MLB Trade Speculation: 50 Hot Names To Watch as the Deadline Nears
For weeks, the baseball world has been swirling with the latest trade rumors, but as we close in on the end of June, these rumors could soon become reality as the July 31st trade deadline will be here before we realize it.
With a number of surprise teams contending, and other teams looking to hold onto their young talent rather than mortgage their future for a chance to win this season, there may not be as many big-name deals this deadline, but there will be a bevy of moves nonetheless.
So here are 50 names that could be in store for a change of scenery, be they veterans for teams out of contention, prospects that contenders may have to part with, or underperforming players who may become available at the waiver deadline.
Houston Astros: UT Jeff Keppinger
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Keppinger has been among the National League's top utility players for a number of years now, and he is hitting .301 in limited playing time this season.
He proved capable of putting up numbers in extended playing time last year with a .288 BA, six HR, 59 RBI line over a career-high 514 at-bats and he is capable of playing practically anywhere on the diamond.
You can never have too many versatile veteran players when you're making a playoff push, and Keppinger will almost certainly be on his way out of Houston before the July 31st deadline passes.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RP Mike MacDougal
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MacDougal is a former All-Star, dating back to his days as the Royals closer, and he has had a rocky career since leaving Kansas City to say the least.
Just last season, he appeared in just 17 games all season, posting a 7.23 ERA in 18.2 innings with the Cardinals. That led to a minor league contract and spring training invite from the Dodgers this season, and he has responded with a 2.25 ERA over 24 innings of relief.
At just $500,000 and with closing experience, MacDougal is the type of reliever every team is looking for at the deadline, and with the Dodgers struggling he should be shipped off before the end of July.
Kansas City Royals: 3B Wilson Betemit
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Once a top prospect with the Braves, Betemit has settled into his role as a super utility player very nicely, and after a stellar .297 BA, 13 HR, 43 RBI line last season in just 276 at-bats, he is off to another strong start this year.
However, with the recent call-up of top prospect Mike Moustakas, Betemit's playing time will take a major hit and he is as close to a sure thing to be moved as anyone in baseball at this point.
He is making just $1 million this season, and considering he is capable of playing all over the infield and providing adequate offense in the process, he should have no trouble finding a role on a contender.
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Colorado Rockies: RF Ryan Spilborghs
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The Rockies are sitting at .500 right now, and what happens in the next couple weeks will determine if they will be buyers or sellers this season. If they do choose to be sellers, look for Ty Wigginton and Aaron Cook to be made available, but it is too soon for that at this point.
Regardless, they could look to move outfielder Ryan Spilborghs, though, as he has been relegated to a bench role with the emergence of Seth Smith in right field.
Coming off a solid .279 BA, 10 HR, 39 RBI season, and with a payroll-friendly $1.95 million contract this season, he could be an attractive option to a team looking to bolster their outfield without breaking the bank.
Baltimore Orioles: RP Koji Uehara
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Uehara joined the Orioles prior to the 2009 season after 10 seasons in Japan pitching for the Yomiuri Giants, signing a two-year, $10 million contract to be the team's primary setup man.
He has been solid when healthy, displaying pinpoint control, but he appeared in just 55 games over his first two seasons. After missing time early this season, he has come back strong with a 2.40 ERA over 30 innings of relief.
He has a $4 million option for next season that vests if he appears in more than 55 games or finishes at least 25 games, which he is on pace to do. That means if someone trades for him they would be on the hook for that money, but he has proven to be a solid arm, and could be worth picking up and locking up for next season.
Detroit Tigers: DH Magglio Ordonez
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Ordonez had a surprisingly productive season last year although his power was all but gone, as he posted a .303 BA, 12 HR, 59 RBI season in just 323 at-bats.
This season, however, he has been limited by injuries and ineffectiveness, hitting just .177 in 113 at-bats. He is 37 years old and in the twilight of his career, but if he shows any sign of improvement upon his return to the lineup he could be moved.
Ordonez is a liability in the field, and between Victor Martinez and Alex Avila there are no DH at-bats for him. He could be a fit for the Yankees, who have a need at DH and the money to take on at least some of the $10 million he is making this season.
That all hinges on him showing that he still has something to offer before the deadline, though.
