Establishing Each MLB Team's Top 2015 Trade-Market Priorities
The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline may seem like it's still a ways off, but considering the trade market really starts to heat up when the calendar turns to July, we're just a couple of weeks from the rumor mill kicking into full swing.
There is still some work to be done as far as teams establishing themselves as buyers or sellers, with a number of clubs hovering around the .500 mark, but a fairly decent picture can already be painted of what teams will be looking to do in July.
The following article breaks down all 30 MLB teams' 2015 trade-market priorities, and you will see the following four terms used when referring to potential moves:
- Trade: A player almost certain to be moved, due to an expiring contract or his status on a rebuilding team.
- Shop: A player who could be on the move, if the price is right.
- Add: A clear area of need for the team, and one that it will almost certainly address at the deadline.
- Explore: A potential area of need for the team, and one worth at least exploring other options for at the deadline.
So here in the middle of June, this is a preliminary look at what all 30 teams could be looking to do between now and the end of July.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
- TRADE IF Aaron Hill
With Chris Owings sliding over to second base to make room for Nick Ahmed at shortstop, and Jake Lamb looking like the long-term answer at third base, veteran Aaron Hill simply does not have a clearly defined place on the Diamondbacks roster.
Essentially he's a $12 million bench bat and source of infield depth at this point, but he's still capable of being an everyday option elsewhere. If the Diamondbacks are willing to eat a good chunk of his $12 million salary for next season, they should be able to find a taker and save a few bucks in the process.
- SHOP RP Brad Ziegler
The early-season struggles of Addison Reed forced veteran Brad Ziegler into the closer's role, and he's done a terrific job to this point. The 35-year-old has a 1.61 ERA on the year and he's converted 8-of-9 save chances since taking over the ninth-inning gig.
Ziegler has long been one of the more durable and reliable setup men in the league, and with a $5.5 million option for next season, he's more than just a rental. However, that also means the Diamondbacks don't necessarily need to move him, so they'll need to be wowed.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
- ADD a bullpen arm or two (if they're buyers)
To be blunt, the Atlanta Braves' bullpen has been nothing short of terrible this season.
Their relief corps currently ranks 29th in the league and last in the NL with a 4.61 ERA, and they've converted just 21 saves in 34 chances. If they have any hope of contending, they'll need to improve the bullpen this summer.
- SHOP RP Jason Grilli (if they're sellers)
For as bad as the bullpen as a whole has been, veteran Jason Grilli has actually performed admirably after being asked to step into the closer's role one day before the start of the season, following the trade of Craig Kimbrel.
The 38-year-old signed a two-year, $8 million deal during the offseason, and he's converted 17-of-19 save chances with a 3.09 ERA and 1.243 WHIP. If they fall out of the race between now and the deadline, expect his name to pop up on the rumor mill.
- SHOP OF Cameron Maybin (regardless)
With Jace Peterson settling in as the everyday second baseman, it appears that top prospect Jose Peraza is now ticketed for center field long term.
As a result, selling high on a solid start from Cameron Maybin might not be a bad idea. The 28-year-old is set to earn $8 million in 2016, with a $9 million option in 2017, and for someone who thinks he may finally be tapping into his vast potential that could be an intriguing pickup.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
The Baltimore Orioles quietly had one of the more consistent rotations in baseball last season, but that has not been the case here in 2015, as they rank 20th in the league with a 4.22 starters' ERA.
With Chris Tillman (5.58 ERA) and Bud Norris (8.29 ERA) both struggling and Miguel Gonzalez (groin strain) currently on the disabled list, adding some veteran depth is a must, even if they don't make a play for one of the market's top arms.
- EXPLORE middle infield depth
When the Orioles signed Everth Cabrera this past offseason, the hope was that he could serve as a capable backup at both second base and shortstop and as a useful bat off the bench.
However, he struggled early and wound up released, and with Ryan Flaherty currently starting at second base in place of the injured Jonathan Schoop the team is thin up the middle.
Schoop is close to beginning a rehab assignment after missing nearly the entire season with a knee sprain, but added depth at the middle infield spots is still a need.
Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
- TRADE 1B Mike Napoli
Unlike their offseason approach when they were aggressive as anyone, the Boston Red Sox don't figure to be buyers when the deadline rolls around unless things change dramatically in the weeks to come.
At the same time, they don't have much in the way of movable pieces to sell off either, and first baseman Mike Napoli may be their best trade chip.
He's not having a good season, hitting just .202/.295/.380 with nine home runs and 28 RBI, but he is a proven right-handed power bat.
They may have to kick in a few million to offset what's left of his $16 million salary, but assuming they don't intend to re-sign the veteran this coming offseason, unloading him and saving a few million dollars makes sense.
