MLB Trade Scenarios: Every Team's Biggest Hole They Need to Fill

One month of the 2012 MLB regular season has passed. Already, all 30 teams have holes to fill due to injuries and poor performances.

The following trade possibilities could lead to instant improvement.

The Marlon Byrd exchange—a transaction well in advance of July's non-waiver trade deadline—has opened the flood gates. Now, aspiring contenders can't use the calendar to shy away from player movement.

Front offices with keen eyes for identifying their own weaknesses, an intolerance for losing and the good fortune of finding compatible trade partners could get deals done at any moment.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Shortstop

April 2012 was a lackluster month for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Though struggling individuals like Josh Collmenter and Ryan Roberts could be blamed, I am skeptical that either will drag down the team through the summer. Roberts is too talented to slump for much longer, and the D-Backs have several stud starting pitchers lurking on the farm to replace Collmenter if he doesn't improve soon.

Rather, my attention is focused on the shortstop situation.

Stephen Drew (ankle) continues to "inch" towards a return to the big leagues.

Utility man Willie Bloomquist has started in the interim. Quite frankly, he has been unimpressive.

Arizona should be searching outside the organization for available middle infielders. Obtaining one would relegate Bloomquist to his usual role as a versatile bench player.

Who to Target

The D-Backs could buy low on Jason Bartlett (San Diego Padres). But the NL West cellar-dwellers won't be selling until they resign themselves to the fact that they have negligible odds of contending this season.

Atlanta Braves: No. 5 in the Starting Rotation

The threesome of Brandon Beachy, Mike Minor and Tommy Hanson have been remarkable for the Atlanta Braves. None of them ought to be tampered with.

Tim Hudson's 2012 debut gave fans another reason to get excited about the starting rotation.

Alas, we cannot forget about the No. 5 slot.

Currently, the position belongs to Randall Delgado. His mediocrity thus far hasn't earned him a very long leash.

Julio Teheran is another youngster being considered, though even he is pitching wildly at Triple-A Gwinnett.

A veteran innings-eater would be better suited for the fifth starter's role than a developing prospect.

Who to Target

Atlanta should contemplate Carl Pavano (Minnesota Twins) and Bartolo Colon (Oakland Athletics). At least they can be trusted to throw strikes.

Baltimore Orioles: Left-Handed Relief

I'm no oracle, but I'd be willing to wage almost anything that the Baltimore Orioles won't be leading the American League East for much longer.

With that said, the O's want to compete just like any other club.

Their lineup is scoring enough runs to support a surprisingly effective starting rotation.

However, their bullpen is equipped with only one, unremarkable left-hander (Troy Patton). They need to add a second of a higher caliber to handle inevitable matchups with Robinson Cano, Adrian Gonzalez, Carlos Pena, etc.

Who to Target

Jose Mijares (Kansas City Royals) is on the bounce-back track after an unsatisfactory 2011 campaign. The Royals would be willing to discuss him because they have a surplus of southpaws.

Boston Red Sox: Late-Inning Relief

The Boston Red Sox addressed an obvious weakness last week in acquiring veteran outfielder Marlon Byrd (Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury are both disabled).

General manager Ben Cherington can't stop maneuvering now with the club still floating around .500.

The Sox are desperately seeking relief help.

Andrew Bailey is sidelined, and Mark Melancon was demoted to Pawtucket. On top of that, healthy pitchers like Alfredo Aceves and Vicente Padilla can't be trusted.

Who to Target

Recently re-converted into a closer, Brett Myers (Houston Astros) is capable of solidifying the 'pen. The deciding factor in such negotiations would be how much of Myers' $12 million would be covered by his former team.

Chicago Cubs: Left Field

The Chicago Cubs have grossly overpaid outfielder Alfonso Soriano during his mega, eight-year contract.

His past three seasons have been especially disappointing. Baseball-reference.com estimates his worth at 2.0 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) since 2009.

The situation is getting out of hand in 2012.

Despite a hot finish to April, he has yet to hit a home run. His OPS through April 29 was .500. That's comparable to Adam Dunn's horrendous mark from last year...only lower.

The Cubbies must take playing time away from Soriano to be relevant this summer. This club's biggest hole is his presence in the everyday lineup.

