MLB Trade Speculation: The Best Player at Every Position Who Could Be Moved

Just 17 days remain until the MLB trade deadline is upon us, yet many contenders have yet to make a move to bolster their respective lineups for a run late in the season. With talented players such as Jose Reyes and Michael Cuddyer yet to be had, look for some of baseball's best players to be changing uniforms within the next couple of weeks.

That being said, here is a list of the best players available at each position with the looming deadline rapidly approaching.

Catcher: Geovany Soto

After a rough first half of the season for the Chicago Cubs, the team has been rumored to be shopping catcher Geovany Soto in an attempt to both dump some payroll and pick up a few talented minor leaguers.

When Soto was called up to the big leagues in 2008, he looked as though he had a bright future with the Cubs, as he hit .285 with 23 home runs that season. However, entering the unofficial second half of this season, Soto is batting .228 with eight home runs and only 23 RBI.

First Base: Carlos Pena

The struggling Chicago Cubs are also rumored to be shopping first baseman Carlos Pena, whom they signed to a one-year deal during the offseason.

Pena, a former All-Star, is currently batting .225 with 19 home runs and 49 RBI. One of the only downsides of Pena's game is that he always has a high strikeout total. This season, he's already struck out 88 times in 284 at-bats. Even so, Pena would make for a nice addition to a contender looking for a power bat and a strong fielding first baseman.

Second Base: Kelly Johnson

Although Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Kelly Johnson has been inconsistent all season, his power numbers may garner him some attention in the coming weeks.

Currently, Johnson is batting a cool .218 with a .300 OBP, but he has hit 16 home runs and driven in 42 runs in 325 at-bats this season. Johnson hit 26 home runs last season while driving in 71 runs, so his power numbers are fairly consistent with those from last year, meaning those contenders looking for an inexpensive power-bat may have to look no further than Johnson.

Shortstop: Rafael Furcal

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal has only appeared in 24 games this season, but he is still drawing attention from teams looking for a speedy lead-off hitter.

In the 24 games Furcal has played in, he's managed to post a .185 batting average, one home run and six RBI. However, looking back to last year in which Furcal appeared in 97 games with the Dodgers, general managers will find that Furcal posted an even-.300 batting average and swiped 22 bases—two very enticing statistics. Look for Furcal to be shipped out of Los Angeles by the July 31 deadline.

Third Base: Mark Reynolds

The Baltimore Orioles, losers of their last seven games, can be classified as sellers with the trade deadline rapidly approaching, because they find themselves 18 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox and already out of contention.

That being said, the team can free up some salary space and receive a slew of talented minor leaguers if they decide to ship third baseman Mark Reynolds out of Baltimore. Currently, Reynolds is batting .227 with 20 home runs and 49 RBI. Five of his 20 home runs have come in the team's last 10 games, so trading Reynolds now, while he is in peak form, could prove to be a good decision by the Orioles front office.

Outfield: Carlos Beltran

It's tough to tell if the New York Mets, who find themselves 11 games behind the first place Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, are buyers or sellers this season, although signs are pointing to sellers now that they have shipped off closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers.

If the Mets decide to free up more of their massive payroll, they could ship outfielder Carlos Beltran to a contender within the next few days. Beltran, who is batting .285 on the season, has already hit 13 home runs and driven in 58 runs on the year, nearly doubling his totals in both categories from all of last season. He would be an excellent addition to any contender looking for a consistent bat and power hitter to make a run down the stretch.

Outfield: Colby Rasmus

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus has voiced his displeasure with the Cardinals organization in the past, even asking the team to trade him during the offseason, so look for the Cards to possibly deal Rasmus by July 31.

Currently, Rasmus is batting .246 with nine home runs and 36 RBI. Although his numbers from this season don't blow you away, it's Rasmus' consistency that will make him a strong addition to any contender. Over the past two seasons, Rasmus has hit right around .260 and averaged roughly 20 home runs each season.

Outfield: Hunter Pence

The Houston Astros have the worst record in all of baseball, so rumors that they may be shipping out some of their best players in an attempt to rebuild their organization as a whole may prove to be true over the course of the next few weeks.

For the past few years, Astros outfielder Hunter Pence has been one of the best hitting outfielders in all of baseball and this season is no exception. This year, Pence is hitting a torrid .323 with 11 home runs and 60 RBI through just 86 games. Pence has finished with exactly 25 home runs in each of the past three seasons and has driven in at least 72 runs over that time frame. Any contender willing to pay the hefty price tag that likely comes along with signing Pence would instantly put themselves in a better position the second he takes the field.

Designated Hitter: Vladimir Guerrero

Just like his teammate Mark Reynolds, Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero may find himself being shipped out of Maryland before the trade deadline passes at the end of the month.

Guerrero, who was signed during the offseason, is currently hitting .279 with seven home runs and 31 RBI in 83 appearances with the Orioles on the year. Last season, Guerrero was a leader both on and off the field for the Texas Rangers in their run to the World Series; a role he would likely fill again this season for any contender willing to take a chance on the aging superstar.

Reliever: Heath Bell

It seems as though San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell's name has thrown into trade talks for the past three years, as contenders are always looking to bolster their bullpens to make a run down the stretch. This season is no exception, as again many experts are expecting Bell to be dealt.

Bell is currently 2-3 on the season and has notched 26 saves. He has blown no more than seven saves in a season throughout his entire career, and his ERA has dropped in the past three seasons that he's played in San Diego. Bell would be an excellent addition to the back of any contender's bullpen, assuming someone can finally get San Diego to trade him.

Starting Pitcher: Wandy Rodriguez

Houston Astros starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez is arguably the best left-handed pitcher available with the trade deadline rapidly approaching; something the Astros are likely to keep in mind as they hear offers for Rodriguez over the coming days.

This year, Rodriguez is 6-6 with a 3.52 ERA. He's also recorded 82 strikeouts in 102.1 innings pitched and is holding opponents to a .265 batting average against. Rodriguez has won at least 10 games three times in his six full major-league seasons and could prove to be the left-handed starter who many contenders are seeking. Although the Astros' asking price for Rodriguez, who is arguably in the peak of his career, is likely going to be high, look for Rodriguez to be dealt by July 31.