- SHOP RP Koji Uehara
Nothing is more sought after at the deadline than late-inning relief help, and even at the age of 40, Koji Uehara is still getting the job done in the closer's role.
Signed to a two-year, $18 million extension in the offseason, Uehara has a 2.25 ERA, 1.000 WHIP and has converted 13-of-15 save chances.
It may be hard to find a team willing to commit to his $9 million salary for next season, but if a team is willing to offer up a decent return, expect the Red Sox to pull the trigger.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
- ADD a proven late-inning reliever
The young Chicago Cubs push toward contention has moved quicker than many expected, and at this point they may be a proven bullpen arm or two away from being a legitimate postseason threat.
While their 3.35 bullpen ERA ranks 11th in the league, they have nine blown saves and are currently employing a closer-by-committee that will need to be sorted out at some point.
The return of Neil Ramirez will help, but adding someone like Tyler Clippard to the mix could be enough to push the relief corps over the top.
- EXPLORE starting pitching options
The No. 5 starter spot has been an issue for the Cubs this season, with Travis Wood opening the season in that role before being unseated by Tsuyoshi Wada.
After a decent start to the season, Wada has failed to make it out of the fourth inning in his past two starts, and his ERA now sits at 4.84 on the year.
The trio of Jon Lester, Jason Hammel and Jake Arrieta at the top has been terrific, and Kyle Hendricks is settling in after a rocky start, so a back-of-the-rotation arm may be all this team needs to shore things up.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
- TRADE SP Jeff Samardzija
Don't expect the Chicago White Sox to get the same sort of return the Chicago Cubs did for Jeff Samardzija last July, when they shipped him to the Oakland Athletics for Addison Russell, but he should still have some solid value.
The White Sox gave up a four-player package to acquire the big right-hander during the winter meetings, and flipping him again before he reaches free agency in the offseason could help replenish some of that lost talent.
His 4.84 ERA on the year isn't pretty, but a 3.83 FIP is a promising sign moving forward, and when he's on Samardzija still has ace-caliber stuff.
- SHOP SS Alexei Ramirez
The White Sox were hesitant to part with Alexei Ramirez at the deadline last season, as he is an important veteran leader in the clubhouse and was in the middle of a Silver Slugger-winning season.
However, looking back now they probably should have jumped at the chance to sell high on the veteran.
The 33-year-old is hitting just .237/.254/.316 with two home runs and 24 RBI, but if he can show some signs of life at the plate, there could still be a few interested teams.
Ramirez has a $10 million option for next season, before hitting free agency.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
- TRADE SP Johnny Cueto
Assuming the Philadelphia Phillies asking price on Cole Hamels remains sky-high, the top arm on the move this summer could be Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto.
While he's not quite matching his Cy Young-caliber numbers from last season, there is still little question the 29-year-old is one of the best in the game.
It seems highly unlikely that the Reds manage to find a way to re-sign Cueto, so expect him to go to the highest bidder before the July 31 deadline passes.
- TRADE SP Mike Leake
Cueto will be the starter everyone is talking about, but another upcoming free agent in Mike Leake could also be a solid, low-cost addition to the back of a contender's rotation.
The 27-year-old has been consistent and durable throughout his career, and while he's not having his best season with a 4.35 ERA and 1.258 WHIP, he's still be an upgrade for a number of teams. More importantly, he'll come significantly cheaper than Cueto, so there could actually be more teams vying for his services.
- SHOP RP Aroldis Chapman
An elite closer is not much use to a non-contender, and that goes double for one with a big salary that is set to get even bigger in the offseason.
There is no question Chapman is one of the best around, but the flame-throwing 27-year-old has seen just 14 save opportunities this season for a struggling Reds team.
He carries an $8.05 million salary this season, and that figures to push $10 million next season in his final year of arbitration eligibility. We saw how highly regarded Andrew Miller was last July, so it's at least worth gauging the market on Chapman's value.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
- ADD starting pitching depth
The top four spots in the Cleveland Indians rotation have been set for most of the season, but the No. 5 starter job has been a revolving door of sorts.
Shaun Marcum has emerged as the answer there of late with back-to-back quality starts, but if he struggles or another starter goes down with an injury, this team is incredibly thin on viable rotation options.
Going after a low-cost arm may be the preferred option, but don't be surprised if they make a run at one of the better arms on the market and return Marcum to the "depth" role instead.
- EXPLORE third base options
The Indians finally pulled the trigger on demoting Lonnie Chisenhall recently, as the team's Opening Day third baseman was hitting just .209/.241/.345 on the year.
