MLB Trade Rumors: Five Florida Marlins Who Could Be Dealt

Fredi Gonzalez is gone, but the Florida Marlins keep losing ground.

As the Atlanta Braves slowly walk away with the National League East, the Fish remain 10 games out of first, and four games below .500.

With the Midsummer Classic in a few days, Larry Beinfest and Co. must decide whether to become a buyer or seller.

Can the team pull off a win streak and stay in the race?

At this point in time, it appears to be the latter.

Word within the organization expresses the sentiment that everyone but Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson is on the market to be traded.

Ramirez, who will be the NL's starting shortstop in the All-Star game for the third straight year, feels like his sub-par season could be at fault.

"Cody [Ross], he's blaming it on me if he gets traded, because we're not winning," he said. "I need to go to Home Depot and buy a rake."

Dan Uggla

Age: 30
Position: Second base
Years in Majors: Five

Batting Average: .285
Home Runs: 16
RBI: 51

Before this season started, the Florida Marlins and Dan Uggla avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $7.8 million.

Since being snubbed from the Midsummer Classic, the two-time All Star has been on a tear.

On Friday night, he drove in two runs in a 3-2 victory. Last Sunday against All-Star Tim Hudson, Uggla hit a solo shot and produced a two-run single in a 3-2 win over Atlanta.

Uggla has the most homers by a second baseman since 2006.

But Chris Coghlan, a natural infielder playing the outfield, comes at a cheaper price. Uggla has another year of arbitration left.

Logan Morrison, who lost the starting first-base job to Gaby Sanchez out of spring training, has been practicing in left field for Triple-A New Orleans.

Sanchez's success during his rookie campaign has given the Marlins more options.

Could it be so long for Uggla's Uglies?

Cody Ross

Age: 29
Position: Outfield
Years in Majors: Seven

Batting Average: .288
Home Runs: Seven
RBI: 46

The streakiest of hitters, Cody Ross won his arbitration hearing with the Florida Marlins this winter, earning himself $4.45 million.

Although he's not a free agent until after the 2011 season, the fan favorite could be on the move with a crowded outfield. Plus, his salary keeps pushing the low-budget Marlins' limit.

Cameron Maybin, who is still trying to prove that something good will come of the Miguel Cabrera deal, needs to turn things around in the minors.

For two straight seasons he has struggled to remain with the big-league roster.

Ross is a very good outfielder, who can play all three positions. He does not have stellar catch-up speed. Instead, he relies on his baseball instincts to track down fly balls in spacious Sun Life Stadium.

Jorge Cantu

Age: 28
Position: Infield, primarily first and third
Years in Majors: Seven

Batting Average: .260
Home Runs: 10
RBI: 50

Of any Marlin on the 40-man roster, Jorge Cantu is the most likely to be dealt.

He is eligible for free agency after the season. Though Florida loves the veteran infielder, who has played both first and third for the Fish, they would be unable to afford a multi-year deal if his salary reaches more than $10 million.

A steady-run producer in the cleanup spot behind Hanley Ramirez, Cantu opened up this season leading the National League in RBIs.

His defense can get troublesome at times. Late in games, Wes Helms takes over third and Cantu replaces Gaby Sanchez at first.

Marlins fans will miss saying "Cantu can too" after his many clutch hits if he is traded.

Ricky Nolasco

Age: 27
Position: Starting pitcher (RHP)
Years in Majors: Five

Record: 9-6 (1 CG)
ERA: 4.55
Strikeouts/Walks: 94/22

Ricky Nolasco eats up innings. His strikeout-to-walk ratio used to be one of the best in baseball.

He is also the Florida Marlins' second man in the starting rotation behind ace Josh Johnson.

With one year remaining in arbitration, the Fish would be willing to trade Nolasco away if the price is right. Though his numbers aren't the best this season, he has won four in a row.

Since Cliff Lee went to the Texas Rangers, the list of quality starting pitchers for playoff contenders continues to grow slim.

Following his victory Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Nolasco had this to say about the trade rumors:

"We have a really good clubhouse here. I feel the same way as a lot of other guys. We don't want to get broken up," he said. "Obviously, I don't want to either. I've liked the organization since I've been here. This team can win ballgames if we stay together."

Nate Robertson

Age: 32
Position: Starting Pitcher (LHP)
Years in Majors: Nine

Record: 6-6
ERA: 4.94
Strikeouts/Walks: 54/35

The Florida Marlins acquired Nate Robertson late in spring training from Detroit to fill the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

Robertson has been inconsistent this season. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is not impressive, and his longest outing of the year lasted 6.1 innings.

Coming into Saturday night's game, Robertson had allowed 12 runs over his last three starts.

If the Fish continue to fall out of the playoff race, a team looking for an arm in the back of the rotation could ask for the veteran lefty.

In the playoffs, however, Robertson would more than likely come out of the bullpen in long relief or during lefty-lefty match ups like Mark Redman did for the Marlins in 2003.

Robertson offers veteran experience and knowledge to younger pitchers, something he has done in Florida.