MLB Trade Rumors: Alfonso Soriano and the Top 10 Players Still on the Market

The talent involved usually isn't comparable, but August trades in Major League Baseball can be just as significant as July deals.

General managers are anxious to claim Alfonso Soriano and other reputable players off waivers before the month expires.

Cellar-dwelling teams will consider parting with their veterans. Anyone hogging the roster spot of an up-and-coming prospect or earning more than his skills warrant is typically made available at this stage of the season.

Contenders seek to address specific weaknesses as the pennant races heat up. They have only a few weeks left to acquire outside help. Once the church bells chime at 12:00 a.m. ET on September 1, they'll be completely reliant on internal solutions.

Rumors around the industry indicate that the following faces may wind up in new places.

10. Jason Giambi (Colorado Rockies)

2012 stats: .241/.380/.329, 1 HR, 8 RBI in 47 G.

Jason Giambi was always an abysmal fielder. At this stage of his career, the 41-year-old is exclusively a DH or pinch-hitter, depending on which league he's in.

The former AL MVP continues to reach base often and produce equally against southpaws and right-handers.

ESPN's Buster Olney (insider access required) notes that inexpensive, experienced role players like Giambi commonly change uniforms in the season's fifth month.

Quinn Roberts of MLB.com reports that Giambi has resumed baseball activities in his comeback from viral syndrome.

Giambi is scheduled to rejoin the Colorado Rockies in time to participate in several series before the deadline. That should give suitors ample time to judge how much still remains in his tank.

Possible fit: Cincinnati Reds.

9. Scott Hairston (New York Mets)

2012 stats: .267/.307/.518, 14 HR, 44 RBI, 7 SB in 95 G.

Meanwhile, Scott Hairston is a prototypical platoon player.

He's also powerful, serviceable defensively and cheap.

The New York Mets have been reluctant to place him on waivers (via Ken Davidoff of the New York Post), However, with Lucas Duda slugging his way back to the big-league club, they'll soon need to make a corresponding roster move.

Hairston has seen action at all three outfield positions this season.

Possible fits: Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates.

8. Jeff Francoeur (Kansas City Royals)

2012 stats: .245/.285/.384, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 3 SB in 108 G.

Kansas City Royals prospect Wil Myers is dominating at Triple-A.

His MLB debut is already overdue. Writers like Michael Beller of SI.com and Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com were hyping him up in mid-July.

With Alex Gordon signed to a long-term contract and Lorenzo Cain under team control through 2017, affable Jeff Francoeur is most likely to be supplanted. He's no stranger to late-season trades, either, having been dealt to the Texas Rangers in August 2010 after posting near-identical numbers (.237/.293/.369).

Frenchy will be owed $7.5 million next year. That's an exorbitant salary if his struggles versus righties persist, but a reasonable price if he molds back into 2011 form.

Francoeur is perennially among the league leaders in outfield assists.

Possible fit: Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals.

7. Justin Masterson (Cleveland Indians)

2012 stats: 9-10, 4.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 122/69 SO/BB in 25 GS.

Justin Masterson's latest scoreless pitching effort against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was encouraging. That's the third time since June 15 that he has gotten through a start without yielding a run.

Over that same span, he has frequently doomed his team by missing over the middle of the plate. Combining his starts from July 6, July 28 and August 3, he allowed 25 runs on 26 hits.

That inconsistency is obviously deterring potential suitors.

The Cleveland Indians refrained from selling any core players at the non-waiver deadline because they were floating around .500. Since then, though, their deficit in the American League races has swelled.

Nobody will match their asking price for outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, otherwise he would've been included in this list.

Masterson, on the other hand, was "definitely on the market" weeks ago, one NL executive told ESPN's Jayson Stark.

The 27-year-old has a mid-90s fastball and two-plus years of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Possible fits: Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers.

6. Jed Lowrie (Houston Astros)

2012 stats: .253/.343/.456, 14 HR, 36 RBI, 2 SB in 80 G.

The Houston Astros have made it clear that every experienced player on their active roster is available.

That includes fifth-year shortstop Jed Lowrie.