Baltimore Orioles: RP Kevin Gregg
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After struggling as the Cubs closer back in 2009, Gregg has thrived as the ninth-inning man in the past two seasons with the Blue Jays and Orioles, as he signed a two-year, $10 million deal with Baltimore this past offseason.
He has a $6 million team option for next season, but it seems unlikely the Orioles will bring him back as they are still a ways from legitimate contention.
That said, he is an experienced late-inning man and will no doubt draw some interest at the deadline after being talked about frequently last season but never moved, and he could be worth a mid-level prospect to someone looking to bolster their 'pen.
Florida Marlins: 3B Greg Dobbs
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Dobbs is having a nice little season, with a line of .309 BA, two HR, 21 RBI as he has taken over the bulk of the team's third-base at-bats at what has been a trouble position the past several seasons.
He is a career backup, and is playing above what his eight-year track record suggests he should be. That could mean the Marlins may decide to move him while he has some unexpected value, especially in a trade crop that is extremely weak at third base.
He is making just $600,000 this season and is a free agent at season's end, so he is as low-risk as you can get when it comes to trading for a bat to help down the stretch.
Tornoto Blue Jays: 2B Aaron Hill
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Hill seemed to be the game's next offensive dynamo at second base after a .286 BA, 36 HR, 108 RBI season in 2009, but his average plummeted to .205 last season and his power numbers went with it down to 26 HR and 68 RBI.
This season, he is hitting .247 BA, two HR, 27 RBI as the 2009 season is looking more and more like a complete fluke. Still, if he can improve his power numbers a bit he would build at least a little trade value.
After the Blue Jays declined his options for 2012-2014 earlier this season, it is clear that his time in Toronto will be over after this season, and if they can unload him on someone at the deadline they would certainly jump on the opportunity.
Pittsburgh Pirates: C Ryan Doumit
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Two of the three highest-paid players on the Pirates are their two catchers in Chris Snyder ($6.25 million) and Ryan Doumit ($5.2 million). Both player have options for next season, and it seems highly unlikely that both will stick around past July if the team can get anything for them.
Doumit seems the likely candidate to be shipped out, as he has been involved in trade rumors in the past and has never been thrilled with the Pirates organization. However, he has to get healthy first, as he has missed a good deal of time this season.
The pitching talent on the market is sparse, and Doumit is a solid hitter when healthy so he will no doubt be looked at by a few teams. He remains linked to the Giants most frequently as they search for a replacement for Buster Posey that can provide some offense.
New York Mets: SP Chris Capuano
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Capuano has been the R.A. Dickey of this season for the Mets, at least to a point, as he has been a staple in the rotation after serving mostly as a reliever with the Brewers last season and missing all of the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
He is a currently signed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal and he could be in line for a multi-year deal at season's end if he continues to pitch well. Either way, he is the Mets' most expendable pitcher right now.
After all the big names fall this summer, Capuano could be a consolation prize for a team still looking to fill out their rotation at a low price.
Arizona Diamondbacks: 2B Kelly Johnson
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What happens over the next couple weeks will go a long way towards determining what the Diamondbacks do at this year's deadline.
The team is in the process of rebuilding, but they also find themselves a surprising 39-33 on the season and in second place in the NL West. Either way though, they could look to move Johnson to a team looking for power.
He has more or less taken the place of Mark Reynolds this season, with 12 HR but a paltry .215 batting average. After a serviceable May in which he hit .267 BA, seven HR, 17 RBI, he is stumbling again in June, and with 26-year-old second baseman Tony Abreu hitting over .300 in Triple-A, the Diamondbacks could look to get what they can in trading the soon-to-be free-agent Johnson.
Kansas City Royals: RF Jeff Francoeur
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The Royals have gotten solid production at a low cost from both Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera this season, as they have 18 home runs and 85 RBI between them and are making just $3.75 million combined.
Considering Cabrera is younger, cheaper and under team control next season, there is a good chance that the Royals hold onto him as they are short on outfield talent in an otherwise deep farm system.
Francoeur hits lefties really well, and fits the role of cheap platoon player with plus-power for a contender. He was shipped to the Rangers to fill that role last season, and could have a similar fate at the deadline this season.
Baltimore Orioles: 1B Derrek Lee
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One of a number of veteran players who could be made available from the Orioles, Lee is clearly on the downswing of what has been a very good career, and he has not quite lived up to expectation this season with the O's.
He is making $7.25 million this season, so if the Orioles can find someone in search of a veteran bat for their stretch run to take him off their hands and save a little money, they would no doubt jump at the chance.
Lee is still a professional hitter and a plus-defender, and could draw interest from a team in need of an upgrade either at first or on their bench.
Washington Nationals: SP Jason Marquis
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After an All-Star season in 2009 with the Rockies, Marquis inked a two-year, $15 million deal with the Nationals and promptly had the worst season of his career last year with a 2-9 record and 6.60 ERA.
This season has been the polar opposite, as he is 7-2 with a solid 3.86 ERA and he is posting the best control numbers of his 12-year career.
He has expressed interest in staying in Washington, but the team could save a good deal of money if they can find a taker for the 32-year-old sinker-ball pitcher.
Kansas City Royals: SP Jeff Francis
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Francis is not the pitcher he once was as the ace of the Rockies staff, but he is a solid left-handed starter with some postseason experience and a very affordable contract at just $2 million.
The Royals were wise to take a chance on Francis after he posted a 5.00 ERA over 19 starts last season with the Rockies and received little interest on the free-agent market.
He could bring a couple decent prospects from a team in need of a veteran arm, and he could be a real asset down the stretch as it would basically be an audition for his next job.
San Diego Padres: RP Chad Qualls
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Qualls has bounced back well this season from a disastrous 2010 campaign when he had a 7.32 ERA over 59 innings of relief, including an 8.29 mark while serving as the Diamondbacks closer before being traded.
Back in his more comfortable setup role this season, he has just added to an already stacked Padres bullpen with a 2.29 ERA over 35.1 innings of relief.
Qualls and Grant Balfour will be the two most coveted setup men on the market, and Qualls is one of a handful of free-agents-to-be that the Padres seemingly have a 100 percent chance of moving before July 31st rolls around.
Minnesota Twins: RF Michael Cuddyer
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Cuddyer has been invaluable for the Twins this season, moving out of his comfort zone to log some innings at second base after a slew of injuries left the team without an everyday option.
He is 32 years old, playing for what figures to be his last big contract and has driven in at least 80 runs in four of the past five seasons as an unheralded contributor to some good Twins teams.
This, however, is not one of those good Twins teams, and chances are Cuddyer's time in Minnesota will come to an end at season's end if he is not dealt, so the team will more than likely move the versatile homegrown talent as they look ahead to next season.
Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Kevin Correia
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While the Pirates are playing good baseball, they will still no doubt be sellers of some of their higher-priced veterans as they look to continue building their young core.
Correia, who started Opening Day for the Pirates, joined the team on a two-year, $6 million deal and he has been solid with an 8-6 record and 3.60 ERA through his first 15 starts.
As far as available starting pitchers on the market, he may be the best low-cost option out there, and the Pirates could make the most of his signing if they find a team desperate to deal for a cheap third-starter type.
Los Angeles Dodgers: SP Hiroki Kuroda
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Kuroda was quietly effective in his first three seasons with the Dodgers after coming over from Japan, posting a 28-30 record despite a stellar 3.60 ERA.
That earned him a one-year, $12 million deal heading into this season with a no-trade clause, so moving him will be tricky. Still, he is off to a good start, with a 3.31 ERA and a deceiving 5-8 record.
If the Dodgers take on about half of that money, he becomes a much more appealing option as an experienced starter to fill out the back end of a contender's rotation. Cost-cutting looks to be the name of the game for the Dodgers and Kuroda could be worth moving for that reason alone.
Cincinnati Reds: 1B Yonder Alonso
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Alonso is the Reds' top offensive prospect and was ranked as the 73rd overall prospect in baseball by Baseball America entering the season.
He is off to another good start this season with a .316 BA, eight HR, 39 RBI line at Triple-A, and he has the offensive tools to be an everyday player at the big league level.
However, he is blocked at first base by reigning NL MVP Joey Votto, and a move to the outfield makes his big league path no clearer, so the Reds could look to deal Alonso for pitching help as they try to repeat as NL Central champs.
Washington Nationals: RP Tyler Clippard
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Clippard is having perhaps the best season of any NL setup man not named Jonny Venters, as he has posted a 1.94 ERA over 41.2 innings, striking out 53 hitters and an NL-best 19 holds.
He is 26 years old, so he is no longer a prospect and he is arbitration eligible for the first time this coming offseason, and will no doubt receive a hefty raise from the $443,000 he is currently making.
It remains to be seen if the Nationals will make him available, but if they do he will be a hot commodity and could come at a closer-like asking price.
Seattle Mariners: SP Erik Bedard
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After missing all of the 2010 season with shoulder problems, Bedard has come back strong this season at the age of 32, and he has been one of the best bargains of the season after the Mariners signed him for just $1 million this season.
Through 13 starts, the former Orioles ace has posted a 3.16 ERA while striking out 70 hitters in 77 innings. He is not the same dominant pitcher he once was, but he is a solid veteran lefty.
The Mariners are still somewhat in contention, and they could choose to keep Bedard around thanks to his economical price tag, but if he is made available he would certainly garner a good deal of interest.
Oakland Athletics: RP Grant Balfour
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One of the many departed Tampa Bay relievers that are now scattered throughout the league, Balfour has continued to be one of baseball's top setup men in his first season in Oakland.
Signed for two years, $8.1 million, Balfour has posted a 2.59 ERA in 31.1 innings while striking out 33 batters.
If the Athletics make him available, he would be one of the most sought-after players in all of baseball, as a good setup man is nearly impossible to come by. The Athletics could get a contender to overpay for Balfour and really come out on top.
Chicago Cubs: CF Marlon Byrd
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Byrd, who has been on the disabled list since being hit in the face with a pitch on May 22nd and suffering multiple facial fractures, has been among the Cubs' most consistent hitters since being signed prior to last season.
He will need to prove that he is fully recovered once he returns to the field sometime in early July, but at just $5.5 million this season and $6.5 million next season he is a relative bargain given his production.
The Cubs have their center fielder of the future in Brett Jackson, and he should be ready to start by next season, so look for Byrd to be out of Chicago before the 2012 season starts, one way or another.
Baltimore Orioles: SP Jeremy Guthrie
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Guthrie has been linked to trade talks for the better part of two years now, and while he is still under team control next season before becoming a free agent prior to the 2013 season, the team could use that fact to maximize his value now.
The market for starting pitchers is fairly thin this summer, and the Orioles certainly have the horses to take over his spot at the front of the rotation with one of the most promising young staffs in all of baseball.
Guthrie could net the Orioles at least a couple mid-level contracts and save them roughly $6 million next season, so while the team has denied his availability don't be surprised if he's dealt.
Minnesota Twins: DH Jason Kubel
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Kubel, like Michael Cuddyer, is in a contract year and could be on his way out of Minnesota after spending his entire seven-year career with the team.
While his home runs are down, he is currently hitting a career-best .310 and is second on the team with 30 RBI.
He is three years younger than Cuddyer, and if the team chooses to keep one of their two free-agent-to-be outfielders it would more than likely be Kubel. However, mired in such a poor season as a team it would not be a surprise if they were both dealt in hopes of a fresh start next season.
San Diego Padres: LF Ryan Ludwick
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Ludwick has been the lone bright spot in a stagnant Padres lineup this season, as he leads the team with nine home runs and 44 RBI, nearly double the second-highest RBI total on the team which is Chase Headley with 25.
With Ludwick set to be a free agent at season's end and the Padres going nowhere this season, he is a sure thing to be moved, and he will be among the top bats on the market this spring.
There are a number of teams in the market for an outfielder, including the Phillies and Braves, and the Padres should be able to get a decent package of prospects for Ludwick.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RP Jonathan Broxton
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Broxton is having a rough season, with an ERA of 5.68 and just 12.2 innings to his credit, although he has logged seven saves.
He is currently on the disabled list and has been hurt much of the season, but when he comes back he should return to the closer's role. That return could be an audition for teams looking to add a power arm to the back of their bullpen.
Still just 27 years old, Broxton is set to be a free agent at season's end, and the Dodgers already look to have his replacement in place in 23-year-old flamethrower Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers will look to get what they can for Broxton at the deadline or just take the compensatory picks at season's end.
New York Mets: CF Carlos Beltran
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Beltran is in the final year of the massive seven-year, $119 million deal he signed prior to the 2005 season, and for the first time since 2008 he is healthy.
He is no longer a Gold Glove outfielder or a base-stealing threat, but he is currently hitting .286 BA, 10 HR, 43 RBI as one of the more productive players on the Mets.
He has said he is willing to waive his no-trade clause and the Mets have said they are willing to eat some of his salary, so it looks as though both sides are pushing for a deal to get done. It will be interesting to see where he lands, and if he can recapture some of the magic he showed in helping the Astros make a postseason run back in 2004.
Chicago White Sox: SP Edwin Jackson
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The White Sox added the 27-year-old Jackson at last season's deadline, and paid a steep price in dealing promising young starter Daniel Hudson to the Diamondbacks to get him.
He was terrific down the stretch for the Sox, going 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA in 11 starts after the trade, and he has been steady if nothing else this season.
He could be just entering his prime, and he will be a free agent at season's end, so the White Sox could look to get something for him instead of just letting him walk and taking the compensation pick. Adding to his re-signing uncertainty is the fact that he is Scott Boras' client. He is the most likely of the White Sox starters to be moved.
Chicago Cubs: SP Ryan Dempster
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Dempster has been with the Cubs since 2004, and joined the rotation in 2008 after serving as the team's closer for three seasons. Since returning to starting, he went 43-27 over the past three seasons with a 3.49 ERA.
After a brutal start to the 2011 season, he has started to turn things around, and as long as he can avoid the home run ball, he could be a solid No. 3 starter for a contender in need of a veteran innings-eater.
He is due $14 million next season, and is making $13.5 million this season so the Cubs would need to take on a good deal of that money to move him, but he could return a few good prospects and give the Cubs at least a little more money to work with this coming offseason.
Boston Red Sox: RF Josh Reddick
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The Red Sox are off to a terrific start with a 42-28 record, but their pitching has not quite lived up to expectations, and they may look to add at least one more arm to the back of their rotation.
With Dice-K shelved with an injury and John Lackey posting a 7.02 ERA through his first 10 starts, the rotation is a concern after their terrific top three starters.
If the team makes a splash and looks to pick up a top starter at the deadline, any deal would almost certainly have to include 24-year-old outfielder Josh Reddick, and the Red Sox could pull the trigger if it means shoring up their staff.
Minnesota Twins: RP Matt Capps
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Last season, the Nationals managed to land top catching prospect Wilson Ramos by dealing Capps to the Twins, who were in desperate need of a closer with Joe Nathan on the disabled list.
Now they find themselves on the other end of things with Capps, and they will look to get a similar return to what they gave up last season if they move the free-agent-to-be closer.
Capps has a less than impressive 4.06 ERA, but he has saved 11 games for a bad Twins team and he has a good track record. He will be the fallback option for teams not willing to give up the farm to get Heath Bell.
Pittsburgh Pirates: SP Paul Maholm
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The Pirates are playing surprisingly good baseball into June, as they sit at .500 right now with a record of 35-35. That, however, is only good for fourth in the NL Central right now, and chances are they will still be sellers as they continue to build around a promising young core.
Maholm, the current staff ace, has been terrific this season with an ERA of 3.29 over 95.2 innings. Despite that, he has a record of 3-8 as the team can't seem to play behind him for some reason.
He has a $9.75 million option for next season, which is admittedly steep for the low-budget Pirates, and while there have been talks of an extension, a trade seems just as likely at this point. He is pitching the best baseball of his career right now, and the Pirates may choose to move him before he returns to his solid but unspectacular former self.
Baltimore Orioles: DH Vladimir Guerrero
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Guerrero was a pleasant surprise for the Rangers last season, as he drove in over 100 runs and helped lead the team to its first World Series appearance.
This offseason, he was brought on by the Orioles, who added four veteran bats to their lineup—three of them on one-year deals—in an effort to bolster their offense as their young pitching staff continues to develop.
