MLB Trade Rumors: Division by Division Trade Speculation

The 2011 MLB Trade Deadline is two weeks away, with the Milwaukee Brewers making the first big splash of the season by acquiring Francisco Rodriguez from the New York Mets last week. 

There will surely be plenty more surprising moves made this trade-season, with the market finally appearing ready to erupt.

Here are the latest MLB trade rumors and speculation from around the web, broken down by division.

Seeing as the rumors can change by the minute and trades can happen out of nowhere, feel free to throw any new rumors or ideas in the comments section to keep this current. 

NL West: Will the Giants Land Carlos Beltran? Ubaldo Jimenez Up for Grabs?

Buyers: San Francisco Giants

On the Fence: Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies

Sellers: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres

The NL West has been dominating the news-wires of late, with the San Francisco Giants appearing to be the most serious players for Carlos Beltran while the baseball world waits to see if Ubaldo Jimenez will be made available.

Beltran would be a good fit with the Giants. If they fail to grab him Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee could be backup options, but a guy like Josh Willingham seems more likely.

Ken Rosenthal recently reported the Cincinnati Reds have interest in Jimenez, which has set the web on fire the last few days. I find it unlikely that the Rockies trade away their first true staff ace in franchise history.

The D-Backs could be buyers if they are hot coming out of the break, with their priority being to shore up the back end of the bullpen. The D-Backs have been reported to have interest in some Blue Jays relievers as well as the Cubs' Kerry Wood.

The Dodgers will most likely send at least one starting pitcher packing (Ted Lilly or Hiroki Kuroda?) while they'll also gauge interest on Rafael Furcal and James Loney.

In San Diego, opposing team's will have their eyes on only one player—Heath Bell. Nick Cafardo lists the Yankees, D-Backs, Rangers and Phillies as a few of the teams monitoring Bell. 

AL West: Will Rangers Snag Heath Bell? Aramis Ramirez to Angels?

Buyers: Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels

Sellers: Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics

Although the rumor mill has been fairly quiet within the AL West, there are plenty of names that will go in and out of the division by July 31st.

The Rangers need pitching. Although they've been linked to Heath Bell, they should be more concerned about acquiring a mid-rotation starter. It is unknown what kind of budget the Rangers are working on, so an educated guess would be that they can't afford to break the bank.

The Angels, on the other hand, are reportedly interested in both Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena. With the Angels playing well and only one game back in the division, you have to believe Ramirez would consider waiving his no-trade clause. A few months ago, many thought they'd be looking to shed the contracts of Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu.

The Mariners would have had valuable piece in Erik Bedard if not for another injury, yet Seattle's GM has been clear that the Mariners won't necessarily be sellers. I'm sure they would gladly hand away the contract of Chone Figgins to the highest (or lowest?) bidder.

Coco Crisp and Josh Willingham will most likely be moved out of Oakland, and the A's will also receive plenty of interest in Grant Balfour. 

NL Central: Will the Reds Land Ubaldo? Rasmus out in St. Louis?

Buyers: Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals

On the Fence: Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates

Sellers: Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs

The Milwaukee Brewers made the first big trade of the season by acquiring Francisco Rodriguez from the New York Mets last week. They would like to shore up the left side of their infield and have been linked to Jamey Carroll and Wilson Betemit.

The Cards' big acquisition so far was getting Albert Pujols back after two weeks instead of six. Colby Rasmus could be on the move, and the Rays were linked as a possible match.

The Reds trade deadline fate will be determined in the next couple of weeks, but rumors have swirled about their interest in Ubaldo Jimenez.

The Pirates are one of the surprise teams in MLB this season. While they definitely won't break the bank, they could look to make an addition or two at the right price.

The Astros and Cubs would both like to hold fire-sales, with guys like Carlos Lee and Brett Myers for the Astros, and Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano for the Cubs being on each organization's "wish-to-trade" list.

AL Central: Which Team Will Make a Move to Separate from the Pack?

Buyers: Detroit Tigers

On the Fence: Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins

Sellers: Kansas City Royals

It is shaping up to be a tight race down the stretch in the AL Central, as no team has been able to create separation from the pack.

The Tigers are known to have interest in the Braves' Derek Lowe to help shore up their depleted rotation. While it was noted that the Tigers could afford Carlos Beltran's salary, I don't think they will go that route.

The White Sox would probably like to trade Adam Dunn and Alex Rios, yet they would get nothing in return at this point. Edwin Jackson will most likely be made available, though.

The Indians' strong start has faded real fast which has thrown a wrench into their midseason plans. They need both pitching and hitting, and are one of the many teams linked to Carlos Beltran.

The Twins were expected to be taking calls on Michael Cuddyer at this point, but a lack of a breakaway team within the division has let the Twins climb to within five games of the division lead. Most likely, the Twins will not be active at the deadline.

The Royals, although sellers, don't have much to sell with a roster full of young talent. It is said that Jeff Francoeur can be had for young pitching, and guys like Joakim Soria and Melky Cabrera stand a chance to be traded as well. 

NL East: Will the Braves Go After Upton? Will the Marlins Hold a Fire-Sale?

Buyers: Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves

Sellers: New York Mets, Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins

The New York Mets look to be the most active team in the division, with K-Rod already traded to the Brewers and Carlos Beltran likely out of town next. At this point, it appears Jose Reyes will be staying in the Big Apple.

The Phillies are looking for bullpen help and an outfield bat. Two scouts recently linked the Phillies to a list of players including Heath Bell, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Ludwick and Josh Willingham.

Although I previously mentioned the Braves might consider moving Derek Lowe, what they really covet is an outfield bat. They have been named suitors for Carlos Beltran and B.J. Upton at this point.

The Nats don't want to downgrade, but they are willing to move Tyler Clippard and have shown immense interest in the Astros Michael Bourn.

No one would be surprised to see the Marlins move Hanley Ramirez, but I doubt that'll happen at this point. The biggest name's swirling around the rumor mill are pitchers Anibal Sanchez and Ricky Nolasco. If the Marlins decide to jump-ship, you can expect many suitors to line up for their services.  

AL East: Which Team Will Make the Biggest Move, the Yanks' or Red Sox?

Buyers: New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox

On the Fence: Tampa Bay Rays

Sellers: Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays

The Yankees and Red Sox have are running away with the AL East and the division may come down to who makes the best move at the trade deadline.

So far there hasn't been much noise out of the Yanks camp. They have talked to the Rockies about acquiring Ty Wigginton to fill in for A-Rod, and if Ubaldo Jimenez becomes available I'd be surprised if the Yanks' wouldn't at least make an offer. Another match may be with Sanchez or Nolasco in Florida.

While Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe believes the Red Sox should go all-in by acquiring Jose Reyes from the Mets, I don't see it happening. The Sox have touched base with the Padres regarding outfielder Ryan Ludwick and expressed mild interest in the Dodgers Hiroki Kuroda.

The Rays still could be buyers, but even so, they won't have much cash to work with. They are definitely listening to offers on B.J. Upton but they won't necessarily move him, and if they make James Shields available they will have plenty of teams ready to make an offer.

The Orioles could look to move veterans Vlad Guerrero and Derrek Lee, as neither are in the long-term plans for the franchise. The team has also said they are willing to listen to offers for Jeremy Guthrie, so long as they get pitching in return.

The Blue Jays haven't improved this season as many had expected, but they aren't expected to be very active at the deadline. The Jays are getting plenty of calls about some of their reliever's and will probably move a couple for prospects. Don't expect another Wells or Rios-esque blockbuster, though.