MLB Trade Rumors: Selling High on Potential Deadline Darlings

With each trade deadline comes the inevitable rumors of a household name trading teams and shifting the balance of power—the Brewers acquired Francisco Rodriguez; the Red Sox, Tigers, and Braves have been linked to Carlos Beltran; and so forth.

However, there are two caveats that don't allow for such tremendous shake-ups to occur.

The first is that there simply aren't enough starts to go around, let alone stars to be dealt midseason. Beltran is the sole elite bat on the market, and there really aren't any frontline starters available (unless you buy the Ubaldo Jimenez rumblings).

The second is that few teams are able to absorb the salary implications that said stars may carry—the Rays, for example, may be able to take the AL East with Beltran cleaning up, but they may not have the dollars to bring him on-board.

From there, we often fall to the second-tier of names—those that may not swing the balance on their own, yet provide the sort of value that can bolster a team's pre-existing strengths or strengthen an area of weakness. For example, in 2010 Kerry Wood and Javier Lopez helped fortify the Yankees and Giants bullpens, respectively.

This notion isn't exactly reinventing the wheel—most everyone is well aware of these sorts of deals, and there is always an expectation that teams will find a set-up man, utility infielder, or platoon bat to supplement an already strong squad.

This article, then, is not being written to state the obvious.

Rather, it is to point out the teams that can benefit from potential suitors seeking that missing piece.

With that in mind, here are a few players players that are playing over their heads, but could be moved at the deadline for a pretty penny. 

Melky Cabrera, OF, Royals

It seems as if Cabrera's been around forever... but he's still only 26.

Capable of playing an acceptable centerfield and a solid corner spot, Cabrera's batting .295/.333/.456. He has a decent amount of pop, he's a fine base-runner, and he doesn't have a drastic platoon split.

Cabrera struggled mightily last season, but he's certainly young enough to be capable of obtaining a new level of performance, and his peripherals suggest that he's not overly lucky with balls in play or anything of the sort.

He may not offer the same potential as Carlos Beltran, but he could start for several contenders at a far lesser cost.

Cabrera is still cost-controlled for another year, so he may make sense for the Royals to hold on to.

But his value isn't likely to be higher next year, and the Royals aren't likely to contend in 2012 either. 

Jamey Carroll, IF, Dodgers

Yes, he's 37. Sure, he doesn't offer much of anything in the power department.

However, Carroll is also an incredibly versatile defender, putting up strong UZR numbers at both second and third and average rates at short.

He's also been just about at league average with the bat over the past two seasons, making contact at a solid rate and taking an above-average number of walks.

The pickings at all three positions are slim, with only Reyes and JJ Hardy offering much of anything at short and second and third being veritable wastelands, and Carroll may very well be the best available player at the latter two positions.

With the Dodgers hemorrhaging money and Carroll being a cheap, fine player that matches up well with a nearly unlimited number of teams, a deal seems as though it would be incredibly beneficial to all sides.

Considering the other options, it also seems likely that the Dodgers could pick up more than a player of Carroll's ilk would normally demand. 

Livan Hernandez, SP, Nationals

While this may seem like a stretch, consider the serious dearth of quality starting pitchers that could be on the market—Jason Marquis may otherwise head the crop of talent that could be dealt.

The seemingly ancient Hernandez has put up league-average ERA and FIP numbers over the past two seasons, and his trademark durability has never really been in question.

It's unlikely that he could garner a king's ransom, but contenders like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Tigers have experienced injuries and underperformance in their rotations and could benefit from an average starter toeing the rubber every fifth day.

The difference between Hernandez and a Tim Wakefield or Brad Penny may only be a win or two in the second half... but that could be the difference between the postseason and the offseason. 

Michael Wuertz, RP, A's

Oakland is going nowhere fast due to a combination of injuries and ineffectual bats, and Billy Beane is a master of wringing value out of potential free agents.

Wuertz is fairly consistent—at least in so far as relievers go—and he offers the attractive combination of grounders and strikeouts. He typically limits homers, as well, and he's incredibly effective against right-handed hitters.

With more well-known relievers like Heath Bell and Joakim Soria likely to come at a steep cost, the consistently above-average Wuertz could be a boon for a team unwilling to ante up for a stud, while still bringing back an attractive piece for the A's.

Oakland is going nowhere fast due to a combination of injuries and ineffectual bats, and Billy Beane is a master of wringing value out of potential free agents. Wuertz is fairly consistent, at least in so far as relievers go, and he offers the attractive combination of grounders and strikeouts. He typically limits homers, as well, and he's incredibly effective against right-handed hitters. With more well-known relievers like Heath Bell and Joakim Soria likely to come at a steep cost, the consistently above-average Wuertz could be a boon for a team unwilling to ante up for a stud, while still bringing back an attractive piece for the A's.