MLB Trade Speculation: 10 Pitching Prospects Teams May Consider Moving

There's no doubt that a number of trades will take place this year as teams identify needs and others prepare for fire sales, and you'd have to believe that a number of prospects who are getting their chance in the minors may very well be on the move.

While it's difficult to decide just who could be available at any given time, it seems that few players in team's systems are really "untouchable."

Here are some pitching prospects in minor league organizations that could potentially be on the move as the season moves along.

Stetson Allie

As a second round selection in the 2010 MLB draft, Stetson Allie was supposed to step in and throw some effective innings in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system as he worked his way up to the bigs.

He finished with an 0-2 record and 6.58 ERA in Low-A ball last year and has appeared in two games this season, giving up four earned runs in less than one total inning of action.

Jacob Turner

Jacob Turner was the ninth overall selection by the Detroit Tigers in the 2009 MLB draft and quickly worked his way through the team's system after that point, playing in two levels of Single-A in 2010 and Double-A and Triple-A in 2011 before a late-season call-up.

The Tigers are looking for additional help in their starting rotation, and if they deem it necessary to look outside the organization, Turner could represent a great trade chip.

Chris Archer

At just 23 years old, there's definitely still time for Chris Archer to make it in this league, even if it's not with the Tampa Bay Rays.

He's currently in his seventh season in the minor leagues, and while he's had some great successes—like an 8-2 season with a sub-2.00 ERA—he's struggled a bit as of late and hasn't been able to get over the hump and into the bigs.

Carlos Perez

After a very strong 2010 season between two Single-A squads, Carlos Perez regressed a bit in 2011, posting a 4-10 record while seeing his ERA balloon to near 5.00.

At just 20 years of age he could very well still work into his prime, but after an 0-3 start with a 12.38 ERA to start the 2012 season, the Braves could very well rethink their position on Perez.

Dellin Betances

The New York Yankees have had prospects like Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos in their organization for a little while now, and while they appeared to be the future of the rotation for the team, there are struggles that probably aren't being overlooked by the organization.

Banuelos has a great arsenal of pitches, and though he's gotten off to a slow start in 2012, he could still fetch a good return if he was dangled as a trade piece by the team.

Roman Mendez

Starting pitcher Roman Mendez handled batters in Single-A quite easily in 2011, posting a 9-1 record with a 3.31 ERA in 20 starts for the Hickory Crawdads.

The Texas Rangers farmhand was bumped to High-A ball prior to the start of this season, where he's struggled early on, getting off to a 1-3 start in his first five appearances.

Heath Hembree

Selected in the fifth round by the San Francisco Giants in 2010, Heath Hembree has been a solid relief option for at every level he's pitched.

His value as a trade piece may be somewhat limited since he's strictly a bullpen arm, but he's already saved six of the 10 games he's appeared in this season and continues to build on an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Jake Petricka

Drafted on three separate occasions, Jake Petricka finally caught on with the Chicago White Sox organization in 2010 and now he's working toward becoming a formidable starter alongside up-and-comer Chris Sale.

He hasn't wowed the organization since reaching High-A ball, where he's posted a 6-9 record with an ERA approaching 5.00, all while watching his walk numbers climb along with it.

Casey Crosby

As mentioned earlier, the Detroit Tigers have set the bar very high for the 2012 season and beyond with the game's best pitcher and one of the league's best lineups.

Casey Crosby is entering his fifth season in the Tigers organization, where he's struggled to put up strong numbers since making the leap past Single-A ball.

He's off to a 2-2 start in Triple-A this season, walking more than five batters per nine innings.

Ariel Pena

Currently in his sixth season with the Los Angeles Angels organization, Ariel Pena is coming off his best season, when he finished the year with a 10-6 record in in Single-A San Bernadino.

Pena started the 2012 season in Double-A Arkansas, where he's off to a 1-2 start with a better than 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.