MLB Trade Rumors: LA Dodgers Could Pull Fast One With AJ Pollock

Throughout the week, the names of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have dominated the MLB rumor mill. And while the MLB winter meetings have come and gone, it seems that there is one player missing from the mix of potential names: A.J. Pollock.

As pointed out by Mark Feinsand from MLB.com, Pollock should be one of the big names in the free agent market. The 31-year-old center fielder was considered to be one of the top names in this year's market behind Harper and yet his name has somehow been overlooked.

Among the teams expected to make a go at Pollock are the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Giants. According to NBC Sports, the NL West rivals are hot on the trail of Pollock, someone who can play straight up for as long as he is healthy. Pollock is a career .281 hitter and boasts an All-Star selection and a Gold Glove Award.

Pollock is reportedly seeking for a five-year $80 million deal, something similar to what Lorenzo Cain got from the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason. But a glaring difference between the two players is that Cain was more visibly seen on the field compared to Pollock. The latter has not played more than 113 games in a year since 2013.

"[Pollock's] going to have trouble getting the deal he wants because he hasn't been able to stay on the field," a source said. "The Draft pick [compensation for declining a qualifying offer] doesn't help, either."

For the Dodgers, this could be a glaring point to consider. In fact, it could be one reason why the 31-year-old's name is practically nowhere among the top players targeted in the free agent list. Assuming that the Dodgers have no problem with that, there are still some internal things they need to address such as the salary space.

The Dodgers do need to clear up some space and the name of Yasiel Puig has been mentioned. His name has been mentioned in reports as someone on the way out, but nothing has materialized, CBS Sports reported. The last transaction involving him was when he was reportedly offered to the Washington Nationals back in August. Puig is projected to earn $11.3 million in his final year of arbitration.

As for Pollock, other teams who could make a go at him include the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and the Buffalo Braves. The Dodgers loom as darkhorses, same with the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians.