AL West Trade Rumors: A Look at Each Team's Intentions Before MLB Trade Deadline

Heading into the July 31st trade deadline, the American League West looks to be a symmetrically bipolar division. What was once an abbreviated competitive race, with each of the four teams holding onto or sharing first place at different points throughout the early season, now has two pairs of teams heading in opposite directions.

As August nears, it seems that the defending division champion Texas Rangers will battle the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the AL West crown. Meanwhile the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics look to stay out of the basement.

Buy and buy, there will be two teams likely trying to acquire a player to help their playoff pushes. While the remaining duo will try to escape the AL West cellar by being sellers on the open market.

Here’s a look at the AL West, in order of standings, and each team’s approach to MLB’s trade deadline.

Texas Rangers

After a so-so first couple of months, the Rangers have finally sobered up following their AL pennant and World Series appearance last year. Then again, any team that loses Cliff Lee during the offseason would certainly feel hung over for a little while. And having to overcome MVP Josh Hamilton’s stint on the disabled list only made things more of a headache for Texas.

But having tread water through the early part of the season, staying within striking distance in the Mild Mild West, the Rangers have now gotten as hot as the heat index of a sweltering summer day in Texas. Launching themselves atop the division with their current 16-6 record in July, the Rangers are looking to continue distancing themselves from the Angels, who are hovering three games behind.

As Texas scorches its way toward the trading deadline, which areas do they need to focus on, if any? Should they focus on acquiring another bat? Or will they try to add an arm to the bullpen?

As it stands, the Rangers’ offense is hhhhot, coming off the heels of a 20-6 drubbing of the Twins on Monday. They are a tremendous all-around team, currently ranked second in the AL in batting average, home runs and slugging, and third in runs scored and stolen bases. And again, Hamilton has missed 38 games and Nelson Cruz has missed 19.

With no glaring gaps in their lineup (aside from third baseman Adrian Beltre’s recent trip to the 15-day DL with a hamstring pull), it appears that the Rangers don’t need another bat. The Texas offense has tremendous range, with Cruz's 22 home runs, Michael Young’s .329 batting average and Elvis Andrus’ 29 stolen bases. The scary thing is they can only getting better.

That leaves the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, as the main focus of the Rangers’ front office. The bullpen currently has the 12th-lowest ERA in the AL, so Texas looks to acquire a solid setup man for those shaky seventh and/or eighth innings. And seeing as how each of their five starters has not missed a start, those August and September innings will need to be eaten up by some hungry relievers.

Enter the very large San Diego All-Star, Heath Bell. The 33-year-old is a free agent at season’s end, and despite his status as the Padres' closer, Bell has expressed openness to being a setup guy for a contending club such as Texas. Though it appears it’d be a likely two-month rental, it would be a worthy risk for general manager Jon Daniels, who is hungry to get Texas back to the World Series for some redemption.

Despite their powerful roster, rumors have been at a tepid simmer regarding the possibility of trading for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran. This would be a major splash, a la the Cliff Lee rental from 2010. Could this move be done? Would it make the legitimate contenders for a repeat AL pennant?

The answers to those questions are Maybe and Hell Yes! The likelihood is not there, but the mere speculation leads many to believe that the Rangers are contenders in this market, and they’ll do nearly anything to get they toys they need to make it back to the World Series.

Look for them to acquire bullpen help, maybe not in the likes of Bell, but an All-Star reliever from a non-contender.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Though the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are tussling with Texas for first place in the division, their four-game deficit feels a lot larger considering the Rangers’ red-hot offense. As such, the Angels are in a more desperate situation, and in more need of an infusion to their ballclub.

Behind their two aces, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, LA currently holds the second-best ERA in the AL. With that in mind, one would think the focus would be on a bat to help boost a team currently ranked 11th in the AL in runs scored.

Not so fast. Manager Mike Scioscia believes that his roster, full of veterans like Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells, can each improve closer to their career numbers. Each is hitting below .265.

As it stands, general manager Tony Reagins is limited in any trade possibilities by the little flexibility he has to work with from the Angels’ roster. Wells’ batting is un-well, and with his contract, he’s unmovable. Including first baseman Mark Trumbo in a package doesn’t make sense because a) he’s a rookie who has an upside, and b) he’s the Angels’ leading home run hitter.

