MLB Trade Speculation: 30 Rumors You Can Expect to Hear Before the Deadline

The trade deadline is now less than a month away, and that means rumor after rumor will be presented to the baseball world over the next three weeks leading up to the July 31st endgame.

Inevitably, there will be a handful of rumors that just refuse to die and are brought up repeatedly all over SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight.

So here are 30 moves that could be talked to death over the next several weeks but also have a legitimate possibility of happening. Some players have been included more than once as they could be rumored to land in more than one place.

Carlos Quentin to the Atlanta Braves

It has been no secret that the Braves outfield is, by far, the team's biggest weakness, as center fielder Nate McLouth (.232 BA, 12 RBI) and right fielder Jason Heyward (.225 BA, 20 RBI) have both struggled mightily, while left fielder Martin Prado has missed time with a staph infection.

The team has an abundance of young pitching, with the most likely prospects to be moved being Randall Delgado or Brandon Beachy.

The White Sox have reportedly been scouting the Braves of late, with Beachy in particular being named as a player of interest, and the most logical piece moving out of Chicago would be outfielder Carlos Quentin, who would be one of the most coveted players on the market if he is officially made available.

Josh Willingham to the Atlanta Braves

Should Quentin not be made available, there are other options that could represent a significant improvement over the Braves' current outfield situation.

Willingham is one such option, as he has been the best player that no one is talking about this season, lost in the abysmal offense that is Oakland.

On the season, he has hit 10 home runs and driven in 42 runs, despite a subpar .231 batting average. However, when you look closer at the stats, he is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position, a significant stat to say the least. If Oakland decides to become sellers, he could be this year's Cody Ross on a contender.

Ryan Ludwick to the Braves

Ludwick, who was acquired by the Padres on July 31st last season during their playoff push, could be moved at the deadline for the second straight season as he is set to hit free agency at season's end and the Padres look to be sellers.

Much like Willingham, he represents a bright spot on an otherwise pathetic offense, as he leads the Padres with 10 home runs and 52 RBI (10th in NL), both of which are at least twice as many as the second-closest player on the team.

He could come at a cheaper price than Quentin or Willingham, and he has playoff experience to boot. This may be the most likely destination for Ludwick to land.

Hiroki Kuroda to the Boston Red Sox

The Yankees and Red Sox are both in the market for at least one starting pitcher and perhaps a couple each, and that could mean a bidding war of sorts when it comes to the best available arms.

However, one second-tier pitcher that could come cheaper is Hiroki Kuroda as the Dodgers would no doubt be thrilled to move what is left of the $12 million he is making this season to help with their many financial issues.

Despite a 6-9 record, he is currently posting a career-best 2.90 ERA in this his fourth season in the United States. He is a free agent at season's end, which works perfectly for the Red Sox who need more of a stop gap option in their rotation than anything else.

Mark Buehrle to the Boston Red Sox

Sticking with the idea that the Red Sox will most likely pursue a starting pitcher with an expiring contract, long-time White Sox starter Mark Buehrle could be another option for the 2011 pennant push.

The 32-year-old Buehrle is having a fine season, despite the White Sox disappointing struggles, as he has posted a 6-5 record with a 3.66 ERA. The question remains, however, if the White Sox would move the pitcher who has been with the team for 12 seasons.

If they do, he would seemingly be a perfect fit in Boston, as he would not only bolster their depleted rotation but would get to pitch for his next contract on one of the biggest stages in baseball.

Carlos Beltran to the Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox need starting pitching, as they have been struck with a wave of injuries and ineffectiveness, but they also have gaping hole in right field where J.D. Drew has been miserable this season.

They will no doubt target someone who can provide some pop and has some postseason experience, and Beltran fits the bill on both fronts there.

He was a midseason pickup back in 2004 by the Astros when he helped them make it to the NLCS by hitting eight home runs in the playoffs. The Mets seem more than willing to move Beltran, and a deal with the Red Sox seems to make sense.

Jeff Francoeur to the Boston Red Sox

If the team does acquire a big-name starter at the deadline, chances are they will not go after Beltran and his bloated salary. That could mean looking for a second-tier guy who can hit some home runs and maybe serve as a platoon player with Drew.

Jeff Francoeur fits that mold, as he does very well against left-handed pitching with a .301 career average against south paws compared to .255 against right handers.

That said, he is also having a solid overall season with a line of .265 BA, 12 HR, 53 RBI, 14 SB and could serve as an everyday player on a contender like the Red Sox as well if called upon.

Randy Choate to the Boston Red Sox

Considering they have a 50-35 record on the season, the Red Sox sure have problems, as their bullpen may be their most pressing need.

The team will have to pick up a left-handed reliever at the deadline, as they simply do not have anyone in the bullpen after Rich Hill went down with an injury. They could call up Hideki Okajima, but he was unimpressive at best in seven appearances earlier this season.

Choate is your stereotypical lefty specialist, as he has made 38 appearances for the Marlins this season while pitching just 16 innings. However, he has a 1.13 ERA and left-handed batters are hitting just .111 (5-for-45) against him on the season.

J.J. Hardy to the Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have seemed content with their duo of Paul Janish and Edgar Renteria at shortstop so far this season, and understandably so, as there are really no better options on the trade market unless the team goes after Jose Reyes which seems unlikely.

However, if the Orioles decide to make J.J. Hardy available, the Reds would no doubt inquire as he has had past success in the NL Central with the Brewers and is a significant offensive upgrade over Janish and Renteria while not giving up a ton defensively.

The Orioles are still trying to work out an extension with Hardy, but if the two sides cannot reach an agreement, he represents the teams most intriguing trade piece not named Jeremy Guthrie.

Josh Willingham to the Cleveland Indians

The Indians have made it abundantly clear that they will not part with any of their top-tier young talent to make a deadline move, and rightfully so, as they are building something that could compete for years to come.

However, with Shin-Soo Choo on the shelf, and the ever questionable health of Grady Sizemore, the team would benefit from adding an outfielder.

Willingham has an expiring contract and should come at a lower price than some of the other names available, so he may be the perfect quick fix for an Indians team that is heading in the right direction.

Ryan Ludwick to the Cleveland Indians

Willingham is a good option for the Indians, and Ryan Ludwick fits the same mold as someone who should come relatively cheap as far as prospects are concerned and has an expiring contract so he is little more than a band-aid.

In fact, considering the Athletics are not officially sellers at this point, Ludwick could be the more likely option, and seeing as he was a member of the Indians from 2003-2005, he has a history with the organization as well.

One thing is for sure, Austin Kearns is not the answer for a team looking to contend, and the Indians will no doubt look to acquire someone to hold down the fort until Shin-Soo Choo returns.

Michael Cuddyer to the Detroit Tigers

While the Indians will be targeting an outfielder that will cost little to acquire, the Tigers would seemingly be more willing to make a move to acquire an impact outfielder.

Ryan Raburn (.205 BA) and Andy Dirks (.242 BA) are simply not the answer in left field, and their team could look to Twins All-Star Michael Cuddyer to fill that void.

The biggest issue with this is the fact that the Twins will not be quick to trade within their own division. However, if the Tigers are willing to give up a couple decent prospects for Cuddyer, his offensive skills (.291 BA, 12 HR, 37 RBI) as well as his defensive versatility (he can also play second base) would be huge down the stretch.

Jeff Baker to the Detroit Tigers

While Cuddyer will cost a pretty penny to acquire, someone like Jeff Baker would come at a much lower price while providing many of the same things that Cuddyer would.

Baker has lost at bats to Cubs rookie Darwin Barney at second base and currently serves at the team's utility infielder as he has started as first, second and third base this season as well as playing some corner outfield.

He has hit well when in the lineup, with a .313 average over 128 at bats, and that combination of offense and versatility make him the most likely Cubs player to be on the move at the deadline or sooner.

Carlos Pena to the Los Angeles Angels

For the second straight season, the Angels are left without their slugging first baseman Kendry Morales at first base and in the middle of their lineup.

Rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo (13 HR, 36 RBI) has been solid in his absence, but the team could stand to add some offense in general, as outfielders Torii Hunter (.237 BA) and Vernon Wells (.215 BA) have been dismal at best.

Pena is a name that has been thrown around a few times, and if the Angels picked him up, that would likely slide Trumbo to the DH role, with Bobby Abreu then stealing starts from Hunter and Wells in the outfield in what would mark an offensive boost across the board.

Keep in mind, however, that the team already has a bloated payroll at nearly $142 million, and they could look to hold pat in a relatively weak AL West and ride with the hitters they have.

Heath Bell to the Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are all in on the 2011 season, as it seems highly likely that this will be Prince Fielder's final season with the team, and therefore, their best chance to make a legitimate postseason run.

