here. I know the upside that comes with surviving through this. Just the personal gratification I would get for battling through these few years and then down the road when we’d be looking back on this – (that’s) what really excites me.

Although the pitcher’s ERA inflated to 4.34 this season to go with an 8-13 record, he finished fourth in the National League with 214 strikeouts and fifth with 213.2 innings pitched.

If the Cubs do not want to see if he turns into a legitimate ace in the future, there will be plenty of other teams willing to take that chance.

David Price, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

For most of the offseason, it was almost common knowledge that the Tampa Bay Rays would continue their tradition of trading players before they reach free agency with David Price. However, they do not feel like they need to rush a deal.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times provided the latest buzz regarding the Rays:

They are willing to listen on Price, who has two seasons until free agency, but it’s going to take a lot — in terms of young talent — to get him. Fair conclusion: They haven’t been made a good-enough offer yet.

In essence, the Rays are waiting to see if someone makes it worth their while to trade Price and take the accompanying step back team-wise.

Topkin also clarified, “There hasn’t been much media chatter about a Price deal, though that may be more a product of the Rays’ intense efforts at secrecy than a lack of actual talks.”

The biggest problem has been the Rays unwillingness to give up on the year by trading away arguably their best player. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports broke down what the club is looking for:

Acquiring “now” players would be the Rays’ preference, enabling them to gain back some of the short-term value they would lose by trading Price. The right fit, though, could prove elusive, considering that Price is even more accomplished than Shields.

The James Shields trade brought Wil Myers, who contributed immediately and was named the 2013 Rookie of the Year. It is hard to find a team willing to part with a player of this ability, but Price might be worth that cost.

Either way, it is important not to give away a perennial Cy Young candidate without getting quality players in return.

Heath Bell, RP, Tampa Bay Rays

Once a dominant closer, Heath Bell has struggled in recent years while bouncing around the league from the Miami Marlins to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is now the property of the Rays, but this might not be the case for too much longer.

While discussing the Baltimore Orioles’ need for a reliever, Roch Kubatko of MASN provided the latest rumors out of Tampa Bay:

Grant Balfour would have made $15 million over two years if the Orioles hadn’t backed away following his physical. Now, he could end up with the Rays, who are shopping Heath Bell, according to multiple industry sources.

[…]

The Rays acquired Bell from the Diamondbacks on Dec. 3 in a three-team trade with the Reds. Now they’re gauging the market for him.

It is hard to imagine too many teams running at the chance to bring in a reliever who had 15 blown saves over the past two seasons. However, he showed some signs of life with a 4.11 ERA in 2013. 

Additionally, Bell had 132 saves from 2009-11, and the talent is still there for a bounce-back season. If a team is able to pull him away for a low cost, it might be worth the deal.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

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The Texas Rangers will have a big boost to their offense in 2014 after reportedly signing Shin-Soo Choo to a seven-year, $130 million contract. 

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the deal:

Shin-Soo Choo has deal with rangers. 7 years. details to come.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 21, 2013

Choo deal is for $130M with texas

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 21, 2013

Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan confirmed and added more detail:

The Shin-Soo Choo deal is a straight seven-year, $130M deal with a limited no-trade clause and no opt-outs or options.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2013

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the contract had first been proposed at winter meetings, and provided more details of the cash breakdown:

Source: #Rangers first offered Choo seven years after winter meetings. Final deal similar to that one. Stretched for player they wanted.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 21, 2013

Source: Choo and #Rangers shifted $5M from first year of seven-year $130M deal to 2016 and ’17, creating additional flexibility for ’14.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 21, 2013

Of course, Passan had previously reported that Choo and agent Scott Boras turned down a seven-year, $140 million offer from the New York Yankees. 

Choo posted his third career 20-20 season in 2013 when he totaled 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases primarily as a leadoff hitter for the Cincinnati Reds. The 31-year-old batted .285, and his .423 on-base percentage ranked fourth in the majors.

While his on-base percentage in 2013 was a career-high, he’s posted marks of .350 or better eight times. His mixture of speed, power and discipline at the plate make him one of the better leadoff hitters in the game.

He also showcased the ability to handle center field last season, although he mostly played right field throughout his seven years with the Cleveland Indians. 

Of course, Choo comes with some negatives. 

The left-hander struggled immensely against fellow lefties in 2013, hitting .215 against them compared to .317 against right-handed pitchers. He also did not have a single home run this past season against a southpaw in 181 at-bats (388 at-bats versus righties). 

Additionally, this acquisition will cost the Rangers their first available draft pick because the Reds offered Choo a $14.1 million qualifying offer. 