He was replaced at the hot corner by prospect Giovanny Urshela, and he's held his own to this point.
The 23-year-old is hitting .250/.318/.400 in 20 at-bats so far, but for an Indians team looking to make a legitimate run at contending, a more proven option may be preferred.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
- TRADE 1B Justin Morneau
The Colorado Rockies would have been wise to sell high on Justin Morneau during the offseason, as he was coming off of a surprise NL batting title and offense was in short supply.
Instead they held onto the veteran, and he's been sidelined since the middle of May following a concussion he suffered diving for a ball at first base.
Morneau has a history with concussions, so it's no sure thing that he returns anytime soon, but he was hitting .290/.317/.450 before the injury and remains a useful bat for a contender if he can prove healthy.
- TRADE RP Rafael Betancourt
Most assumed Rafael Betancourt was finished when he underwent Tommy John surgery down the stretch in 2013, as it's not every day that a pitcher comes back from the surgery at the age of 39.
He's done just that for the Rockies this season, though, and he had been one of the team's best relievers before a pair of rough outings spiked his ERA from 3.44 to 6.30 and he went on the disabled list with vertigo symptoms.
That 6.30 ERA comes with a 2.85 FIP, 1.200 WHIP and a 3-20 BB/K ratio, so there is plenty of reason to think the 40-year-old could help a contender if he can come back strong.
- SHOP SS Troy Tulowitzki
What can you say about Troy Tulowitzki that hasn't already been said to death over the past several seasons?
The Rockies aren't going anywhere with the current makeup of their team, but ownership seems to have little-to-no interest in moving the face of the franchise.
At this point, diminished production and age can be added to the list of red flags for Tulowitzki that also includes his lengthy injury history and remaining salary.
It's a complicated situation to say the least.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
Even with Victor Martinez missing significant time, the Detroit Tigers offense has been terrific this season, led by a resurgent Miguel Cabrera and newcomer Yoenis Cespedes.
However, their rotation has struggled mightily after the offseason departures of Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello.
David Price (6-2, 2.44 ERA) and Alfredo Simon (7-3, 2.58 ERA) have been solid at the top, but the rest of the staff remains a question mark.
Anibal Sanchez (4.65 ERA, 57% QS) has been inconsistent all season, Shane Greene (5.82 ERA) has fallen off drastically after a hot start and Justin Verlander just made his season debut on Saturday.
Ideally this team could go out and make a run at someone like Johnny Cueto or even Scott Kazmir, but the trouble there is that they have arguably the worst farm system in baseball, and simply don't have the chips to outbid other suitors.
Instead, they may have to settle for someone like Mike Leake or Aaron Harang to bolster the rotation down the stretch.
Houston Astros
11 of 30
- ADD a veteran starting pitcher
One of the most interesting storylines of this year's trade deadline will be the Houston Astros, who finally find themselves in the role of buyer as opposed to seller.
Patience and player development has been the driving force behind their return to contention, so it remains to be seen just how aggressive they will be and how willing they are to part with prospect talent for a short-term upgrade.
That being said, if they have legitimate hopes of making a playoff push, one has to think they will need to add at least one proven arm to the staff.
Dallas Keuchel is a legitimate front-line starter, but the staff behind him is far from a sure thing.
The trio of Brett Oberholtzer, Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez looks strong right now, but those three have combined for just 12 starts on the year, and McCullers and Velasquez are both seeing their first taste of big league action.
Meanwhile, Collin McHugh has struggled, Scott Feldman is on the disabled list with a torn meniscus and it appears the team has squeezed everything they can out of Roberto Hernandez.
The prospect talent is there for the Astros to be serious players for anyone they choose to pursue. It's just a question of how much they're willing to mortgage to further their cause here in 2015.
Kansas City Royals
12 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
When the Kansas City Royals waved goodbye to James Shields during the offseason, the hope was that Yordano Ventura could ascend to the role of staff ace and free-agent signing Edinson Volquez could round out the staff.
Instead, Ventura has pitched to a 4.68 ERA and the rotation as a whole currently ranks 21st in the league with a 4.23 ERA.
The bullpen has been dominant once again, and the offense has been one of the best in baseball, but this team is at least one quality arm away from being a real threat.
- EXPLORE second base options
Yes, Omar Infante is leading the AL All-Star voting at second base.
No, Omar Infante does not deserve to be an All-Star.
In fact, he might be the worst everyday player in all of baseball right now.
His .511 OPS is not just the worst among qualified second basemen, it's the worst among all qualified players in either league, and good for a dismal 41 OPS+.
That should be enough for the team to at least kick the tires on whatever options become available on the trade market, though sliding Christian Colon into the starting lineup is also an option.
