2011 MLB Trade Rumors: Gio Gonzalez Market Heating Up

With the Ranges having won the bidding for Yu Darvish, many expect the trade market for starting pitchers to heat up exponentially.  Perhaps no available starter’s name has been thrown around the rumor mill as much as A’s left-hander Gio Gonzalez.  Jon Heyman hears from major league executives that Gonzalez should be traded relatively soon, and we learned earlier this week that the Nationals were making a strong push to acquire the 26-year-old.  Along with the Nationals, the Red Sox, Royals, Yankees, Mets, Tigers, Blue Jays, Marlins, Rangers and Reds have all been tied to Gonzalez this offseason.

Now that Darvish is off the market, trade talks for starting pitchers figure to pick up.  While there are several high quality arms being dangled this winter, the asking price for said starters has been astronomical.

The Cincinnati Reds were able to bring in top-of-the-rotation starter Mat Latos, but they had to surrender Edinson Volquez and three high-quality prospects to do so.  Other general managers have said they also have arms for sale, but have made it known that teams will have to pay a steep price to pry away their pitchers.

The A’s are one of the clubs that are apparently asking for great return for a starter such as Gonzalez.  While they have already dealt one to young arm this offseason in Trevor Cahill, the Athletics have requested considerable packages in exchange for Gonzalez.

Early on this offseason, the Marlins checked in on Gonzalez and were told they’d have to surrender a package built around Mike Stanton or Logan Morrison.  The Marlins balked.

The New York Yankees apparently love Gonzalez, but their talks with the A’s have gotten about as far as the Athletics/Marlins negotiations.  Oakland would be willing to deal with New York, but they have asked for Jesus Montero and one of the Yankees top pitching prospects, Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances.  New York is hesitant to surrender any of these prospects much less a package of them for one player.

Now that Darvish is negotiating with the Rangers, Texas will likely be out of the Gonzalez sweepstakes.  The same can be said for the Reds now that they have Latos in the fold.

But that still leaves plenty of suitors out there for Gonzalez, as many anticipate he and A’s closer Andrew Bailey will be moved before winter’s end.