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Jeff Samardzija is a talented right-hander in the NL Central who can probably be had in a trade before the winter is out. Everyone knows that.

But then there’s the other even more talented right-hander in the NL Central who might be available: Homer Bailey.

The Cincinnati Reds don’t seem to be actively dangling the 27-year-old right-hander on the trade market, but John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer is one of many (or at least, several) to note that the Reds could trade Bailey rather than risk losing him to free agency after 2014.

MLB Lead Writer Zachary D. Rymer is here to dish on Bailey’s trade candidacy, from what makes him attractive to what makes him unattractive to which clubs might be willing to do business with the Reds.

Leave your comments and questions below if you have any, and you’re also welcome to follow Zachary on Twitter.

Follow Zachary: @zachrymer

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With little major league-ready depth after their projected five starters, the Cincinnati Reds aren’t currently in a position to shop Homer Bailey as he enters his last season before free agency. So it makes sense that the Reds were telling teams last month that he’s not available, as was reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

But with Bronson Arroyo still available in free agency, along with a few other very good starting pitchers, the possibility of trading the 27-year-old Bailey with the knowledge that they would replace him with another good option is still alive.

The Reds have discussed a long-term contract extension with Bailey’s representatives, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, though general manager Walt Jocketty acknowledged that the right-hander would be difficult to sign because of his recent success—Bailey has a 3.58 ERA with a 2.3 BB/9 and 7.9 K/9 over the past two seasons, including a few stretches of dominance. As Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports pointed out last month, an inability to sign Bailey long-term could change their thinking on a trade. 

If they do seriously consider a trade anytime in the near future, here are four potential suitors and what it might take for each team to acquire Bailey. 

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The Prince Fielder-Ian Kinsler trade kicked down the door on the MLB offseason, but there hasn’t been another blockbuster deal since.

That could change in the near future, though, and maybe Masahiro Tanaka is to blame for the holdup.

It seems like all of the available marquee players in free agency or on the trading block are being affected by Tanaka‘s drawn-out bidding process that figures to involve several teams in a high-priced auction. Expect the other dominoes to fall once the righty finds a new home, meaning we should have some more offseason action to keep us busy until spring training.

There have been several high-profile pitchers and sluggers mentioned in trade rumors this winter, so let’s take a look at the top five players available, in terms of trade value.

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There have already been a number of trades this offseason, and there are bound to be at least a few more.

While evaluating deals that have gone down is always on the agenda, it’s just as fun to look forward to the next names—big or small—who seem destined to be moved in the near future for one reason or another.

Sometimes, a player is expected to be traded because of finances, other times due to a team need or surplus and in still other cases, there’s simply a need for new scenery. There are also situations where a player is worth more to his current club as bait because rebuilding remains the focus.

Here is a group of players who have been at the center of speculation and still could be swapped this offseason because they fit into one of the above categories.

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With spring training just a couple of months away, the MLB trade rumors are still swirling around the league.

There have already been a lot of big free-agent signings around the league, including big names like Robinson Cano, Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury.  The biggest trade of the offseason so far came in November, with the Detroit Tigers trading Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for Ian Kinsler.

There’s still time for some other big trades to take place, so let’s take a look at the latest trade rumors heading into spring training.

Mets Still Shopping Ike Davis

The New York Mets made a big splash by signing Curtis Granderson, but it appears that they’re not done yet, as they’re actively trying to trade away first baseman Ike Davis.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets were unsuccessful in trading Davis to the Baltimore Orioles for pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, but the team is still reportedly talking with the Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates:

In 103 games played this past year, Davis seriously struggled. He hit just .205 with nine home runs and 33 runs batted in, striking out 101 times. But he’s been a more reliable player in previous years, hitting 32 home runs with a .227 batting average back in 2012.

The Mets are hoping that other teams believe Davis will turn it around. The fact that they haven’t yet been able to trade him might say something about that, but there are still a few teams that appear to be considering adding the left-handed first baseman.

