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The majority of the offseason’s most valuable trade chips have already been dealt, but there are still a few coveted veterans who could be on the move before the start of spring training in February.

Complementary veteran pieces are still available for the right price. Oftentimes, those are the types of acquisitions that set the offseason’s successful teams apart from the pack. While the big prizes of the winter are the ones that lead to the most improvement, the extra pieces take a team over the top.

There are several of these pieces still available on the trade market, and two of them have made headlines in early 2015. Below, you’ll find an analysis of the latest buzz surrounding their current situations.

Dan Haren

Dan Haren wasn’t fond of his trade from Los Angeles to Florida, and MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports that the Miami Marlins are working on finding a deal that would move him back to the West Coast. “From what I’ve heard, there is a market for Haren, and the Marlins will do their best to work out a deal that accommodates both parties. Those talks are already underway,” Frisaro writes.

Fox Sports’ Joe Morosi adds to Frisaro‘s report:

There are a few teams who could presumably be in the running for the 34-year-old right-hander. The Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are certainly in the discussion considering how close they are to contention, and a dark horse could be the Oakland Athletics, the team Haren pitched for from 2005 to 2007.

The Los Angeles Angels general manager, Jerry Dipoto, has said that his team won’t reacquire Haren, who pitched for the team from 2010 to 2012. Los Angeles presumably has a need in the rotation, though, with Garrett Richards a question mark and Tyler Skaggs scheduled to miss all of 2015 after Tommy John surgery.

If the Halos are indeed not interested in a reunion, then it will come down to the other four teams mentioned above.

Check out their full rotation options below:

Haren would be a strong fit on any of these clubs because of the veteran leadership he can provide those young pitchers, but it comes down to which team feels as if it will compete at the highest level next season.

One would assume that the A’s will regress given the roster overhaul they’ve undergone, so it’d be interesting to see them jump into the discussion. Plus, they have injured arms A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker expected to return from Tommy John surgeries at some point in 2015.

San Diego has been the most active team this offseason, though we’ve yet to see GM A.J. Preller address the rotation outside of reclamation project Brandon Morrow.

San Francisco were in the hunt for James Shields in December, so it’s clear that the Giants want arms. Haren represents an affordable option there.

As for Seattle, it’d be odd to see them go after Haren. Promising young arms James Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Roenis Elias are vying for rotation spots behind Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma.

That would point to the Giants as the favorites if we’re going off need, but any of the teams could make room for a successful veteran who would be happy to pitch near his home.

Ben Zobrist

The Giants should also be considered the favorites for Ben Zobrist at this point given the mammoth hole in left field, though any number of teams have the need for an affordable veteran who can play nearly any position on the field.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reported on the size of Zobrist‘s market:

Zobrist, 33, has one of the biggest trade markets out there. The super utilityman is being pursued seriously by the Giants, Nationals, Angels, and Cubs. The Rays recently acquired Asdrubal Cabrera on a one-year deal, sparking further speculation that Zobrist might be on the move. The Rays are said to be asking for at least one top prospect and a mid-level one.

Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News echoed that every team in existence could benefit from having him on a roster:

Despite the fact that a high percentage of teams will likely call the Tampa Bay Rays in the coming days, the Giants stand out as the best fit. Coming off the World Series victory, San Francisco must now look to fill the void left by Pablo Sandoval at third base.

Casey McGehee can’t do that by himself, so adding a consistent bat to play left field should help to deepen the lineup. At the very least, the Giants’ motivations for wanting Zobrist should trump the field.

Plus, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow seems to think he’s exactly the type of player team GM Brian Sabean seeks, saying via CSNBayArea.com, “He’s a good player. He’s a Sabean-type player.”

Besides Zobrist‘s obvious fit in left, he would also act as an insurance policy should Joe Panik regress significantly in 2015.

Each passing day means the chances of a Zobrist trade increase. Asdrubal Cabrera will man second for the Rays next year, and Yunel Escobar will play shortstop. Third base and the outfield are covered. The time is now for the Rays to capitalize on Zobrist‘s value and get back prospects in return before he inevitably leaves in free agency next winter.

