MLB Trade Speculation: Top 13 Starting Pitchers on the Market at the Deadline

The 2011 MLB All-Star break is upon us.  That means in just two weeks, one of the most exciting parts of the season will take place: the trade deadline. 

July 31, at 4 p.m. is the deadline for teams to make non-waiver trades.

This season's trade speculation has been red hot.  Since the start of the season, we have seen names like Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners (pictured) mentioned in potential trades, only to see them remain with their current teams.

Still, the season is half over now.  We now have a better idea of which teams are headed to the playoffs and which teams will likely go home early come October.  Long story short, it's a lot easier to tell the odds of who might be traded.

In this particular case, let's take a look at 13 starting pitchers who could be on the move.

No. 13: Derek Holland, Texas Rangers

Despite pitching a 6-0 shutout against the Oakland Athletics in his last start, Derek Holland could be on the move.  He has had an average season, posting a 7-4 record.  However, his ERA is a higher-than-normal 4.68 and his WHIP is an atrocious 1.47.

Those stats can be attributed to multiple factors: the Rangers play in a hitters' park, and his arm could be tired from the organization's philosophy of no pitch count.

Yet, in looking at the standings, the Rangers are definitely a team that would trade prospects and a middle of the rotation arm for a top arm or bat.  They are only one game ahead of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and that team isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Keep an eye on Holland once July 31 draws closer.

No. 12: Jake Westbrook, St. Louis Cardinals

In re-signing with the Cardinals, Jake Westbrook was expected to be a middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.  Then, when Adam Wainwright went down with torn elbow ligaments in spring training, he was thrust into the No. 2 spot.  Needless to say, he hasn't done so well there.

In 2011, Westbrook has gone 7-4 with a horrific 5.34 ERA and an even worse 1.61 WHIP.  Considering how the Cardinals are currently in a fight to the death with the Milwaukee Brewers over top position in the NL Central, Westbrook could be moved for either an arm or a bat that could help the team stay in first place for good.

His stats will be a hard selling point, but Westbrook has shown before that he can pitch effectively and be a good No. 3 or No. 4 starter.  Some teams out there will surely be interested.

No. 11: Barry Zito, San Francisco Giants

Ever since becoming a San Francisco Giant, Barry Zito has underachieved.  He has not been the ace he was with the Oakland Athletics, and injuries have slowed him down.  That's pretty sad considering how he is currently in the fifth year of a seven-year contract worth $126 million.

Still, that isn't to say that Zito hasn't looked solid this year.  After starting the season sluggishly, he spent two-and-a-half months on the disabled list. 

Since his return, he has gone 3-0.  On the season, he is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.

However, Zito might become expendable once Jonathan Sanchez comes back.  The Giants are looking to get back to the World Series, and if Zito can be moved for a more effective player, Giants GM Brian Sabean will pull the trigger.

More importantly, that bloated contract will be off the books.

No. 10: Livan Hernandez, Washington Nationals

If I may borrow a quip from Forrest Gump, Livan Hernadez is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're going to get. 

The problem is that more often than not, Hernandez turns out to be the coconut bonbon that everyone leaves until the very end because it's that disgusting.

This season, Hernandez is 5-8 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.37 WHIP.  He has basically stepped into the ace role once again what with Stephen Strasburg being out for the season with Tommy John surgery.  Sadly, Hernandez just isn't an ace.

Look at it this way.  The Nationals are just a few seasons away from becoming contenders and have a good young core of players to help them reach the postseason.  Given that Hernandez is 36 years old and an average player at best, GM Mike Rizzo could move him.

No. 9: Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins

If I could give Francisco Liriano a nickname this season, it would be "Mr. Inconsistent."  Seriously, he has been the definition of that all year long.

After looking great last season, Liriano has dropped off in 2011.  He has done badly, then well, badly, then threw a no-hitter, then badly again.  He is a talented pitcher, but his 5-7 record and 5.06 ERA in 2011 suggest otherwise.

Still, the fact remains that Liriano can pitch and some teams would give an arm and a leg to have him. 

With the Twins currently in second-to-last place in the AL Central and 6.5 games out of first place, don't be surprised if team management decides to move him for the right price.

No. 8: John Danks, Chicago White Sox

After being a solid contributor for four seasons, this year has been an unusual one for John Danks.  From 2007-2010, he went 46-44 with a 3.96 ERA and semi-inflated 1.29 WHIP.  His 2011 has been an oddity.

Danks is currently 3-8 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.  Those numbers can be attributed to the White Sox underachieving on offense (again), but it just seems odd that Danks didn't even get his first win until June 6.

Unless the Sox go on a miracle winning streak after the All-Star break, don't be surprised if team GM Kenny Williams decides to trade Danks for a more consistent pitcher.

