MLB Trade Rumors: Top 5 Players Left to Be Traded by the Deadline

The 2011 MLB trade deadline has just over 24 hours remaining. All the speculation today has fans of teams buying and selling filled with anxiety.  

Questions that arise are: Who coming? Who's going? I don't know how I would feel if we made that move? Are we gonna go for it? 

While there are plenty of thoughts running through our sports-riddled minds, we will have a much clearer picture tomorrow at 4 p.m.(EST)

The next 24 hours will be very telling for the future of many franchises.

Here are the Top 5 players left to be dealt by the deadline. 

Honorable Mention: Ubaldo Jiminez

Ubaldo Jimenez has been in everyone's trade conversation lately. After winning 19 games last year, Jimenez has struggled this year.

To date Ubaldo Jimenez is 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA. He had a terrible start to the 2011 season but has looked better of late. The fact that Jimenez won 19 games in the thin Colorado air last year and now his team wants to deal him brings skepticism to mind.

Do the Colorado Rockies believe in Ubaldo Jimenez? Do the Rockies know something about Ubaldo Jimenez no one else does?

I think the jury is still out on Ubaldo Jimenez. His start in San Diego tonight against the Padres may be the deciding factor for a contending team to make a deal for the 27 year-old pitcher.  

No. 5: Carlos Quentin

Carlos Qeuntin's name has been running hot through the rumor mill the last couple of days. Whether to deal him or not has to be weighing heavy on the mind of Chicago White Sox GM Ken Williams right now. 

The White Sox sit at 52-52 heading into today, but are only three games back in the AL Central. The team has struggled at the plate all season and has underachieved to this point. The White Sox are still in contention though. 

Carlos Quentin is only batting .261 on the season but has 20 homers, 62 RBI and 26 doubles. With two months to go in the season, Quentin could easily reach the 100 RBI plateau.

The White Sox could get a couple quality pieces in return for Quentin. Whether they will deal the slugger remains to be seen.   

No. 4: Hiroki Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda has been involved in trade talks for what seems like a month now.

Despite his 6-13 record, Kuroda has a 3.11 ERA. In his last 10 starts he has only allowed 18 earned runs. His record during that time is 1-8. 

Bottom line is the Los Angeles Dodgers are a mess. The team is 48-57 with financial problems and a payroll of nearly $120 million. Kuroda is scheduled to make about $4 million the rest of the season. That may part of the reason why Hiroki Kuroda has yet to be moved. A team may want the Dodgers to pay some of that salary with money they don't have.  

Regardless, Kiroda will be moved by the deadline. Look for the New York Yankees, who have been surprisingly quiet in trade rumors thus far to land the pitcher.

No. 3: Mike Adams

Mike Adams is an imposing force on the mound. This eighth innings set-up man will be a smart move for any contender who looks to solidify the back-end of their bullpen.

Mike Adams has a 1.13 ERA in 48 innings pitched this year. He has only allowed one earned run in his last 10 appearances. Opposing batters only hit .155 against the 6'5" pitcher. Mike Adams is an asset for any team willing to deal for him. 

His current team, the San Diego Padres are at the bottom of the NL West. It is clear that the Padres have to build for the future, and they must get what they can for Adams while demand in high.

Expect Mike Adams to be dealt by the deadline. 

No. 2: Michael Bourn

Michael Bourn is one of the most underrated players in Major League Baseball. Part of the reason for that is that Bourn plays for the worst team in league.

The Houston Astros made it clear last night that they were selling everything but the kitchen sink when they dealt OF Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies. Other Houston Astros rumored to be moved are pitchers Brett Myers and Wandy Rodriguez.

With a record of 35-71 at the moment. The Astros need to rebuild now. 

Michael Bourn leads MLB in steals with 39 and is batting .304 on the season. In his last 10 games Bourn is batting .422 but has only scored four runs, which is a testament to the Houston Astros struggling. With his speed, Bourn is also a great defender. He has won the Gold Glove award two consecutive years. 

Michael Bourn would be a great fit for the Atlanta Braves. The only problem is that Bourn was born and raised in Houston and is partial to the city. Maybe his mind will change now that Hunter Pence is gone, realizing that MLB is a business.

Fans have to wait and see if Michael Bourn will be dealt from Houston. He would be a great acquisition for any contender.  

No. 1: Heath Bell

Heath Bell is the most sought after closer in baseball.

The San Diego Padres closer has 30 saves this year and 121 since 2009. The Padres only have 46 wins and Bell has 30 saves. The lack of Padres success will be why Bell will be traded. 

Trade rumors for the 33-year-old closer have been mainly tied to the Texas Rangers and the St. Louis Cardinals. Both teams are in contention and both want to know that they have a sure thing in the bullpen down the stretch. 

Look for the St. Louis Cardinals, a National League team, to win the services of Heath Bell.