MLB Trade Ideas Based on Hot Stove Week 3 News, Rumors and Speculation

The vast majority of rumors and speculation never amount to more than fodder for fans and pundits to debate, with only the tiniest percentage actually manifesting itself as an actual trade. That's not to say that there's no basis for these rumors—teams discuss potential trades all the time.

But some of the rumors out there are so mind-numbing that I choose not to include them in our weekly look at potential deals based on all the noise coming from the rumor mill. Take Robinson Cano, for example.

Seattle's second baseman is reportedly unhappy in Seattle and wants to return to New York, one of his "longtime friends" told John Harper of the New York Daily News. That led to speculation about a Jacoby Ellsbury-for-Cano deal, which was quickly shot down by CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

While it's a deal the Mariners might actually be interested in making, it's not one that makes any sense for the Yankees, a team that is clearly no longer interested in handing out lucrative deals to aging stars, like Cano, who undoubtedly burnt some bridges on his way out of town before the 2014 season.

While I always include the following disclaimer at the end of each intro for this weekly series: "Keep in mind these proposed deals are only ideas and pure speculation. Unless otherwise noted, there's no indication any of them has actually been discussed," it's important to remember something else.

These proposed deals are swaps that I believe make sense for both teams. While one team might enjoy more immediate success due to a MLB regular being moved for prospects, these are all deals that five years from now both teams can look back on and be happy with their return.

That said, let's take a look at what the rumor mill has given us to work with this week.

Cincinnati Gets: RHP A.J. Cole, 2B/SS Wilmer Difo and OF Brian Goodwin

Washington Gets: LHP Aroldis Chapman 

The Rumor

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Washington is once again trying to land Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman, continuing a pursuit that began in 2010 and re-emerged at last year's non-waiver trade deadline.

Why It Works for the Nationals

While it's a steep price to pay for only one year of Chapman, his arrival will go a long way toward solidifying a bullpen that  blew 12 saves after the 2015 All-Star break—eight of them coming over the season's final month.

Why It Works for the Reds

Try as they might, the Reds aren't going to be able to land a Craig Kimbrel-like return for Chapman, who, as previously noted, is only signed through 2016, whereas Kimbrel came with three years of team control.

But Cincinnati does quite well for itself, adding a trio of MLB-ready (or nearly ready) youngsters, including a potential front-of-the-rotation arm in A.J. Cole and athletic middle infielder Wilmer Difo, who can play second base or shortstop.

While he doesn't rack up gaudy strikeout totals, the 23-year-old Cole has averaged just under a whiff per inning over five full minor league seasons and attacks batters with a trio of quality offerings. Difo, 23, lacks pop but makes enough consistent contact for his above-average speed to take extra bases.

Brian Goodwin may never be more than a fourth outfielder, but the 25-year-old has a knack for getting on base and has the arm strength, instincts and speed to be an effective defender in all three outfield spots, though he's spent most of his time in center field.

Los Angeles Gets: OF Brett Gardner

New York Gets: LHP Andrew Heaney

The Rumor

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times opines on Twitter that a deal sending some of the Angels' excess pitching to the Yankees for Gardner would work for both clubs.

Why It Works for the Angels

Gardner's left-handed bat not only adds balance to a lineup that's heavy on right-handed bats, but his arrival as the team's leadoff hitter allows the Angels to drop Kole Calhoun down in the order, where his ability to produce runs will be more of a factor.

Due $39.5 million through the 2018 season (and with a $12.5 million team option for 2019), Gardner represents far less of a financial investment than any of the available free-agent outfielders—and is a better defender than all but Alex Gordon and Jason Heyward, neither of whom have Gardner's speed.

The decision to part with Heaney isn't an easy one, but as DiGiovanna notes, the Angels are deep in major league starters. Garrett Richards, Hector Santiago, Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson are assured spots in the rotation, leaving Matt Shoemaker, Nick Tropeano and Tyler Skaggs to battle it out for the final spot.

Why It Works for the Yankees

Heaney joins his fourth organization in just about a year, having been traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers, and then the Dodgers to the Angels last winter. But he'll find a home in New York, where he'll join Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino in the Yankees rotation.

While he doesn't have tremendous whiffability (6.5 K/9 over 135 major league innings), Heaney uses his three-pitch arsenal, which includes a mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider to keep batters off-balance. 

With the recently acquired Aaron Hicks in the Bronx, Gardner has become an expendable piece.

Baltimore Gets: RF Jay Bruce

Cincinnati Gets: OF Dariel Alvarez, 3B Jomar Reyes and RHP Mike Wright

The Rumor

Fox Sports' Jon Morosi tweets that Baltimore and Cincinnati had discussed a possible Jay Bruce trade, while Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com notes this isn't the first time the two clubs have talked about the former All-Star outfielder.

