MLB Trade Speculation: 10 Fan-Favorites Who Could Be Dealt This Summer

The MLB trade deadline can be a tough time for fans. If the team you're cheering for is in third when they were supposed to be contenders, it's not a surprise if they sell players.

When they send out fan favorites, it's either a tough move they had to make, or a good way to anger fans and effectively end the season early. Of course, if that favorite has a rift with the manager, then he's going to be gone anyway.

Here are 10 fan favorites who could very well be on the way out.

Kevin Youkilis

It seemed like only yesterday that Youkilis was a fan favorite in Boston. In fact, it pretty much was; it wasn't until the Bobby Valentine incident that fans began to dig lines in the sand, and that has not helped the Red Sox.

With the rise of Will Middlebrooks at third base and Adrian Gonzalez's continued prowess, it's a question of when he's traded, not if. There's enough teams that could use a first or third baseman with his plate discipline, so long as he bounces back.

Justin Morneau

Justin Morneau is playing better than he was last year, but that's not saying much. He's still far the 2008 MVP candidate, and right now he seems like he's not going to bounce back.

The Twins are in such horrendous shape that if they can get anything at all for him, especially pitching, they can take it. Being a former MVP helps a lot more in trade talks than it should for a struggling player, after all.

Andre Ethier

This possibility has been tossed around for months, when in actuality it's a lot less likely than it used to be, given that the Dodgers are running away with the NL West right now.

Still, Andre Ethier is in a contract year and is hitting at a premium level; he's even dwarfing Matt Kemp's RBI total. If Bobby Abreu and Tony Gwynn can hold down the other spots, then the Dodgers could very well make a move before the deadline, even if in first still.

Adam Jones

When a player is having a big time career year, there is the possibility of a trade, especially when it's a smaller team. If a team is somehow in first, it makes it less likely, but not impossible.

Adam Jones has become the leader of the Orioles, and has tore up the field to lead them to an utterly improbable first place in the AL East. Should they fall back down to earth, Jones could be trade bait. Then again, if they remain in first, perhaps they'll be buyers of others on this list.

Nyjer Morgan

The Milwaukee Brewers are a mess, with poor hitting and even worse pitching despite being a great team last year. As a result, a move will be necessary to keep them in contention.

Fan favorite Nyjer Morgan may be the one gone. Tony Plush is not performing well this year, and if trading him can net them a consistently solid pitcher, then it will be a net positive and get them moving back up.

Manny Ramirez

If Manny Ramirez joins the Athletics and actually plays well, does anyone really think they're going to keep him around? No, they're going to try and grab what prospects they can for him.

Whether or not he'll be a fan favorite in Oakland will remain to be seen, but there are other places where he would be welcomed even in spite of his past if traded there.

Gavin Floyd

Those I know from Chicago definitely like Gavin Floyd, and can't figure out why he's always on the trading block. Personally, neither can I.

The White Sox are overachieving so far this year thanks to Paul Konerko and others, but knowing White Sox management, the only way that Floyd is guaranteed a spot in the rotation past the trade deadline is after that deadline passes.

Placido Polanco

The Philadelphia Phillies are in a real tough spot. On the one hand, they are last in the NL East and need to make a move if they want a shot at the playoffs. On the other, their struggles are due to infield injuries, and a trade could make that worse.

Placido Polanco will be 37 next year, and he's still capable defensively, but at this point the Phillies need offense. Defensive third basemen will automatically bring at least something in a trade, especially since he's still hitting decently.

Chris Perez

Since arriving in Cleveland, Chris "Pure Rage" Perez has been a fan favorite, even in spite of his comments regarding fans recently. He's also been one of the better closers in the league this year.

Given how bad closers have been, he is trade bait, since the Indians can improve their outfield in an attempt to continue holding off Detroit in the AL Central, since they are somehow in first place.

David Wright

The odds of David Wright being traded, given that the Mets didn't trade Jose Reyes and are over .500 so far, are next to zero. As long as it's above zero, though, the possibility will be discussed.

Wright is hitting around .400, and at the rate he's going could end up out of the Mets' price range. He would bring in top prospects to the Mets and give them a lot of young talent if they wanted to pull the trigger. Besides, a 2012 playoff run wasn't on their mind anyway.