Los Angeles Angels
13 of 30
- ADD a left-handed bat
The Los Angeles Angels traded for Matt Joyce during the offseason hoping he could be a source of left-handed power at the DH spot.
Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case, as he's hit just .181/.263/.311 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 177 at-bats.
He's not the only left-handed hitter struggling for the Angels though, as they have hit just .230/.291/.326 with 12 home runs and 72 RBI on the year from the left side of the plate.
Most of that production has come from Kole Calhoun (.268/.323/.391, 6 HR, 32 R), and finding another left-handed bat will be tops on their to-do list.
- ADD a left fielder
While any sort of left-handed production would be a welcome addition, ideally the team could find a left-handed hitting outfielder to slot in left field.
The position vacated by Josh Hamilton has seen the likes of Matt Joyce, Collin Cowgill, Efren Navarro, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Alfredo Marte and Dan Robertson all start at least one game.
Combined, that group has hit .201/.262/.311 with four home runs and 17 RBI, by far the worst production in the league at the position.
Los Angeles Dodgers
14 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
Tip of the cap to what Mike Bolsinger and Carlos Frias have done stepping into an injury-plagued Los Angeles Dodgers rotation, but expect the team to add at least one arm before the deadline passes.
Bolsinger (4-1, 2.25 ERA) has been one of the biggest out-of-nowhere contributors of the season, while Frias (3-4, 4.33 ERA) was expected to be more of a factor out of the bullpen.
Both were thrust into action by injuries to Hyun-Jin Ryu and Brandon McCarthy.
The Dodgers won't be trading Corey Seager or Julio Urias, so a deal for Cole Hamels might be off the table, but consider them players for every other arm on the market.
- SHOP OF Andre Ethier
Suggesting that a contending team trade a veteran hitter who is batting .279/.357/.503 with nine home runs and 27 RBI may seem crazy, but this may be the Dodgers last, best chance to move Andre Ethier.
Ethier was a forgotten man on last year's team, but with injuries to Carl Crawford and Yasiel Puig he found his way into everyday at-bats once again this season and made the most of it.
That being said, the 33-year-old is still owed $35.5 million the next two seasons with a $17.5 million vesting option in 2018.
The Dodgers could use some combination of Scott Van Slyke, Alex Guerrero and Chris Heisey to replace him in left field until Crawford returns from his oblique injury.
They could still have trouble finding a taker given the money he's owed, but it's at least worth testing the market.
Miami Marlins
15 of 30
- SHOP SP Mat Latos
The Miami Marlins are in a tough spot.
From a record standpoint, they figure to fit the profile of seller when trade season rolls around.
However, part of the record-setting extension they gave Giancarlo Stanton during the offseason was a commitment to winning and building a contender, so turning around and selling once again does not look great.
That said, flipping Mat Latos before he hits free agency this offseason seems like a wise move, especially if he can boost his stock with a few more outings like the one he put together last time out.
After going 1-4 with a 6.12 ERA and 1.594 WHIP over his first nine starts, Latos missed 22 games with knee inflammation, finally returning to the rotation this past Saturday.
In his first start back, the 27-year-old allowed four hits and one run while striking out 11 in seven innings of work, earning his second win of the season.
A dip in velocity was a concerning sign during his early struggles, but he touched 96 mph on Saturday, once again showing the stuff that made him a legitimate front-line arm during his time in Cincinnati.
"It was good to have two legs under me, that's for sure," Latos told Craig Davis of the Sun-Sentinel. "I could tell the ball was jumping out of my hand. I didn't think it was 96, but I'll take it."
If Latos can keep pitching like a front-line starter, the Marlins should be able to recoup some prospect value after giving up Anthony DeSclafani and Chad Wallach to acquire him this past offseason.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
- TRADE SP Kyle Lohse
Suffice to say, this is not the contract year Kyle Lohse was hoping for heading into perhaps his last go-around in free agency.
The 36-year-old is currently 3-8 with a 6.44 ERA and 5.03 FIP, a far cry from his performance the past several seasons.
Currently pitching in the last year of a three-year, $33 million deal, Lohse had gone 54-30 with a 3.28 ERA and 1.143 WHIP over the past four seasons as one of the league's more reliable starters.
- TRADE 1B Adam Lind
Offense will be in short supply once again this summer, and Adam Lind may very well wind up being the biggest bat to change teams.
He's strictly a platoon option, but the 31-year-old wears out right-handed pitching to the tune of a .293/.351/.510 line for his career.
He's currently hitting .282/.353/.474 with nine home runs and 33 RBI in 213 at-bats, and with a reasonable $8 million option for next year, he comes with the added value of being more than just a rental player.