Look for him to be in orange and black by the time spring training rolls around.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With the free-agent market largely devoid of impact talent—aside from Max Scherzer and James Shields, that is—general managers around baseball have little choice but to explore trades in order to plug holes or find the upgrade at a position that they’ve been searching for on their respective rosters.

But in order to swing a deal, a GM must find a willing trade partner, which is often a bigger challenge than coming to an agreement on an actual swap.

Yet there are trades to be made, and based on recent reports from the rumor mill and known team needs, we’ve come up with a few that make sense for all parties involved. Keep in mind that these deals are pure speculation—there’s no indication that any of them have actually been discussed between the teams involved.

Think of it as our crack at playing GM, a pastime that baseball fans have enjoyed for decades, whether it be in their living rooms, ballparks or local watering holes.

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The 2014 season was a major disappointment for the Boston Red Sox, as the defending 2013 World Series champions dropped all the way to last place in the American League East.  In the process, the Red Sox traded away several veteran starting pitchers while looking to retool for 2015.   

During the winter meetings, Boston restocked its rotation by adding Justin Masterson, Wade Miley and Rick Porcello.  Earlier in the offseason, the Red Sox beefed up their batting order with the signings of All-Star free agents Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.

For the most part, the club looks to be in good shape heading into the season.  In fact, there is only one significant piece Boston still needs—a No. 1 starter.  Unfortunately, it’s a rather instrumental missing piece, and the more time that goes by, the less likely it appears Boston is to get it.

Below are five starting pitchers the Red Sox could still acquire this offseason.  With the market rapidly drying up, not all of them qualify as aces.  Similarly, the key word regarding Boston’s chances of adding any of these players is “could.”  At this point, the most realistic scenario may well be for the Red Sox to stand pat with what they have.

Max Scherzer

The best free-agent pitcher available this offseason remains unsigned.  And while there are no real indications that Boston is in the hunt for Max Scherzer, there isn’t any significant talk of him going elsewhere, either.

Sports Illustrated‘s Cliff Corcoran writes:

The lack of heat on Scherzer this offseason has gone from unexpected to surprising to downright shocking. This is the 2013 American League Cy Young award winner, a 30-year-old stud who has struck out 492 men in 434 2/3 innings over the last two seasons, posted a 3.02 ERA (135 ERA+) and 1.07 WHIP and gone 39-8. There’s not a team in baseball that wouldn’t be improved by signing him, yet the only rumors concerning Scherzer continue to be purely speculative. 

The Scherzer mystery appears to be no clearer today than when MLB‘s free agency period began. The odds of him joining the Red Sox are slim, but Jason Mastrodonato of Mass Live makes a solid case for why Sox fans shouldn’t count out the possibility of their club inking Scherzer:

Before writing off Scherzer as a candidate for the Red Sox, remember that they meet and consider everyone who might be a fit for their team, they wouldn’t have to surrender their first-round draft pick to sign him, showed a willingness to offer six years to Jon Lester and have $55 million coming off the books in 2016.

Nobody past David Ortiz expected them to sign Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval, and yet the Red Sox committed $183 million to that cause.

Despite losing out on Lester to the Chicago Cubs, the additions of Ramirez and Sandoval show Boston clearly has an open-minded attitude when it comes to spending this offseason.  Isn’t there a chance the Red Sox decided Lester wasn’t worth the cost?  It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t think any pitcher is worthy of that type of money.  Maybe management will respond to the failed Lester situation by making a serious effort in pursuit of Scherzer?

James Shields

It wasn’t long ago that Boston was considered by many to be the leader as a potential destination for James Shields.  But, the recent news regarding Shields is not encouraging for those hoping he’ll sign with the Red Sox.  Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports:

Two execs say it is their understanding that Shields has a five-year, $110 million offer and is looking for an even higher guarantee. … Free agency is fluid, and teams often mask their intentions or shift course. At the moment, however, sources say: … The Red Sox, projected to be an early favorite for Shields, are maintaining contact with his camp but are “highly unlikely” to sign him.