No. 7: Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs

Ryan Dempster is currently in the third year of a four-year contract that will pay him a total of $52 million.  He has been average over the span thus far, going 32-27 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

This season, the Cubs have underachieved and so has Dempster.  He is currently 6-6 with a 5.01 ERA and horrible 1.44 WHIP.  While some may think that teammate Carlos Zambrano is the bigger trade chip, his attitude will turn teams off and thus Dempster is the more desirable target.

This man can pitch.  He just really needs to get out of Chicago.  Hopefully by July 31, that will come true.

No. 6: Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Orioles

This is a particular case, so I'll keep it short.  The Orioles got off to a hot start in April but have since been exposed as a young and inexperienced team with not much to offer. 

Currently, the team is 18 games out of first place in the tough AL East.

That can only mean one thing come July 31: fire sale!!!

OK, maybe not that, but you know what I mean.

The pitcher most likely to be traded from Baltimore is easily Jeremy Guthrie.  He has been an underachiever ever since coming to the Orioles and this year is no exception.  Currently, he is 3-12 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.

Given the young arms the team has coming up through the system, Guthrie could be traded to give one of them a shot.

No. 5: Derek Lowe, Atlanta Braves

Derek Lowe is 38 years old, and his performance this year shows it.  He is 5-7 with a 4.30 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. 

On top of that, he is due $15 million both this season and next season.  Given how Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens have established themselves as the aces of the staff and Lowe is a second banana man in the middle of the rotation, he is a trade chip.

Despite his age, Lowe has shown that he can still keep up with hitters.  He doesn't have overpowering stuff and relies a lot on sinkers and off-speed pitches to get him through games. 

That being said, some team will surely give him a chance on the condition that the Braves front most of his remaining salary.

No. 4: Brett Myers, Houston Astros

The Houston Astros have baseball's worst record at 30-62.  The team is very young with no real veteran leadership and has just looked lost all season.  That being said, with a new owner in charge, a fire sale is imminent.

The first pitcher to go in this sale will be Brett Myers, the veteran leader of the pitching staff.  This season, Myers has looked like anything but a leader.  Poor run support has led him to a 3-9 record and 4.88 ERA.

Still, despite his bad numbers, Myers has proven to be a great presence in the clubhouse over the course of his career.  Young players look up to him and he helps them with the transition.

Thus, he will surely prove valuable to a team in need of pitching.

No. 3: Hiroki Kuroda, Los Angeles Dodgers

Hiroki Kuroda is a good pitcher whose stats have suffered due to an anemic offense.  This season, he is 6-10 with a 1.22 WHIP, but his ERA is an astounding 3.06.  Given how the Dodgers are 11 games out of first place in the NL West, Kuroda could easily be traded and here's why.

First, he is 36 years old.  The team has a myriad number of young arms coming up through the system, so Kuroda is a prime candidate to be moved.

Also, let's not forget that the Dodgers are basically broke right now.  Frank McCourt has led the team into bankruptcy and the Office of the Commissioner is probably going to lead them out.

Given how Kuroda makes $12 million this year and is a free agent come the offseason, look for him to be moved.

No. 2: Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

2011 has been a season to forget for Chris Carpenter.  The former Cy Young Award winner has gone 4-7 with a 3.85 ERA and 1.33 WHIP.  This could be attributed to him slowing down at age 36 or the absence of Adam Wainwright, but either way it's unacceptable.

As I said before, the Cardinals are in a dogfight with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central.  They are currently tied and if the Cardinals want to win, changes need to be made.

Given how Carpenter's contract expires at the end of the year, he is a prime candidate to be traded to another team along with his less-than-average stats (at least by his standards).

No. 1: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

The hottest name among all MLB trade rumors for the past couple of seasons has been Felix Hernandez.  The Seattle Mariners Ace is fresh off winning his first Cy Young Award and has still looked dominant this year, despite his team's horrible offense. 

The 25-year-old has gone 8-7 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.15 WHIP, not to mention 140 strikeouts in 144 innings.

That all being said, it's no surprise that multiple teams are hungry to have the man known as "King Felix" in their rotation.  At this point, it seems realistic that Hernandez could be traded.

The Mariners are currently third in the AL West at 43-48, overall a great improvement over last season.  Still, they are on a five-game losing streak and in reality do not have what it takes to challenge the Angels nor the Rangers for top spot in the division.

On top of that, Hernandez last season signed a five-year extension worth approximately $108 million.  Any team that trades for him will have to cover that without any help from the Mariners.  On top of that, GM Jack Zduriencik will surely ask for a boatload of top prospects.

Keep an eye on Hernandez as July 31 draws nearer, as the Seattle front office's phones will be lighting up with trade offers for the ace.