A's, Yankees, Rays trying for Yunel Escobar, whom the Marlins plan to trade

The Marlins are trying to trade shortstop Yunel Escobar, with the A's, Yankees and Rays emerging as the three most interested teams. Escobar became a Marlin in the big trade with the Blue Jays, but the Marlins intend to use Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop.

By Danny Knobler

Dec 4, 2012 at 1:33 pm ET • 1 min read

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Marlins are trying hard to trade shortstop Yunel Escobar, with the A's , Yankees and Rays the most likely teams to get him.

Conversations with the A's have centered on either Brad Peacock or Grant Green, while discussions with the Yankees and Rays have included younger minor-leaguers, according to sources.

The Marlins got Escobar as part of their big trade with the Blue Jays, but that trade also included Adeiny Hechavarria, whom the Marlins plan to use as their starting shortstop.

The A's discussed Escobar with the Blue Jays in July. They had reservations about him then, and still do, but they badly need a shortstop and the market is ultra-thin. Stephen Drew, whom the A's acquired in an August trade with the Diamondbacks, is a free agent who is looking for a bigger contract than the A's can afford.

The Yankees need help on the left side of the infield, with Alex Rodriguez headed for hip surgery and Derek Jeter coming back from ankle surgery. While the Yankees say Jeter will be ready for opening day, it's hard for them to be certain about that, and even harder to know whether the ankle will continue to hinder his mobility and availability through the season.

The Rays have long been looking for a shortstop.