All-Trade Rumor Team: Who could be on the move this spring?

Back in November, we put together our sixth annual “All-Trade-Rumor Team,” looking at the key players at each position whose names figured to be fixtures on the trade market.

Three of the 11 names on our list have been traded since then. The Yankees acquired Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo, while another American League East club – the Orioles – added 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes. Other players acquired this winter include Tyler Glasnow (Dodgers), Jorge Polanco (Mariners), Chris Sale (Braves), Jarred Kelenic (Braves), Eugenio Suárez (D-backs) and Tyler O’Neill (Red Sox).

As spring camps get set to open in the coming week, there are still some notable names on the free-agent market, including Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery and Matt Chapman. Still, the trade market continues to simmer, leaving the door open for more deals to take place.

Let’s dig back in and look at an updated version of MLB.com’s “All-Trade-Rumor Team” as Spring Training inches closer:

C: Joey Bart, Giants
Bart’s place on the Giants' roster appears tenuous after San Francisco signed catcher Tom Murphy to serve as Patrick Bailey’s backup. Once the club’s top prospect and heir apparent to Buster Posey. Bart has struggled in the Majors since debuting in 2020, slashing .219/.288/.335 with 11 home runs and 178 strikeouts in 162 games (503 plate appearances).

Buzz factor: High. Bart is a prime change-of-scenery candidate, with teams such as the Rays, Rockies, Red Sox and White Sox among those that could give the 27-year-old a look. Bart is out of Minor League options, so look for him to be dealt before Opening Day.

1B: Jake Cronenworth, Padres
There was talk earlier this offseason that the Padres were looking to move Cronenworth, reportedly having conversations with the Blue Jays about the two-time All-Star. Following the trade of Soto to the Yankees, it appeared that Cronenworth was no longer on the trade block, but continuing speculation that the Padres could look to trim more payroll typically begins with Cronenworth’s name. Ha-Seong Kim, who is due to earn $8 million this season with a $2 million buyout on a mutual option for 2025, could also be a trade option for San Diego.

Buzz factor: Low. There is no indication that San Diego is currently shopping Cronenworth, but his seven-year extension begins this season. With $78 million guaranteed to the 30-year-old, a good first half could prompt the Padres to see if there’s a team willing to take that contract in a deal.

2B: Jonathan India, Reds
India’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors since last year when the Reds were looking to add young, controllable starting pitching. Cincinnati has a plethora of young infielders – not to mention its offseason signing of Jeimer Candelario – so if an arm becomes available, India is a logical piece to trade for rotation help.

Buzz factor: Low. Candelario joined a crop of infielders that includes Spencer Steer, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Noelvi Marte – not to mention top prospects Edwin Arroyo, Cam Collier and Sal Stewart. Cincinnati has said there are no plans to move India, but anything can happen if the right deal for pitching presents itself.

SS: Willy Adames, Brewers
Within hours of Milwaukee’s trade of Burnes to Baltimore, speculation began that Adames could be the next Brewers player to be moved. Adames is a free agent at the end of the season, and the acquisition of Joey Ortiz in the Burnes deal gives the Brewers a tailor-made replacement for the shortstop. Milwaukee could look to add starting pitching before Opening Day, with Adames and reliever Devin Williams potentially available to accomplish that goal.

Buzz factor: Medium. The Brewers plan to contend in 2024, but the Burnes trade proves that money matters to Milwaukee, too. Adames will earn $12.25 million this season, which currently ranks as the second-highest salary on the Brewers' roster. Unless Milwaukee believes it can extend Adames, there’s a chance he could be dealt before Opening Day.

3B: J.D. Davis, Giants
There has been some buzz about San Francisco’s supposed interest in Chapman. Should the free-agent third baseman’s price drop as the weeks go by, the Giants could make a move at the hot corner. That would open a potential trade for Davis, who hit 18 home runs with a .738 OPS in 144 games last season.

Buzz factor: Low. Barring the signing of Chapman or some other unforeseen move, Davis will likely open the season as the Giants’ third baseman. But the 30-year-old is slated to become a free agent next fall, so his name could surface in trade talks this summer.

