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There are no brides, no grooms and no chapels. The only folks saying “I do” are general managers in a game of "Let’s Make a Deal."
With the annual Winter Meetings set for next week in Nashville, Tenn,. it’s time to seek out marriages. That is, the ideal unions between baseball teams matching strengths and weaknesses in regard to talent and perfect fits in high-stakes finance.
Unlike the bidding war on major free agents -- a process that often leaves the smaller and mid-market teams out in the cold -- trades can be everybody’s business. Not a team in the sport isn’t seeking to shore up a shortcoming or two. And not a team in the sport doesn’t boast an established player or prospect for whom another club might yearn.
What are the marriages made in baseball heaven? And what players might find themselves wearing a different uniform in 2016? The following duos top the list:
1. New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians: The pitching-poor Bronx Bombers just saw their arch-rival Red Sox sign left-hander David Price to a seven-year deal. Meanwhile, they’re stuck with no ace and no depth in the rotation. The Indians are a couple hitters away from serious contention and are dangling premier starters Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar. Yankees veteran outfielder Brett Gardner isn’t going to get it done, but if premier first-base prospect Greg Bird is thrown into the mix, perhaps Cleveland will comply.
The Indians would be happy to move Carlos Santana to designated hitter, and would prefer a 100-RBI stud to bat cleanup -- it would be best if that player was an outfielder, but such commodities are not made readily available in an era favoring pitchers.
2. Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs: The Braves are rebuilding. The Cubs are replete with premier prospects, some of whom are stuck behind an amazing array of young talent just launching their major-league careers. Rumors abound that Atlanta is seeking to unload hard-luck starter Shelby Miller, who lost 17 of 23 decisions in 2015 despite a fine 3.02 ERA.
Miller is an ideal fit behind Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta in the Cubs' rotation and might be available in return for prospects such as catcher Willson Contreras and/or outfielder Billy McKinney.
3. Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners: Seattle is desperate for young, controllable position players, and Boston is still in need of pitching help despite the additions of Price and supreme (but aging) closer Craig Kimbrel. It remains to be seen whether standout defensive center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. ever will reach his offensive potential, but that could be a risk the Mariners take.
Seattle could unload one of its young pitchers like James Paxton, especially since it managed to acquire Nathan Karns from Tampa Bay to replace Hisashi Iwakuma, who is presumably gone in free agency.
4. Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies: Strange bedfellows? Not really. Dodgers troubled outfielder Yasiel Puig is still very young -- turning only 25 next week -- and could give some legitimacy and hope to the fan base of the Phillies, who have finally dedicated themselves to a rebuild that should have started a couple years ago.
Philadelphia closer Ken Giles performed brilliantly down the stretch this past season and would slot in perfectly behind Kenley Jansen in a Los Angeles bullpen that has zero depth and desperately needs a setup man.
This all goes for naught, however, if the Phillies decide Puig is more trouble than he’s worth. But, as always, the Dodgers have enough talented prospects to lure Giles away from Philadelphia, which needs help at multiple positions and in the rotation.
5. Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds: The Nationals are looking to trade veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon for a left-handed hitter and are seeking a lights-out closer to replace him. That would allow them to keep Drew Storen as a setup man or deal him as well. The Reds are dangling flamethrower Aroldis Chapman. Perfect.
Cincinnati has indicated that it could trade its top position players, such as outfielder Jay Bruce, third baseman Todd Frazier and second baseman Brandon Phillips. That means the Reds would be looking for premier prospects such as starting pitchers Joe Ross and Lucas Giolito, or shortstop Trea Turner in return from Washington.
6. Milwaukee Brewers and Baltimore Orioles: Adam Lind is only 32, but he will likely spend the rest of his career as a designated hitter, where he would still be of value to most lineups. The Brewers are seeking to unload him to an American League team, and the possible loss of free-agent slugger Chris Davis makes the Orioles an ideal fit.
It remains to be seen whether the Brewers are committing to an overhaul -- talented, but inconsistent outfielder Khris Davis could be dealt as well -- but Baltimore might be willing to give up a mid-level prospect for Lind. He could still fill a void on occasion in the outfield, where the Orioles lack punch beyond Adam Jones.
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