Despite the risks, this deal represents a big addition to a club that needs help in the outfield. 

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

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Grant Balfour appeared set to join the Baltimore Orioles this offseason, but a problem with the physical has caused the deal to fall through.

On Dec. 17, the two sides agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal, via USA Today. However, Roch Kubatko of MASN first reported that there could be a problem with the physical:

After it was revealed that a shoulder injury would hold up the deal, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun noted that the club had to decide whether it would still be willing to sign the pitcher:

Encina then quoted executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, who explained that the deal is off:

Despite reports of a shoulder issue, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal notes that the issue doesn’t appear to be Balfour’s health:

The Orioles backed out of a two-year, $15 million deal with free-agent reliever Grant Balfour on Friday, saying their doctors were not satisfied with the results of his physical. 

Rays team physician Koco Eaton, who has a lengthy history with Balfour, doesn’t know why.

Eaton examined Balfour in Tampa on Friday and also performed a contrast MRI on the pitcher’s right shoulder — the area that troubled the Orioles, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Asked if he was surprised that the Orioles declined to complete their deal with Balfour, Eaton said “Yes,” adding that approving the contract was “kind of a no-brainer.”

The 35-year-old reliever had bounced around the league since 2001, but he truly excelled once he landed with the Oakland Athletics. In three years, he put together a 9-7 record with an impressive 2.53 ERA. 

Additionally, he became the club’s closer midway through the 2012 season and kept that role in 2013 when he was selected to his first All-Star game. The Australian finished with 38 saves while helping the Athletics win the AL West division.

However, the latest injury issues leave his career in doubt.

As for the Orioles, Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reports that they would be interested in signing former Tampa Bay Rays closer Fernando Rodney: 

Kubatko outlines the remaining options for Baltimore:

All of these players could fill the closer role left by Jim Johnson, who was traded to Oakland earlier in the offseason. 

No matter what direction the team decides to go in, it is clear that this will be a second choice after a failed attempt at signing Balfour.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Front offices from across the league will spend the MLB winter meetings in an attempt to improve their teams. However, some clubs are being more aggressive than others.

While no one is giving up on the 2014 season before it even starts, a few organizations are looking for opportunities to get younger and save money by trading away established players. Of course, there will always be contenders on the other side looking for potential stars to help in the upcoming year.

There is still a long time before Opening Day, but here is the latest trade buzz from around the league. 

Philadelphia Phillies Willing to Give Up Pitching

After building up a rotation full of All-Stars in an attempt to contend for a World Series title, the Phillies are now ready to break it apart.

ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that while the team is looking to contend in 2014, it will still hear possible options to help the future:

[Phillies] have told other teams that they are willing to consider trades of either of their two best starting pitchers, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, as sources say.

[…]

They have told other teams they’d be ready to move either of their two best starting pitchers, as well as closer Jonathan Papelbon.

This would not be a surprise from a monetary standpoint, as each of these pitchers is under contract at a high price this season. With large contracts to Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and others still on the books, Philadelphia is clearly looking for ways to save money. 

However, Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are among the most reliable pitchers in baseball. Both starters have topped 200 innings in each of the last four seasons while mostly displaying a great deal of success.

While Jonathan Papelbon did have seven blown saves last season, he does have a 2.41 career ERA, so it makes sense for a team to attempt to deal for an established player.

Of course, a much more surprising move is a possible trade involving Domonic Brown. According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, the Phillies are shopping the 26-year-old player after a big season:

This type of aggressiveness with the current roster is certain to disappoint a lot of fans, but it might be necessary in order to compete in the near future.

New York Mets Infielders Available

The Mets have made some interesting moves this offseason to improve the lineup, signing outfielders Chris Young and Curtis Granderson. As a response, the team is now looking to deal its excess infielders. 

Passan reported that the club is trying to move second baseman Daniel Murphy:

Joel Sherman of the New York Post followed that up by saying the Baltimore Orioles are interested, as well as giving some info on first baseman Ike Davis:

However, Marc Carig of Newsday clarifies that Davis is the one more likely to be traded:

New York has a choice to make at first base heading into next season with both Davis and Lucas Duda capable of playing the spot. After trying Duda in the outfield over the past couple of years, it is clear he is better suited in the infield.

As a result, the Mets will likely trade whichever could return more value, which would likely be Davis due to his past success. The 26-year-old player did hit 32 home runs in 2012.

The team could have another logjam if Eric Young Jr. moves back to second base with a now-full outfield. Murphy put up solid all-around numbers last season with a .286 batting average, 13 home runs and 23 stolen bases, and he could bring in some young talent as well if he is put on the open market.