- SHOP CF Carlos Gomez
This is where the Brewers will need to decide just how aggressively they want to sell.
Gomez is having a down season, but there is no doubt teams would line up to make a run at acquiring him if the Brewers were to make him available.
On top of his impressive performance the past two seasons, Gomez is also incredibly affordable with an $8 million salary this season and a $9 million salary next year.
After that he hits free agency, and chances are the Brewers won't be able to re-sign him long term, so dealing him now may be the best way to maximize his value.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
- EXPLORE low-cost relief pitching options
All-Star closer Glen Perkins and surprising veteran Blaine Boyer have been a solid one-two punch at the back of the Minnesota Twins bullpen, but they could still use another proven relief arm.
Casey Fien, Ryan Pressly, J.R. Graham and Aaron Thompson have also pitched well, but that is a relatively inexperienced group, and as a whole the bullpen has still been below average with a 3.71 ERA that ranks 18th in the league.
They won't go crazy with a run at someone like Aroldis Chapman or Jonathan Papelbon, but adding another capable, low-cost arm makes sense.
- EXPLORE starting pitching options
After ranking dead last in starters' ERA the past two seasons, the Twins have finally achieved at least respectability in that area, ranking 15th in the league with a 4.05 ERA.
Mike Pelfrey (5-3, 3.18 ERA) and Kyle Gibson (4-5, 3.33 ERA) have led the way, while Tommy Milone, Trevor May and Phil Hughes have all pitched to an ERA over 4.00.
There is certainly room for improvement as a unit, but the bigger concern is depth, and even if they just add a cheap veteran to the mix it would still help.
New York Mets
18 of 30
- EXPLORE infield depth options
With Daniel Murphy and David Wright both currently sidelined, the New York Mets have turned to a combination of Dilson Herrera, Ruben Tejada and Eric Campbell to shore up the infield.
While those three have performed admirably, there is certainly room for improvement.
Murphy is currently on a rehab assignment and should return soon, but Wright is a bigger question mark as he continues to deal with a serious back issue.
According to Adam Rubin and Kieran Darcy of ESPN New York, the All-Star third baseman is currently eyeing the All-Star break for a potential return, but who knows how long he'll stay on the field once he does come back.
Someone like Ben Zobrist might be the perfect fit.
- TRADE SP Dillon Gee and/or SP Jon Niese
Noah Syndergaard has already arrived and Steven Matz is knocking on the door in Triple-A, leaving the Mets with more starters than they know what to do with.
The team already designated Dillon Gee for assignment earlier this week, but there's a good chance he goes unclaimed and winds up outrighted to the minors.
He's gone 0-3 with a 5.90 ERA in seven starts and one relief appearances this season, and is still owed what's left of a $5.3 million salary.
The other potential trade candidate is Jon Niese, who could conceivably be replaced as the lefty in the rotation by Matz.
Niese had a 1.95 ERA through his first six starts, but he's gone 0-4 with a 6.82 ERA in his last six outings.
The 28-year-old has been solid in the past, and is signed for $9 million next season with a pair of option years, so he could be an interesting buy-low target for someone willing to take the risk.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
The healthy return of Masahiro Tanaka is huge for the New York Yankees going forward, but that does not mean there are not still serious concerns about the starting pitching.
Nathan Eovaldi (5-2, 5.12 ERA) and CC Sabathia (3-7, 5.38 ERA) have not pitched well by any means, and they have asked a lot out of Adam Warren after he spent the past two seasons in the bullpen.
Tanaka and Michael Pineda is a solid one-two punch, and Ivan Nova is getting closer to returning from Tommy John surgery, but this team still appears to be at least one arm away.
- EXPLORE middle infield options
For whatever reason, the New York Yankees remain committed to Stephen Drew at second base.
The 32-year-old is hitting .174/.238/.364 on the year, and his defense has been below average (-4.3 UZR/150, -3 DRS), according to FanGraphs.
Meanwhile, double-play partner Didi Gregorius has not been much better at the plate, hitting .237/.291/.312 with 10 extra-base hits in 204 at-bats.
He at least provides plus defense and some upside at the age of 25, but the continued playing time of Drew remains puzzling to say the least.
Calling up Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela would be one option, but the team could also make a run at someone like Ben Zobrist if they prefer to go with a proven commodity.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
- TRADE SP Scott Kazmir
Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels will be the top two names on the starting pitching market, but the most sought-after arm might be Scott Kazmir.
The 31-year-old is as close to a sure thing as anyone to be traded with free agency upcoming and the Oakland Athletics unlikely to re-sign him.