Who to Target

Matt LaPorta (Cleveland Indians) offers plenty of pop. It won't take much to pry him from the Indians, who are neglecting his awesome production at Triple-A.

Chicago White Sox: Second Base

It's finally time for the Chicago White Sox to give up on second baseman Gordon Beckham. The former first-round MLB draft pick isn't panning out.

Three years removed from looking like a potent offensive player, he has regressed to the point of being a total liability at the plate.

Collectively, the White Sox batters have underachieved, but Beckham individually is halting potential rallies with his frequent strikeouts from the ninth spot.

Who to Target

Eduardo Nunez (New York Yankees) isn't a "clean" second baseman. His .935 career fielding percentage—which includes starts at several infield positions—ranks pathetically low among active players. However, there's no doubt about the impact he has every other half inning as a batter and baserunner.

Cincinnati Reds: The Bullpen

The Cincinnati Reds are scuffling so far. Their depleted bullpen is largely to blame.

Cincy let former closer Francisco Cordero depart via free agency in what was perceived to be a wise decision.

Since then, though, Bill Bray (groin), Nick Masset (shoulder) and Ryan Madson (elbow) have succumbed to injuries. All three are currently shelved, and Madson is out for the remainder of 2012 since undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Reds are searching for quality arms to fill those vacancies.

Who to Target

Huston Street (San Diego Padres) would be a sensible fit. He stays in the strike zone, which invites contact. Cincinnati's fielders have great hands and defensive range.

Cleveland Indians: Left-Handed Starting Pitching

Jeanmar Gomez, Ubaldo Jimenez, Derek Lowe, Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin.

The Cleveland Indians flaunt the only all-right-handed starting pitching quintet in the American League.

That certainly isn't something to be proud of.

It didn't trouble them this past weekend against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who keep zero pure left-handed bats on the 25-man roster. But every other opponent will have an easy time following the ball from the hurler's hand to home plate.

Who to Target

The Tribe is already spending $30 million more on its players than it did in 2011. Wandy Rodriguez (Houston Astros) is on the trading block in case owner Larry Dolan doesn't mind digging deeper into his pockets.

Colorado Rockies: Third Base

The Colorado Rockies have Nolan Arenado starting for their Double-A affiliate in Tulsa. He's an outstanding third base prospect who should be MLB-ready in 2013.

Meanwhile, manager Jim Tracy needs to start somebody at the hot corner. Neither Jonathan Herrera nor Chris Nelson are exciting alternatives.

The American League has several under-utilized infielders who could serve as adequate buffers until Arenado arrives.

Who to Target

Alberto Callaspo (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) is stuck as a defensive replacement thanks to Mark Trumbo's shift across the infield. He is an excellent fielder who can battle deep into counts.

Eduardo Nunez (New York Yankees) has been very productive in limited plate appearances, primarily as a sub for Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. But the Rockies should think long and hard before nabbing such an error-prone player.

Detroit Tigers: Left Field

Delmon Young is potentially facing a one-year jail sentence for an anti-semitic hate crime. The result of his evaluation on Monday will be a major determinant.

Because alcohol incited his behavior, it's unlikely that he will do time behind bars.

If he's allowed to return to game action, the Detroit Tigers are faced with a dilemma: Should they condone Young's behavior or part ways with him after he embarrassed the organization?

Left field opens up in the latter case or similarly if the team chooses to suspend him indefinitely.

Who to Target

The Tigers won't have too much cash available to woo a replacement to Motown. At least Rajai Davis and Travis Snider—both of the Toronto Blue Jays—are expendable given the overcrowded outfield north of the border.

Houston Astros: Right Field

The Houston Astros are at the onset of a lengthy rebuilding process.

Brian Bogusevic is a candidate to be their long-term starting right fielder. He will be under team control through the 2017 season.

Though he has speed and a terrific throwing arm, I would advise the AL-bound Astros to inquire about players with more upside.

Who to Target

With each day that 24-year-old Domonic Brown (Philadelphia Phillies) isn't recalled to the big leagues, it becomes more apparent that his current franchise doesn't see him in its future plans. The sport's fourth-rated overall prospect prior to 2011 is touted as a five-tool talent. Strangely, his numbers from several MLB stints don't suggest that kind of ability.

Kansas City Royals: Rounding out the Rotation

The slumping Kansas City Royals lineup is gradually nearing expectations.