Going by Rosenthal’s words, the outlook on Shields may not actually be as dire as it sounds.  Boston could easily be masking its intentions regarding Shields to avoid driving up the price.  Not only that, but why would the team maintain contact with Shields if it wasn’t still interested in him?

If five years and $110 million really is the going rate for Shields, it’s hard to imagine the Red Sox are eager to give that kind of money to a pitcher who will be 37 in the final season of his contract.  The same is true for Lester and his six-year deal with the Cubs.  Age and desired length of contract could also take Boston out of the running for Scherzer, who is only seven months younger than Lester.

Ryan Vogelsong

Why is Ryan Vogelsong on this list?  He’s already 37 years old and finished 8-13 with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP last year.  Vogelsong is not a top-of-the-rotation guy.

However, after Scherzer and Shields, Vogelsong represents the best of what’s left among free-agent starting pitchers.  He threw over 175 innings in three of the last four seasons, so if the Red Sox want to add an extra arm on the cheap side as an insurance policy, Vogelsong could be it.  Mike Axisa of CBS Sports suspects Vogelsong can be had for one year at $5 million.

Cole Hamels

Buzz surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies‘ desire to move Cole Hamels has been in the air for quite some time. The latest on the Hamels trade possibilities also comes from Rosenthal:

[Hamels’ salary] would increase to $110 million over the next five years if Hamels were sent to one of the nine teams on his no-trade list, requiring that club to pick up his vesting option. 

The Red Sox are one of the teams that Hamels must approve, but whether they are willing to absorb his contract and part with the necessary prospects remains to be seen. Outfielder Mookie Betts probably is untouchable, but perhaps the Phillies could land a combination of young pitchers and left-side infielders; the Sox are deep in both.

While Hamels probably represents the most likely scenario for Boston finding an ace at the moment, there is a logical flaw in trading for him.  The cost to get Hamels is both his high-priced contract and the loss of prospects.  Why not just spend money on Scherzer or Shields and avoid having to part with any young talent?  Or, as follows, the opposite route is a possibility as well.

Jordan Zimmermann

The Washington Nationals have been unsuccessful so far in their attempts to sign Jordan Zimmermann to a long-term contract.  Zimmerman will make $16.5 million in 2015 before becoming a free agent next year.  Via James Wagner of The Washington Post, last month Zimmermann said:

Obviously, I’d like to stay with the Nats. I have no complaints about the Nats. It’s a business. I know that. If they feel they want to trade me and get something in return that will help them later down the road, I totally understand. At the end of the day, I love the Nats. I love this city. I love playing there. … If the deal is right, I’ll definitely sign a multi-year deal. I never once said I didn’t want to stay in D.C. But at the end of the day, the deal has to be right and the deal has to be fair and that’s all I’m asking for. Just pay me what I’m worth and I’ll be happy to stay. If we can’t come to common ground, I guess free agency is the next step.

It’s the kind of quote that makes it sound as if Zimmermann is definitely available for the right offer.  In this case, that offer probably necessitates multiple big-name prospects.

With the exception of a top starter, the Red Sox have both a roster that’s built to succeed now as well as an abundance of talent in the minor leagues.  What’s the point of planning for the future if it sacrifices winning in the present?  Boston is not a rebuilding team, and contention comes at a price.  The Red Sox may need to accept that parting with prospects is simply a necessary evil.

To add a star pitcher, Boston must spend more than it wants to or trade away young players it’s afraid of losing.  There’s no other way to do it.  Whether or not the Red Sox will decide either method is worth the risk remains to be seen.

Statistics via RedSox.com with contract information from Spotrac.com

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

There’s no other way to put it: The MLB offseason market for bats is looking bleak. 

While the offensive options are extremely limited, there are still some prominent pitchers up for grabs on the free-agent and trade fronts. Max Scherzer headlines the class of remaining free-agent arms, and aces like Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto have been the subject of trade buzz. 

What follows are the predictions for where the top 10 available MLB offseason targets will be playing when Opening Day 2015 rolls around. The ranking criterion is simple. The players who are expected to contribute the most to their new employers next season land the top spots on the list. 

While it’s been a quiet winter for the Washington Nationals, there’s still plenty of time for the club to make a big move or two before next season gets underway. 