His first campaign as an MLB regular was derailed last month by a sprained ankle. If he starts a rehab assignment in the coming days, the Astros will surely receive offers, and consider any that reciprocate high-ceiling prospects.

The 28-year-old reaches free agency during the 2014-15 offseason. Carlos Correa, the No. 1 pick in last June's amateur draft, won't be MLB-ready by then, anyway.

Still, the Astros wouldn't let him walk away for nothing.

Team owner Jim Crane commented that GM Jeff Luhnow "got as much as he possibly could" in earlier deals (via The Huffington Post). Expect that to continue.

Possible fits: Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres.

5. Joe Saunders (Arizona Diamondbacks)

2012 stats: 6-8, 3.52 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 82/30 SO/BB in 19 GS.

If the Arizona Diamondbacks suddenly catch fire, Joe Saunders will be retained for the playoff run.

But if their season heads south, the front office will actively shop this free-agent-to-be, suspects Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs would gladly replace him in the rotation.

Saunders has pitched very consistently over the past three months, lasting six-plus innings in all but one outing while allowing four runs or fewer each time on the mound. He also started (and struggled) in the 2008, 2009 and 2011 postseasons.

Buyer beware—his pitch-to-contact philosophy is best suited for larger ballparks.

Possible fits: Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics.

4. Josh Beckett (Boston Red Sox)

2012 stats: 5-10, 5.19 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 88/35 SO/BB in 20 GS.

Josh Beckett is loathed by Boston Red Sox fans and media. Even though other players admire his competitiveness, they aren't all that impressed with his character.

He is a full-blown clubhouse cancer that needs to be removed.

A change of scenery would definitely be beneficial. There's no guarantee that he'll regain his top-of-the-rotation form, but he hasn't lost the courage to challenge opposing hitters.

Multiple MLB sources told Rod Bradford of WEEI.com that the Texas Rangers front office spoke theoretically with Boston about acquiring Beckett. They no longer appear interested in trading for him during the season.

As one executive said to ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes, "I don't think anyone would touch him without a big discount."

3. Justin Morneau (Minnesota Twins)

2012 Stats: .275/.337/.477, 16 HR, 58 RBI, 1 SB in 93 G.

There's no doubt that Justin Morneau is a flawed player.

He has never been particularly smooth with the glove, and it's unwise to insert him into the lineup against quality left-handers.

The Minnesota Twins discussed him with west coast clubs several weeks ago. At the time, according to a Ken Rosenthal tweet, they were demanding a developed starting pitcher and significant salary relief. (Morneau will make $14 million in 2013.)

In the interim, he has maintained an impressive on-base streak and driven home about a dozen runs.

I can think of a couple wealthy franchises who might cave in—expense be damned—to add this legitimate, power-hitting first baseman.

Possible fits: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants.

2. Alfonso Soriano (Chicago Cubs)

2012 stats: .264/.319/.490, 21 HR, 71 RBI, 5 SB IN 107 G.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com wrote in July that the Chicago Cubs were "desperate" to cut ties with Alfonso Soriano before the non-waiver trade deadline. Now, they're interested in getting something done by August 31.

Respectable offensive production and adequate play in left field have boosted his value. This may be the team's final opportunity to save millions of dollars and acquire several pieces to expedite the rebuilding process.

Soriano has been slumping in August, and poor plate discipline will follow him to any destination.

The 36-year-old's 10-and-five rights give him the authority to veto any proposal.

Possible fits: Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians.

1. Shaun Marcum (Milwaukee Brewers)

2012 stats: 5-3, 3.39 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 77/26 SO/BB in 13 GS.

Shaun Marcum's recent rehab start went according to plan, though it will probably take another appearance or two for his arm to fully stretch out. An elbow injury originally disabled him in June.

His deal expires this winter and the Milwaukee Brewers aren't going to be competing in September.

Had Marcum never gotten injured, the organization would have already flipped him for youngsters (a la Zack Greinke). ESPN insider Buster Olney (insider access required) expected the veteran right-hander to move if the Brewers fell out of contention, and now they have.

Since 2008, he has exhibited great control and averaged better than six innings per start.

Possible fits: Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals.

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