He should also come cheaper than Cueto and Hamels, but is capable of making just as big of an impact down the stretch if he keeps pitching like he has so far this season.
The left-hander is currently 3-4 with a 2.84 ERA, 1.197 WHIP and 73 strikeouts in 76 innings of work.
- TRADE 2B Ben Zobrist
He may be hitting just .227/.316/.387 on the year, but there is not a team in the league that would not love to add the versatile Ben Zobrist to the mix for their stretch run.
Surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee cost Zobrist 29 games earlier this season, and he has struggled to get things going at the plate since returning.
Even with his drop-off in production he'll still have plenty of suitors, and if he can pick things up at the plate in the days and weeks to come his stock will climb significantly.
- TRADE RP Tyler Clippard
A two-time All-Star and one of the best setup arms in the game dating back to his breakout season in 2009, Tyler Clippard has spent the bulk of this season closing games in place of the injured Sean Doolittle.
The 30-year-old is expensive with an $8.3 million salary, but he could be the Andrew Miller of this year's trade crop in terms of the type of impact he could make during a playoff push.
- SHOP SP Jesse Chavez
Jesse Chavez is by no means a surefire trade candidate like the guys listed above, but don't be surprised if he winds up on the move.
The 31-year-old has been effective as both a starter and a reliever the past two seasons, and that versatility makes him a terrific target for a team looking to add some insurance to their starting rotation.
As for why he might be made available, his salary sits at $2.15 million this season and could potentially double in his second year of arbitration next year.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
- SHOP SP Cole Hamels
The Philadelphia Phillies are not going to back down on their hefty asking price for ace Cole Hamels, and at this point they really don't need to.
Moving him to the highest bidder would no doubt bring some quality young talent, and could kick-start the team's rebuilding efforts, but with three years left on his contract there is still time to hold out for and potentially get that perfect return package.
At this point, the $70.5 million Hamels is owed over the next three years is more of a benefit to his trade value than a hindrance, as it represents a bargain of sorts in today's market.
At 5-5 with a 2.96 ERA and 103 strikeouts in an NL-high 94.1 innings, the 31-year-old has looked every bit the part of a bona fide ace so far this year.
- TRADE SP Aaron Harang
Despite going 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA (3.57 FIP) in 33 starts for the Atlanta Braves last season, Aaron Harang did not find much interest on the free-agent market, and he wound up settling for a one-year, $5 million deal from the Phillies.
That's been one of the best values of the offseason to this point, as the 37-year-old has gone 4-8 with a 3.24 ERA (3.93 FIP), 1.101 WHIP and 10 quality starts in 14 games.
That should be enough to bring at least a mid-level prospect or two from a team looking to fill out their rotation with a durable veteran arm.
- TRADE any other veterans of interest
Beyond Hamels and Harang, there is really no one on the Phillies roster that should be untouchable outside of Maikel Franco and Ken Giles.
Ryan Howard, Carlos Ruiz and Jonathan Papelbon all have contract hurdles to overcome if they are going to be moved, but also have some legitimate value.
Low-cost veterans like Jeff Francoeur, Jerome Williams and Andres Blanco won't bring much of a return, but they could be of interest to a contender as depth, and have no real use to the rebuilding Phillies.
The more veteran pieces they can unload, the more playing that opens up for the young talent they do have to audition down the stretch.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
- EXPLORE starting pitching options
The Pittsburgh Pirates currently rank first in the majors with a 2.83 starters' ERA, and with Charlie Morton back healthy and pitching incredibly well, joined by Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett, the team has an impressive foursome of arms.
However, the No. 5 starter spot is still something of a hole, as Jeff Locke (12 GS, 3-3, 4.90 ERA) has been subpar at best and Vance Worley (7 GS, 2-3, 4.38 ERA) was demoted to the bullpen when Morton returned.
They'll be in the market for more of a low-cost, back-of-the-rotation arm than a legitimate front-line starter, but adding an arm still makes sense.
- EXPLORE bullpen options
While the Pirates bullpen ranks third in the league with a 2.57 ERA, that comes with 12 losses and eight blown saves, so they could stand to add another arm to the mix.
Tony Watson and Mark Melancon are as good a one-two punch in the late innings as any in baseball, and no one has really struggled with the team only using nine total relievers all season, but you can never have enough quality relief arms.
- EXPLORE right-handed first base options
The first base platoon of Pedro Alvarez and Corey Hart looked to have some real potential on paper heading into the season.
While Alvarez has provided some decent power with a .758 OPS and 10 home runs, Hart has been a non-factor with a .182/.213/.273 line and two extra-base hits in 44 at-bats.
