MLB Trade Speculation: 10 Players Who Will Make the Difference in October

With the 2011 MLB Trade Deadline rapidly approaching we are all trying to figure out who is going to be on the move. Each move has a team who is looking to improve for this season, and these trades could make the difference in the postseason.

Some trades in recent years have completely altered the course of the postseason. Cliff Lee helped the Phillies reach the World Series in 2009. Roy Oswalt helped them reach the NLCS in 2010.

There is always a team who makes a blockbuster trade and does well because of it. On the flip-side, there is always a team who makes a move that looks good but doesn't pan out.

The following 10 players could make the difference for teams in the postseason this year. Whether the move will get them to the postseason or help them win a world series, these players will have a profound impact on the baseball world.

Heath Bell

Heath Bell is the closer for the San Diego Padres. Bell has said that he would like to stay in San Diego, but the Padres will not be able to afford his contract.

The Padres will end up trading Bell, and he could make or break the 2011 postseason for a team.

Bell has a 2.43 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP this season. He has converted 26 saves in 27 opportunities, making him arguably the best closer this season. He is tied for the lead in saves, and he has blown fewer saves than his opponent Craig Kimbrel.

We have seen how important a team's bullpen is in the postseason, and he could solidify a team's relief corp. Some contenders like the New York Yankees are looking for relief, so Bell will be able to go to his new team and help them throughout the postseason.

Francisco Rodriguez

Francisco Rodriguez has been a great closer for years. K-Rod has had previous experience in the postseason, and he has been successful.

Rodriguez has not been his usual lights-out self this season, but he has still been pretty good. He is arguable the second best closer on the market with his 22 saves in 25 opportunities.

Rodriguez could strengthen a bullpen for the postseason, being either a closer or a set-up man. With teams like the Yankees and Phillies looking for bullpen depth, Rodriguez could play a vital role in a team's success.

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes has been arguably the biggest player on the market, and with the Mets appearing to be sellers, he should be on the move.

Reyes has done it all for the Mets this season, hitting .354 with 32 RBI and 30 stolen bases. Reyes is leading the team in every way, and where he is traded may decide who wins the World Series.

Just about every contender is looking into Reyes, and in the final year of his contract, he will most likely be dealt somewhere.

Hiroki Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda is a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he could help out a contender looking for a good starter.

Kuroda has done well, but he has not had support. He has an ERA of 3.06 and a WHIP of 1.22, but he is 6-10. He has not had the run support to win games with the Dodgers. A good sign of this is that he only surrendered one run to the Philadelphia Phillies on June 8, but he was given the loss because his offense was shutout.

Kuroda has received little to no run support in just about every start he has made, but he has pitched well enough to win six games.

If he is traded to a team with a decent offense, Kuroda could become a dominant pitcher who helps his team throughout the postseason.

Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero is a veteran outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles continue to fall further behind the rest of the teams in the AL East, and they will be sellers.

Guerrero has drawn some interest from around the league as a quick-fix for a team looking to make a run.

Guerrero has hit .282 with seven home runs and 30 RBI this season. He has not produced his usual numbers, but he is still Vlad the Impaler.

Vlad can help a team bolster a team's offense for this season. He can provide a seasoned bat that can still hit consistently, and that is invaluable in the postseason.

If a contender trades for Vlad they will get a solid bat, and that could potentially help them throughout the postseason.