MLB Trade Scenarios: 9 Power Bats Likely to Be Available at the Trade Deadline

If anyone thinks it doesn't help a contending team to have power bats in the lineup, just ask the Texas Rangers how it's working for them.

Most clubs will want to add a little pop if they are looking like a possible playoff team, come July. For example, if the Philadelphia Phillies are still not scoring, and Ryan Howard isn't ready, they could pull the trigger on a move to bring in a big bat.

Here are nine power hitters who said teams should be looking at around the trade deadline:

Jonny Gomes

The A's signed Gomes this offseason to bring a little extra right-handed power to a lineup that has been relying on the occasional monster home run from Yoenis Cespedes.

Gomes is no slouch, although the few moon shots he has hit so far are pretty much the only things on his resume. He has proven to be a big pinch hit bat or backup outfielder, and teams who want to have that all-or-nothing guy off the bench would do well to take a long look at Gomes.

We all know the A's will be selling (again) at the deadline, and Gomes isn't someone who will command any big name prospects in return.

Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt is doing for the D'Backs exactly what everyone expected. Hitting the ball hard, though infrequently, and filling the middle of the order with a bat with home run power.

The only problems are that he's hitting .227, has just one home run to show for himself and has struck out 15 times already in 44 at-bats. Call Goldschmidt a poor man's Mark Reynolds. Not exactly a compliment, but it means he'll have a job wherever he goes, because of the power threat he possesses.

Arizona should be looking to deal him if he doesn't get hot soon. Plenty of teams would love to have that option at first base, and the Diamondbacks could definitely use an upgrade.

Jeff Francoeur

Francoeur is another guy who has been struggling for the surprisingly bad Kansas City Royals this year. As of today, they have not won a game at home. And the fact that their starting right fielder has an on-base percentage below .300 isn't helping matters.

Last season, Francoeur hit 20 home runs and drove in 85 for the Royals, and he's always been a hard-hitting guy. This season, however, he has yet to hit a home run and has only two RBI. But at least he likes bacon, right?

Francoeur is a reliable outfielder with a good arm, but his discipline at the plate has always gotten him into trouble. If there is a team desperately in need of a corner outfielder at the deadline, or a team that wants to take a chance on a free swinger with a ton of power potential, Kansas City might want to look at making a move.

Logan Morrison

The fact that the Miami Marlins haven't already locked up the N.L. East is a disappointment with the amount of hype they generated in the winter. After signing Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle in the offseason, the Fish are finally starting to come around, 15 games into the season.

I'm a huge LoMo fan, but for some reason, things haven't worked out well with the Marlins. From his public complaints last year to poor play in certain stretches, the Marlins may be looking to get rid of him and shore up a different part of the team.

Morrison has plenty of power, hitting 26 career homers in about 750 at-bats. Nothing spectacular, but he has a ton of potential. Remember, Morrison is only 24, so any contender that goes out and gets him at the deadline could potentially land a star in the making with the opportunity to sign him long-term.

Mark Reynolds

Mark Reynolds is the strikeout king. He has set the MLB record for strikeouts in a season with 223, and has three straight 200-strikeout season. Last season, he became the only person to ever have a lower batting average (.198) than amount of strikeouts.

So what makes him so desirable? Well, raw power, that's what. Reynolds has over 100 career home runs in three full seasons. He's like Carlos Pena—forget the batting average, if he hits 30 home runs a season, he's worth a contract.

Reynolds can play both corner infield positions and is still relatively young, so he's definitely worth a flier for a contender looking for a little pop. As long as a potential suitor can handle 1-for-4 with three strikeouts and a home run on most days, he's going to get some attention.

David Wright

Let me say this first—I still think Wright ends up signing an extension with the Mets. But, if they are offered a rich enough package, the Mets won't turn down a trade sending Wright out of town. And if he can stay healthy, Wright is one of the best players in the game.

Not only can he hit for power, but he hits for average, steals bases and plays a fantastic third base. A team like the Dodgers or Phillies could really use that power in their lineup. The question is, will they give up top-level prospects to get him?

The five-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and two-time Silver Slugger winner is a legitimate 30/30 threat every season. He'd be an expensive get, but when he's not on the DL, he is a definite impact guy in the middle of the order.

Kevin Youkilis

Well, he's not hitting, he's not healthy and Bobby Valentine has already called him out. In a place like Boston, that's not going to fly. I still think the Red Sox would be smart to keep him, but they could probably get a decent return for the once-great corner infielder.

Once coined the Greek God of Walks in Moneyball, Youk may be past his prime, but he can still swing it. Long gone are the seasons of hanging around 30 home runs and 100 RBI, but he is still a threat for 15-20 home runs.

And if nothing else, Youkilis can play two different positions and is a very professional hitter. A mid-level team that is desperate for a boost to steal a wild-card spot might take a look at Youkilis. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good.

Carlos Lee

It's no secret that the Astros need to re-build. I can't imagine them re-signing Carlos Lee at his age, despite the fact that he's still a consistent run producer. El Caballo is in the last year of his contract, and I fully expect him to be dealt by midseason.

American League teams looking for a DH should be taking a very hard look at getting Lee. Even though it could turn out to be only a three-month rental, we've seen that strategy work before. If they can get a few clutch home runs down the stretch from a veteran power hitter like Lee, a team would look brilliant.

Lee can also play a little outfield and a lot of first base, so he's definitely a valuable bat. He has over 350 career home runs and has a .286 average in 13 years, so Lee clearly knows what he's doing. Anyone who goes out and gets Lee at the trade deadline might get a huge steal.

Seth Smith

Seth Smith is a pinch-hit, backup, underutilized outfielder and first baseman for the Oakland A's. In his glory days in Colorado, Smith hit absolute bombs into the bleachers at Coors Field regularly. He has tons of power, and would be a nice pick-up for a playoff team.

He can come off the bench, but also has a good enough swing to earn his way into a starting spot if he's on a hot streak. Either way, opposing pitchers don't want to see Smith coming off the bench in a pressure situation.

If given a full season of at-bats, Smith is capable of hitting 25 homers, and pushing 30 in a great season. Either way, that's a legitimate power threat that not a lot of people know about. Smith could be the steal of the trade deadline.