Sean Rodriguez has also seen time at first base as a result, but finding a right-handed bat with some pop to pair with Alvarez figures to be a secondary target for the Pirates this summer.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
- ADD a bullpen arm (if they're buyers)
The bullpen has been a strength for the San Diego Padres dating back to the Trevor Hoffman days, but that has not been the case this season as they rank 21st in the league with a 3.74 ERA.
Brandon Maurer has emerged as a lights-out option setting up Craig Kimbrel, and the team still has Joaquin Benoit to pitch in the late innings as well, but one more reliable arm seems like a must if they're going to make a run at a playoff spot.
- EXPLORE shortstop options (if they're buyers)
With a platoon of Alexi Amarista and Clint Barmes, the shortstop position has produced a .247/.312/.344 line for the Padres so far this season.
It remains to be seen what options if any will be available on the trade market to upgrade the position, but expect the Padres to kick the tires on whoever is out there if they decide to buy.
- SHOP Justin Upton (if they're sellers)
On the flip side, if the team slips any further back than they are right now at three games under .500, they could wind up selling at the deadline to offset some of the prospect talent they gave up in the offseason.
If that's the case, Justin Upton could be a huge trade chip in a market devoid of impact bats.
The free agent-to-be is hitting .281/.359/.479 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI, and he's also back to running at a perfect 13-for-13 on stolen base attempts.
The 27-year-old is headed for a huge payday in the offseason, and if the Padres don't intend on making a run at signing him long term, flipping him in July could bring some quality young talent.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
Even with the unexpected emergence of Chris Heston, there are still significant questions surrounding the San Francisco Giants starting rotation.
Tim Hudson (4-6, 4.65 ERA) and Ryan Vogelsong (4-5, 4.52 ERA) have been mediocre at best, and Tim Lincecum has a 5.61 ERA in his last five starts after opening the season with a 2.08 ERA over his first eight.
At some point, Matt Cain will return to the mix as he's currently on a rehab assignment, but it's also unclear at this point exactly what the team can expect out of him.
The Giants farm system is deep, but it's made up mostly of mid-level talent, so they may not have the pieces to pull off a blockbuster deal unless they're willing to part with Kyle Crick of Tyler Beede.
- EXPLORE outfield depth options
The Nori Aoki signing has been one of the best moves of the offseason, but the Giants could still find themselves in the market to add some outfield depth.
Hunter Pence has played just 18 games this season, sandwiched between a fractured forearm in spring training and wrist tendinitis that currently has him on the disabled list.
Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area reported on Tuesday that he won't be ready to return from the disabled list when he's eligible, and it's not inconceivable to think this is the kind of thing that could nag him all season.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
- EXPLORE outfield options (if they're buyers)
It's tempting to say the Seattle Mariners should be in the market to add a starting pitcher, but with Mike Montgomery providing a boost that may no longer be their most pressing need if they decide to buy at the deadline.
With Justin Ruggiano and Rickie Weeks both given the boot, and Dustin Ackley struggling once again, Seth Smith has ended up as the primary left fielder and Nelson Cruz is playing right field.
The team also still has James Jones in the mix, as well as recently acquired Mark Trumbo, who could conceivably platoon with Smith in left field if need be.
Any way you slice it, though, this team appears to be one bat short of contending at this point.
- TRADE SP J.A. Happ (if they're sellers)
There have certainly been issues in the rotation, but imagine where the Mariners would be without that offseason trade of Michael Saunders for J.A. Happ.
The left-hander has gone 3-3 with a 3.79 ERA (3.57 FIP) and 1.330 WHIP in 13 starts, filling the role that Chris Young occupied last season.
Happ is a free agent at the end of the season, so if the Mariners slip any further out of the playoff hunt, he could be an attractive trade chip for a team looking for a second-tier arm to round out their staff.
- SHOP CF Austin Jackson (if they're sellers)
Another free agent-to-be, Austin Jackson has really picked things up of late with a .352/.397/.556 line here in June.
The only reason he's not a clear trade candidate should the team fall out of contention is because he's a candidate to be re-signed by the Mariners long term.
There is no clear-cut replacement for him in the organization at this point, and given the fact that he's still only 28 years old an extension would make sense.
That being said, it's still worth gauging the market and seeing if anyone is willing to overpay.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
- EXPLORE first base options
Losing Matt Adams to a quad injury left the St. Louis Cardinals with a hole to fill at first base, but the answer so far was already on the roster in the form of Mark Reynolds.
Signed to a one-year, $2 million deal in the offseason to be a power bat off the bench, Reynolds has hit .274/.357/.403 in an everyday role since Adams went on the disabled list, so the team could simply stay the course with him as the primary guy.