Red Sox Not Interested in Trading John Lackey

With another World Series title, the Boston Red Sox appear to be in very good shape with their roster, even without Jacoby Ellsbury. Still, teams are interested in trying to trade for a few Red Sox players, including right-handed pitcher John Lackey.

But the Red Sox don’t seem interested in trading away their 35-year-old pitcher. Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe had this to say about the situation with Lackey in Boston:

Lackey’s name has come up consistently this winter, but the Red Sox aren’t motivated to deal him. There may come a point when that changes, though his contract is team-friendly with a $15.25 million outlay and only $500,000 in a team option for 2015.

Yet if the Red Sox ever got involved in Tanaka, a veteran pitcher or two would likely go. Lackey could bring salary relief this season and also allow the Sox to fill another need and remain under the luxury tax.

Lackey was a very productive pitcher for the Red Sox in 2013. He started 29 games while posting just a 3.52 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP, going 10-13 on the year. His postseason stats were even more impressive, pitching 26 innings with a 2.77 ERA and allowing just 25 hits. 

While he may not be pitching much longer, the strong numbers are a good sign for Lackey as he looks to keep playing at a high level.

Teams Interested in Brett Gardner

With the New York Yankees signing Beltran and Ellsbury, the outfield for the team looks to be in good shape. However, teams are now looking at the Yankees and considering trying to make a trade for Brett Gardner.

MLB insider Peter Gammons reported that a number of teams have been been trying to shop for Gardner. Gammons had this to say about the situation:

Since the Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, at least a half-dozen teams—from the Phillies to the Tigers—have taken a run at Brett Gardner, knowing he’s a free agent at the end of next season. But Brian Cashman won’t move him until and unless he has to for starting pitching.

Cashman loves Gardner’s toughness and likens it to that of Dustin Pedroia, thinks Gardner is very similar to Ellsbury only a year or two behind in skill development, and thinks the defense and the offensive speed will play big in Yankee Stadium and in a lineup that will otherwise play for power.

It was another solid season for Gardner, as he played in 145 games after playing in just 16 the previous year. He hit .273 with 52 RBI, eight home runs and 24 stolen bases with a 4.2 WAR. He’s a speedy outfielder who can play in center field, but he’s not getting any younger, as he’s already 30 years old.

Given his production when healthy, Gardner would make a great fit for another team. The Yankees have a ton of solid outfielders, and Gardner may be the odd man out. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Teams have been busy over the past two months, putting their offseason plans in place and trying to fill as many holes as possible. For many of those teams, however, there are still needs to address, and time is running out before it’s time to report to spring training. 

With the posting process for Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka now underway and expected to come to a conclusion over the next few weeks, there are still four available starting pitchers—Tanaka, Matt Garza, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana—who will be penciled in to the front part of a big league rotation before the start of the season.

Nelson Cruz and Stephen Drew are the lone free-agent hitters who could make an impact on a lineup, while Grant Balfour and Fernando Rodney are the best remaining from what was initially a very deep group of relievers on the free-agent market.

Trades are also a possibility this time of year—the Atlanta Braves acquired Justin Upton last January; the Oakland A’s acquired Jed Lowrie in February. 

A lot can still happen, which is why baseball fans should still be paying attention between now and when actual baseball will be played again. 

Here is an updated look at the remaining “to-do” lists for each of the 30 teams.  

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Now that the calendar reads January, we’re closer to the start of 2014 spring training than we are to the final out of the 2013 World Series.

As such, a select few of baseball’s top free agents are still playing the waiting game as they look for work for the new season. Likewise, many well-known players are still on the trading block following a winter rampant with rumors.

But there are still a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Arizona and Florida to make moves. The market might be thinning now, but there are still some quality players available for the right price. Here’s an updated look at the top free-agent or trade targets in baseball, broken down by position.

*All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference.

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While there have been plenty of MLB trade rumors this offseason involving top prospects Archie Bradley and Taijuan Walker, there’s just one big problem: Neither pitcher is actually available.