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While James Shields is a very good starter who can handle pitching at the top of a rotation, he’s not quite the prize that fellow free-agent right-hander Max Scherzer is. That’s why for all the intrigue, guesswork and speculation over where Shields might wind up, everything in that realm is much more compelling when it comes to Scherzer.

As Richard Justice of MLB.com points out: “In the last three seasons, Scherzer’s 55 victories are the most in baseball. He’s first in strikeouts, too, and 11th in innings [in that span]. By almost any definition, he’s a true No. 1 starter. The Tigers [were] 65-23 when Scherzer gets the ball and 205-192 with anyone else on the mound.”

Tack on the fact that the 30-year-old Scherzer, who took home the 2013 American League Cy Young Award, is represented by agent Scott Boras, and, well, this has all the makings of a free-agent frenzy.

And yet there hasn’t exactly been a Scherzer sweepstakes set up, as Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes:

The best player on the MLB free-agent market not only doesn’t have a team yet, he doesn’t even have a rumor.

No team has declared or even admitted serious involvement, but everyone believes star right-hander Max Scherzer…will easily surpass the six-year, $144 million deal he turned down last spring.

And most think it won’t be by only a little, either.

So what are the key factors that will determine where Scherzer ultimately signs?

The Massive Money

Scherzer’s camp has made it known that he is seeking a contract worth $200 million, if not more, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.

That’s, uh, a lot of scratch. Even if the ultimate price tag is shy of that figure, Scherzer is going to get at least the $155 million that Jon Lester landed from the Chicago Cubs during the winter meetings in mid-December.

In other words, only teams with the financial fortitude need apply.

The Big-Market Teams

Speaking of those clubs possessing proper payrolls…

For this drawn-out speculation and eventual negotiation tactic to work out, Boras needs a market to develop around Scherzer in order to grab some leverage in any talks by playing interested teams against each other.

Which teams might that include?

The New York Yankees, who have been active this offseason without having gone after any top-tier, big-money players and instead playing it safe by re-signing third baseman Chase Headley, inking lefty reliever Andrew Miller and trading for shortstop Didi Gregorius.

Various reports have popped up that indicate the Yankees could jump into the Scherzer mix at some point toward the end, including one from Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. But so far, general manager Brian Cashman has held steady in his oft-repeated winter plans not to spend big, according to Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.

Maybe, however, the loss of right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, the most durable and consistent member of an intriguing but injury-prone rotation, will force the Yankees’ hand on Scherzer. (On Monday, the news broke that Kuroda would return to Japan, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch.)

“The Yankees need [Scherzer],” Justice wrote. “He might be the difference between making the playoffs and missing out for a third straight year. As long as Scherzer is still on the market, the Yanks have to be considered a contender.”

The other teams that have the funds and could make sense as a fit? The Giants, Angels and Red Sox each have a need at the top of their rotations and the money to make a very bold move.

And while the Nationals, Dodgers, Cardinals and Tigers, with whom Scherzer spent the past five seasons, seem to have enough arms at the moment, they simply might get greedy and stock up on as much talent as possible in their respective quests to get to the World Series.

Then again, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said in mid-December, “I guess anything can happen, but we’re not in active pursuit of that situation at this time,” via Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.

Still, that doesn’t mean owner Mike Ilitch, who has a history of signing Boras clients and has been chasing a World Series title for the past handful of seasons now, won’t find a way to pony up to keep Scherzer around.

Timing and Desperation

If Shields signs first, Scherzer’s status on the open market would certainly be affected. 

On one hand, if Shields comes off the board before Scherzer does, then that makes Scherzer the very last prize among free agents. That’s not a bad position to be in, especially when a team or three is likely to be desperate after missing out on Shields.

Depending on how long Boras and Scherzer let this play out, desperation also could set in if a club gets bad news about one of its pitchers between now and the start of spring training in mid-February. Should anything happen to a key arm on a contending team, the circumstances would change immediately.

The Alleged Arms Race

One of the biggest storylines of this busy offseason has been how many great pitchers are available between free agency and trades.

