We’re only 25 games or so into the 2008 season, but there are a number of teams who may have already begun shopping some of their higher priced veterans, according to Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports. Here is a brief breakdown of some of the players’ names we may be hearing all summer in regards to trade rumors:

• Cincinnati Reds: Adam Dunn & Ken Griffey Jr. - The Reds are off to a slow start, and actually won the first game of a series for the first time last night. The firing of Wayne Krivsky sent a message if nothing else. They’re tired of losing (even though Krivsky was not the reason for the losing, per say). They have the young stud outfielder in Jay Bruce, who will be called up at some point. Dunn & Griffey Jr. could net some good young players from a contending team. Griffey Jr. has a no-trade, but Rosenthal speculates that Griffey could waive this to return to Seattle. That would make for a great story line, and the M’s could use the bat. Dunn has a no-trade until June 15th, then he can be dealt to all but 10 teams.
• Oakland A’s: Rich Harden & Joe Blanton - Billy Beane will begin his annual attempts to fleece GMs desperate to save their team’s seasons, and their own jobs. Harden can’t stay healthy, and Blanton is a middle of the rotation starter on a good team. Beane will ask for top prospects in return for either, especially if the A’s manage to stay in the A.L. West race.
• Texas Rangers: Kevin Millwood & Vicente Padilla - Both pitchers are inconsistent, and expensive. A big market club looking for starting pitching would have to be the buyer (Yankees, perhaps?). Millwood is set to make $8.5 million this season, $11 million in 2009, and $12 million in 2010. The deal can be squashed if Millwood fails to meet a minimum IP threshold prior to 2010. Padilla will make $23 million (that is not a mis-print) over the next two seasons.
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Xavier Nady & Jason Bay - Two outfielders under 30 years of age. Nady is off to a very hot start, and if the Pirates are smart they’re trying to deal him, and deal him now. The Mets still seem like one of the most logical fits to me, as he could platoon with Delgado at 1st base and play the outfield. They might not have the chips, however, unless they decided to deal the struggling Aaron Heilman or young relief pitchers like Joe Smith or Eddie Kunz (currently in the minors). Or, how about a return to San Diego for Nady or Bay? Their offense is really struggling, and either Bay or Nady (who both played for SD in their younger years) could provide them with a little boost in the middle of the order. Both players are under control through 2009.
• Other Players: Ray Durham/Rich Aurilia/Brian Roberts/Joe Crede/Brandon Inge/Chad Tracy/Coco Crisp - All players who could become available, if they are not already. The White Sox may have struck gold with Crede having such a great start. Josh Fields is the guy they want for 3rd base, and now may be able to really fleece someone for Crede (San Francisco, maybe?). I am sure the Brian Roberts to the Cubs rumors will persist throughout the summer, but heck, Baltimore is in 1st place right now! Let it ride for the time being. We know Inge is unhappy in Detroit, but with the veterans struggling from injuries (like Sheffield, Polanco, etc.), he is a very valuable aspect of that team right now.

It’s April, and Rosenthal gives us this little tid-bit of hot-stove. It starts already, folks. Should be a fun summer, unless you’re a fan of one of the selling ball-clubs.

Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers