MLB Trade Rumors: What Team Will Land Hunter Pence?

Probably the most sought after player as the July Trade deadline approaches.

Through the first 60 games, Hunter Pence has a .310 BA with 44 RBI and eight home runs. He also has 17 doubles and a .837 OPS. Who wouldn't want this type of stick in their line up? He also plays great defense and has a rocket for an arm.

With new leadership in place in Houston, there are many uncertainties of which direction they wish to take their ball club. 

Which area should they focus their attention? Pitching or Hitting?

Should they clean house and start with a fresh slate of featured prospects or do the build around a foundation that has already been under construction?

The questions seem to be endless for the Houston Astros.

The Astros will have to make a choice and make it soon. It looks as if the Houston Astros will be spending another season in the basement of the NL Central. They are currently 12.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals, so change is eminent. 

In order to compete in an offensively dominant division, the Astros have two choices if the ever want to compete: They can either join the circus and try to boost their offense like Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds, or they go a route like the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies and start to build their around pitching.

Trading Hunter Pence could bring top level pitching prospects and free up money to make a free agent signing this winter. The talent that Pence has is tough to come by, so it will take a lot for another team to acquire him.

The New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles are all possible suitors for Pence. 

It looks like the Phillies are out of the race with recent debt issues swirling around. The Yankees could possibly trade prospects and or Nick Swisher in return for Pence. The Atlanta Braves are desperate for offense, so look for them to make a splash as July comes to an end.

After a season ending injury to offensive cornerstone Buster Posey, the Giants will be scratching to add a big bat come July if they wish to have a shot at defending their world title. The Baltimore Orioles are a young and talented team, they also have a plethora of trade-able young prospects.

Any team that wants to trade for Pence is going to have to give up A list prospects or a quality Major League ready arm. A three way deal is also a possibility because there are several team in the playoff hunt that have very specific wholes they need to fill. 

Prediction: The Houston Astros will retain Hunter Pence and try to build their team around offense, similar to the teams in the NL Central