MLB Rumors: Players From Each Position Likely To Move in 2011
The 2010 MLB postseason has hit it's stride and players are being snatched up like sugar-free doughnuts at a weight watchers meeting.
Many teams look to be left in the dust, I'm looking at you New York teams, and have done little this post-season to improve their teams from a year ago.
They have missed the boat, as they say, and are more or less treading water at this point, signing bench guys and stretching for bullpen help, but gaining no greatly effective players in the process.
Not to worry, however, because that doesn't mean your team can't improve between now and 2011's All-Star break, there is still a trade market that is likely to stay hot all season long.
So, here is a player at each position that is likely to be dealt at some point during the season, and can help a team struggling to grab a wild card spot, or possibly put a team over the top and drive them deep into the playoffs.
All of this is dependent on a team's season projections (as I see them), so this could all be crap if a team starts hot and decides that buying is more important than selling this season.
Catcher, Ivan Rodriguez
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Old Pudge is entering a contract year at 39 years old, and has said that he wants to keep his mask on into his 40s.
He should be trying extra hard this season to convince the league's brass that he can still hang around for a few more seasons.
Rodriguez is still slightly above average offensively and defensively, and could be a huge upgrade if a team has a weakness with veteran leadership and their catcher spot.
Last season he played in 111 games and hit .266, but had some trouble throwing runners out.
First Base, Prince Fielder
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This is the most dependent on how the team is faring near the time the trade deadline comes around.
If they are not at least within striking distance of winning the NL Central, then I can see no way that the Brewers don't trade Prince Fielder.
They don't have the money to pay for what will be a huge contract next winter, and will lose him, getting no more than a few draft picks in return.
If they move him in late July, they can probably get a can't-miss prospect and maybe another borderline guy, with a couple of long shots thrown in.
Second Base, Mike Aviles
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Aviles may be the most underrated second baseman in all of baseball, in his three seasons in the majors, he has two seasons of over 400 at-bats, each time hitting over .300 in those seasons.
He is also a decent defender who is error prone but still adjusting to the major league game.
Unfortunately for the Royals, he is already 29, nearly 30. He will be eligible for arbitration in 2012 and full free agency in 2015.
Kansas City looks to be competitive with all of their young players possibly by 2013 or '14 if everything goes right, so he just doesn't quite fit in with their youth movement.
Another half of a season hitting .300 and teams will start to take notice, driving his price up and getting the Royals a few prospects in return.
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Shortstop, Alex Gonzalez
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Alex Gonzalez knows how to turn it on when he needs to.
Near the end of his career with Florida, he started hitting doubles and home runs, leading to a ridiculous contract with Cincinnati.
Now, he is hitting home runs again (23 last season) and still playing decent defense on Atlanta.
With the Braves in the throes of a youth movement, it goes without saying that they will probably try to shop him for some prospects that could have potential down the road.
Third Base, Wilson Betemit
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Another player the Royals would be wise to begin shopping around is Wilson Betemit.
He has been able to hit relatively well in the past, but is coming off a career year last season and is heading into arbitration eligibility at the end of next season.
His .297/.378/.511 last season is easily his best in the majors and they will be able to talk him up as a guy who can do this for five or six more years.
They could be able to get a couple of prospects in return for Betemit, further aiding their youth movement.
Left Fielder, Johnny Gomes
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If the Reds end up shooting for the division again, then Gomes is a guy they will keep, being a fan favorite and a semi-clutch hitter, otherwise, he'll be shopped.
He is coming off back-to-back good years with Cincinnati after being streaky in Tampa Bay, and his trade value is higher than ever.
They could likely get another young position player to go along with their young core of Drew Stubbs, Jay Bruce and Joey Votto if they ship Gomes to a contender.
Center Field, Carlos Beltran
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A trade for Carlos Beltran has already been discussed between New York and Boston, but that was prior to Boston signing Carl Crawford.
He won't end up on the Red Sox, but at some point before next seasons' trade deadline, he will be traded, this one is my stone cold, lead pipe lock.
Right Fielder, Xavier Nady
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Something about Xavier Nady makes teams think that they can rebuild him, that they can make him stronger.
If this is true with the Diamondbacks this season, then they would be wise to ship him out to the highest bidding contender, as he isn't going to be the piece to put them into the playoffs.
He could command a decent prospect and some cash, something that the Diamondbacks are always willing to take.
Pitcher, Felix Hernandez
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The Mariners have a historic offense. Historically bad that is. That leaves one of the best pitchers in the majors with no chance of getting into the playoffs.
He is signed through 2015, but I think the perfect storm of Yankee desire and Mariner desperation could be concocted to get Hernandez in pinstripes by August.
Seattle is looking for younger players to get rid of the awful team they are currently fielding, and the Yankees have the young guys to give up.
Also, if word gets around that New York is interested, it could get Boston riled up, leading to a bit of one-upsmanship between the two teams.
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