Well, aside from Scherzer and Shields, the free-agent well has just about dried up, what with the likes of Ryan Vogelsong, Aaron Harang and Roberto Hernandez looking like the next-best arms on the open market. Remember: Japanese star Kenta Maeda isn’t going to be posted, news that broke before Kuroda’s decision. 

On the trade front, however, there are still a handful of big names that have been mentioned, including Cole Hamels, Johnny Cueto, Jordan Zimmermann and Zack Greinke, the latter two of which could be replaced by Scherzer were the Washington Nationals or Los Angeles Dodgers actually to make such a move.

It could very well be, though, that those very top arms actually won’t change teams. So far, the best pitchers to be traded are more of the No. 2- or No. 3-starter caliber like Jeff Samardzija, Mat Latos, Rick Porcello, Shelby Miller and Wade Miley.

That makes Scherzer look more attractive, especially since he costs only money as opposed to money and talent, which would be the price for, say, Hamels or Cueto.

Contenders over Pretenders

Dollars appear to be driving Scherzer’s search for a team, as is often the case when Boras is involved.

That said, Scherzer undoubtedly wants to win after reaching the playoffs the past four years, but ultimately falling short of the World Series each time. 

Therefore, an in-his-prime ace like Scherzer is not going to sign with the Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies or any other team that isn’t already a contender, or at least on the very precipice of being one.

As much as money matters, winning while at the top of your game, like Scherzer is right now, also presents a powerful pull.

Statistics are accurate through the 2014 season and courtesy of MLB.com, Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.

To talk baseball or fantasy baseball, check in with me on Twitter: @JayCat11.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Let’s be honest: New Year’s resolutions almost never work out. Of course, that’s no reason not to make them in the first place. 

Looking around the big leagues, there are resolutions—both big and small, bold and not so bold—that all 30 MLB clubs need to be making. 

For teams like the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers, it’s resolving whether it’s time to part with a free-agent-to-be ace. For other teams, like the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies, it’s a matter of resolving to ditch an underperforming and high-priced veteran who’s nothing but dead weight. 

There are also clubs, like the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, who should be resolving to end their playoff-less streaks. Plus, there’s even a dark horse or two who should be resolving to make an unexpected October run.

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General managers around MLB have reached the point where the available free agents are largely unimpressive, forcing them to focus on trades as a means to improve their rosters.

Sure, Max Scherzer and James Shields are still on the open market, but other than them, Nori Aoki is largely all that’s left in the way of impact players. Nothing against either of them, of course, but the fact of the matter is that swinging a trade is an attractive alternative for many clubs.

Here are three MLB scenarios based on actual need and published rumors from the last week. 

The following proposals are nothing more than speculation. The point here is to build a trade based on someone else’s written or spoken word.

They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, taking into consideration each franchise’s strengths and weaknesses. They are also independent of one another. Each trade presented is a singular move and does not take into account any of the other proposals put forward.

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The Boston Red Sox are among the most aggressive teams in baseball so far this offseason.  They signed a pair of big-name free-agent bats in Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.  The Red Sox also revamped their starting rotation with Rick Porcello, Wade Miley and Justin Masterson.

But despite these acquisitions, there are still issues Boston must resolve heading into 2015.  Here are three of the most glaring offseason questions the Red Sox have yet to answer.

Who Will be the Opening Day Starting Pitcher?

It’s the hope of Red Sox fans that Boston’s No. 1 starter next year is someone not presently with the ballclub.  The Red Sox projected rotation of Porcello, Miley, Masterson, Clay Buchholz and Joe Kelly posted a combined ERA of 4.55 last season.  There’s clearly still room for improvement, and nobody in the group is considered an “ace” by any means.

Both Max Scherzer and James Shields remain available on the open market.  As Peter Gammons recently discussed on GammonsDaily.com, trade rumors continue to swirl regarding Cole Hamels coming to Boston.

Jason Mastrodonato of Mass Live writes:

Two former general managers believe the Red Sox are the favorites to trade for Hamels and the second-most likely team to sign Shields. Writing for MLB.com, former New York Mets GM Jim Duquette predicted the Red Sox would be 3-to-1 favorites to land Hamels, while former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals GM Jim Bowden gave the Red Sox 5-to-1 odds to sign Shields (the San Francisco Giants are the favorites at 3-to-1).