Luis Mendoza and Jonathan Sanchez are not.

Each are pitching wildly, using their bullets early and exiting their outings prematurely. Neither has earned a spot in the starting rotation based on 2012 performance.

Unfortunately, even with the impending comeback of Felipe Paulino from a strained forearm, Sanchez will keep his turn...unless the Royals deal for someone better.

Who to Target

Josh Collmenter (Arizona Diamondbacks) and John Lannan (Washington Nationals) are out of favor with their current clubs. They can be acquired inexpensively. Plus, attacking the strike zone gives their fielders a fighting chance.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Middle Relief

A single series into the season, I explained why the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would have bullpen issues.

Specifically, Kevin Jepsen, Hisanori Takahashi and Jordan Walden are under-performing in 2012.

The Angels have a roster littered with championship-caliber players, but right now the focus must be on crawling back into contention. The front office shouldn't hesitate to import another arm.

Who to Target

Huston Street is a strike-thrower. His true ability lies somewhere between his dominance this year at pitcher-friendly Petco Park and his inconsistency the previous two summers while with the Colorado Rockies. His $9 million team option for 2013 can be easily bought out for $500,000.

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Hot Corner

At this point in his career, bloated third baseman Juan Uribe is better suited for a bench role than a starting job.

The Los Angeles Dodgers simply aren't favorites to win the National League pennant with him at the hot corner.

He is sluggish in the field. At the plate, he is merely a shell of what he was with the San Francisco Giants.

The Dodgers will require a more athletic player, never mind the cost.

Who to Target

Chone Figgins (Seattle Mariners) would be a risky pickup. He is guaranteed $17 million through 2013 with a $9 million option that vests in 2014 with enough plate appearances. Still, the switch hitter could slide seamlessly into the No. 2 spot in the batting order, following Dee Gordon and preceding Matt Kemp.

Miami Marlins: Disciplined Batter

All the new-found revenue pouring into the Miami Marlins franchise through apparel, merchandise and tickets sales hasn't been enough—the Fish can't seem to buy runs in 2012.

Second baseman Omar Infante is their only commendable batter, though his sudden discovery of extra-base hit power is fluky and unlikely to sustain.

The source of this team's frustration is their own aggressiveness.

They have on too many occasions abandoned selectivity to chase tough pitches. Predominantly, this approach has led to strikeouts and weak contact.

Miami has an opening for a patient, disciplined batter.

Who to Target

Carlos Lee (Houston Astros) epitomizes the sort of talented, knowledgeable veteran slugger that the Marlins clamor for. A potential trade involving Lee depends on the condition of his sprained left ankle and the percentage of his ginormous $18.5 million salary that the Astros would be willing to swallow.

Milwaukee Brewers: Left-Handed Power

To be what they were in 2011—NL Central division winners—the Milwaukee Brewers need Prince Fielder back.

Or at least somebody of that left-handed, power-hitting ilk.

This person serves an important purpose. He intimidates opposing managers into making tedious pitching changes in the later innings.

Bernie Brewer is getting restless waiting for a long ball. The mascot is spending too much time watching game action from atop his slide.

Who to Target

Luke Scott (Tampa Bay Rays) is thriving in a designated hitter platoon. He already has five home runs. He would be a valuable weapon off the Brewers bench, particularly considering the average-to-mediocre bullpens of the other NL Central teams. The Brew Crew could send over Carlos Gomez to complete the trade.

Minnesota Twins: Right Field

Since Jason Kubel signed a free-agent deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks this past winter, the Minnesota Twins have tried a handful of players in right field.

Ryan Doumit, Chris Parmelee, Trevor Plouffe, Ben Revere...none of them are doing a sufficient job.

The lineup as a whole is only scoring four runs per game. One more bat would have the Twins in a better position to compete.

Who to Target

Rick Ankiel (Washington Nationals) is an outfielder with sufficient defensive ability to force resident center fielder Denard Span to right. Though strikeout-prone, he comes with a money back, power guarantee.

New York Mets: Defensive-Minded Utility Player

Catcher Josh Thole is one of several 2012 New York Mets who sees the ball well as a batter but doesn't exude confidence as a fielder.

Infielder Daniel Murphy is an additional example.

