MLB Trade Deadline 2012: Teams Who Missed Golden Opportunities

The Chicago Cubs were able to dump a few veterans for young talent, but it would have been great for the team to trade Alfonso Soriano.

Soriano is having a solid year for a really bad Cubs team, so that is a recipe for parting ways. He's 36 years old and he plays only a decent left field, but his future as a major leaguer is brighter as a DH.

That said, the Cubs were unable to find a suitor and/or a deal to move him.

Moving Soriano would have not only cleared some money (the Cubs would have had to assume some of the $44 million he is owed), but would have also created room for youth.

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer told the Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN1000 (per ESPN) that there is still a chance to deal Soriano this month.

If they can they should. He's hitting .270 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI. He can help a team down the stretch, and moving him helps the Cubs in the long run.

Other players who should have been moved were:

Josh Beckett

The Red Sox pitcher isn't having a great season, but he still has some quality innings left in his arm.

His tough season got worse on Tuesday night when he suffered an injury against the Detroit Tigers.

He's just 5-9 with 4.54 ERA this year, but a change of scenery could have done wonders. He was 13-7 last season, and despite his last two tough trips to the postseason, he has had some major success with the money on the line.

He struggled in 2008 and 2009 with the Red Sox, but he was World Series MVP in 2003 and ALCS MVP in 2007.

There are teams like the Rangers and Braves that Beckett could have helped, even if he functioned as a fifth starter.

But there was no deal made.

Kevin Correia

Correia was not happy with his move to the bullpen per Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Bucs acquired Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros, and Correia was the man sent to the pen to make room.

Now the Pirates have a disgruntled pitcher in the pen. Correia will give his all because he's a professional and because he'll be a free agent next season.

But the Pirates needed another bat more than they needed what equates to a long reliever. They should have packaged Correia and a prospect to obtain a bat.

They didn't make a move and now I believe they still don't have the firepower to go deep into the postseason.

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