At the same time, they could also look for a left-handed bat to pair with him in a platoon role of sorts, similar to what the Milwaukee Brewers did with Reynolds and Lyle Overbay last season.
- EXPLORE starting pitching depth
Not many teams could handle losing someone like Adam Wainwright, but so far the Cardinals have been able to overcome that blow to their rotation.
A healthy Jaime Garcia has been the key, as he's gone 2-3 with a 2.06 ERA in five starts since being activated from the disabled list.
His performance, coupled with the emergence of Michael Wacha and Carlos Martinez alongside veterans Lance Lynn and John Lackey, leaves the Cardinals with one of the best staffs in baseball even without Wainwright.
However, they are somewhat lacking in depth beyond their current five starters, and picking up a low-cost veteran as an insurance policy makes sense.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
- ADD a proven bat of some sort
The Tampa Bay Rays currently sit at 36-30 and in first place in the AL East, despite an offense that has seen the likes of Logan Forsythe and David DeJesus hit in the cleanup spot this year.
In fact, a minor league journeyman by the name of Joey Butler might just be the team's best hitter right now.
Add to that the fact that the team is currently without James Loney, John Jaso and Desmond Jennings, arguably their three most established hitters not named Evan Longoria, and it's a wonder they've managed to do as well as they have.
There is no clear-cut hole at this point, as the team continues to find production in unexpected places, but adding a bat of some sort to the mix could go a long way during the stretch run.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
- EXPLORE starting pitching options
Somehow, with names like Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Martin Perez all on the disabled list, the Texas Rangers have managed to cobble together one of the best starting rotations in baseball.
They currently rank third in the American League and sixth in all of baseball with a 3.73 starters' ERA, with a rotation of Colby Lewis, Nick Martinez, Yovani Gallardo, Wandy Rodriguez and Chi Chi Gonzalez.
The question is, how much do they trust that group to keep it up while they await the returns of Harrison and Perez, who are currently on rehab assignments?
There are a lot of moving parts here, and a lot to be decided between now and the deadline, but it's at worth exploring what options may be available to them.
- EXPLORE second base options
Since the early demotion of a struggling Rougned Odor to the minors, second base has been a revolving door for the Rangers.
Hanser Alberto, Adam Rosales and Tommy Field, along with Odor, have all started at least a dozen games at the position and the result has been a combined .209/.279/.316 with 13 extra-base hits and 22 RBI.
Odor is back in the majors, and he remains the long-term option at the position, but this is one area the team could look to upgrade with a short-term veteran addition.
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
- ADD a starting pitcher
When healthy, there is little doubt the Toronto Blue Jays have the best lineup in baseball this season, and they have been firing on all cylinders of late.
The team is averaging a staggering 6.64 runs per game in June, helping them to an 11-3 record so far this month, but the starting rotation remains shaky at best.
Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey have thrown the ball well this month, and Scott Copeland has looked solid in a pair of starts in place of the injured Aaron Sanchez, but the duo of Marco Estrada and Drew Hutchison has struggled.
At some point Daniel Norris figures to rejoin the big league roster, and Sanchez was pitching well prior to suffering a lat strain, but for a team with legitimate postseason aspirations another quality starter looks like a must.
- EXPLORE closer options
Brett Cecil and Miguel Castro have both spent time in the closer's role for the Blue Jays this season, but neither has been the type of lights-out arm a contender needs in the ninth inning.
Roberto Osuna, Steve Delabar and Liam Hendriks have all pitched well in middle relief roles, so the bullpen as a whole is not a huge concern, but the glaring need remains for a proven closer.
Whether it's making a run at a high-priced veteran like Jonathan Papelbon or Aroldis Chapman, or going to the secondary market for someone like Tyler Clippard or Brad Ziegler, late-inning relief could be a difference-maker for the Blue Jays.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
- ADD a right-handed setup man
Closer Drew Storen (19/20 SV, 2.16 ERA) has been terrific for the Washington Nationals this season, and the same goes for veteran left-hander Matt Thornton, but they are still searching for a reliable right-handed setup man.
The hope was that Casey Janssen could be that guy, but he battled shoulder issues during spring training and has pitched to a 4.00 ERA in 10 appearances since returning.
Aaron Barrett has the power stuff to dominate in the late innings, but he's been hit hard to the tune of a 5.06 ERA in 30 appearances.
David Carpenter was recently acquired from New York, and he thrived in the eighth-inning role for the Atlanta Braves a couple of seasons ago, but he had a 4.82 ERA in 22 games for the Yankees.
Perhaps a reunion with Tyler Clippard could be the answer?
All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.