It isn't particularly important who among them sits for a defensive replacement when the game comes down to the gloves.

However, Mets pitchers would benefit from having polished players behind them.

Who to Target

Though Will Venable (San Diego Padres) has performed sloppily in all facets of the game so far this season, he is ordinarily very valuable as a baserunner and outfielder. His game is well-suited for Citi Field, making him a solid upgrade over Scott Hairston.

John McDonald (Arizona Diamondbacks) is an accomplished, alternate infielder. Price-wise, he would be a cheaper acquisition than Venable. The Mets would use him to relieve Murphy or keep David Wright fresh at third base.

New York Yankees: No. 5 in the Starting Rotation

The New York Yankees' starting pitching situation has been in flux since January.

Before signing Hiroki Kuroda and trading for Michael Pineda—on the same day—they appeared to be understaffed.

A former weakness became an asset when Andy Pettitte signed a minor league deal on March 16.

Now, 40 percent of their active starting five are getting abused on the mound, while Pineda has gone under the knife to repair a torn labrum.

The Bombers once again have a hole to fill.

Who to Target

New York's bullpen has been overworked, so quantity of innings pitched will matter slightly more than quality.

Wandy Rodriguez can contribute both without costing an exorbitant amount.

Also, Bartolo Colon (Oakland Athletics) looks sharp on the cusp of his 39th birthday. He played an important role on the 2011 Yanks.

Oakland Athletics: Left-Handed Power

Here is Jack Cust in 2009.

The Oakland Athletics have never since gotten noteworthy offensive production from a left-handed batter.

The 2012 lineup could really use a second coming of Cust. It goes completely stagnant after Yoenis Cespedes has his hacks at cleanup.

Josh Reddick has the potential to make a powerful impact, but that won't come until he gains a mastery of the strike zone (one walk through 22 games).

Who to Target

Bryan LaHair (Chicago Cubs) has quietly been one of baseball's hottest players. The Cubbies will soon recall their first baseman of the future, Anthony Rizzo, from the minors in a transaction that will leave LaHair with an uncertain role. The A's have the quality pitching prospects to get something done.

Philadelphia Phillies: Cleanup Hitter

Is it too soon to panic?

The fourth-place Philadelphia Phillies aren't scoring runs, and their would-be saviors—Ryan Howard (Achilles) and Chase Utley (knees)—don't even have timetables for making their 2012 debuts.

By default, Hunter Pence has batted fourth. His April struggles aren't surprising.

He thrived in his first half-season in Philly at the No. 3 spot. That was largely because Howard's presence induced opposing pitchers to challenge him with strikes.

A legitimate cleanup hitter could once again ignite this under-performing lineup.

Who to Target

Carlos Quentin (San Diego Padres) is about to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. His bat will feel right at home in the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park.

Besides, the Padres won't contend in 2012. They are surely rethinking the value in paying Quentin this summer when he could fetch them prospects for the rebuilding process.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Shortstop

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been helped by superb pitching in the early going.

That's why there hasn't been more discussion of their run-scoring difficulties.

If you haven't noticed, their anemic offense hasn't managed more than five runs in any contest this season.

Shortstop Clint Barmes has been the most counterproductive. His batting average entering April 30 sits at a lowly .149.

Who to Target

Jason Bartlett (San Diego Padres) has been slightly better. Their salaries are basically exchangeable, so this deal could be consummated if the Pads saw hidden potential in Barmes.

San Diego Padres: Starting Experience

Young starting pitching isn't usually seen as a concern.

However, the San Diego Padres are devoid of experienced starters as well. Each of their rotation members has started fewer than 100 MLB games.

The team is poised to nosedive down the stretch...unless it finds a veteran who's accustomed to grinding through August and September.

Who to Target

Derek Lowe (Cleveland Indians) is performing fabulously, but as mentioned earlier, the Tribe needs southpaws. San Diego has Clayton Richard, who will begin to get expensive through the arbitration process. Lowe's pitch-to-contact style would flourish in cavernous Petco Park. 

San Francisco Giants: Second Base

The second base platoon of Emmanuel Burriss and Ryan Theriot isn't doing enough. So far, a lone double has been the only extra-base hit between them.

The San Francisco Giants need to fetch themselves a legitimate second baseman upon hearing of Freddy Sanchez's most recent setback.