The other thing those signings accomplished was giving the Orioles a number of attractive trade pieces, and while Guerrero has not matched his production from last season, he is a power bat with playoff experience and will no doubt have at least a few suitors.
Minnesota Twins: SP Francisco Liriano
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Liriano has had quite a roller coaster of a career, as he broke into the league and absolutely dominated back in 2006, but then went under the knife for Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2007. That was followed by two seasons of struggle before a great season last year that led many to believe he was back.
This season, his ERA is up over a point from last year to 4.67 and his strikeouts are down, but he is still among the top arms that could become available this summer.
He is under team control for 2012 before hitting the open market in 2013, and the Twins could look to deal him now rather than wait and hope he decides to re-sign for less with the team.
Oakland Athletics: LF Josh Willingham
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Another season, another dismal lineup for the Athletics, as they are once again struggling to score runs for their stellar young pitching staff.
One man not to blame for the offensive struggles is Josh Willingham, who has quietly become one of the most intriguing deadline trade targets in all of baseball. On the season he has 10 home runs and 42 RBI, although he is hitting just .231 on the season.
That average is very deceiving, however, as he is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position. He could be this year's Cody Ross in the sense that he could make a serious difference for a postseason team.
San Francisco Giants: SP Zack Wheeler
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Wheeler is the Giants' top prospect, after being taken sixth overall in the 2009 draft and he entered the season as the 55th-ranked prospect according to Baseball America.
He is currently 6-2 with a 3.26 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 60.2 innings pitching for High Single-A, and he could be in line for a promotion to Double-A soon.
The Giants have said he is not available, but the 21-year-old right-hander would have to be the centerpiece to any deal the Giants make to acquire Jose Reyes, and that is seemingly a trade that benefits both sides right now, but we shall see.
Houston Astros: SP Brett Myers
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Myers was one of the surprises of 2010, as he signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Astros after finding little fan fare on the free-agent market. He responded with a 14-win season and a career-best 3.14 ERA.
That got him a two-year, $23 million extension and while he has not been as good as last season, he has bounced back well from a rough May to post a 3.86 ERA in four June starts.
If the Astros make him available he could be one of the most coveted arms on the market—if not the most coveted—and the Astros would be wise to deal him while his stellar 2010 season is still fresh in everyone's mind.
Chicago Cubs: SP Carlos Zambrano
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Zambrano has long been one of the most talented and also most frustrating starters in all of baseball, and since signing a five-year, $91.5 million extension prior to the 2009 season he has been anything but the ace of the staff that the team thought they were signing.
That said, he was fantastic down the stretch last season, and has been solid again this season, although his 4.59 ERA does not necessarily reflect it.
He has been linked to the Yankees in recent rumors, and regardless of what team they send him to the Cubs will need to absorb at least a portion of the money he is still owed. Moving Zambrano would be a sign that the Cubs are committed to a full-on rebuild, and it remains to be seen what their plans are moving forward.
New York Yankees: C Jesus Montero
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Regardless of how many times the Yankees state that they will not trade their top prospect Montero, his name still pops up as the centerpiece of potential blockbuster deals.
The Yankees need starting pitching, and there are a handful of big-name options that could present themselves on the market this summer.
With Gary Sanchez, Austin Romine and Montero, the Yankees have three of baseball's top catching prospects, which would soften the blow of dealing Montero at least a bit. He seems to be untouchable at this point, but if the Yankees find themselves in a position to get someone like Felix Hernandez or Jered Weaver that may not be the case.
Tampa Bay Rays: CF B.J. Upton
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Upton and the Rays have seemingly been at odds since last season's dugout fight between Upton and third baseman Evan Longoria, but if he is to be moved it would take an impressive package.
The former second overall pick in the 2002 draft, Upton has never quite lived up to his vast potential, and while he has terrific wheels and good power, he has shown no signs of late that he is capable of matching the .300 BA, 24 HR, 82 RBI line he put up back in 2007.
Still only 26 years old, Upton is an interesting trade option if he is made available, and a change of scenery could be all it takes to snap him back into star form. The Rays would need an immediate replacement for him though, as they are still in contention.
