Five big trades that should happen 

Now that the winter meetings are over, there’s a tendency to think that trade and free agency activity will downshift into a more sedate pace. However, here are five blockbuster trades I'd like to see that not only would be beneficial to both teams but also would kick the offseason back into overdrive.

Trade 1: Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics

Red Sox acquire: LHP Gio Gonzalez
A's acquire: 3B Will Middlebrooks, RHP Anthony Ranaudo, OF Ryan Kalish

The Red Sox would acquire one of the best young left-handed starters in the 26-year-old Gonzalez who went 16-12 last year with a 3.12 ERA thanks to one of the best curveballs in the league. The Athletics get their long-term solution at third base in Will Middlebrooks, who posted an .865 OPS last year for Double-A Pawtucket and would be the key to the deal for them. Ranaudo struck out almost a man per inning in his minor league debut and has some upside, while Kalish is a throw-in who will give the A's some help off the bench. The deal would improve the Red Sox’s rotation enough to give them one of the best in the AL along with the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Trade 2. New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners

Yankees acquire: RHP Felix Hernandez
Mariners acquire: RHP Ivan Nova, C Jesus Montero, RHP Dellin Betances

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