MLB Trades: Top 10 Infielders on the Market at the Deadline

Now that the Midsummer Classic is a thing of the past, teams that are (or hope to be) contenders will be analyzing the open market for the best possible tools available to help their team's chances.

With such a large number of teams still in contention at this point, it truly is a seller's market as a number of teams will likely be competing for top talent.

Some of the most common acquisitions around the deadline are pitchers and sluggers. At the same time, a solid glove can help save just as many runs as a good bat may drive in. That's why a number of infielders may be targeted by teams with holes to fill.

Here are a few infielders that could potentially be donning a different uniform when August rolls around.

James Loney

James Loney's numbers aren't quite what they were when he first entered the league and turned heads batting .331 in his second major league season.

He is still, however, a consistent enough target to warrant a look from a team in need of a first baseman.

Loney is currently batting just .268, but with a career average of .285, it wouldn't be surprising to see him rebound in the right environment.

Omar Infante

Another player having a down year compared to previous campaigns, Omar Infante's presence could provide a spark for some teams out there.

Batting just .251 this season, Infante's play has significantly declined considering that he hadn't finished a season with an average below .290 since 2007.

A 2010 All-Star, Infante's .991 fielding percentage would add a second element to the offensive potential that he brings to the lineup when he's hitting on all cylinders.

Carlos Pena

Despite owning just a .225 average, Carlos Pena's batting has actually improved from a 2010 season in which he batted south of .200.

His power numbers haven't been what the Cubs expected when they brought him into the Windy City from Tampa Bay, but after going deep 39 times in 2009, a team may just take a chance on Pena and his inflated salary if they think he may have the bat they're looking for.

Jason Bartlett

With the San Diego Padres in selling mode, it's likely that a few pieces of their current roster won't be there once the fall rolls around.

It's a virtual certainty that Heath Bell will end up in another uniform by season's end, but Jason Bartlett may be another target of contending teams.

Bartlett is in the first year of a two-year $11 million deal and despite batting nearly 40 points lower than his career average in 2011, he can provide both offensive and defensive help if he plays up to his potential.

David Wright

Making the first wave in the post All-Star trade game, the New York Mets freed themselves of K-Rod's salary and massive 2012 option by sending him to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for prospects.

It's clear that the Mets are ridding themselves of as much payroll as is possibly feasible in an effort to bolster future efforts.

Another move that could be made if the right offer came across the table would be shipping David Wright and his salary.

Set to make $15 million in 2012, the Mets could work towards acquiring free-agent talent this offseason or possibly extending Jose Reyes if they could rid themselves of that payroll.

Jack Wilson

Currently sitting only 7.5 games back in the AL West, the Seattle Mariners will likely try to hold off as long as possible before deciding whether or not to sell off assets on their roster.

Jack Wilson would probably be a target for the Mariners to unload if possible. He hasn't lived up to the expectations when he came over from Pittsburgh and, with his history of injury problems, would likely be counted on more for his defense than his bat if he found himself playing for a new team.

Rafael Furcal

It's hard to say exactly what the L.A. Dodgers are planning on doing at the deadline this summer. They've had much-publicized financial issues, so it would seem fitting that they'd be selling anywhere possible.

Rafael Furcal's $12 million 2011 salary is extremely high given the output that he's shown, and given the lack of ability to stay on the field, they'd likely want to send him elsewhere.

If a team can give up the right prospects and get the Dodgers to pick up a portion of his remaining contract, a deal could possibly be done.

Aaron Hill

Aaron Hill hasn't exactly been the model of consistency since first joining the Blue Jays in 2005. Hill has approached a .300 average in multiple seasons and has slugged the ball well in recent seasons, once hitting 36 home runs in a season.

On the flip side, his 2010 season was a disappointment as he barely batted over .200 and saw nearly a 200 point drop-off in OPS.

He'll be a free agent at the end of this season and may benefit from an early change of scenery.

J.J. Hardy

Currently playing on a one-year $5.85 million deal, J.J. Hardy has turned many heads with his solid performance.

The Baltimore Orioles shortstop is exceeding his career average in most offensive categories and has already gone deep 13 times, showing signs of the 2007 and 2008 seasons in which he hit a total of 50 home runs.

Baltimore is said to have a strong desire to work out a contract extension with Hardy, but if they're unable to get something done, Hardy's performance could warrant a lucrative deal from a large-market team.

Jose Reyes

The trading of Francisco Rodriguez may be an indication that the Mets are freeing up the necessary payroll to keep Jose Reyes around for the long term.

If July continues to progress without the team feeling a sense of confidence in their ability to re-sign Reyes, the best hitter in baseball could fetch a great deal in return should they pull the trigger on a deal.