MLB Trades: Players Who Could Be Traded in 2012

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Out of the four major sports in America, baseball is the one with the most frequent trades.  July 31 is the trade deadline and can sometimes be a very nervous time for some players.

The players that are most commonly dealt during deadline week are those who have contracts that expire at the end of the season and are playing for teams that won't likely make the playoffs.

Here is a list of players with expiring contracts that we might see on the move during this upcoming season.

Travis Hafner

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Hafner is a veteran who still has a little pop left in his bat.  If the second half of the Indians' 2011 season is any indication of how this year will go, they are going to have a tough time winning.  Hafner would be a nice pinch-hitter for a National League team down the stretch.

Brandon Inge

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The Tigers just can't seem to get rid of Inge.  He has been placed on trade waivers, booed by his own fans and been designated for assignment, and yet somehow, is still on the Tigers.  The Tigers likely wouldn't expect much in return.  That is, of course, if he is even worth trading.

Carlos Zambrano

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Let's face it, the guy has character issues.  The Cubs are trying to rebuild with Theo Epstein, and trading Zambrano for some young talent could help with that.  Perhaps a change of scenery would be good for Zambrano.

Andre Ethier

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The Dodgers can't even make any transactions until the team is sold; and by the time that happens, the season will have already started.  Therefore, odds are that the Dodgers won't have a very good season.  Ethier is only 30 and still has a lot left in the tank.  The Dodgers will need to rebuild, and trading Ethier could bring them a couple top prospects.

Carlos Quentin

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The White Sox are going to have a hard time contending for the playoffs when they have the Tigers in their division.  Quentin has had some decent power numbers in his career, and could bat in the middle of the lineup for a contender.

Orlando Hudson

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Hudson wouldn't be traded for his bat.  He would be traded for his speed, and would probably be used as a pinch-runner.  Hudson would also keep up his trend of changing teams, as he has been on three different teams the past three seasons.

Jason Bartlett

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San Diego is just a terrible team in desperate need of rebuilding.  They wouldn't get much for Bartlett, but at this point, they have nothing to lose.  Bartlett has never been known for his batting, but he has a reputation of being a very solid defender.  If he were traded to a contender, he would likely serve as a backup fielder. 

Shaun Marcum

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With the Brewers losing Prince Fielder, it's doubtful that they will be as good as they were last year.  Marcum has a lot of trade value, going 13-7 last year with a WHIP of 1.12.  He could make a contender's rotation complete.

James Shields

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Shields was on the trade market last year and could go back again next year.  The Rays have the lowest payroll in the MLB, and Shields will probably demand a big contract at the end of the season.  He won 16 games last year for the Rays and had an impressive ERA of 2.82.