MLB Trade Scenarios: 3 Surprise Teams That Could Be Buyers at the Deadline

There are always a few MLB teams that, despite low expectations, succeed in the early going of the season, and this year is no exception. 

Such unexpected good fortune can change a franchise's strategy from seller to buyer at the leagues July trading deadline. Take last year's Cleveland Indians, who, much to everyone's surprise, began the season 21-9, and eventually traded for starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. 

Let's take a look three clubs, who might find themselves in a similar situation as last year's Indians.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals' April success is one of the best stories in baseball.

The club, which has not finished above .500 in a season since they were known as the Montreal Expos, currently sit atop the NL East at 14-8.

Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and the rest of the club's pitching has been out of this world thus far, ranking first in team ERA, quality starts, batting average and second in team WHIP.

However, the Nats still rank near the bottom in many offensive categories and placed their best hitter, third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, on the disabled list Friday.

With Zimmerman on the DL, the club called up top prospect Bryce Harper. Harper's presence will be a crowd-pleaser and fuel the excitement of National fans.

Still, it seems overly optimistic to suggest that the 19-year-old Harper will immediately be great and transform the Nationals offense.

The club should still look to add some hitting at the deadline, preferably in the infield.

Chicago White Sox

Entering the 2012 season, the White Sox were primarily viewed as a team that had little chance of competing in the AL Central.

The club has proved many wrong thus far, as they currently find themselves at 11-11, one game behind the division lead. 

With Jake Peavy leading the way, the Sox pitching has been fantastic, ranking third in team WHIP and BA. 

But many of the Sox hitters, especially infielders Brent Morel and Gordon Beckham, have struggled to get things going offensively.

If team's pitching can keep them in contention, it would be a great idea for the club to add an infield bat at the deadline.

Cleveland Indians

The 2012 Cleveland Indians' early season success is again a surprise considering the team's poor performance down the stretch in 2011.

At 11-9, the Indians find themselves directly above the White Sox in the AL Central standings.

They rank fifth in on-base percentage and are middle of the pack in terms of runs, but it would be of great benefit to add a hitter, preferably one with power (22nd in slugging).

The Tribe has gone the past 11 games without a home run.

Johnny Damon makes his debut today, and that should help the power woes, but if the Indians want to make a serious run at the AL Central crown, they should add someone such as Carlos Lee as the deadline nears.