Would the Red Sox really spend $183 million on Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval yet enter the season with a five-man rotation that has averaged a total of 827 innings over the last three seasons?

If Boston does fail to bring in a top arm, either Buchholz or Porcello is most likely to be handed the ball on Opening Day.

Of the Red Sox’s five starters, Porcello put up the best numbers last season, posting a 3.43 ERA and 1.23 WHIP over 204.2 innings with the Detroit Tigers.  On the other hand, Buchholz is easily the most tenured member of the staff and is just one year removed from an All-Star season in which he went 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA and 1.02 WHIP.

What Will Happen with the Extra Outfielders?

Current Red Sox Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts, Shane Victorino, Daniel Nava, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Brock Holt all spent time in the outfield in 2014.

Ramirez is poised to take over for Yoenis Cespedes (traded to Detroit) in left field.  Castillo and Betts look to be the front-runners for center field and right field.  Holt may serve as a utility infielder, and Craig can back up first base and third base as well.

However, that still leaves Victorino, Nava and Bradley Jr. battling for the fourth outfielder position.  After hitting just .198 in 384 at-bats last year, Bradley Jr. could begin 2015 in the minor leagues.

Nava was eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, with the Red Sox tendering him a contract expected to be worth $1.9 million, according to Mastrodonato.  Victorino is entering the final season of a three-year, $39 million contract and has $13 million still coming his way.  Clearly, Nava is the better bargain of the two, which will come into play if Boston looks to deal one of its excess outfielders.

Can Dustin Pedroia Get Healthy?

This question is one that is out of the Red Sox’s control, but it’s also something that should have a major impact on Boston’s success next season.

On Opening Day of 2013, Pedroia tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb.  He played through it all year, having surgery the following November.  Pedroia batted .301 that season, but he hit just nine home runs, his lowest power output since his rookie year.

In the Red Sox’s home opener in 2014, Pedroia reaggravated the same hand.  Again he played through it, this time hitting only .278 with seven home runs.  With Boston out of the playoff race, Pedroia elected to have another surgery this past September.

According to Red Sox manager John Farrell, Boston’s second baseman is in line to be back to his old self by spring training.  Via the Providence Journal‘s Tim Britton, Farrell recently said:

He’s doing great, he really is. He’s able to swing the bat a little bit off the tee. Physically the strength and the range of motion continue to improve. And I think one of the more exciting things as we go into and begin to get closer to spring training is getting Pedroia back to 100 percent health and strength.

If Pedroia can be fully healthy for the first time since 2012, the Red Sox’s 2015 postseason outlook dramatically improves—add in a bona fide ace, and Boston might have to be considered a World Series favorite.

Statistics via RedSox.com with contract information from Spotrac.com

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

There’s usually a lull in the MLB offseason during the holidays, but expect the peace and quiet to come to an end once the calendar turns to 2015. There’s still wheeling and dealing to be done.

For now, it seems as if even the MLB trade rumors have taken a backseat to eggnog and caroling. The few we do have focus on players with the ability to play the outfield.

The free-agent market for outfielders is mostly depleted, with options like Nori Aoki, Colby Rasmus and Mike Carp representing the best players left available for teams to bid on. Naturally, it’s not a surprise that teams searching for outfield help have turned their attention to the trade market.

Teams still have some time to make upgrades before spring training, but they better act fast. If they wait, then the best options will be gone.

Below are the latest rumors on some of the more intriguing outfielders available.

Ben Zobrist

Traditionally a second baseman or shortstop, Ben Zobrist has played over 400 career games in the outfield. He can play any position on the field except catcher, and that makes him one of the more invaluable players in the sport.

So how can the Tampa Bay Rays justify dealing him away?

Nothing is imminent yet, but Peter Gammons reports that several general managers have told him that the San Francisco Giants will eventually trade a package of prospects for the versatile veteran.

