MLB Trade Deadline: Is Dodgers' Javy Guerra Expendable Upon Return from Injury?

The 2012 MLB season hasn't been one to remember for Javy Guerra, whose list of accomplishments include losing the closer's role and hitting the disabled list with a sore knee. Surgery is just the latest of Guerra's list of woes.

In his absence, we have beared witness to the emergence of one of the game's most promising young relief pitchers: 24-year-old Kenley Jansen.

Jansen has posted a season stat line that displays poise and ability well beyond his age. The Netherlands native has posted nine saves with a 2.20 ERA and a dominant 0.91 WHIP. Although he has blown three saves, Jansen has emerged the winning pitcher in all three of those outings.

It's a safe bet that Jansen is the Dodgers' closer of the future.

Due to this fact, the Dodgers' former closer, Javy Guerra, appears to be the odd man out. While Dodgers fans would love to have the man who converted 21 out of 23 save opportunities in 2011 as their setup man, Guerra may desire a larger role.

With Matt Guerrier returning and Ronald Belisario pitching lights-out ball, Guerra may also become expendable.

It's worth noting that Guerra would generate serious attention on the trade market. The second-year Texan is just 26 years of age and has posted a career ERA of 2.67 with 29 saves in 33 opportunities. He's also appeared in 41 non-save opportunities and been equally efficient.

With teams around the major leagues in need of consistency at the end of the bullpen, such as the cross-state Oakland Athletics, it's worth shopping Guerra around and discovering what could be. With Cole Hamels and Kevin Youkilis both publicly targeted, that may just be the Dodgers' first great starting point.

The wins are great and the roster is inconsistent. Time to add via subtraction.