MLB Trade Rumors: Every Seller and Their Biggest Trade Chip
We are over one-fourth of the way through the MLB season, and it's time to talk trades.
Every year there are big deals made that shape the playoff races. These trades can make or break teams trying to get into the playoffs, or it can help a struggling team try to reshape the organization.
We all look for the big deal leading up to the trade deadline; the biggest players are always on our minds. We love watching blockbuster deals go down and seeing teams looking for talent go out and get some, but obviously there can't be buyers without sellers.
So who are the big sellers? Who are they looking to deal? Just keeping reading to find out.
Baltimore Orioles: Vladimir Guerrero
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"Vlad the Impaler" is up for grabs yet again, this time at the trade deadline. Guerrero is actually hitting .309 this season, and he is absolutely on fire.
Guerrero has seen his batting average jump from .275 to .309 in his last eight games, averaging two hits per game, and racking up six RBI during that span.
Guerrero is currently with the basement-dwelling Baltimore Orioles, and he could provide playoff hopes for a team that is actually contending.
Vlad could be the difference for a team, and the Orioles will sell him for the right price.
Toronto Blue Jays: Jon Rauch
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The menacing 6'10" reliever will probably be dealt by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Rauch was signed during this past offseason, but he has been inconsistent at best with an ERA of 4.19. However, Rauch could turn that around, as his WHIP is only 1.17, and that means that he just needs to stop allowing big hits by keeping his pitches down.
Rauch was a vital part for the Twins last season, and he will find a new playoff-contending team this season, seeing as the Blue Jays are going to drop out of contention in the power-packed AL East sooner rather than later.
Perhaps he'll join the bullpen-depleted Philadelphia Phillies?
San Diego Padres: Heath Bell
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Heath Bell may want to stay in San Diego, and the team may want to keep him, but his contract is too hefty for the Padres.
Bell has an ERA slightly over 2.00, and 11 saves for the Padres who aren't known for their offense. Bell's WHIP is a hair over 1.00, and he would be a great pick-me-up for a team that needs a closer. Bell will probably find a new home soon, seeing as the bullpen plays such a big role come playoff time.
While Bell has said that he's play for San Diego for less money, he will have to do that at another time, because they can't afford not to trade him at this point.
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Washington Nationals: Jason Marquis
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The lowly Nationals have found their way back to the basement of the NL East, and they'll be looking to unload some talent for some prospects.
Who better to trade than Jason Marquis, who has come out hot this season, posting a 5-1 record?
The Nationals need to get rid of someone, and they won't trade Jayson Werth, whom they just locked up, so now it's time to look at Marquis.
Pitching dominates in the postseason, and Marquis could help a team that needs another starter to get them to the postseason, or to help them through it.
Minnesota Twins: Michael Cuddyer
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Michael Cuddyer is an outfielder for the disappointing Minnesota Twins, and they'll be looking to ship him away.
Cuddyer's stats won't blow you away, hitting .267 with five homers and 11 RBI, but he gets the job done.
Cuddyer could play a factor in the run to the postseason for a few teams looking for some offensive stability and some help in the outfield.
Cuddyer could get the Twins a good prospect or two from the right team, and that's something that they won't want to pass up.
Houston Astros: Brett Myers
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Brett Myers is struggling this year, but he had a great 2010 season, and he seems to have only had a rough couple of starts. Myers will probably turn things around, and that will make him an interesting option for teams.
The Astros have a new owner, James Crane, who will be trying to show the team that's he is in it to win it. That will, of course, start with some rebuilding for the lowly Astros.
Myers is signed to a two-year, $23 million contract with a vesting option for 2013, and that spells trouble for the Astros.
Myers will need to be dealt if the Astros want to open up their payroll for the offseasons to come, and he could come in handy for a team that needs pitching. Look for Myers to find a new home that is trying to use him to propel themselves towards the playoffs.
Milwaukee Brewers: Prince Fielder
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Prince Fielder is one of the biggest players on the market for the 2011 MLB trade deadline for sure, and what's not to like about a power-hitting first baseman?
Fielder is one of the best power hitters in the NL with 11 home runs, and he is tied for the lead in RBI with teammate Ryan Braun at 37. Fielder isn't completely one-sided either, he is also hitting above .280 for the season.
Fielder has been on fire this season, and he is on the trading block. The Brewers dished out cash for Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, Zack Greinke and Corey Hart, so they don't have a lot of room left for Fielder next year.
Fielder has to leave sooner or later, and the Brewers could still get something from him leaving sooner.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Ryan Doumit
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Ryan Doumit is currently splitting time with Chris Synder, but that won't do for the Pirates.
Chronic basement-dwellers as of late, the Pirates need to find some young talent and keep it. This starts with trading one of their catchers for some prospects, and that will probably be Doumit.
Hitting around .300 with 15 RBI, Doumit is a solid option for a position that lacks true talent. A lot of teams need catchers (the Red Sox for one) and Doumit can fill a hole for some teams.
Doumit will probably be traded to a team who is looking to make a move towards the postseason, and with a solid hitting option who can manage a staff at catcher, Doumit could push them over the top.
Texas Rangers: Michael Young
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Michael Young did not have a quiet Spring Training by any means, and he could've easily been distracted, bu he has posted a .348 batting average so far, good enough for third in the AL, and fourth in the MLB.
Young has made excellent contact this season, and we know that he can play the field, despite being the DH of the Texas Rangers.
Young is unhappy in Texas because of the fact that he does not get to play the field every day, and that means that he could be headed to a National League team.
Young can be a valuable asset for any team, and while the Rangers would like to keep him, they will probably run into an offer they can't refuse.
Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez
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The Seattle Mariners may be in contention as of now, but they will probably drop out soon and become a seller. While the King Felix speculation is just that--speculation--he is still an option for a blockbuster trade.
While only certain teams like the Yankees could be in contention for Hernandez, he is still a potential trading chip.
The Yankees are desperate for pitching now that Pettitte is retired, and Phil Hughes is struggling, the Yankees are desperate for pitching, and they might up the ante on Hernandez.
The Yankees ought to be willing to pay a royal price for King Felix, and they might make the Mariners and offer they can't refuse.
Kansas City Royals: Jeff Francoeur
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Jeff Francoeur could definitely help a team to a few more victories with his bat or his glove.
Francoeur, stuck on the basement-dwelling Royals, has hit .286 this season with nine homers and 29 RBI. Francoeur is one of the top RBI batters in the league despite a poor supporting cast, and if he were to have runners on base more often he could become a force.
The Royals definitely need more talent now that Zack Greinke is gone, and a good way to get that talent would come from a bidding war over Francoeur.
New York Mets: Jose Reyes
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One of the biggest names on the trading block for sure, Reyes has been drawing a lot of attention as the trade deadline comes nearer and nearer.
Reyes is hitting .310, and he leads the league in stolen bases and triples thus far. Reyes can leadoff and order and provide the spark that all teams need, but some teams lack.
Reyes could help just about any team in the MLB, so the asking price will be pretty high, which would really help the Mets.
Reyes will almost certainly be moved, but the question is where when so many teams could use his services. Look for both the Mets and Reyes to score big when he moves, not to mention the team that will get him.
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