MLB Trade Rumors: 8 Players Who Are No Longer Deadline Trade Options
One of the most exciting times during the long MLB season is the few weeks prior to the trade deadline. There are thousands of phone calls between all general managers as some teams are trying to make a push to the postseason while others are trying to build up for the future.
Many times the big name players that are traded are those that have one year left in their contracts or are just too expensive for their team's to keep if they are struggling.
These eight guys are all players that I have seen people talk about being traded on here or on various other sites prior to the season (and some during it), and I think that because of their situation or the team's situation that they won't be traded this year.
A lot can change between now and August 1st, but for right now these guys are safe.
Jonathan Papelbon, CP Boston Red Sox
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Prior to some bad outings to start the month, Papelbon was putting up some great numbers. His ERA heading into June was a very good 2.78.
It's been a rough June as Papelbon has been suspended for a few games, but was posting an ERA of 10.13 prior to that anyway. In his first 3.1 innings pitched this month, Papelbon gave up six runs, but has not given up a run his last two times out.
The reason I don't think Papelbon will be traded is because the Red Sox bullpen has been pretty up and down this season, posting an ERA of 4.05 at the time of this writing.
Papelbon has had some rough outings lately, but has shown a good consistency over the course of the full season. His current 4.18 ERA is highly inflated due to those first few outings in June.
Ichiro Suzuki, RF Seattle Mariners
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The wonderful fans of Seattle would have told you all along that there was no chance that Ichiro would ever be traded, but that didn't stop people from talking about the possibility (much like the Felix Hernandez situation).
Ichiro, one of the best hitters of the generation, is not currently putting up the numbers we all expect of him. He is currently only hitting .277 (as a career .329 hitter).
Signs are pointing up though, as he is hitting .480 over the last week.
Despite the level of doubt that they were facing coming into the season, the Mariners are in a great position right now to make the playoffs, and I doubt they are going to give away one of their best players with that being a very good possibility.
Justin Upton, RF Arizona Diamondbacks
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It was going to take a mammoth deal to get it done in the first place, but Upton has been the focal point in the Diamondbacks resurgence this season.
At the time of this writing, the Diamondbacks are a half game out of first place in the NL West. Upton is hitting .302 with 12 homers, 38 RBI, 13 stolen bases and an OPS of .908.
Yeah, he's been really good.
The Diamondbacks were very unlikely to trade Upton anyway, but now there is no chance.
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Michael Young, UTIL Texas Rangers
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Michael Young instantly became one of the top trade options as soon as the Texas Rangers signed Adrian Beltre during the offseason. After all, Young is a career .300 hitter that is a great leader and can play virtually every position on the field.
Young has been extraordinary this season as he is hitting .309 with three homers, 45 RBI, four stolen bases, and an OPS of .780.
He's been very good when he is playing in the field, but has been used mainly as a DH.
With the Rangers leading the division, don't expect Young to be traded away this season.
Albert Pujols, 1B St. Louis Cardinals
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I never thought it would happen, but I know that I have seen several articles contemplating the Cardinals trading Pujols.
It wasn't happening before, and now with his recent injury, it isn't happening now.
Pujols is a once-in-a-lifetime player, and it is very tough to trade those away. It's even tougher when the team is at the top of the division (at the time of this writing).
Ben Zobrist, 2B Tampa Bay Rays
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Ben Zobrist is the type of guy that would be a popular trade piece because of his ability to play all over the field along with his production.
Zobrist is currently hitting with a slash of .267/.343/.481 with nine homers and seven stolen bases. His ability to all things in the game well makes him a guy that most any team would want.
Unfortunately, I don't think anyone other than the Rays will have him this season. They have surprised many by staying in the hunt after losing so much from the 2010 team. Unless they falter badly between now and the trade deadline, Zobrist isn't going anywhere.
Grady Sizemore, CF Cleveland Indians
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It's not that Grady Sizemore is just blowing away the competition, but that the Cleveland Indians are very much in the hunt for October.
At the time of this writing, the Indians have a record of 39-31. This is despite the fact that Sizemore has a slash of just .238/.309/.481.
Sizemore is the veteran of the team and knows what it takes to win games. He is also beloved be the fans of Cleveland and will eventually put up the numbers that they expect him to (don't forget that he started the year on the DL).
Because of the team's good play, Sizemore won't be traded.
Prince Fielder, 1B Milwaukee Brewers
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Besides maybe Jose Reyes, Fielder has been the most talked about trade bait in baseball. He will be a top free agent this offseason and is having a great season.
Fielder is hitting .298 with 20 homers, putting him on pace for 44. He has also driven in 61 runs and is simply leading his time right now as they are right in the thick of the playoff race.
This is a Brewers team with the talent to win right now, so there is no real need to trade Fielder away, even though he will certainly not be a Brewer next year.
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