Chicago White Sox: SP John Danks
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The White Sox were expected to contend for a title this season, with one of the deepest staffs in all of baseball and the addition of slugger Adam Dunn.
However, they have fallen well short with a 34-38 record thus far, and they could become sellers at the deadline unless they turn things around quick
Their most intriguing trade piece, by far, is left-hander John Danks, who is under team control through next season. The 26-year-old has won 40 games the past three seasons and would bring a huge return if the White Sox choose to deal him over their other staring pitching options who could be moved.
New York Mets: 3B David Wright
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For much of the first two months of the season, it seemed a sure thing that the Mets would move shortstop and free-agent-to-be Jose Reyes—and they still could—but there is another school of thought that suggests the team would be better off moving David Wright and re-signing and building around Reyes instead moving forward.
Sandy Alderson has maintained that the team will look to be buyers rather than sellers if they can stick close to .500 when the deadline approaches, but that seems unlikely given the talks of a fire sale that have surrounded the team all season.
Wright is having a down season, but represents an interesting trade piece at 28 years old. The Angels missed out on Adrian Beltre this past offseason, and could be a possible destination in a blockbuster deal. Time will tell what the Mets decide to do.
Atlanta Braves: SP Randall Delgado
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With Martin Prado sidelined with a staph infection and Nate McLouth consistently underperforming, the Braves could look to upgrade their outfield at the deadline. Guys like Josh Willingham and Hunter Pence will no doubt be on their radar.
Should Pence become available, it will take a hefty package to acquire him, and any big deal that the Braves try to pull off will be centered around pitching prospect Randall Delgado.
Delgado is a top-tier prospect, but the team has a wealth of young pitching talent and could look to upgrade what is their biggest weakness not named Uggla by moving him.
Houston Astros: RF Hunter Pence
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Pence is the face of the Astros franchise right now, and he is having a fantastic season with a line of .321 BA, nine HR, 51 RBI as he looks to be on his way to another All-Star season.
This can be looked at one of two ways by the Astros: Either he is going to continue to be the face of your franchise and the cornerstone of your rebuilding, or his value will never be higher and he could fetch a huge return.
While moving him would be unpopular, he figures to win roughly $10-12 million in arbitration this coming season, and perhaps even more in 2013 before he becomes a free agent. That is star-player money and the Astros will need to decide if he is worth it. If not, a deal with the Braves for the aforementioned Delgado and a handful of other prospects is an intriguing option.
San Diego Padres: RP Heath Bell
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Bell has been on the trade block seemingly since the season began, and barring a repeat performance of the Padres surprise season last year there was little chance he would remain in San Diego all season.
Now, with the Padres sitting at 30-42 on the season, it is only a matter of time before Bell is moved. He has been stellar again this season with a 2.79 ERA and 18 saves, and he is the premier reliever on the market this summer.
Bell is 33 years old, and how he handles pitching for a team making a pennant run could go a long way towards determining the contract he gets when he hits free agency this upcoming winter.
New York Mets: SS Jose Reyes
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Reyes is having a phenomenal season, leading the NL in hitting with an average of .343 while tallying 20 doubles and 12 triples to go along with 26 steals as he has been the definition of dynamic.
That has led the Mets to reconsider what seemed to be a sure thing in dealing Reyes, as they may now hold onto him and take their chances on re-signing him to a mega-deal at season's end.
Either way, Reyes has put himself in a great position with his performance, and he will get his money from the Mets or somewhere else. The Giants still remain an intriguing trade partner, and if they were to include top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler in a package it would really make things interesting.
Los Angeles Angels: SP Jered Weaver
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While most teams would not dream of dealing a 28-year-old with an 8-4 record and a 2.06 ERA, the Angles find themselves at least in a position to consider it at this point in their season.
Currently four games under .500, and struggling offensively, the Angles have relied on fantastic starting pitching led by Weaver and Dan Haren to get the wins they have.
However, the dilemma with Weaver comes in the fact that he is due to earn at least $10-12 million next season in arbitration, and then is eligible to hit free agency before 2013. With Scott Boras calling the shots for him, he could be in line for a monster deal, and the Angles could go a long way toward rebuilding by dealing Weaver now. That will take them falling at least a few more games back though.
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