With a solid offense led by Fielder and Ryan Braun, and a rotation that was the focus of the offseason when the team added Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, it seems as though the bullpen will be an area of focus at the deadline.

John Axford has been solid as the team's closer, and LaTroy Hawkins has been phenomenal with an 0.82 ERA over 22 innings, but beyond that, the bullpen has been an area of concern, and while the Brewers farm system is thin, they are certainly in the running for the All-Star closer. 

Jason Frasor to the Milwaukee Brewers

Bell will cost a ton, and the Brewers' farm system is already depleted after dealing for Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum in the offseason.

That, as well as the fact that John Axford has done a fine job in the closer's role with 21 saves and a 2.82 ERA, could mean that the Brewers will look instead for a cheaper setup reliever.

There are a handful of options on the market, but Frasor is probably the most talented of the bunch, and he would be a huge addition to a bullpen that has relied heavily on two or three dependable arms all season.

Wandy Rodriguez to the New York Yankees

The Astros, much like the Mets, have been viewed as one of the biggest potential sellers seemingly since the season began, and they have a number of intriguing pieces that could help a contender.

While the Yankees were linked to Astros starter Brett Myers (3-8, 4.67 ERA) quite a bit early on in the season, the team could instead turn their attention to Rodriguez (6-5, 3.25 ERA), who is not only having a better season but also has the added advantage of being a left-hander.

Rodriguez is signed through 2013, with a team option for 2014, and is set to make $36 million over the next three seasons if his option is picked up, so the Yankees may be the only real candidate to acquire Rodriguez. If he is not moved, he will serve as the Astros ace as they continue to rebuild.

Brett Myers to the New York Yankees

It may be Rodriguez that is more frequently linked to the Yankees now, but that does not mean Brett Myers is no longer on the Yankees radar as well.

After the phenomenal season he had last year (14-8, 3.14 ERA) and with a decent amount of postseason experience under his belt, Myers still has a good amount of trade value.

Maybe the Yankees will pull off a two-for and pick up Rodriguez and Myers in the same blockbuster deal. Just a thought Astros.

Francisco Liriano to the New York Yankees

After turning heads as a 22-year-old back in 2006 when he went 12-3 and made the AL All-Star team as a rookie, Liriano quickly drifted out of the spotlight when he under went Tommy John Surgery and missed all of the 2007 season.

After a pair of forgettable years following the surgery, he came back strong last season with a 14-10, 3.62 ERA, 201 Ks season that earned him some Cy Young consideration.

This season, he has been average at best with a 4.76 ERA, but the Yankees would still love to get their hands on the 27-year-old left-hander. The Twins, however, may choose to hold onto him, as he is under team control until 2013, and deal him when his value is a higher.

Ryan Dempster/Carlos Zambrano to the New York Yankees

The Cubs are a high-profile team, regardless of whether they are in contention or not, and because of that, they seem to be far more frequently involved in trade rumors.

The Yankees are in need of starting pitching, and they have been linked to both Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster of the Cubs so far this season, and considering the money that both players are making and the level at which they are performing, it seems unlikely either will be moved anywhere.

However, if there is one team that would be willing to pull the trigger on such a deal, it would be the Yankees. If nothing else, this will be a rumor that gets brought up at least a few times.

Andy Pettitte to the New York Yankees

While the free-agent market is chock full of impressive starting pitching this season, there is no doubt that, at some point, the Andy Pettitte return from retirement question will be raised.

He has said that he will not return, after many speculated that he would make a midseason return to the Yankees for a pro-rated contract.

So while it remains unlikely that Pettitte will join the Yankees at midseason, there is roughly a 100 percent chance that it will be brought up by someone.

Carlos Pena to the Oakland Athletics

The Athletics are sitting at 11 games under .500, but they are just eight games out of first place in a wide open AL West, and they have their pitching staff almost solely to thank for that.

They are hitting just .236 as a team with an American League low 46 home runs, and for a team that has seen its offense struggle across the field, first base may be the biggest hole in the lineup.

With Daric Barton coming off a solid season in which he posted a .393 on-base percentage and an American League best 110 walks, he seemed to be one of the few bright spots in the lineup for 2011, but he hit just .212 before being demoted. Pena could give the team a much-needed power bat and shore up their first base situation.

Matt Capps to the Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have gone through a number of injuries to the back end of their bullpen so far this season, and Brad Lidge, Jose Contreras and Ryan Madson are all currently on the disabled list.

