MLB Trade Scenarios: 5 Deals to Bolster Huge Payroll Teams

There are only a few teams in MLB that have the financial resources to spend $7.5 million to obtain the services of a player such as free agent Roy Oswalt.

Teams like the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies have significant payrolls and are willing to explore the trade and free agent markets.

As the 2012 MLB season approaches the July 31 trade deadline, it will be interesting to see which players will be available for large-market teams?

Here are five potential moves by huge payroll teams that could be done to bolster their teams' playoff chances.  

Boston Red Sox Acquire: Matt Garza, P, Chicago Cubs

There have been a lot of rumors of late tying the Boston Red Sox to Roy Oswalt.

Most recently, Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reported that Oswalt's asking price is too steep for many teams including the Red Sox.

If Oswalt's price is too steep who else could be a potential candidate for the Red Sox staff?

How about Matt Garza?

The Chicago Cubs (16-32) are currently in the NL Central cellar. It may be time for the Cubs to start unloading some veteran talent to start rebuilding for the future. Garza is an intriguing possibility because of his age, 28, and his familiarity of the AL East.

The real question is whether or not the Red Sox are willing to part with prized prospects. Undoubtedly, the Cubs are going to want players of high caliber in return such as starting third baseman Will Middlebrooks. There are also financial considerations as the Red Sox will have to pay a portion of the $9.5 million due this year and whatever an arbitrator decides for 2013.

The Red Sox should make this trade if they can put together a deal that satisfies Cubs GM Jed Hoyer.

Garza is 2-3 with a 4.22 ERA this season.

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Texas Rangers Acquire: Roy Oswalt, P, Free Agent

There is at least one fan of Roy Oswalt in the Texas Rangers organization.

Rangers skipper Ron Washington

An ESPNDallas.com article last week reported that Washington would be in favor of his club signing the veteran right-hander if he was healthy and ready to go.

Washington was interviewed last Wednesday by ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's "Ben & Skin" show where he was asked whether or not he felt Oswalt should join the team.

"...Oswalt has to want to come to Texas and we have to get him ready, said Washington via podcast in an interview with ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's "Ben & Skin" show. "The guy is a quality pitcher. But I'm more than certain there are other teams trying to do the same things."

The Rangers are in the market for another starting pitcher after Neftali Feliz was placed last week on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. Scott Feldman is currently holding Feliz's spot in the rotation. He's currently 0-2 with a 4.66 ERA— which is not bad but not good either.

With the questionable health of Feliz's right elbow and uncertain timetable for a return— the Rangers should consider signing Oswalt.

UPDATE: Yahoo's Tim Brown reported on Twitter Sunday night that the Los Angeles Dodgers have made Oswalt an offer, but he still would prefer to pitch for the Rangers.

New York Yankees Acquire: Rafael Betancourt, CP, Colorado Rockies

The New York Yankees bullpen has been decimated by injuries this season.

The big blow came on May 3 when Mariano Rivera tore his ACL while shagging fly balls before a game against the Kansas City Royals.

With Rivera lost for the season and replacement closer David Robertson on the 15-Day DL with a strained oblique, the Yankees are now relying on the oft-injured Rafael Soriano to close games.

Soriano has filled in their absence admirably posting a 2-0 record, 2.08 ERA with five saves. However, you have to wonder how long Soriano can stay off the disabled list. With that said, the Yankees would be wise to add an additional arm to the back end of their bullpen.

Enter Rafael Betancourt.

The Colorado Rockies (19-29) enter Monday 13 games behind the NL West leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Betancourt is currently the Rockies closer and has put up decent numbers this season. He has posted a 1-1 record, 2.65 ERA, with eight saves in 17 appearances.

The 37-year-old right hander is owed $4 million this season, $4.25 million in 2013 and 2014 with a mutual $250,000 buyout option in 2014.

If the Yankees are willing to add payroll and if the Rockies are looking to sell, this move could work for both teams. 

Philadelphia Phillies Acquire: Kevin Youkilis, 3B, Boston Red Sox

A proposed trade of Red Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis to the Philadelphia Phillies would benefit both teams.

Youkilis could use a change of scenery as he has had disagreements with Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine.

The emergence of Red Sox rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks has also created an infield log-jam with Youkilis— who is now also competing for time with David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzales. 

For the Phillies, the injection of Youkilis into a lineup without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley could provide some instant firepower. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported last week via Twitter that the Phillies were one of the teams scouting Youkilis.

CBSSports.com Danny Knobler also reported via Twitter that teams will undoubtedly be asking the Red Sox to eat some of the $12 million salary due to him this season.

If the Phillies are able to make the Red Sox eat some of Youkilis' remaining salary, a trade may be possible.

Los Angeles Angels Acquire: Ryan Dempster, SP, Chicago Cubs

The Los Angeles Angels may have lost Jared Weaver due to an apparent back injury suffered against the New York Yankees Sunday night. If it turns out Weaver needs to miss a significant amount of time, the Angels may have to look into obtaining a veteran starting pitcher. 

One player who may be available if the Angels come calling is the Chicago Cubs Ryan Dempster. The right-hander will be a free agent at the end of the season and would undoubtedly bring back some value if the Cubs decide to trade him before the deadline. 

If the Angels are able to put together a package of prospects that satisfies Cubs GM Jed Hoyer, he may be a viable option. This of course is all dependent on whether or not Weaver's injury is serious. There's no word as of yet whether or not the injury will keep Weaver on the shelf for a prolonged period of time.

Dempster is 0-3 with a 2.14 ERA so far this season.