MLB Trade Rumors: Power Ranking the 50 Best Players Available

With the All-Star Game now firmly in the rear-view mirror, teams can begin worrying about what's really important—the July 31 trade deadline.

Clubs have to decide whether they want to be buyers or sellers (or both), and there are only about two weeks left to do it.

Every general manager in baseball is busily making phone calls, rejecting ludicrous offers and scouting potential trade targets.

For the contenders, this time of year could make the difference between a postseason berth and a World Series Championship. For everyone else, the trade deadline could be the difference between a two-year rebuilding plan and a 10-year rebuilding plan.

Here's a look at the 50 best players available at the upcoming trade deadline and where they may end up.

Dmitriy Ioselevich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for all your MLB news and updates. 

50. Ivan Rodriguez

The Nationals are having their best season in at least a decade, but they’re still a couple of years away from seriously contending. That means that they’ll once again be sellers at the deadline, with Rodriguez as a popular trade target.

The Giants are still looking for a catcher, and Pudge would be a great veteran addition. However, he won’t come cheap, despite the presence of Wilson Ramos.

49. Omar Infante

You might remember Infante as one of the pieces the Marlins got in the Dan Uggla trade.

That deal hasn’t worked out for either team, as Infante is struggling this season with just a .601 OPS.

That being said, the former utility-man-turned-All-Star-turned-second-baseman has trade value because he’s a veteran and can play all over the field.

48. Ramon Hernandez

Capable catchers are tough to come by in baseball, and Ramon Hernandez is one of the few names of interest at this year’s trade deadline.

The veteran is having a phenomenal season with a .322/.377/.539 line and 10 homers, but he’ll be a free agent after this year, and the Reds already have Ryan Hannigan.

The Giants are still looking for a catcher to fill in for Buster Posey, and Hernandez may be their name.

47. Luke Scott

The Orioles are rather short on movable players, but one name they could definitely move is Scott.

The 33-year-old outfielder is having a terrible season (.223/.305/.408) and there’s no reason for Baltimore to pay him upwards of $8 million in arbitration next season.

It shouldn’t cost much more than cash or a mid-level prospect to get Scott, who does have power.

46. Jim Thome

For all his career accomplishments, father time is finally catching up with Thome.

The future Hall of Famer has just six home runs this season and an OPS that has dropped more than 250 points since 2010.

Thome wants to keep playing till he gets to 600 home runs (he’s at 595 now) and if he gets there before July 31 then the Twins won’t hesitate to deal him.

45. Octavio Dotel

Dotel, 37, has managed to hang around the major leagues for 13 seasons and is still a competent reliever.

He has a 3.51 ERA in 30 games for the Blue Jays, and he’s always been a fantastic strikeout pitcher (career 10.9 SO/9).

It’d be foolish for a team to misinterpret his success as a sign that he can be a closer, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to use him as a seventh- or eighth-inning man.

44. Mike Gonzalez

Gonzalez is one of many relievers on the market with closing experience, but his best days are probably behind him at this point.

With a 5.46 ERA in 32 games, teams aren’t exactly rushing to the phone to get this guy. Still, he’s a hard-throwing lefty and should draw interest from teams that can’t afford the Heath Bell’s of the world. 

43. Jon Rauch

The Blue Jays have a small army of good relievers in their bullpen, and Rauch (the 6’10” right-hander) may be the ringleader.

He was signed in the offseason to a one-year, $3.5-million deal with a $3.75-million team option for 2012, and he’s rewarded Toronto's management with a 4.34 ERA in 38 games.

Rauch has been doing lots of closing lately and has value as a late-inning arm. 

42. Javier Vazquez

Vazquez, 34, has been a complete disaster in his return to the NL, with a 5.23 ERA in 18 starts.

The Marlins wasted a one-year, $7-million deal on him and could look to recoup some of their losses via the trade market.

However, the veteran righty also has a no-trade clause and the Marlins are hesitant to give up on him.

41. Orlando Hudson

Hudson, 33, Is signed to a reasonable two-year, $11.5-million deal.

The only problem is that he’s playing for the Padres, a team with no hope of making the playoffs any time during his contract.

He’d be a defensive upgrade at second base for almost any team in baseball despite a weak bat, although repeated injuries might make him untradeable.

40. Chad Qualls

He’s not quite on the same level as his teammate, Heath Bell, but Qualls might be an even more popular trade target because he’ll come cheap.

The 32-year-old righty has excelled as a middle reliever this season with a 2.70 ERA in 44 games.

Many of the same teams looking at Bell will at least consider Qualls, with the Phillies and Cardinals in the most need of relief help.

39. Sean Burnett

Burnett’s inclusion on here may be surprising, considering he has a 5.40 ERA and the Nationals aren’t intent on dealing him.

