MLB Trade Rumors: 20 Big Targets Every Playoff Contender Will Go After
Teams in Major League Baseball have now passed the quarter pole in the 2011 season, and in many cases, we have seen who the contenders will be and who the pretenders are.
As a result, it has become inevitable each season that teams are labeled as either buyers or sellers. The sellers, in most instances, will be trying to unload salaries of the players who don’t fit into their future plans, getting rid of players in the last years of their contracts who they don’t feel they can re-sign, or in some cases, unloading a star player that can reap a huge reward of credible major league prospects.
The buyers of course will be seeking many of the players that become available. General managers of contending teams will be burning up the phone lines, looking to put together an attractive package of players in order to land that one special player that can help take them to the promised land.
In one of the great trade deadline deals in history, the Boston Red Sox traded Nomar Garciaparra on July 31, 2004 to the Chicago Cubs as part of a four-team trade that landed both Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkeiwicz. Cabrera and Mientkeiwicz were the final key pieces that helped the Red Sox end their 86-year World Series drought.
Other great deals have also been made involving star players at the deadline—the question is, which star players this season will be the ones that potential playoff contenders will be going after?
Here is our list of the top 20 players that the playoff contenders will be in hot pursuit of.
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.
20. Bill Hall: Houston Astros
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The Houston Astros have settled in at the bottom of the NL Central, and at 17-30, they now have the second worst record in the majors. With the ownership of the team transferring to James Crane, he will clearly be looking to put his stamp on this team quickly, and changes will be coming.
Bill Hall, who signed a $3 million contract with a mutual option for next season, will likely be available. Hall can be a valuable chip for any contending team, able to play multiple seasons and known to be a streaky hitter who can get hot at any time.
19. Ivan Rodriguez: Washington Nationals
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Ivan Rodriguez is certainly well past his best days. At 39 years of age, he is playing out the string with the Washington Nationals, and at just $3 million this season, would be a great midseason pickup for any team looking for bench depth.
With Wilson Ramos stepping up for the Nationals and now playing the bulk of games behind the plate, look for Pudge to be dealt sometime soon. The cost will be low, and the return could be excellent for a two-month player who has plenty of playoff experience.
18. Rafael Furcal: Los Angeles Dodgers
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Shortstop Rafael Furcal was back in the lineup on Sunday for the Los Angeles Dodgers after spending six weeks on the DL with a broken left thumb. He was 0-for-5 in his return and is hitting just .161 on the season.
Furcal is making $12 million this season, with an option for $12 million in 2012 if he makes 600 plate appearances, which is now highly unlikely. At an approximate price of $4 million, Furcal could certainly be a huge help for contending teams down the stretch. Furcal is a pesky hitter at the top of the lineup who still has speed at 33 years of age.
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17. Jack Wilson: Seattle Mariners
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Jack Wilson made the switch to second base this season for the Mariners, playing all but one of his games there this season, committing just two errors thus far. Wilson is likely just holding the position warm for prospect Dustin Ackley, who could literally be called up at any time.
At $5 million, and due to be a free agent at the end of the season, Wilson would add great value for any contending team looking for depth in the middle infield and still able to provide some pop with the bat.
16. Jeff Francis: Kansas City Royals
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Left-hander Jeff Francis had been snake-bit before his victory on Friday night over the St. Louis, pitching seven and two thirds scoreless innings and allowing only six hits while striking out six. Francis lowered his ERA to 4.23, and it was his seventh quality start in 10 appearances.
Francis, signed to a one-year, $2 million deal by the Royals in the offseason to help offset the loss of Zack Greinke, would be a very cheap option for contending teams looking to add a quality left-handed arm to their staff.
Let's face it; EVERY team wants a good left-hander.
15. Josh Willingham: Oakland Athletics
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Outfielder Josh Willingham is currently leading the Oakland A’s in home runs (six) and runs batted in (25), but is hitting just .231. Oakland has now lost five of their last six and were swept in the recent Bay Series with the San Francisco Giants.
At 22-25, the A’s are sliding in the AL West, and if they are out of contention by the All-Star break, general manager Billy Beane will have no issue in parting with salary for prospects. Willingham, signed for $6 million this season, could very well be one of the first on the outbound train from Oakland.
