MLB Trade Rumors: The Biggest Potential Trade Deadline Steals
As the 2011 MLB season approaches the quarter mark, we start to get an idea of the teams that may be looking at upgrades, and teams that may be looking to unload salary and build with developing players in their farm systems.
For teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, it has been almost an annual occurrence where players are offered up to other teams in order to cut payroll and move on with a new rotation of young prospects. Ditto with the Kansas City Royals, although they have certainly surprised many in hanging around this long in the American League Central.
Teams like the Cleveland Indians, which thus far have been the surprise of the league with a 24-13 start, could be looking for some bargains to bolster the roster. While there have been many articles already written about the potential of some big-name stars who could be moved at the trade deadline, there are also some potential steals at bargain basement prices that could make news in the coming months as well.
We will take a look at the top 15 players who could be potential steals for teams at the MLB trade deadline.
Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.
15. Rick Ankiel: Outfielder, Washington Nationals
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Rick Ankiel, currently rehabbing a sore right wrist, will actually be competing for playing time with the Washington Nationals when he is eligible to return from the disabled list in about a week. Roger Bernadina, Laynce Nix and Jayson Werth are currently patrolling the outfield for the Nats, and Michael Morse and Jerry Hairston Jr. are also capable of playing the outfield as well.
Ankiel, signed to a $1.5 million contract for 2011, would be a very cheap option for teams looking for a bit of power off the bench. The Los Angeles Angels, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers could be teams looking to add depth, and at approximately $600,000 for the rest of the season at the deadline, Ankiel could be a steal for these particular teams.
14. Jesse Crain: Relief Pitcher, Chicago White Sox
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Relief pitcher Jesse Crain played the first seven years of his career with the Minnesota Twins before signing a three-year, $13 million free-agent contract with the Chicago White Sox.
General manager Kenny Williams gambled during the offseason in greatly increasing the White Sox payroll in order to build a contender for 2011. Williams himself said he was uneasy with the payroll, saying last February:
"Hell, no, I'm not comfortable with the payroll right now. We're out on a limb. But that's our choice. We made the choice in an effort to give our fans hope and give ourselves a chance to compete for a championship.
"If things don't go our way, if we don't get the support, we'll lose money. We're going to lose money but we've gone into this knowing how long can you do that, how much can you absorb?
"Well, I don't have the answers to those questions just yet, but we made this decision. But it's a risky proposition.”
With the White Sox currently at 16-24 and continuing to struggle, Williams may be in a selling mood sooner than one might think.
Jesse Crain may be one the chips moved by Williams. With a career 3.40 ERA out of the bullpen, Crain would be a great addition for several teams looking to bolster their ‘pens. The Boston Red Sox could be interested, considering the struggles of both Dan Wheeler and Hideki Okajima, and Bobby Jenks continuing to struggle with the transition from closer to set-up man. Crain would cost approximately $1.4 million for the rest of the season at the trade deadline, plus his additional two years.
13. Matt Guerrier: Relief Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
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Relief pitcher Matt Guerrier, like Jesse Crain, was another pitcher who played his entire career with the Twins before signing a free-agent contract during the offseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Considering the current ongoing problems with Dodgers’ ownership and with the Dodgers currently under .500, Guerrier could find himself on the trading block at the deadline. Only owed $1.5 million this season, Guerrier could be a great add for teams looking for depth in the bullpen.
The St. Louis Cardinals could come calling, considering the difficulties they’ve had in the ‘pen all season long thus far.
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12. Aaron Heilman: Relief Pitcher, Arizona Diamondbacks
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Relief pitcher Aaron Heilman had a rough start to his 2011 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting lit up early and ending up on the DL with a right shoulder issue.
However, since his return from the disabled list, Heilman has been lights out, giving up just three hits and no runs in four appearances, with six strikeouts and one walk.
With the Diamondbacks likely to end up at or near the bottom of the National League West, general manager Kevin Towers could very well be in a selling mood come trade deadline time, and Heilman could be one of the players on the block.
At a salary of $2 million in 2011, Heilman would absolutely be a steal for a team like the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers or Florida Marlins, looking for inexpensive options to shore up their bullpens for the pennant drive.
11. Bill Hall: Utility Infielder, Houston Astros
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Last season, utility infielder Bill Hall proved to be invaluable for the Boston Red Sox, which suffered a rash of injuries to key players throughout the season. Hall played six different positions for the Red Sox, and even chipped in with an inning on the pitcher’s mound.
Hall hit 18 home runs in a limited role for the Sox, and this past offseason he was signed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Houston Astros, with a mutual option for a second season at $4 million.
With the recent news that the Astros may be sold by owner Drayton McLane Jr. and the fact that the Astros will most likely wind up at or near the cellar of the National League Central, several players may be expendable, including Hall.
Hall could provide great value off the bench for teams like the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves, and he would only cost around $1.2 million at the trade deadline.
10. Randy Choate: Relief Pitcher, Florida Marlins
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Is it possible that relief pitcher Randy Choate could find himself back in New York with the Yankees before the end of the season? That all depends on the progress of the Florida Marlins over the next couple of months.