However, Burnett was brilliant in 2010 (2.14 ERA in 63 innings) and he’s a lefty who is signed through 2012 with a $3.5 million mutual option for 2013.

The Yankees are definitely interested in Burnett as a potential replacement for the injured Pedro Feliciano.

38. Randy Choate

The Marlins may be one of the busiest teams at the deadline with Choate very likely to be moved.

The 35-year-old lefty has been untouchable this season with a 0.96 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.

The Yankees and Red Sox both need bullpen help and could look to Choate as a left-handed specialist.

37. David DeJesus

DeJesus is the least-marketable player among the trio of Oakland outfielders, all of whom will be free agents at the end of the season.

The veteran has struggled in Oakland, but he still owns a .776 career OPS and is relatively cheap at $6 million.

He doesn’t have a regular place in the A’s lineup anymore and would be well served by a change in scenery.

36. Jeff Keppinger

Of all the big names on the Astros’ prospective shopping list, Keppinger is probably the most likely to be moved.

The 31-year-old utility man is cheap ($2.3 million this year, arbitration-eligible for 2012) and having a fantastic season (.301/.316/.390) in limited playing time.

The Yankees looked at Keppinger in the offseason and could get into talks again, possibly as part of a package involving Brett Myers or Wandy Rodriguez.

35. Wilson Betemit

It’s almost surprising that Betemit hasn’t been traded yet, considering there’s no room for him in Kansas City (he can thank Mike Moustakas for that) and he’s making just $1 million.

The utility man is drawing interest, and it should only be a matter of time before a deal gets done, with the Angels possibly interested in his services at third.

34. Reed Johnson

The odds of the Cubs finding a team willing to take Alfonso Soriano’s bloated contract are about equal to the odds of Barry Bonds coming out of retirement.

But GM Jim Hendry will have a significantly easier time dealing Johnson, especially if he keeps hitting like this (.328/.370/.552).

Johnson’s never been much more than a fourth outfielder, but he could be a good fit for a team like the Red Sox.

33. Jason Kubel

The Twins continue to act like they won’t be sellers, but when July 31 comes expect Kubel to be in a different uniform.

The 29-year-old outfielder/designated hitter has serious pop (.820 OPS), although he’s been forced into a part-time role in Minnesota.

He has trade value as a power left-handed bat, even if it’s as pinch-hitter.

32. Jason Isringhausen

Isringhausen, 38, has revived his career in New York after nearly a decade spent closing for the Cardinals.

He has a 3.14 ERA in 35 games and is one of the few bright spots on the entire Mets roster. Sadly, that means he’s probably trade bait and could soon follow in the footsteps of former teammate, Francisco Rodriguez, especially since he’ll be dirt cheap.

31. Aaron Cook

Cook has never been particularly good, but this season he’s taken sucking to a whole new level.

He didn’t make his first start till June 8 due to injury, and then proceeded to give up 22 runs over his next 34 innings.

The Rockies will make him available, but they won’t be able to get much for him, especially with the roughly $5 million he’s still owed.

30. Francisco Liriano

Liriano is the ultimate hit-or-miss player on the trade market.

When he’s on, he’s literally unhittable. But more often than not he can’t hit the strike zone enough to make it past the fifth inning.

The Twins may be fed up with waiting for Liriano to put it all together and may want to deal him while he still has some value.

He won’t be a free agent until 2013 and 27-year-old lefties with Liriano’s stuff don’t come around too often.

29. Coco Crisp

The A’s already dealt Mark Ellis, and it may only be a matter of time before Crisp and others join him out the door.

The 31-year-old switch-hitter isn’t having a particularly strong offensive season (.267/.314/.393), but he’s always been fast and an excellent defender—a tailor-made recipe for a fourth outfielder.

Some team will happily bite on his $5.75 million salary.

28. Jeff Francoeur

Francoeur has managed to resurrect his career in a Royals uniform, showing pop (12 home runs), speed (15 steals) and a previously-unseen ability to not swing at every pitch.

He’s a free agent at the end of the year and doesn’t figure into the Royals’ long-term plans, so a trade seems likely.

He’d be a perfect fourth outfielder for a team like the Red Sox or Phillies, both of which are looking for a right-handed bat.

27. Melky Cabrera

Cabrera, 26, is having a monster season for the Royals in his return to the AL with a .293/.332/.455 line and impressive speed (12 steals) and power (11 homers).

It’s no surprise that teams are all over the outfielder, although the Royals might be inclined to keep Cabrera around past this season to help mentor some of their young stars.

They’ll at least listen to offers for Cabrera, who is a bargain at $1.25 million.