Who to Target

Meanwhile, Brian Roberts (Baltimore Orioles) is recovering more rapidly. He was even able to travel with the team at times this past April. Consequently, Robert Andino becomes a trade target for the Giants. He's both productive and controllable. The eventual return of Roberts will make him expendable.

Seattle Mariners: Bullpen Experience

Why do I value experience? Because talent aside, it's necessary to have older players who have something to teach teammates.

Picking the brain of a guy who has "been around" is one of baseball's great traditions.

Seattle Mariners relievers don't have that luxury.

Hisashi Iwakuma is in his 30s, but April 20 marked his first MLB appearance.

If the organization is committed to molding Brandon League into a reputable closer, then the front office ought to seek out a graybeard to set-up for him.

Who to Target

Jose Contreras (Philadelphia Phillies) is healthy again after beginning 2012 on the disabled list. Though Phils fans may have missed his familiar face, they are more than satisfied with the job Chad Qualls has done to preserve save situations for Jonathan Papelbon. The 40-year-old Contreras could be attained for the right price.

St. Louis Cardinals: Backup Catcher

Yadier Molina is on an early-season tear. His improved hitting ability makes him practically inseparable from the starting lineup. 

His unfortunate backup, Tony Cruz, is under-utilized.

As you can infer from his monster contract extension, the St. Louis Cardinals believe he is essential to their post-Albert Pujols success.

But the reality is that the team could stay in contention sans Molina if they had a capable second-stringer.

This wise franchise should prepare for that scenario.

Who to Target

It's just a matter of time—either weeks or months—until promising prospect Travis d'Arnaud unseats J.P. Arencibia (Toronto Blue Jays) as primary catcher. Arencibia would be a great fit with the Cards considering his potential value as a powerful pinch-hitter.

Tampa Bay Rays: Shortstop

The Tampa Bay Rays will be pressing for an American League playoff spot all season with Sean Rodriguez receiving regular reps at shortstop.

Enough surrounding talent allows them to stay afloat despite his .521 OPS.

Their pitching staff is so awesome, though, that benching Rodriguez for a more productive player could put them firmly in control of the competitive AL East.

Who to Target

Maicer Izturis (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) has a better eye at the plate. His consistency through the years makes him more dependable than Rodriguez.

Texas Rangers: Center Field

The Texas Rangers do not want their top slugger, Josh Hamilton, serving as an everyday center fielder. If somebody must sacrifice his body to attempt diving catches, they would rather it be a less indispensable person.

Left field is the appropriate position for a player of Hamilton's fragility.

The issue has been filling that semi-regular center fielder role.

Who to Target

The New York Mets were secretly unenthusiastic to announce that Andres Torres was ready for activation from the disabled list. They don't require his services with the way rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis has impressed over the past three weeks. The Rangers would prefer that Torres replace stopgap center fielder Craig Gentry.

Toronto Blue Jays: Closer

Toronto Blue Jays closer Sergio Santos has been shut down to recover from shoulder inflammation. 

His replacement, Francisco Cordero, looks to be about half of what he was with the Cincinnati Reds. And that's putting it lightly (14 hits allowed in 10 innings pitched).

Luckily, trade possibilities abound for general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who is not-so-secretly trying to bolster his disappointing bullpen.

Who to Target

For the third time, I recommend Huston Street of the San Diego Padres. The team willing to shoulder his hefty salary gets a dependable right-hander who has closed games for three different franchises.

Also, Sergio Romo was slighted by the San Francisco Giants when they assigned the ninth inning to Santiago Casilla. His services would not go unappreciated north of the border.

Washington Nationals: Offense off the Bench

Injuries have decimated a Washington Nationals offense that's capable of posting crooked numbers to the scoreboard when at full strength.

The Nats are trudging through an arduous section of their schedule without Michael Morse or Ryan Zimmerman.

Roger Bernardina and Chad Tracy haven't been contributing. Mark DeRosa was flailing, too, before landing on the disabled list.

Where should the club look to for extra firepower?

Who to Target

Skip Schumaker's return from a strained oblique has put Daniel Descalso (St. Louis Cardinals) on the trading block. Though a light hitter, Descalso comes with the versatility to play any infield position. He'll be a valuable bench player if his MLB stats ever mirror his accomplishments as a prospect.

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