Los Angeles Dodgers Remain Willing to Trade Matt Kemp

There might not be a more intriguing player on the trade market than Matt Kemp. Two years ago, he was arguably the most complete star in the majors. Unfortunately a couple of seasons worth of injuries have slowed him down.

Still, the outfielder could be dealt this offseason, according to Gordon Edes of ESPN:

Matt Kemp‘s agent, Dave Stewart, said Monday night at baseball’s winter meetings that he believed “something was brewing” in trade talks involving the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti has said publicly that he will listen to offers on his outfielders, of which he has a surplus.

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times then quoted an even-more-certain Dave Stewart, who said, “I’d be surprised if it doesn’t happen. I haven’t heard a player’s name floated around like that and something not happen.”

When healthy, there are few better players in baseball. In 2011, Kemp was second in the MVP voting behind Ryan Braun, finishing with 39 home runs, 40 stolen bases, a .324 batting average and the most runs and RBI in the National League.

The problem is that he has also missed 145 games over the past few years and is under contract until 2020 after signing an eight-year extension. 

Still, the risk might be worth the reward for a team willing to complete a deal for the talented outfielder.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

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The Colorado Rockies have taken a big step toward upgrading their starting rotation by trading with the Oakland Athletics for left-handed pitcher Brett Anderson, the team announced:

#Rockies acquire LHP Brett Anderson and cash from @Athletics for LHP Drew Pomeranz and RHP Chris Jensen.

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) December 10, 2013

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman gives more detail:

the a’s send $2M to rockies to cover part of brett anderson’s salary

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 10, 2013

Anderson has the potential to pitch like a front-end starter when healthy. In five seasons with the Oakland Athletics, he posted a 3.81 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. His best season came in 2010 when he went 7-6 with a 2.80 ERA.

MLB.com’s Jane Lee provides Billy Beane’s reaction to the trade:

Beane on Anderson: “We’ve gone through the years & built up a rotation. The hard thing was trying to find a way to live without him.”

— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) December 10, 2013

Unfortunately, he has also dealt with injuries throughout his short career. The only time Anderson made more than 19 starts was his rookie year. Since then, he has only pitched 275.1 innings in four years, pitching in a total of 54 games. 

He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011, which limited his production into 2012, and this past season, foot and ankle injuries kept him out for most of the year. Anderson made a late-August return pitching out of the bullpen, but he struggled in that role and finished the season with a 6.04 ERA and 1.61 WHIP.

As a result, Joel Sherman of the New York Post quoted front-office personnel who only considered Anderson a backup plan:

Exec who is in on SP says #Athletics very available Brett Anderson is “Plan B not Plan A guy, he has a lot of risk, but also lots of upside”

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2013

Still, the upside is clearly there, as he is someone who has had plenty of success at the sport’s highest level. At 25 years old, he has plenty of time to overcome the injury issues and be a All-Star caliber starting pitcher. 

This is what the Rockies are hoping for, as pitching is a big need heading into next season.

From the Athletics’ perspective, they are able to get some value for a player who might not have even cracked the rotation in 2014. The squad got a lot of production out of young pitchers Sonny Gray, A.J. Griffin, Dan Straily, Jarrod Parker and Tommy Milone last season, and each of them should be counted on going forward.

Drew Pomeranz and Chris Jensen are both young players the A’s are hoping they can mold into quality performers. They’ve been great at fostering talent in the past.

Additionally, Oakland inked Scott Kazmir to a two-year contract after a bounce-back season with the Cleveland Indians. 

Trading Anderson helps clear out some room in the rotation while bringing in quality players who can help the club in the future.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

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The New York Yankees were unsuccessful in keeping Robinson Cano, but you have to credit them for trying.

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes first broke the news that the All-Star second baseman agreed to a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. However, the Yankees tried an interesting tactic in order to help in the negotiations.

Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty admitted Saturday that previous trade rumors concerning Brandon Phillips were intentionally leaked by the Yankees, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer:

The idea was that if New York appeared to have a Plan B in place, it would be less desperate to overpay for Cano. This would keep the price down in the event that no other team was willing to match the expected cost.

Unfortunately, the Mariners ruined this strategy by offering Cano a decade-long contract to make him one of the richest players in baseball.

Of course, the Yankees’ plan was also hurt by a report from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports early in the week. He noted that while there were some early trade talks, the odds of actually trading the second baseman appeared unlikely unless there was a significant offer on the table.

This puts Brian Cashman and the rest of the New York front office in a tough position going forward. 