14. Joe Blanton: Philadelphia Phillies
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Starter Joe Blanton is the odd-man out in the rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies, one that already boasts Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt. If all four continue to pitch well, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could dangle Blanton out there to bring in another bat for an offense that is currently underperforming.
Blanton is in the second year of a three-year, $24 million deal, so he would not come cheap. However, Blanton could absolutely provide a contending team with another strong arm for a rotation down the stretch.
The Boston Red Sox, with injuries to John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka, could possibly have interest, as well as the Yankees, who are currently competing with reclamation projects Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia.
13. Ryan Ludwick: San Diego Padres
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At 32 years of age and at a salary of $6.78 million, outfielder Ryan Ludwick doesn’t figure to be in the future plans with the San Diego Padres, and considering their current position at the bottom of the NL West standings, almost definitely will not last out the year in San Diego.
Ludwick, with eight home runs and 29 runs batted in, would be an attractive option for many playoff teams looking to add pop to their lineup or depth off the bench. Ludwick would also only cost about $2.3 million if traded at the deadline, a pretty cheap option for a potent bat.
12. Jeff Francoeur: Kansas City Royals
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Like Ryan Ludwick before him, Jeff Francoeur would be another great option in the outfield or off the bench for a playoff-contending team. Francoeur, hitting .282 with seven home runs and 28 runs batted in for the Royals, is only signed for $2.5 million, with a $4 million mutual option for 2012.
In today’s market, Francoeur would be very cheap option for a playoff contender, and at just 27 years of age, doesn’t figure to be losing pop in his bat anytime soon.
11. Vladimir Guerrero: Baltimore Orioles
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Watch out, everyone; Vladimir Guerrero is heating up. Now hitting .310, Guerrero has absolutely sizzled in the month of May, hitting .371 with seven doubles. While his home run productivity has dropped, Guerrero can still provide some pop at the age of 36.
If the Orioles continue living in the basement of the AL East, Guerrero could certainly find himself in another home by the trade deadline. At the twilight of his career, Guerrero could provide a playoff contender with some thrilling moments down the stretch.
10. Brett Myers: Houston Astros
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As mentioned in a previous slide, Houston Astros new owner James Crane will be looking to put his stamp on his team and give Houston fans the notion that he is out to win. Starting pitcher Brett Myers, signed to a two-year, $23 million contract with a vesting option for 2013, could be one of the players that can bring value back for Crane.
Myers had a great first year in Houston, going 14-8 with a 3.14 ERA. 2011 has been a little rougher going for Myers, now 1-4 with a 5.00 ERA; however, a change of scenery and the possibility to contend could do him wonders and would also benefit the Astros in the trade package.
Last season, Myers went at least six innings in every one of his starts except the last one of the season, and has already done so this season in nine of 10 starts. Myers would be a great innings-eater for any team in playoff contention.
9. Ryan Doumit: Pittsburgh Pirates
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Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit has been splitting time behind the plate of late with teammate Chris Snyder, and while the Pirates are still hanging around in the NL Central at 22-24 and just five games back of the St. Louis Cardinals, it stands to reason that the Bucs won't be in contention come the All-Star break.
Pittsburgh will not keep both Snyder and Doumit. Doumit, currently hitting .294 with four home runs and 15 runs batted in, is signed for $5.1 million this season, with team options for 2012 and 2013 that go up significantly in both seasons.n
Offering Doumit to a playoff contending team looking for punch from behind the plate (Phillies, Brewers, Red Sox) could result in a nice package for Pittsburgh in return.
8. Jason Marquis: Washington Nationals
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After an abysmal 2010 campaign that saw Washington Nationals pitcher Jason Marquis suffer through a rash of injuries and a 2-9 record with a 6.60 ERA, he seems to have righted the ship, posting a 5-1 record and and ERA of 4.08 thus far in 2011.
Marquis is in the final year of a two-year, $15 million contract, and at 32 years old, it's unlikely the Nats will sign Marquis to a long-term deal.
Several possible playoff contenders will inquire about Marquis, and at a cost of around $2.5 million at the trade deadline, Marquis would be a valuable chip in a starting rotation that lacks depth (Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Giants).
