MLB Predictions 2012: Contract-Year Stars Who Will Be Traded

When a Major League Baseball player enters the final year of his contract, the trade winds will be swirling around them until they end up being dealt or the deadline passes with no movement whatsoever.

As we move closer to the start of the 2012 season, we can start looking at some players in the final year of their deals who are most likely to find a new home because their current team is not likely to contend, and/or they have to start rebuilding their farm system for the future. 

Here are three players in the final year of their current contracts who will end up somewhere else before the July 31 trade deadline. 

David Wright, 3B, New York Mets

Wright isn't exactly in a contract year since the Mets hold an option on him for 2013. But considering his declining performance and the $16 million price tag, it is highly unlikely that the team would have any interest in bringing him back. 

He could end up being one of the most coveted hitters this season if he can figure out what to do with that option. His defense has fallen off a cliff, but he is not that far removed from being a good hitter. 

He played in 157 games in 2010, hitting .283/.354/.503 with 29 home runs—and he did it in the cavernous Citi Field. If he is healthy and in a good hitter's park, his numbers will likely get better in the second half of the season. 

Potential Fits: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Arizona Diamondbacks

Andre Ethier, RF, Los Angeles Dodgers

The ownership situation with the Dodgers has to get resolved before we actually know what is going to happen with their contract-year players.

Considering the overall lack of talent at the big-league level and in the minors, it would be in their best interest to start over when they get sold. 

Ethier is the best chip that they have to offer. He has battled injuries the last two years, which could hurt his value, but when he does play he is a good player. His power took a dive last season, but his average and on-base percentage remained in line with his career averages. 

Plus, he comes relatively cheap. He is making just $10.95 million this season, and by the time he gets to July, it will be half that. 

Potential Fits: Boston Red Sox

Casey Kotchman, 1B, Cleveland Indians

Poor Kotchman. He had to wait all offseason to sign a contract with a team, and here I go putting him right back on the trade market. 

He might have more value for another team when the trading season begins than anyone else, because he is a solid player on the field and will cost virtually nothing financially. He is making just $3 million this season. 

The Indians are not going to contend in the American League Central this season—too many holes in the lineup and starting rotation—and they are not afraid to pull the trigger on a deal. 

Kotchman is not a prototypical first baseman, in that he doesn't hit for a lot of power. He has a high average and takes his share of walks. He is also a very good defensive player. 

Potential Fits: Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers

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