Should the Giants acquire Zobrist, they’d likely pencil him in as the team’s everyday left fielder. Joe Panik and Brandon Crawford have second and short locked down, respectively, and Casey McGehee will most likely assume third-base duties after the position was vacated by Pablo Sandoval.

Even if it’s not the Giants who acquire Zobrist, Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi writes that “there’s a decent chance” Zobrist will be moved before Opening Day.

The 34-year-old may be worth more to the Rays in a trade than he would be on a team looking like it will enter a mini-rebuild next season. A free agent after 2015, he’s owed just $7.5 million next year. That’s extremely affordable considering his value. He has produced a WAR of at least 5.4 each of the past four seasons, per FanGraphs.

A switch-hitter who can deliver a line of .270/.350/.420 with 15 homers and 70 RBI can be a difference-maker for a lineup in need of more depth. The Giants certainly do after losing Sandoval and Mike Morse to free agency.

Couple his bat with his versatility, and Zobrist is easily one of the most valuable players in baseball. The Giants better be ready to deal top prospects if they want to add him to the team.

Nick Swisher

Fresh off the worst season of his successful 11-year career, Nick Swisher has become the subject of trade rumors this offseason.

He hit just .208/.278/.331 with eight homers and 42 RBI in 401 plate appearances in his second year with the Cleveland Indians. While he still has two more years left on his contract, the Indians already appear to be moving on.

They acquired Brandon Moss earlier this offseason, a player with the exact same set of skills as Swisher. He’s a first baseman who can also play the outfield but should really be the designated hitter—just like Swish.

Naturally, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reports that the Indians “would like to trade him.” It won’t be easy to trade someone coming off such a bad season. Indians general manager Chris Antonelli has to sell him to other teams as a big bounce-back candidate, but even that might not work.

Cafardo lists the Chicago Cubs as a possible trade partner. On paper, that seems like a fit. The Cubs have a talented young roster but need to infuse some more veteran leadership in the final months of the offseason. Jon Lester is there to command the pitching staff, but there isn’t someone to help groom the young hitters.

With Anthony Rizzo firmly entrenched at first base, Swisher could play a semi-regular role as a corner outfielder. He’d have to yield time to Jorge Soler and others, of course.

Perhaps a one-for-one deal could work if the Indians are interested in taking Edwin Jackson from the Cubs. Sometimes a change of scenery is good for struggling veterans. At the very least, the Indians would be getting another arm who can be used in the back of the rotation.

We’ll have to wait to hear more information on a potential Swisher trade, as Terry Pluto of the Plain Dealer writes that “the Indians consider Jason Kipnis, Bourn and Swisher three of the keys to 2015.”

Conflicting reports are nothing new this time of the year, so we’ll just keep waiting.

Other Outfielders

Plenty of teams have outfield depth from which to deal. Morosi lists nine teams and several players who could be involved at some point, with Zobrist and Swisher both named on the list.

He writes that we should see “heavy activity” when it comes to outfield bats following the holidays. Among the list of names are a few intriguing ones.

Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies, Josh Hamilton of the Los Angeles Angels, Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds and Mark Trumbo of the Arizona Diamondbacks are among those names probably on the unlikely-to-be-dealt list; however, the craziness of this offseason should leave our minds open for anything.

Trumbo is a player who would certainly garner interest if made available, but Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweeted back on Dec. 10 that nobody has been able to gauge Arizona’s interest in moving him:

Piecoro tweeted a few days earlier a quote from Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart regarding the idea of moving the slugger:

It would be hard to justify moving Trumbo. Sure, he only slashed .235/.293/.415 in 362 plate appearances, but you have to remember that he was troubled by a foot injury for most of the season. Even still, he hit 14 homers and drove in 61 in 88 games.

That’s nearly 30 home runs and over 100 RBI projected over a full season, and one would have to assume that his slash line would have approached his four-year average with the Angels—.250/.299/.469—had he been fully healthy.

Trumbo is a valuable bat for an Arizona team that might surprise next season. He, Paul Goldschmidt and Yasmany Tomas form a tough trio for pitchers to work through, and their are plenty of other young hitters ready to take the next step.

Arizona should only move Trumbo if it is blown away by an offer. Given his performance last year, it probably won’t be.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn.

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