MLB Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the Top Five Relievers on the Market

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With each passing year, the importance of having a strong bullpen has grown and grown, as borne out by the exorbitant sums afforded to relief pitchers over the most recent few offseasons.

That trend will undoubtedly continue in the two weeks leading up to the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, with contending teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees chasing after guys who pitch one or two innings per appearance, at most.

The Milwaukee Brewers made the first big move by acquiring Francisco Rodriguez from the New York Mets, but who else figures to be dealt before August rolls around?

5. Randy Choate, Florida Marlins

Every team could use a left-handed specialist, and Randy Choate is arguably the best in the business these days. The Florida Marlins figure to fetch a quality prospect or two for Choate, whose numbers thus far (0.93 ERA, 25 strikeouts in 19.1 innings) should make him a hot commodity amongst contenders likely to face some dangerous left-handed sluggers on the way to the World Series.

4. Kerry Wood, Chicago Cubs

Kerry Wood loves Chicago and has a no-trade clause in his current contract, but the Cubs shouldn't have much trouble convincing him to waive it when World Series hopefuls come calling, especially since he could always return to the Friendly Confines as a free agent in the winter. In the meantime, the Cubs could parlay wood into a young player or two to add to their emerging core of up-and-coming stars.

3. Mike Adams, San Diego Padres

As likely as it is that the Padres will part with Heath Bell at some point, they don't figure to allow the big bad teams with lots of money to fleece them for Mike Adams. Solid numbers (1.29 ERA, 41-to-7 K-to-BB ratio, 0.71 WHIP in 42 innings) and an affordable salary make Adams a high-value target whom San Diego will move only if they can get an elite prospect in return.

2. Leo Nunez, Florida Marlins

The Marlins might choose to keep Leo Nunez around to make sure their pitching staff is well in order when they move into a new stadium next year and shed "Florida" for "Miami." Then again, team owner Jeffrey Loria is notoriously cheap and might push to have Nunez (3.43 ERA, 25 saves) moved in exchange for even more young players that could ostensibly fail to pan out.

1. Heath Bell, San Diego Padres

Most people in baseball expected Heath Bell to be traded last year, that is, until the San Diego Padres shocked the world and nearly won the NL West. Now that the Dads are clearly on the cusp of a full-scale rebuilding project, GM Jed Hoyer will have to get as much as he can for his lone All-Star, who would has made clear his willingness to move into a set-up role with a contender.

—Josh Martin

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