7. Jon Rauch: Toronto Blue Jays
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Has there really ever been a more menacing presence on the mound than Jon Rauch? At 6'10" with tattoos on his neck and on both arms, Rauch looks more like a WWE wrestler than a capable reliever.
Rauch was a key part of the Minnesota Twins bullpen in 2010, taking over for the injured Joe Nathan and saving 21 games. Signed during the offseason by the Toronto Blue Jays for $3.75 million, Rauch thus far has been inconsistent this season, with a 4.00 ERA and five saves, with all of the saves coming in the month of April.
The Blue Jays will likely fall out of contention at some point in the AL East, and Rauch could be a player that would bring value back for general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
6. Michael Cuddyer: Minnesota Twins
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If anyone had said they predicted the Minnesota Twins would be 15-30 at the quarter pole of the 2011 season, I would have called them a liar. But that's exactly where the Twins find themselves right now, and they would have to play at a 92-win pace for the rest of the season just to get back to .500, which certainly won't be good enough for post-season eligibility.
So, the Twins will be sellers for the first time in quite a while, and outfielder/utility man Michael Cuddyer could be one of the first players dealt.
Cuddyer, 32, is in the final season of his four-year, $31 million contract, and his versatility and solid bat would be a great fit for just about every playoff-contending team looking for depth.
5. Heath Bell: San Diego Padres
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San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell has made no secret of his desire to stay in San Diego, even saying he'll accept a hometown discount to remain in place on the Padres roster.
However, Bell will command huge money on the open market and is easily one of the most consistent closers in the last several seasons. Even this season, Bell has posted an ERA of 1.13 with 11 saves and continues to get it done on a team that is offensively challenged.
At some point, San Diego management will realize they just can't afford Bell, and there will be several teams that will come calling with a package of prospects willing to open their pocketbooks for Bell's services.
4. Michael Young: Texas Rangers
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In spite of all the hoopla surrounding Texas Rangers designated hitter Michael Young during spring training, he is putting together an outstanding season. Currently hitting .341 with two homers and 31 runs batted in, Young leads the American League with 16 doubles and can be plugged in anywhere in the infield at any time.
Nonetheless, Young is still unhappy with his situation in Texas and clearly wants to be playing every day in the field. In the middle of a five-year, $80 million contract, Young will not come cheap, but at some point in time, especially if Young keeps up his sizzling pace at the plate, a playoff-contending team will come calling.
General manager Jon Daniels will need to be blown away by any deal if Young were to leave, and if the Rangers are still at or near the top of the AL West, the deal would have to be one that Daniels just couldn't pass up.
3. Carlos Beltran: New York Mets
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New York Mets right field Carlos Beltran has definitely shown that he is over the injuries that plagued him for much of the previous two seasons. Beltran, currently hitting .281 with eight home runs and 25 runs batted in, is probably the biggest two-month rental player available.
In the final season of his seven-year, $119 million contract, Beltran would cost around $4.5 million at the trade deadline. However, with the offensive punch that's still there, Beltran would provide any playoff-contending team with a great option down the stretch.
2. Jose Reyes: New York Mets
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Much like the player before him on this slide show, Jose Reyes appears to be completely recovered from the rash of injuries suffered in the last two seasons and is also in the final year of his contract. Reyes, currently hitting .314, leads the National League in hits, triples and stolen bases.
Currently making $11 million, Reyes would cost about $3.7 million at the trade deadline, and considering he will only be 28 years old in June, Reyes could certainly fit into long-term plans for any team looking for a slick shortstop at the leadoff position (Giants, Angels).
1. Prince Fielder: Milwaukee Brewers
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Currently hitting .287 with 10 home runs and a league-leading 36 runs batted in, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder is in lockstep with his career numbers. With the Brewers dedicating long-term money to Ryan Braun, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks and Zack Greinke, it is highly unlikely that Fielder will be back in Milwaukee next season.
General manager Doug Melvin has been nothing but politically correct in talking about his star slugger, basically saying that Fielder is a Brewer for 2011.
Melvin would be smart to seek a package for Fielder now rather than get nothing later.
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