Choate, who signed a two-year, $2.5 million during the offseason with the Marlins, has been terrific thus far on the young season, with a 1.42 ERA in 15 appearances, serving almost entirely as a lefty specialist and holding left-handed batters to a .105 average.
The Yankees are desperate for left-handed help in the bullpen, with only one southpaw on hand (Boone Logan). At approximately $400,000 for the rest of the season after the deadline, Choate would be a bargain even for the Yankees.
9. Grant Balfour: Relief Pitcher, Oakland Athletics
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This list is loaded with relief pitchers, and for good reason. A number of teams will look for bargains to help during the pennant drive, and relief pitchers are generally in high demand. This year is no exception, and Grant Balfour just could be one of those players in demand.
Balfour, signed by the Oakland A’s to a two-year, $8.1 million contract with a team option for a third year, could find himself jettisoned by Billy Beane if the A’s aren’t in contention at the trade deadline. While the A’s are currently in a tight race with the Angels and Rangers in the AL West, they are sorely lacking in offensive production.
If pitching can’t keep them in the race, pieces may be unloaded. Balfour would be a great fit for several teams looking for bullpen depth down the stretch, including the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and even Tampa Bay, the same team Balfour pitched for last season.
8. Dustin Moseley: Starting Pitcher, San Diego Padres
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Thus far in the 2011 season, Dustin Moseley has been the classic example of a hard-luck pitcher. Moseley is 1-5 so far, but with a low 3.40 ERA, indicating a complete lack of run support. While pitcher-friendly Petco Park certainly helps Moseley, the numbers he has posted are certainly attractive for several teams looking for pitching help down the stretch.
At a salary of just $900,000 for the season, Moseley would be a steal for teams like the Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Florida Marlins, and wouldn’t cost a lot in terms of returning prospects, either.
7. Jason Marquis: Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals
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On Tuesday, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jason Marquis picked up the 100th win of his career, and is 4-1 with a 3.66 ERA for the Nats thus far in 2011.
At a salary of $7.5 million, Marquis isn’t nearly as much of a steal as Dustin Moselely, but for teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers, Marquis would add a quality arm at about $2.6 million down the stretch. Boston could be a player, considering the difficulties of John Lackey and the health issues of Daisuke Matsuzaka.
6. J.J. Putz: Closer, Arizona Diamondbacks
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Closer J.J. Putz certainly appears to be back to his former self, picking up his eighth save of the season on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Putz thus far has appeared in 13 games, sporting a 2.57 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 14 innings of work.
Given the issues that the St. Louis Cardinals have had in the closer’s role, Putz could certainly be an option, both now and in the future.
5. Jason Kubel: Outfielder/Designated Hitter, Minnesota Twins
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Outfielder/designated hitter Jason Kubel is in the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Twins that pays him $5.25 million this season, and given the Twins’ awful start to the season (12-26), there is absolutely no guarantee the Twins will retain him.
Kubel has been one of the lone bright spots in the Twins’ lineup, hitting .336 with four homers and 20 runs batted in. At an approximate price of $1.8 million, Kubel would be a nice fit for teams like the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels and the Tampa Bay Rays down the stretch.
4. Michael Cuddyer: Outfielder/Utility, Minnesota Twins
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Like Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer is also a free agent at the end of the season. The Twins are loaded with outfield prospects in their farm system, and it’s unlikely the Twins will keep either outfielder.
Again, considering the Twins may not be able to recover from their woeful start, Cuddyer could also be trade bait at the deadline, and with his versatility, several teams would be in the mix for his services.
3. Alex Gordon: Third Baseman, Kansas City Royals
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Alex Gordon was one of the leading prospects in the majors when he broke in with the Kansas City Royals in 2007. While he has never quite lived up to expectations, Gordon has shown marked improvement this season, hitting .292 with three homers and 23 RBIs.
However, could time be running out for Gordon in KC? With prospects Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas now the future of the Royals, Gordon could be had for the right package of prospects and provide versatility, with experience at third, first and left field.
It will all depend on the asking price that Royals general manager Dayton Moore sets for Gordon, and how much teams will be willing to give up.
2. Matt Capps: Closer, Minnesota Twins
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Closer Matt Capps took over the role from the struggling Joe Nathan for the Twins a few weeks ago and considering the mighty struggles of the Twins this season, hasn’t been given many opportunities to close out games. At $7.15 million, Capps could certainly be expendable if the Twins continue with their massive slide into mediocrity.
At a cost of approximately $2.4 million, Capps would be a great addition at the trade deadline for a team like the Philadelphia Phillies, especially if Bard Lidge and Jose Contreras are unable to be effective after their returns from the disabled list.
1. Vladimir Guerrero: Designated Hitter, Baltimore Orioles
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Hmmmm, here’s a thought. The Yankees are struggling, Jorge Posada is balking at being a full-time DH, Andruw Jones isn’t a viable full-time option and the Orioles could be sellers for the right price.
Guerrero, signed for $8 million this season, would be a bargain for the Yankees, and at 36 years old, coming off an All-Star season last year for the Rangers, Vladdy could absolutely be a fit in pinstripes.
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