26. Leo Nunez

Nunez has had a phenomenal year in his third season as the Marlins closer with 25 saves in 43 games, which in Florida apparently translates into him being a trade chip.

He’s not quite on the Heath Bell or even Kyle Farnsworth level, but a team could do worse than a 27-year-old righty with closing experience.

25. Kyle Farnsworth

The Rays completely retooled their bullpen in the offseason and found a gem in the rough in Farnsworth, who has somehow become one of baseball’s best closers.

The veteran righty has a 2.02 ERA and 17 saves in 39 games. He's also closed in the past (although not this successfully).

The Rays need Farnsworth to stay in the race, but they won’t hesitate to deal the free agent-to-be if they can get a good deal.

24. Jason Marquis

Marquis, 32, is quietly having another strong season for the Nationals with a 4.05 ERA in 18 starts.

He’ll never be mistaken for an ace, but he’s a perfect end-of-the-rotation starter for a team in need of starting depth.

It shouldn’t take much to get him because he’s only making $7.5 million this season in the final year of his deal. Interest in Marquis could heat up if the price tags for the top starters on the market are too high. 

23. Edwin Jackson

It’s hard to get a feel for what the White Sox will do at the deadline, especially with GM Ken Williams pulling the reigns.

But if there’s one player they move it’ll probably be Jackson, a 27-year-old righty who will be a free agent at the end of the year and doesn’t have a permanent spot in the rotation.

Jackson said he’d be willing to move to the bullpen, but he has more value as a trade chip to a team like the Yankees.

22. Jesus Montero

Montero is an exception here because he’s not technically a major leaguer yet, but it’s not very often that you see a top prospect being dangled as trade bait.

The Yankees are open to trading their prize chip to get starting pitching, but they may also want to hold on to Montero in case Russell Martin goes down or Jorge Posada can’t handle being the DH.

21. Brett Myers

Myers, 30, isn’t having nearly as good of a season as he did in 2010, negating a lot of his trade value.

But with so few capable starters available right now, Myers might be the best player many teams could go after.

The price tag isn’t pretty ($11 million in 2011, $10 million vesting option in 2012), although that’s never stopped the Yankees.

20. Jeremy Guthrie

The Orioles still can’t decide whether or not they want to trade Guthrie, but with so few quality starters available the consensus seems to be that they have no choice.

Guthrie, 32, is not pitching particularly well (4.18 ERA in 18 starts), but he has a track record of success in baseball’s toughest division.

The Reds are interested, although it will take a major haul to get a deal done.

19. Tyler Clippard

Clippard, 26, has emerged as a lock-down reliever and earned his first All-Star selection this season after going 51.1 innings with a 1.75 ERA in the first half.

The Nationals are in no rush to move the 26-year-old, who won’t be a free agent until 2016, but they’ll listen to offers.

The Yankees would love to get him back and the Rangers are also reportedly interested in Clippard.

18. Vladimir Guerrero

Guerrero, 36, is a shell of his former dominant self, but even with a .700 OPS he’s still one of the better hitters available.

He can’t really play the field anymore so he’ll probably end up staying in the AL. However, some NL teams are looking at him as a hitter off the bench.

17. Ryan Ludwick

Anybody on the San Diego roster is fair game as trade bait and that includes Ludwick, a 33-year-old outfielder with 11 home runs already this season playing in a pitcher’s park.

It makes sense for GM Jed Hoyer to trade him now considering Ludwick will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Many of the same teams after Willingham are also in on Ludwick, with the Phillies, Reds and Mariners at the top of that list.

16. Kosuke Fukudome

Fukudome, despite being overpaid at $13.5 million this season, is a solid player who excels at getting on base (career .370 OBP) and plays exceptional defense.

It’s unlikely that he’ll be able to stay in Chicago, so look for the Cubs to swallow a chunk of his contract to get some prospects.

15. Josh Willingham

Willingham is one of the most heavily sought-after players at the trade deadline, with as many as half a dozen teams seriously involved in trade talks.

The 32-year-old outfielder is the only plus hitter that the A’s have, and he’s in the final year of his deal.

The Phillies need a right-handed bat with pop, as do the Braves and possibly the Red Sox. 

14. Hiroki Kuroda

The Dodgers won’t be too active at the deadline until they figure out the bankruptcy situation, but one heavily-shopped player is Kuroda.

The 36-year-old righty has pitched well in four major league seasons.

The caveat is that Kuroda wants compensation to waive his no-trade clause, so some interested teams (Tigers, Yankees) are backing down, especially since there’s no way the Dodgers will eat any portion of his salary.

13. Erik Bedard

Bedard significantly weakened his trade value when it was announced that he’d miss at least two weeks with a sprained left knee.

The lefty’s been terrific this season with a 3.00 ERA in 15 starts and the typical high strikeout totals.