With Raul Ibanez at least driving in runs, and Ben Francisco producing enough in right field, the team will likely turn to their bullpen with the little bit of salary flexibility they currently have.

Capps has pitched in both as a closer and a setup role in the past couple seasons, and he would no doubt be cheaper to acquire than someone like Heath Bell. However, after dealing Wilson Ramos for him last season, the Twins could look to get a similar return.

Chad Qualls to the Philadelphia Phillies

Staying in the second-tier market, a Padres reliever not named Heath Bell could be the answer to the Phillies bullpen problems, as Chad Qualls will no doubt be made available as well.

Qualls has a 2.79 ERA over 42 innings of work this season, as he has bounced back well after posting a horrible 7.32 ERA last season in 59 innings with the Diamondbacks and Rays.

He has always been better as a setup man throughout his career, but he does have some closing experience with 51 career saves. Regardless of his role, he would be a solid addition to the Phillies 'pen.

Carlos Pena to the Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cubs and Cardinals have always had a good relationship when it comes to the deadline, as the Cubs have taken advantage of the low-budget Pirates time and again to help bolster their lineup with the likes of Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, Randall Simon, Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow for little to nothing.

However, this time, it is the Pirates that are in a position to make a playoff push and the Cubs playing the role of seller.

The Pirates pitching has been a shocker to say the least, and they will no doubt look to bolster their offense in an effort to give their surprise staff all the help they can get. The team is sorely lacking in the power department, and incumbent first baseman Lyle Overbay (.234 BA, 6 HR) is one of the major culprits.

Pena is among the Cubs most intriguing trade pieces, and he would fill a big need for the surprise contending Pirates.

Ramon Hernandez to the San Francisco Giants

After losing last year's NL Rookie of the Year Buster Posey, the Giants have been using Eli Whiteside (.212 BA) and Chris Stewart (.192 BA), and there is little question that there is room for improvement there.

The team is obviously being carried by their pitching, as they had just enough offense to get by last season when they made their run to the World Series, and losing Posey was a dagger.

The Reds have an overabundance of catching, with Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hannigan on the big league club and Devin Mesoraco and Yasmani Grandal waiting in the minors as two of the team's top prospects. Hernandez is the most likely to be dealt, and he would serve as an offensive upgrade and a veteran leader for the Giants if they can acquire him.

Heath Bell to the St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals were saddled with the unexpected issue of replacing their closer when Ryan Franklin proved incapable of getting anyone out to open the season, and that was after they lost their setup man Kyle McClellan to the rotation when he slid in to take the injured Adam Wainwright's place.

Youngsters Fernando Salas and (15 saves, 2.54 ERA) and Eduardo Sanchez (5 Saves, 1.88 ERA) have done an admirable job filling out the back of the bullpen, but the team will no doubt look to add a veteran arm for their playoff run.

Jason Bartlett to the St. Louis Cardinals

When the Rays made shortstop Jason Bartlett available this past offseason, many believed St. Louis was the most logical destination for him, but instead, he wound up in San Diego, and the Cardinals opened the season with Ryan Theriot manning the shortstop position.

However, with the Padres well out of contention, and the Cardinals getting little production out of second baseman Skip Schumaker (.255 BA, 19 RBI), they could look once again at Bartlett as an option, sliding Theriot over to second base in the process.

This could be the makings of the blockbuster deal of this deadline, if the Cardinals decide to make a push for Heath Bell, and look to acquire Bartlett in the process. Certainly something to watch for.

Jeremy Guthrie to the Texas Rangers

While it will be hard to top last season's acquisition of Cliff Lee, the Rangers once again find themselves in the market for a starting pitcher as the deadline rolls around, and there are a number of options out there.

With a young starting staff, picking up a veteran like Guthrie would be a smart move, and while the Orioles have been reluctant to put him on the block, he is by no means untouchable.

He should come cheaper than some of the front line guys on the market, and after years of pitching in Baltimore, he could be highly motivated by a pennant race.

Erik Bedard to the Texas Rangers

Another veteran arm who could make a difference for the Rangers, should Guthrie not be made available, would be the Mariners Erik Bedard who is enjoying a career renaissance this season.

After missing all of the 2010 season while rehabbing from a shoulder injury, he has been stellar so far this season with a 3.00 ERA and 85 strikeouts over 15 starts.

He is currently on the DL with a knee injury, but it should not be anything that prevents him from pitching well when he returns, and at just $1 million this season, there may be no better bargain on the market.