The club has attempted to replace the offensive production it lost by signing Carlos Beltran to a three-year deal, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. Still, it must find a new second baseman with two of the best in baseball currently off the market.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

As MLB free agents continue to get exorbitant contracts, general managers are instead looking for ways to improve through trades.

Fans already saw a shocking trade already take place Wednesday when the Detroit Tigers sent Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for Ian Kinsler. The Los Angeles Angels then got into the action by acquiring David Freese from the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet believes this type of bold thinking is a sign of things to come, with front offices willing to part with big-name talent to get a deal completed.

With a long time remaining until the start of next season, do not be surprised to see some more stars change cities. Here is a look at the latest trade buzz from across baseball regarding other players who could soon be moved.

Austin Jackson, CF, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers are not exactly having a fire sale, but GM Dave Dombrowski is certainly willing to be aggressive this offseason. After trading away Fielder, the team is apparently fielding offers for Austin Jackson as well, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

Jackson is arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason, so his price is set to go up. However, he remains under team control for another two years.

Considering an alternatative option is someone like Jacoby Ellsbury, it should be clear that money is not an issue while trying to fill the position.

Still, Jackson is coming off a relatively down year after a huge 2012 season. His averages dropped from .300/.377/.479 to only .272/.337.417, and he also struggled to produce in the playoffs.

Of course, he is still only 26 years old with above-average range in center field. He has twice led the league in triples and has hit double-digit home runs in each of the last three seasons. If the Tigers are willing to part with him, there will be plenty of teams ready to make a deal.

Chase Headley, 3B, San Diego Padres

A year ago at this time, Chase Headley was celebrating what was by far the best individual season of his career. He posted a .286 batting average, hit 31 homers and led the National League with 115 RBI. This production helped him win a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove, and he finished fifth in the MVP voting.

Unfortunately, Headley was not nearly as impressive in 2013, hitting only .250 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI. While he missed some time due to injury, the overall effort was simply not there.

As a result, the Padres are now looking to make a trade that could possibly lead to filling more holes around the roster, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:

There’s growing sentiment that Headley will be traded this offseason. There’s been talk about an extension, but the Padres, who are now willing to increase payroll under CEO Mike Dee’s leadership, are thinking that they can improve a couple of different areas long-term by dealing their third baseman. 

San Diego finished with only 76 wins this past season, so it is clear the club needs to find ways to improve. Trading a big-time hitter who still has plenty of value would be a decent way to accomplish that feat.

If the Padres can find a trade partner willing to part with multiple prospects for the 29-year-old third baseman, you can imagine they will find a way to get a deal completed. 

Then again, any team would have to be cautious that 2012 was more of a fluke than anything else. Looking at his wins above replacement by year, it is hard to argue against this being the case.

Still, good-hitting third basemen are not easy to find. If an organization feels Headley can once again reach his potential, it might be worth a deal.

Matt Kemp, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp fits right into the list of talented players coming off of disappointing seasons. The two-time All-Star dealt with various injuries all year that limited him to only 73 games. Combined with last year’s issues, he has now missed 145 games since the start of the 2012 season.

To make matters worse, Kemp was ineffective when he was on the field, hitting only .270 with six home runs. With $130 million still owed on his contract over the next six years, it makes sense for the Dodgers to see if anyone is interested in making a deal.

According to Cafardo, the Boston Red Sox are among those interested:

The Red Sox are one of several teams who have made inquiries on Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp according to a major league source.

[…]

The Dodgers, according to the source, have not been shopping Kemp, but teams have inquired. The Dodgers were reportedly recently in trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.

Boston will likely need someone in center field if free agent Jacoby Ellsbury decides to go elsewhere. While Kemp is still owed a lot of money, he certainly is an intriguing option.

Injuries have certainly slowed down the 29-year-old player’s career, but he is only two years removed from finishing second in the MVP voting and was one of the best all-around players in baseball. 

If the Dodgers are willing to pay some of the remaining salary, this could be a decent risk for the defending World Series champions.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.

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In an offseason that already features a number of quality free agents, MLB teams could also improve their rosters by trading for elite young stars.

Due to salary restrictions, lack of a fit on the current club or simply high demand from around the league, a few talented players are on the trading block this offseason. Although it will take a big offer for any of them to move, the future production could make any deal worth it.

These players all have the potential to be moved this winter based on the latest buzz from around the league.

Jurickson Profar, 2B, Texas Rangers

While Jurickson Profar did not light up the stat sheets in his first 94 games in the big leagues, it is important to note that he is still only 20 years old. 