He’s also an incredibly low-risk acquisition, because he’s making just $1 million this season and will soon be a free agent.

The Mariners might want to see how long they can stay in the race before dealing Bedard, but the bigger roadblock is if any team will be willing to give up a serious piece to get him. 

12. Heath Bell

Bell is the most sought-after reliever on the market, thanks to an expiring contract and three consecutive All-Star seasons.

There’s no doubt Bell will be dealt, but to whom?

Not too many teams have a need for a closer, with the possible exception of the Phillies and Cardinals. Teams like the Yankees and Rangers could use Bell as a set-up man, but the cost could be prohibitive. 

11. Wandy Rodriguez

In a market devoid of quality starters, Rodriguez is one name that stands out.

The 32-year-old lefty has pitched very well with a 3.52 ERA in 16 starts, and he’s signed through 2014 at an average salary of $12 million a season.

Not many teams can afford that kind of a price tag, including the Astros, but it should come as no surprise that the Yankees are heavily scouting Rodriguez in a potential deal.

10. Ricky Nolasco

Nolasco, 28, wasn’t supposed to be available because he’s young and signed through 2013.

But with $20.5 million owed to the righty over the next two seasons, the Marlins seem suddenly inclined to move him.

Any team in need of a starter should be interested, although the Marlins won’t give him up lightly.

9. Aramis Ramirez

Ramirez surprised some when he said he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause about a month ago, but it’s only a matter of time before he realizes he plays in Chicago and will be a free agent at the end of the year.

The Cubs could get a good deal for Ramirez, who is a veteran hitter with plus power.

The Angels are at the table and the Giants, Braves and Diamondbacks may soon join them.

8. Michael Cuddyer

Cuddyer, 32, has played well this season (.298/.369/.474) in earning his first All-Star selection, and he has value in being able to play multiple positions.

With the Twins fading fast, expect Cuddyer’s name to be all over the hot stove, especially with this being the last year of his contract.

Cuddyer’s ready to go and the Phillies, among other teams, are very interested.

7. Ubaldo Jiminez

Jiminez’s name surfaced as a potential trade candidate very recently, and talks are heating up for the 27-year-old right-hander.

He’s been a bit of a disaster this season, but he could have easily won the Cy Young award last year and won’t be a free agent until 2014.

The Reds are interested, but every team in baseball could get involved in talks for Jiminez, considering his contract status ($19 million over the next three years). 

6. Carlos Zambrano

The Cubs don’t sound like they’re ready to trade their ace, at least not this season. But that hasn’t stopped teams from calling.

Zambrano, 30, would instantly become the best pitcher on the trade market, even though he’s in the middle of the worst season of his career (4.34 ERA, 1.366 WHIP).

What it would cost is the more interesting question, because Zambrano is due about another $8 million this season and $18 million next season.

He’s said he would waive his no-trade clause and the Yankees make sense, despite reports to the contrary (see: Mark Teixeira).

5. Carlos Beltran

Beltran tops the list of players most likely to get traded because he’s in the last year of his deal and is still productive.

The veteran was named to his sixth All-Star team after posting a .285/.377/.503 line with 28 doubles in the first half of the season.

Even with $6 million still owed to him, there are plenty of teams interested in Beltran’s services. The Red Sox are in the hunt, as are the Giants and maybe the Rockies. 

4. Michael Bourn

The speedster is having another fantastic season with a league-leading 35 steals and a respectable .746 OPS, but he’s also about to get very expensive in his third year of arbitration and will be a free agent after 2012.

The new Houston ownership may not want to sign that paycheck to have Bourn play for a losing team, so the Astros will listen to offers for their center fielder.

The Nationals are one of the teams interested.

3. B.J. Upton

Upton’s inclusion on here is a bit of a surprise considering the Rays are still very much in the playoff hunt.

However, Tampa Bay is serious about dealing their 26-year-old center fielder if they get a good offer.

Part of the reason for that is Upton continues to struggle hitting the ball (.239/.325/.427), and the Rays can’t afford to keep him around much longer as he hits arbitration.

The Nationals are all over Upton.

2. Hunter Pence

The Astros have no interest in trading Pence, who is just 28 years old and under contract through at least 2013.

At the same time, they may have no choice but to deal their best player if they want to truly rebuild.

Pence has boosted his batting average by 40 points this season in being named to his second All-Star team, so he’ll be easily the most expensive player on the market.

1. Jose Reyes

The Mets seem inclined to hold on to their superstar shortstop, and trade talks have died down considerably since the beginning of the season.

However, until that July 31 deadline officially passes, Reyes’ name will continue to be tossed around heavily.

After all, it’s not often a five-tool player in the prime of his career is considered available.