10 NL players who could be traded this offseason

In this two-part series, theScore MLB editors Brandon Wile and Jonah Birenbaum identify 10 players in each league liable to be dealt this offseason, and rank them - using a 1(unlikely)-to-5(extremely likely) scale - on their likelihood of being traded.

Marcell Ozuna, Marlins*

*Traded to Cardinals

AGE: 27
POSITION: OF
CONTRACT: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2019)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 3.5

Should the Marlins find themselves unable to trade Giancarlo Stanton, Ozuna represents the next most logical player to move. The two-time All-Star is coming off a career year and would land a nice return considering he's under team control for two more seasons. Ozuna is projected to earn $10.9 million through arbitration this winter, so shedding his rising salary will help the front office cut payroll. With the Marlins entering a rebuild, it's unlikely Ozuna will stick around when his contract expires, so it would be smart to deal him now, when his value is highest.

Andrew McCutchen, Pirates*

*Traded to Giants

AGE: 31
POSITION: OF
CONTRACT: Signed through 2018 (1 yr/$14.5M)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 3.5

After being heavily shopped by the Pirates last winter, McCutchen was forced to awkwardly return to the club after they failed to find a trade partner. That seemed to motivate McCutchen, as the five-time All-Star hit 28 homers and reestablished his defensive value in center. With one year left on his deal, and the Pirates unlikely to be a playoff contender, now would be the time to move McCutchen and open the door for top prospect Austin Meadows.

Kyle Schwarber, Cubs

AGE: 24
POSITION: OF
CONTRACT: Under team control through 2021
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 3

No longer a catcher and a defensive liability in the outfield, trading Schwarber to an American League side so he can DH makes the most sense. The Cubs would be selling somewhat low on the former first-round pick, but there's still a number of reasons why Schwarber can bring back a decent return. He's just 24, has four more years of team control, and is coming off a 30-homer year. The Cubs could look at acquiring some controllable pitching help in return to help with the potential losses of Wade Davis, Jake Arrieta, and John Lackey.

Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers

AGE: 29
POSITION: C
CONTRACT: 3rd-year arb (FA after 2018)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 4.5

Austin Barnes is coming off a solid year in which he took over the starting role from Grandal in the postseason, making the veteran backstop expendable. Projected to earn $7.7 million in his final year of arbitration, Grandal is an expensive backup, and could be easily moved in order to help the league's highest-payroll club shed some salary. With the free-agent catching market devoid of talent, the Dodgers could get a decent return for the veteran.

Gerrit Cole, Pirates*

*Traded to Astros

AGE: 27
POSITION: SP
CONTRACT: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2019)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 2.5

There is no urgency to move Cole with two more years on his deal, but this is also when he's arguably the most valuable. The right-hander possesses top-of-the-rotation talent and has received interest from the Twins. The Pirates have some intriguing internal candidates coming through the ranks, though they might hold off until the non-waiver deadline to move Cole should they fall out of the playoff race.

Dee Gordon, Marlins*

*Traded to Mariners

AGE: 29
POSITION: 2B
CONTRACT: Signed through 2020 (3 yrs/$38.9M + 2021 option)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 4.5

Gordon is the second-most likely Marlin to be traded this winter after Stanton. The 29-year-old has three years and $38.9 million left on his deal (four if his 2021 option is picked up). Gordon is a nice piece for a contending team, but with Miami rebuilding, he's expendable. Considering the limited second base free-agent market, expect there to be plenty of interest in Gordon.

Jeff Samardzija, Giants

AGE: 32
POSITION: SP
CONTRACT: Signed through 2020 (3 yrs/$59.4M)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 3

With a lack of qualify free-agent starters, the Giants could look to move Samardzija in order to clear salary. The right-hander is coming off a deceptively good season and has thrown at least 200 innings in each of the last five seasons. San Francisco is nearing the luxury-tax threshold once again, and will need to move out a high-priced player if they wish to absorb Stanton's contract. Complicating any potential move is that Samardzija can block trades to 21 teams.

Randal Grichuk, Cardinals*

*Traded to Blue Jays

AGE: 26
POSITION: OF
CONTRACT: 1st-year arb (FA after 2020)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 3.5

The emergence of Tommy Pham has led to a logjam of outfielders in St. Louis and could force the Cardinals to move Grichuk. The former first-round pick is coming off back-to-back 20-plus homer seasons, but he also hit .239/.287/.477 with 274 strikeouts over his last 254 games. Still just 26, and first-year arbitration eligible, Grichuk could be dangled in a potential Stanton deal, or could be dealt if the club lands another power bat.

Billy Hamilton, Reds

AGE: 27
POSITION: OF
CONTRACT: 2nd-year arb (FA after 2019)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 3

The Reds aren't exactly shopping Hamilton, but outside interest in the speedy center fielder could lead to a change in uniform. The Giants are one of the teams that have expressed interest in the perennial Gold Glove finalist as they wish to improve their outfield defense. In addition to being an elite defender, Hamilton swiped an MLB-best 230 bases over the last four seasons. There are serious concerns offensively though, as he posted a .246/.297/.333 slash line to go with just 17 homers over his last 524 games. Cincinnati has some internal options to replace Hamilton, and could make a move depending on the offers.

Matt Adams, Braves*

*Became FA after he was non-tendered

AGE: 29
POSITION: 1B/OF
CONTRACT: 3rd-year arb (FA after 2018)
TRADE FACTOR (1-5): 5

Adams filled in admirably for the Braves after Freddie Freeman went down last season, but with Freeman healthy again, there isn't much room for Adams on the roster. The club will look to move him before Friday's non-tender deadline rather than risk keeping him on the roster and not being able to move him, or lose him for nothing. Adams has value following a strong season and is relatively cheap (projected salary $4.6 million in his final year of arbitration), though a loaded first base free-agent market could limit Adams' market.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)