The young player came up through the minors as a shortstop, but he was used all over the field for the Rangers last season. He made 29 starts at second base, but he also played shortstop, third base and left field over the course of the year.

Despite this inconsistency, he still showed plenty of potential with six home runs and a .234 batting average in 286 at bats. With his pure skill, he could be an elite middle infielder for years to come.

The problem in Texas is that Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus are already on the roster, which leaves no room for Profar. As a result, the youngster could be traded this offseason. According to Jim Bowden of ESPN, the St. Louis Cardinals remain a strong possibility for a deal:

Of the three options, Shelby Miller has proven the most in the majors with a 15-6 record and 3.06 ERA this season. However, Oscar Taveras might have more upside and would fill a hole in the outfield.

Additionally, Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas speculates that Profar can be used in a trade for pitcher David Price.

Texas does not want to give up Profar for nothing, but it seems clear that he could be had for the right price.

Jason Castro, C, Houston Astros

Although the Astros had a season to forget in 2013, Jason Castro was a lone bright spot. The young player posted a respectable .276 batting average while finishing sixth among MLB catchers with 18 home runs.

It is not surprising that this has brought plenty of attention from teams around the league.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that a trade is possible:

The Astros are receiving significant interest in star catcher Jason Castro, and once big free agents like Brian McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia go off the board, things could possibly intensify.

Castro’s name hasn’t previously come up as a trade possibility, but the Astros have been known to trade players, even young ones. It isn’t certain how serious they are about dealing Castro, who became an All-Star in 2013 for the first time, but Houston is said to like catching prospect Max Stassi very much.

If Houston feels that Max Stassi is capable of taking over at the position, a trade could make sense. While Castro showcased great power and approach at the plate, his value also might never be higher.

On a team that is still a few years away from competing at a high level, the ability to gain more pieces for the future is a good thing.

One possibility for a trade partner is the Colorado Rockies, who are in the market for a catcher. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reports that the club made an offer for Carlos Ruiz but was likely priced out by an unknown team.

Castro could be a cheaper option who would be a nice addition to an already strong offense.

Brett Anderson, LHP, Oakland Athletics

After coming into the regular season as the ace of the Athletics’ rotation, Brett Anderson dealt with injuries and struggled to a 6.04 ERA in 44.2 innings. 

A plethora of other pitchers both young and old stepped up in his absence, which has made the 25-year-old player expendable heading into next year. According to Heyman, a deal will depend on another transaction:

Whether Anderson is ultimately traded may depend on whether the A’s are able to re-sign Bartolo Colon. Oakland is aiming to make a one-year deal with Colon, who turned out to be the ace of the 2013 team. Team higher-ups plan to meet with Colon’s agent Adam Katz here at the GM meetings. Meantime, Anderson’s name is being bandied about it.

It would certainly make sense for a team to try to acquire Anderson if he is available for relatively cheap. When healthy, the pitcher has been quite impressive with a career ERA of 3.81. 

Unfortunately, he has made only 43 starts in the past four years combined and is coming off the worst year of his career.

Still, a team willing to take a risk on a young, talented player could receive a great addition if all goes well next season.

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After a season full of ailments, Matt Kemp will now have to deal with a shoulder injury throughout the MLB offseason.   

The Los Angeles Dodgers Twitter account reported that the outfielder will undergo surgery on his left shoulder:

Matt Kemp will undergo a left shoulder clean up on his A-C joint today. Matt Kemp is expected to be ready for spring training. #Dodgers

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 8, 2013

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times provided a few more details:

#Dodgers: Matt Kemp will have left shoulder surgery today, for a “clean up on his A-C joint.” He’s still on crutches as ankle heals, too.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 8, 2013

Kemp only played in 73 games this season while dealing with various ailments throughout the year. After briefly returning to the lineup in September, it was announced he would be out for the playoffs with an ankle injury.  

The latest shoulder issue raises more concerns about the 29-year-old player’s future with the Dodgers. While he is expected to be ready for Opening Day 2014, his past history provides reason for doubt.

After putting together an MVP-caliber season in 2011 where he posted 39 home runs, 40 stolen bases and a .324 batting average, Kemp has missed a total of 145 games over the past two years.

When he was in the lineup this season, he was not very productive with only six home runs and a .270 batting average.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers have done just fine without him, winning the National League West and defeating the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series to move on to the NLCS.

Kemp will likely remain in Los Angeles for a long time after signing an eight-year, $160 million contract extension after the 2011 season. However, the Dodgers will sooner or later like to see a full return on their investment.

The team and its fans will certainly hope that an offseason to rehab his various injuries will allow him to get healthy and once again become one of the most complete players in baseball.

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