OF: Dylan Carlson, Cardinals
The Cardinals have already traded Tyler O’Neill this offseason, but Carlson remains part of a crowded outfield that includes Jordan Walker, Brendan Donovan, Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar. St. Louis received interest from multiple teams earlier this winter, though the Cards ultimately dealt O’Neill instead. Carlson broke in with a solid rookie season in 2021 (18 home runs, .780 OPS in 149 games), but he has struggled since, hitting 13 homers with a .680 OPS in 204 games in 2022-23).

Buzz factor: Low. Carlson is set to earn $2.35 million in 2024 and is arbitration-eligible for two more years before becoming a free agent. There is no urgency to move Carlson now, but if a club comes calling for outfield help, he could be a chip for the Cardinals to use to address other areas of need.

OF: Anthony Santander, Orioles
Santander and the Orioles settled on an $11.7 million contract for 2024, avoiding arbitration in the outfielder’s final year of the process. Santander is set to become a free agent after the season, and while he led the 101-win club in both home runs (28) and RBI (95) last year, Baltimore has prospects Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad knocking on the door.

Buzz factor: Low. Assuming the O’s have another strong season, it’s just as likely that they stand pat in the outfield and let Santander reach free agency, but the presence of those young players gives GM Mike Elias options.

OF: Manuel Margot, Dodgers
Acquired as part of the Glasnow trade in December, Margot currently slots in as the Dodgers’ fourth outfielder, though he figures to see some playing time in right field along with Jason Heyward. Margot is set to earn $10 million this year and has a $12 million club option for 2025 with a $2 million buyout, so the Dodgers could look to move him if they don’t have plans to play him much.

Buzz factor: Low. Margot’s inclusion in the Glasnow trade was seen by many as a salary dump for Tampa Bay, but it remains to be seen whether the Dodgers intend to keep the 29-year-old for the entire year or shop him to address another area.

DH: Harold Ramírez, Rays
Ramírez and the Rays are headed for an arbitration hearing for the second straight year, and the 29-year-old will be arbitration-eligible for the final time next winter. That’s typically been the sweet spot for the Rays to move a player, acquiring younger (and more controllable) talent as arbitration salaries increase. Ramírez bounced from Miami to Cleveland before landing with Tampa Bay, where he had a strong season (12 homers, 68 RBIs, .813 OPS in 400 at-bats) in 2023.

Buzz factor: Medium. Trading Ramírez would trim some payroll and free up at-bats for younger players such as Curtis Mead and Jonathan Aranda. The Rays were reportedly shopping Ramírez earlier this winter, so it wouldn’t be surprising for them to continue monitoring that market.

SP: Dylan Cease, White Sox
We’ve already seen Glasnow and Burnes get traded this winter, yet Cease – who seemed to be a lock to be moved – remains with the White Sox. Chicago’s asking price has been understandably high, as Cease – who agreed to an $8 million salary to avoid arbitration – won’t be a free agent until the end of the 2025 season. Potential suitors could be waiting to see if the 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up bounces back from a subpar 2023 season (4.58 ERA, 97 ERA+).

Buzz factor: High. Controllable starting pitching might be a team's most valuable asset, so Chicago is unlikely to lower its asking price anytime soon. If Cease isn't traded prior to Opening Day, he should be a near-lock to dominate headlines leading up to the Trade Deadline – assuming he looks more like the 2022 version of himself.

RP: Kenley Jansen , Red Sox
Jansen will earn $16 million in 2024 before returning to free agency, so an acquiring team wouldn't have to commit to the reliever long-term. The 36-year-old was an All-Star last year, his first selection since 2018. While he's not as dominant as he was during his prime with the Dodgers, he remains a solid late-inning option that would make any contender's bullpen better.

Buzz factor: Medium. There has been plenty of smoke around a potential Jansen trade in recent weeks, though nothing has come to fruition. Boston has bullpen depth but could use another starter, so perhaps moving Jansen and his salary would allow the Sox to sign a free agent for the rotation.