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers expressed to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that “it would be very, very tough” to part with Bradley. Meanwhile, Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik explained to Greg Johns of MLB.com that the club has no “intentions” of dealing Walker. 

Those decisions make perfect sense considering the tremendous upside that each of those pitchers possesses. The following list consists of a few top prospects who will be slightly easier to obtain than Bradley and Walker, but who will still be incredibly difficult to pry away from their respective clubs.

Note: Stats courtesy of MLB.com and Baseball-Reference.com.

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While nearly every MLB trade has its clear winners and clear losers, there are the select few swaps that actually work out perfectly for both sides. 

The Prince Fielder-for-Ian Kinsler trade from earlier in the offseason fits that mold. The Detroit Tigers got out from under Fielder’s megadeal, while the Texas Rangers landed the power bat that they had long been coveting. In other words, the Tigers “won” by gaining significant payroll flexibility. The Rangers “won” by significantly upgrading their lineup—at least in the first few years of Fielder’s deal. 

With these considerations in mind, here’s a look at five win-win MLB trade ideas that need to happen this winter.

Note: Stats via Baseball-Reference.com. All salary information courtesy of Cot’s Baseball Contracts on baseballprospectus.com.

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The Boston Red Sox might not want to trade John Lackey, given his strong 2013 season and his extremely team-friendly $500,000 club option for 2015. But, in all likelihood, they’ll want to clear up a crowded rotation situation before the start of the season, and there may not be a better time to trade the veteran right-hander. 

At two years and $15.75 million for the next two seasons—he’ll make $15.25 million in 2014; his $500,000 club option for 2015 took effect when he missed significant time due to elbow surgery between 2010-2014, according to Baseball Prospectus—Lackey is a great value for any team. That includes the Red Sox, who, as Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe pointed out in his weekend column, aren’t particularly motivated to deal him right now. 

That could change, though.

Freeing up $15.25 million of salary from the 2014 payroll while getting something of value in return for the 35-year-old, who posted a 3.52 ERA with a 1.9 BB/9 and 7.7 K/9 in 189.1 regular-season innings last season, is enough of a reason to at least listen on offers. 

Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reported during last month’s winter meetings that the Sox were gauging interest in their veteran starting pitchers. 

Here’s why Lackey might be the one to be traded. 

Jon Lester proved during last year’s playoffs that he was the staff ace and one of the more valuable players for the World Series champs. At $13 million, he’s a bargain for 2014, the last year of his current deal. The soon-to-be 30-year-old would likely net the Sox their biggest return in a trade, but they’re more likely to try and sign him to a contract extension. 

Jake Peavy, who is due $14.5 million in 2014 before becoming a free agent, is coming off of a solid season split between the Red Sox and White Sox. He’d certainly draw interest on the trade market. But at that salary and considering he’s only been able to make more than 27 starts in one season (2012) since 2007 due to a long list of injuries, teams aren’t likely to offer enough in return.

If the Sox were ever going to trade Clay Buchholz, it wouldn’t be after a season in which he only made 16 starts due to injury. While he did go 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA and an impressive 6.2 H/9, teams aren’t going to offer the package of players they would had he been healthy the entire season. You don’t trade a potential staff ace when his value isn’t at its peak.

Ryan Dempster will be 37 in May, is due to make $13.25 million in 2014 and had a 4.57 ERA last season. That’s not a good combination for teams looking to add starting pitching on the trade market. The Sox would have to take on some of his remaining salary, and the return wouldn’t be great, anyways. 

Felix Doubront is a 26-year-old with four years of club control and a 4.36 ERA in 59 career starts. Moving him now isn’t a bad idea, although it’s likely that the Sox would rather trade Lackey over a young lefty who could potentially move to the bullpen if they needed to clear a spot for one of their top young prospects or even Japanese star Masahiro Tanaka, whom Cafardo thinks the Red Sox could make a run at.

Trading Lackey could make that a more likely scenario. Here’s a look at some potential suitors that can offer the best potential trade packages. 

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