Vladimir Guerrero and Four More Deadline Targets for the Phillies

As we get closer to the July 31 trade deadline, speculation about who is going where is getting louder by the day.  Everyone has their own opinions and they all think they are right.  

In keeping with that spirit, here's my opinion on who the Phillies should be seriously looking at around the end of July.

Feel free to tell me how wrong or right you think I am.

Bill Hall: Houston Astros

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 09 : Second baseman Bill Hall #22 of the Houston Astros against the Florida Marlins in a MLB game on April 9, 2011 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. The Marlins won 4 to 3. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea / Getty Images)

Bill Hall may not be a well-known name on the trade boards, but he makes sense.  With Houston sitting in last place in the NL Central with a record of 19-34, they could be looking to deal.  Hall would be one of the first ones on the way out.  

He's a utility man that can play 3B, SS or OF.  These are positions where the Phillies could use an extra man.  Whether it's giving Rollins time off or providing an extra right-handed bat in the outfield, he could do a lot for the Phillies.  

Add to that the fact he would only cost about $1.5 million at the deadline, and he may be a good candidate to be wearing red pinstripes.

Josh Willingham: Oakland Athletics

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OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 17: Josh Willingham #16 of the Oakland Athletics in action against the Detroit Tigers at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on April 17, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

A lot of you may recognize this guy.  Before going to the Athletics, he split his time between the Marlins and the Nationals.  Since moving over to the American League, however, his performance has been a little down from previous years.  

That's not to say he's not doing well.  With a .246 BA, nine HR and 35 RBI, he is leading the Athletics' struggling offense.

Currently, Oakland is only 1.5 games back from the AL West-leading Rangers.  If they can close that gap at all, I don't see them parting with anyone.  But if the Rangers start to distance themselves, Willingham could be the first one on the trade block.  

The Phillies would be smart to go after this right-handed outfielder, since he's only going to cost about $3 million at the deadline.

Ryan Ludwick: San Diego Padres

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PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 16: Ryan Ludwick #47 of the San Diego Padres hits a RBI sacrifice fly against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game at Chase Field on May 16, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Pe

San Diego is sitting at the bottom of the NL West, seven games behind the streaking Arizona Diamondbacks.  There is no reason to think they will make any charge for a division that also has the reigning world champions in it.  

With that in mind, the Padres will be looking to deal some of their more expensive players.

One of those players will definitely be Ryan Ludwick.  With eight HR, 32 RBI and a .239 BA, he's not setting the world on fire, but the nine-year veteran outfielder isn't doing too bad either.  He's on pace to finish the season with over 20 home runs and the Phillies could use a heavy-hitting righty if Francisco continues to be unproductive.  

Money-wise, he would be a cheap option.  At the deadline, he's only going to cost a little over $2 million.  This makes him a prime candidate for a cash-strapped Phillies club.

Michael Cuddyer: Minnesota Twins

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 23: Michael Cuddyer #5 of the Minnesota Twins bats against the Seattle Mariners during their game on May 23, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Rockies won 6-5. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Twins are awful.  After only 51 games, they hold the worst record in baseball and sit 14.5 games back from the division-leading Cleveland Indians.  

The next thing coming for them is the fire sale.  They are going to be letting go of anyone they can deal. At the top of this list will be 1B/3B/OF Michael Cuddyer.

Cuddyer is in the final year of his four-year, $31 million contract, and will cost about $5 million at the deadline.  While this is a little more than the Phillies are probably looking to spend, they would be getting a solid utility man who can play three positions.  

More importantly, they would be getting a solid right-handed bat that can fill in in the outfield.  

He's not my first choice, but he may be a pretty good deal when the deadline rolls around. 

Vladimir Guerrero: Baltimore Orioles

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SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 03: Designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Baltimore Orioles smiles during batting practice just before the Grapefruit League Spring Training Game against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium on March 3, 2011 in Sarasota,

The Baltimore Orioles got off to a hot start this year.  That being said, they now sit where they belong at last place in the AL East. That division this year goes to either the Rays, Yankees or Red Sox.  

With that in mind, the Orioles are going to be looking to unload older players in lieu of younger, more controllable talent.  And if there was a player who qualified as "old," it would be Ol' Vladdy.

Currently, he's defying age and hitting an even .300.  He is still swinging at everything that comes his way, but he's making pretty good contact.  Currently working as DH, he would be able to competently patrol the outfield when the Phillies faceoff against righties.  

Not to mention he would be a scary pinch hitter in the late innings.  

Somehow, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer will only cost about $4 million at the deadline.  For his bat, and the occasional outfield play, that would be money well spent.  Very well spent.