Evan Longoria Trade Rumors: Yankees, Mets, Giants, Cardinals Are Potential 2018 Destinations

While the Miami Marlins have been getting all the attention for getting rid of their best players, MLB’s other team from Florida could soon employ a similar strategy. Some of the biggest names on the Tampa Bay Rays are at the center of the latest trade rumors, and they are receiving plenty of interest around the league.

That includes the No.1 player in franchise history. According to recent reports, the New York Yankees, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals have all expressed interested in trading for Evan Longoria.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times has reported that executives from multiple major-league teams expect the Rays to deal Longoria by April. That’s when the third baseman will be allowed to veto any potential trade. Miami wasn’t able to get the best deal possible for Giancarlo Stanton because he had the power to veto two trades that the Marlins had in place.

Longoria’s contract and the state of the team make the veteran a logical trade candidate. After four straight losing seasons and watching the Yankees and Boston Red Sox both morph into World Series contenders, Tampa probably won’t compete for a title in 2018. Longoria will make $13.5 million as a 32-year-old next year, and he’s owed $82 million through the 2022 season.

There will be obstacles in trading Longoria, especially when it concerns the teams that are reportedly interested in making a deal.

The Mets have seemingly been reluctant to spend any kind of serious money this offseason, though perhaps they’d make an exception for Longoria. The Giants reportedly don’t want to take on Longoria’s salary without unloading one of their expensive outfielders.

Evan Longoria is certain to be mentioned as a trade candidate in the coming week. When that happens, remember this: He leads @MLB with 798 games played over the last 5 seasons. He hasn’t spent a day on the DL during that span. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2017

It’s hard to believe that the Yankees would give up anything of significance for Longoria. New York is expected to make either Manny Machado or one of their minor-league infielders the third-baseman of the future.

Longoria is the Rays’ franchise leader in several offensive categories, including home runs, RBI, walks, total bases and WAR. He’s a three-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove winner. He’s had three top-10 MVP finishes and nine 20-homer seasons.

The 2017 season might have been the worst of Longoria’s career. He hit 20 home runs with a slash line of .261/.313/.424.

Longoria hasn’t been an All-Star since 2010. He hasn’t been on the disabled list since 2012.

Rays' pitchers Chris Archer and Alex Colome have also been mentioned in trade rumors.