MLB Trade Deadline 2011: Jose Reyes and 17 Players Who Could Be Rentals
At every trade deadline, teams that are no longer in contention trade away players with expiring contracts to teams that are looking to make a playoff push.
These trades can be risky as it can be tough to re-sign, and a team may have to give away valuable prospects, but if a team acquires an expiring contract, manages to make the playoffs and convinces their new star to stay, these can be a great deals.
These are 17 players who may be traded as rentals at the deadline and where they could end up. I based my results on teams that could be interested and the most likely destination on team need and whether they are contending only, unless there was a rumor that indicated otherwise.
Ivan Rodriguez, C WAS
1 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Most Likely Destination: San Francisco Giants
What Washington Will Want in Return: Prospects
Pudge is a veteran leader who could be a solid addition to any playoff contender, especially one with a young pitching staff. The Angels are in need of catching help but more on the offensive end. Rodriquez wouldn't be a great fit here.
San Francisco, on the other hand, needs a catcher, and if the Nationals aren't asking to much, Pudge could wind up there.
Prince Fielder, 1B MIL
2 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Anaheim Angles, Texas Rangers, San Fransisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees
Most Likely Destination: Texas Rangers
What Milwaukee Will Want in Return: A player that can contribute now and control long term
Texas has a big hole at first base and could use another big bat in their lineup. Cleveland and Arizona are both more focused on building their young team, while the Giants will be more focused on the catching situation. The Angels could make a serious offer but won't have much to trade. The Twins could be interested, but they rarely make these kinds of moves.
This would be a tricky trade because Milwaukee will want to try to stay in the race without being left empty-handed this offseason (besides a couple draft picks.) The Yankees won't have much talent they are willing to give up that is ready now, but Texas has a certain disgruntled utility infielder who could be the centerpiece of a potential trade.
Prince staying in Milwaukee is still likely.
Derrek Lee, 1B BAL
3 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested:ย Cleveland Indians, Anaheim Angles, Texas Rangers, San Fransisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks
Most Likely Destination: San Francisco Giants
What Baltimore Will Want in Return:ย Prospects
Lee will go to the runner-up in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes. He's eight years older and isn't nearly the impact player he once was but could still give a team a boost.
Cleveland and Arizona aren't likely buyers in this market. The Angels may also go after him, but San Francisco's need for a first baseman is more dire, and while the catcher situation may keep them from landing Prince, they could be the leading candidates to get Lee.
Jose Reyes, SS NYM
4 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, San Fransisco Giants
Most Likely Destination: St. Louis Cardinals
What New York Will Want in Return:ย Prospects
Reyes would be a good fit in Atlanta and Milwaukee, but Atlanta is more looking towards the future and Milwaukee won't have much to offer (besides Prince Fielder, who the Mets won't be interested in.)
Boston will likely inquire about Reyes, but Jed Lowrie was playing well until he was injured.
That leaves St. Louis, who probably will be buyers the deadline in an effort to make a last run with Albert Pujols or try to convince him to stay with a deep playoff run.
Marco Scutaro, SS BOS
5 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds
Most Likely Destination: Cincinnati Reds
What Boston Will Want in Return: Pitching or a Right Fielder
Marco Scutaro has played well so far this season for the Red Sox. While he's only been an average hitter, he's been a very good fielder at a key position filling in for the injured Jed Lowrie.
If the Red Sox aren't sure Lowrie can be healthy they won't deal Scutaro, but if Lowrie is doing well and they think they can get something good in return in right field or on the mound, they will likely deal him.
Rafael Furcal, SS LAD
6 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested:ย Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds
Most Likely Destination: Milwaukee Brewers
What Los Angeles Will Want in Return:ย Prospects
Despite only hitting .185 in 24 games this season, Furcal has been a solid contributor in the past and a marginal playoff team may take a chance on him.
His trade value will be low because he is only the second or third-best shortstop rental, depending on who's available and because of his poor performance this year.
This works out well for the Brewers, who have a gaping hole at shortstop, but don't have much to offer.
Carlos Beltran, OF NYM
7 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, San Fransisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Atlanta Braves
Most Likely Destination: Detroit Tigers
What New York Will Want in Return: Prospects
With Carlos Beltran's contract ending and the Mets looking to rebuild, they will almost certainly be looking to trade him. The Tigers could use another big bat in their lineup, and Carlos Beltran could be that bat.
A variety of teams would be interested in a player of Beltran's caliber, but the Tigers would likely be the most eager to acquire him.
Ryan Ludwick, LF SDP
8 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Most Likely Destination: Cincinnati Reds
What San Diego Will Want in Return: Prospects or Chris Heisey
Ludwick isn't what he was in 2008, but he can still be a solid contributor.
Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News reports that a trade with the Reds has already been offered and could happen soon. A variety of teams have corner outfield needs and could be interested in the recently turned 33-year-old Ludwick.
Luke Scott, LF BAL
9 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Philadelphia Phillies
Most Likely Destination:ย
What Baltimore Will Want in Return: Prospects
Baltimore will want prospects, but it's unlikely they will get anyone good. Scott might help a team plug a hole down the stretch or be a pretty good fourth outfielder, but he isn't at the level that would make him worthy of giving up a good prospect.
In the end, Baltimore may wind up keeping him and hoping he gets them a sandwich-round pick as a type B free agent.
Vladimir Guerrero, DH BAL
10 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: New York Yankees
Most Likely Destination: New York Yankees
What Baltimore Will Want in Return: Prospects
This is a perfect match. With Jorge Posada not performing this year, although he is walking enough to keep his OBP over .300, the Yankees will want to aquire a bat at the DH spot after losing out on the Prince Fielder sweepstakes.
They also might not have much competition, as New York is the only team with a real need at DH, and Guerrero demonstrated in the 2010 World Series that he cannot play the outfield anymore.ย
Jason Marquis, SP WAS
11 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals
Most Likely Destination: New York Yankees
What Washington Will Want in Return: Prospects
Marquis is the top pitcher among rentals available this year, and the Yankees desperately need rotation help. They won't give the Nationals one of their top end prospects, but they could get a lower-end prospect for him.
Other teams may make a push, but the Yankees will want him more and will be willing to offer more.
Bruce Chen, SP KCR
12 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals
Most Likely Destination: Cincinnati Reds
What Kansas City Will Want in Return: Near-Ready Players
Kansas City is getting ready to be able to compete, but at 34, Chen won't be in their long-term plans. Chen recently came back from the DL and has pitched fairly well, allowing nine earned runs in 23 innings over four starts.
The Reds have a good team that can compete in the central, but they haven't gotten much contribution from their starters.
Livan Hernandez, SP WAS
13 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals
Most Likely Destination: Atlanta Braves
What Washington Will Want in Return: Prospects
The Braves are in need of a workhouse starter, and that is exactly what Livan Hernandez is. He has thrown at least 180 innings since 1998, his first full year in the big leagues. He has thrown 200 innings in 10 of those years.
The Nationals will want prospects, and with one of the best farm systems in baseball, the Braves will be able to accommodate that.
Jonathan Papelbon, CL BOS
14 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds
Most Likely Destination: Stays in Boston
What Boston Will Want in Return: Right Field, Starting Pitching, Relief Pitching
This trade is far from a sure thing. The Red Sox are serious contenders this year, and if they aren't sure that Daniel Bard or someone they acquire at the deadline can get the job done as the closer, they will hang on to Papelbon and hope to re-sign him to a somewhat reasonable contract this offseason.
While the Red Sox will shop Papelbon, it is most likely that he stays in Boston through the end of the year, even if they do have confidence in Bard. The Red Sox will hope that a deep playoff run will keep Papelbon in town.
Heath Bell, CL SDP
15 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested: Boston Red Sox,ย Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds
Most Likely Destination: Philadelphia Phillies
What San Diego Will Want in Return: Prospects
It has been rumored that both St. Louis (via ESPN's Buster Olney) and Texas (from CBS Sports' Scott Miller) have already inquired about Bell, who has been lights out since taking over the closer's role from all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman. In his three years of closing, he has a 2.32 ERA and 106 saves.
The Phillies lost their closer Brad Lidge at the beginning of the season and have had other injury problems with their bullpen this year. They are serious title contenders and will need a reliable closer down the stretch.
The Red Sox and Rangers could also make runs at Bell.
Jonathan Broxton, CL LAD
16 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested:ย Boston Red Sox,ย Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds
Most Likely Destination: Philadelphia Phillies
What Los Angeles Will Want in Return: Prospects
Jonathan Broxton hasn't pitched since May 3, but he could be a decent consolation prize to the runner-up for Heath Bell. Broxton was a dominant setup man/closer for the Dodgers from 2006 to 2009 compiling a 2.79 ERA during those years.
If he comes back and performs well, he could be the steal of the deadline.
The Phillies don't have a closer right now and will make a run at Broxton if they think he can stay healthy.
Hideki Okajima, RP BOS
17 of 17
Teams That Could Be Interested:ย Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds
Most Likely Destination: None
What Boston Will Want in Return (but won't get): Right Field and Pitching
After a great 2007-2008, Hideki Okajima has struggled to contribute in Boston's bullpen. He has been pitching well in AAA, and Boston would be wise to leave him there and prevent poor outings in the bigs from hurting his trade value.
One possible reason Okajima has struggled is that he has a very deceptive wind-up, where he doesn't even look where he is throwing. AL hitters may have figured out this wind-up, but NL hitters haven't seen him much.
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