MLB Free Agency: 8 'Lame Ducks' in Baseball

1 of 10

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 30: Ubaldo Jimenez #38 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on July 30, 2011 in San Diego, California. In a recent announcement Jimenez has been traded t

Denis Poroy/Getty Images

The trade deadline has come and passed and pundits have discussed at length which teams were winners and losers. Most people agree that Cleveland got arguably the highest profile pitcher at the trade deadline, while Texas made the biggest improvement obtaining Mike Adams from the Padres.

Still, there are several players who were rumored to be on the move through much of July and even as early as June. Most players say that they don’t pay attention to the rumors, but honestly how could you not?

The following are eight players that were mentioned in all types of trade rumors but weren’t moved before the July 31 deadline. It’s not to say they still won’t pass through waivers and be part of a waiver trade in August, but we’ll see how they respond to being “stuck” on teams that probably won’t make the post season.

B.J Upton: Tampa Bay Rays

SEATTLE - JULY 31: B.J. Upton #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays breaks his bat on a groundout to second in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on July 31, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. The Rays defeated the Mariners 8-1. (Photo by Otto Gr

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Upton was linked to the Pirates (Ryan Ludwick), Braves (Michael Bourne), and Phillies (Hunter Pence), among other teams. Upton, making $4.83 million this year, can be a free agent after 2012. He is hitting just .226 this year with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs.

With the promotion of Desmond Jennings, Upton’s time may be limited and he hasn’t really shown much this year to justify keeping him around. It could be an interesting clubhouse if he decides to throw a tantrum like last year with Evan Longoria.

Heath Bell: San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 31: Pitcher Heath Bell #21 of the San Diego Padres throws the ball against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on July 31, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent C. Horner/Getty Images)

Kent Horner/Getty Images

The Rangers, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, and just about every other team in contention inquired about Bell. He has 121 career saves and is a free agent after this season. He has stated on more than one occasion that he wants to return to San Diego and may take a “home town discount” to do so. The Padres know this, and it's one reason why the Rangers possibly went towards Mike Adams instead.

Josh Willingham: Oakland Athletics

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 29: Josh Willingham #16 of the Oakland Athletics hits a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at O.co Coliseum on July 29, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The Pirates (Ludwick) and Yankees were among some of the teams interested in Willingham. After watching him this weekend against the Twins, he seemed like a sure-fire thing to be traded, but GM Billy Beane decided to hang on to Willingham and presumably let him walk after this year.

Brandon League: Seattle Mariners

SEATTLE - AUGUST 01: Closing pitcher Brandon League #43 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with catcher Miguel Olivo #30 after defeating the Oakland Athletics 8-4 at Safeco Field on August 1, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Im

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

League has 24 saves this year and has done a nice job with the opportunities that the Mariners have given him. Although his chances have been few and far between, League has solidified himself as the team's closer with last year’s closer David Aardsma out for the season.

Michael Cuddyer: Minnesota Twins

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 28: Michael Cuddyer #5 of the Minnesota Twins at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on July 28, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Cuddyer was the subject of rumors along with teammate Jason Kubel for much of the trade season. Cuddyer was drafted by the Twins, and Minnesota usually shows unwavering loyalty to the players they’ve had, with the exception of Torii Hunter. Cuddyer is too much of a “Minnesota Twin” to throw in the towel, and absolutely vital to the Twins making any type of run in August and September.

Jeff Francoeur: Kansas City Royals

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 31: Jeff Francoeur #21 of the Kansas City Royals rounds third base after a solo home run during the second inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on July 31, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Ima

Jason Miller/Getty Images

The Royals signed Francoeur this off-season in hopes that he would be a leader in the clubhouse for the new crop of Royals coming in. He’s had a great year hitting 13 home runs and knocking in 61. With the youth movement going on in KC, it may be a situation where the Royals are hoping Francoeur can stay on for another year and lead the young Royals back to respectability.

Carlos Quentin: Chicago White sox

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 27: Carlos Quentin #20 of the Chicago White Sox takes a swing against the Detroit Tigers at U.S. Cellular Field on July 27, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The White Sox outfielder was sought by the Phillies (Pence) and Braves (Bourne). GM Kenny Williams has a history of “blowing up” his team when it seems they are in contention and getting prospects to move towards the future. With the White Sox being in the hunt, Williams couldn’t pull the trigger to move Quentin. His health this year has surely helped the Sox as Quentin has 20 home runs and 62 RBI this season.

Jason Kubel: Minnesota Twins

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 29: Jason Kubel #16 of the Minnesota Twins hits a two run double against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum on July 29, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Kubel along with fellow outfielder Michael Cuddyer had been on the hot stove most of July. There was talk of Cuddyer going to the Phillies and Kubel going to the Pirates. Neither of them were moved as GM Billy Smith hopes the addition of Denard Span and Justin Morneau helps the Twins make another late run towards the playoffs. Kubel has played in just 61 games this year but is hitting .306 with 28 RBIs.

Begin Slideshow