Why It Works for the Orioles

Bruce plugs a gaping hole in right field for the Orioles and brings some much needed left-handed power to a lineup that could still potentially be without Chris Davis in 2016. Due $12.5 million in 2016 and with a $13 million team option for 2017, he's more than a one-year rental.

That Baltimore is the only AL East team not to appear on Bruce's eight-team no-trade list, per ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, perhaps opens the door to a potential extension should both sides be pleased with their first year together.

Why It Works for the Reds

Cincinnati lands a trio of intriguing youngsters in exchange for its two-time All-Star, including 27-year-old Dariel Alvarez, Bruce's immediate replacement in right field. While he may not be Bruce's equal in the power department, he's got some pop and the requisite cannon for an arm teams covet at the position.

Mike Wright may ultimately be best suited in relief, where his fastball would play up more than it does as a starter, but he's got a three-pitch arsenal and gives Cincinnati options, depending on how it ultimately decides to utilize him.

The centerpiece of the deal, however, is 18-year-old Jomar Reyes. Still a few years away from contributing, Reyes has all the makings of an impact, middle-of-the-order bat. He's still a work in progress defensively at the hot corner, but he's got the arm strength to stick there.

Los Angeles Gets: RHP Jose Fernandez

Miami Gets: C/IF Austin Barnes, 1B/OF Cody Bellinger, RHP Grant Holmes and LHP Julio Urias

The Rumor

Despite team sources telling him that Jose Fernandez will not be traded, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro acknowledges that trade rumors about the Marlins' ace will not go away. ESPN's David Schoenfield speculates that the Dodgers are in prime position to make a deal happen. 

Why It Works for the Dodgers

Fernandez not only gives the Dodgers another ace to pair alongside Clayton Kershaw atop the rotation, but his arrival provides insurance against Zack Greinke departing as a free agent—though it does nothing to impede the team's chances of re-signing the runner-up in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

It costs the team a ton in terms of prospects, but three years of Fernandez is worth the cost—and the Dodgers certainly have the financial wherewithal to work out a long-term extension with the 23-year-old.

Why It Works for the Marlins

Miami rids itself of a player that, according to multiple reports, including one from Andy Slater, radio host for Miami's 940 AM WINZ, had become something of a divisive force in the clubhouse and was unlikely to re-sign with the team once his contract expires, bringing back a massive haul in exchange.

Grant Holmes and Julio Urias are nearly ready for prime time, with Urias, arguably the best pitching prospect in all of baseball, profiling as a future ace, while Holmes more of a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Even if they don't break camp with the club, they add much-needed depth to the team's rotation options.

Cody Bellinger is still a few years away from contributing, but he's got massive potential as a middle-of-the-lineup force, posting an .873 OPS to go along with 67 extra-base hits (30 home runs) and 103 RBI in his first full professional season at High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Miami had Austin Barnes once before, dealing him to Los Angeles last winter as part of the deal that made Dee Gordon a Marlin. But as ESPN's Mark Saxon tweeted in April, including the versatile 25-year-old in the deal "stung" many in the organization.

They'll gladly welcome him and his on-base skills back into the fold, where he figures to serve in a super utility role, spending time at multiple infield spots as well as behind the plate.

Los Angeles Gets: 3B Trevor Plouffe

Minnesota Gets: RHP Cam Bedrosian and RHP Trevor Gott

The Rumor

Minnesota has been actively fielding offers on Trevor Plouffe, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, who notes the Twins are looking for relievers.

Why It Works for the Angels

Trevor Plouffe isn't a superstar by any means, but the 29-year-old is a dependable, sure-handed third baseman who will help to replace some of the power lost by Albert Pujols' absence as he recovers from foot surgery.

A California native under team control through 2017, Plouffe could be a long-term fixture at the hot corner for the Angels if the two sides decide to work on an extension. 

Why It Works for the Twins

Minnesota's bullpen was mediocre at best in 2015 and is in need of reinforcements. The Twins land a pair of controllable young power arms in exchange for Plouffe.

Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register tweeted earlier this month that Minnesota was intrigued by 24-year-old Cam Bedrosian, the son of Steve, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 1987 as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies.

While he's struggled over parts of two major league seasons (51 G, 5.84 ERA, 1.79 WHIP) and needs to refine his command, Bedrosian has significant upside as a late-inning reliever thanks to a nasty fastball/slider combination.

Trevor Gott, 23, enjoyed immediate success upon his arrival in the majors last season, pitching to a 3.02 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over 48 relief appearances. Like Bedrosian, Gott primarily uses a fastball/slider combination to attack hitters, generating a lot of ground balls thanks to the sinking action on his heater.

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs. All contract information courtesy of Cot's Contracts (via Baseball Prospectus).

Hit me up on Twitter to talk all things baseball: @RickWeinerBR.