Moreover, Reagins is already hamstrung by deals that have backfired in the past year. Wells’ huge offseason free agent contract and the acquisition of first baseman Russell Branyan (.160 batting average) have been flops for the Angels’ front office. It would appear that any other move that failed would only add fuel for Reagins to be fired.

But the risk could be worth the reward, should they make a smart decision on a smart player. Trading for a veteran like catcher Ivan Rodriguez could strengthen an already strong pitching staff and add a veteran bat with playoff experience. And as a former catcher, Scioscia should have some kinship for a quality leader like Pudge. It’s likely, however, that the Angels’ won’t add any pieces, especially on offense. Look for them to attempt to acquire a middle reliever on the cheap.

One thing’s for sure: All Los Angeles can really do is steady themselves, play sound fundamental baseball like they are known for and let the starting pitchers take care of the rest.

Oakland Athletics

Every year at this time, it seems as though general manager Billy Beane is looking for any excuse to wheel and deal, either as a seller or a buyer. Or simple boredom. This season is turning out to be a year for selling, as the Athletics are whiffing their way to another unimpressive losing campaign.

As is the case in recent seasons, if the A’s are out of the playoff race come July, it’s time to rid themselves of their offseason acquisitions—and this year is no different. This past winter, Oakland obtained outfielders David DeJesus and Josh Willingham, designated hitter Hideki Matsui, starting right-hander Rich Harden and setup men Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour, providing optimism and hope for a perennially disadvantaged team and a starving but loyal baseball community. Having not met expectations, any one of these players is now eligible to be traded.

Sitting 12.5 games in the AL West behind the super-hot Texas Rangers, and 16 games back of the Yankees in the wild card, it’s not a matter of whether Beane will make a trade before the deadline, it’s more a question of how many players will be shipped out.

The A’s are a cash-strapped team, and it is in their corporate statement to do everything they can to pinch pennies and stretch those dollar bills. So it’s safe to expect a contraction of veteran players in Oakland within the next week, as managements will engage in a flurry of deals in order to rid themselves of contracts they no longer can (want to) afford.

Leading candidates to be sent away are Willingham and Crisp, both experienced outfielders who would provide some solid offense to a team with playoff aspirations. The A’s look to attain some minor league prospects with some pop, preferably right-handed hitting outfielders or corner infielders.

Other players linked to trade rumors include Rich Harden, as well as nearly every other veteran with a minimum of five years MLB experience. Look for Crisp and Willingham and possibly Balfour or Fuentes to be traded by week's end, each to a National League team.

Look for the A’s to get rid of as many veterans as possible in order to reduce their payroll and restock their farm system.

Or they surprise baseball by not doing anything…

Seattle Mariners

Meanwhile, the Mariners’ vessel is sinking, as they are navigating toward unchartered waters: a 17-game losing streak. Floating in contention for the first couple of months, Seattle’s ballclub is now adrift, floating out to sea.

Before they drown further, the Mariners need to throw some men overboard and unload as many players as possible. It’s no secret that Seattle’s offense has produced at record-low levels. After a 2010 season in which the offense barely scored as many runs per game as the Vancouver Canucks scored goals, 2011 has be almost as ghastly for Seattle. This year’s Mariners still rank last in nearly every offensive category, including runs scored, batting average and OPS.

Unfortunately for the M’s, a team with a historically horrible lineup does not have many assets to sell on the open market. Who would teams want from the Mariners? Why would teams want anyone from the Mariners?

The only player of value, Ichiro Suzuki, is not going anywhere, especially given his career-worst season thus far. As such, there most likely won’t be any trade talk unless teams are inquiring about the Mariners’ pitching staff.

Any fascination with a deal for reigning Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez is a pipe dream. The Mariners know that despite their moribund lineup, the only person and player that is holding fans’ attention in the Emerald City is King Felix. So no phone calls will be answered by general manager Jack Zduriencik regarding a deal for Hernandez. Middle relievers may be up for grabs, but it is unlikely to happen given the Mariners' lack of negotiating power during such a devastating season.

It’s more than possible that the Mariners, because of their lackluster and indifferent roster, will not be involved in any transactions during trading deadline. Nothing will prevent the Mariners from approaching the 100-loss iceberg again this season. Abandon ship!