UNITED STATES – With the economy still in bad shape and attendance down 6.7% throughout the Majors, the free agent market will most likely not be active as it has been in years past. It is more likely that teams will fill holes in their rosters by trades. These big names are among those who may be on the move.

• Roy Halladay SP (Toronto)
He seems almost certain to be dealt by new Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos as it is almost certain Halladay will opt for free agency after this season, when his contract is up. He will be a hot commodity this offseason, posting at least 16 wins in the last 4 seasons, including 20 wins in 2008.

• Detroit pitching staff
Several players on the Tigers pitching staff will be guaranteed to be in a Tiger uniform by the time spring training rolls around next March after the Tigers collapsed in September and eventually lost to Minnesota in a one-game playoff. Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, and Jeremy Bonderman are all due at least $10 million apiece over the next year. All three were injured last season and have not been very effective in recent years. Left-handed reliever Bobby Seay is another pitcher who may be on the block this offseason

• Joe Nathan RP (Minnesota)
With many good, experienced closers on the market this winter, there should not be too much trade action involving ninth-inning men. However Nathan, who has averaged 41 saves over the past 6 seasons, may be dealt. He is due $24.5 million through 2011, and the Twins have shown in the past that they are willing to deal cornerstone pitchers at their peak (ex: Johan Santana).

• Milton Bradley OF (Chicago (NL)
Bradley’s 09 campaign with the Cubs was a downright catastrophe. Not only did he fail to produce at the plate, he committed a few embarrassing errors and eventually blamed the fans for the poor performance of the team and himself. There is no way he will be back at Wrigley in 2010.

• Juan Pierre OF (Los Angeles (NL)
Perhaps the best 4th outfielder in all of baseball, Pierre may be dealt to a place where he will start. A great year in ‘09 backing up Manny Ramirez, the speedy outfielder is owed around $18 million over the next 2 years.

• Dan Uggla 2B (Florida)
Due somewhere above the $5.35 million he earned last year, the 29 year-old second baseman’s career with the Marlins may be in jeopardy for that reason alone. The Marlins are known to be “fiscal” at best, and may dump the 2-time NL All-Star. He has 30 homeruns the last 4 years.

• Adrian Gonzalez 1B (San Diego)
The speculation surrounding Gonzalez is simply that: speculation. New Padres GM Jed Hoyer says he plans to tie up Gonzalez long-term. However, former GM Ken Towers believes it is only a matter of time until Gonzalez is dealt.

Trent Rehusch is a MLB contributor for BaseballdeWorld.com.

Tags: MLB Rumors