MLB Trade Deadline: Carlos Beltran and 7 Possible Targets for the Atlanta Braves

With the trade deadline just 12 days away, contenders like the Atlanta Braves are searching for the final piece to their World Series puzzle while pretenders like the New York Mets are looking to sell off veterans for talented young prospects as they look to the future. Is it possible the division rivals could complete a deal including Carlos Beltran? Maybe.

The Braves are currently in firm control of the National League wild card spot, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks by five games. The Braves are also just 2.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. They have been able to produce a 57-39 record despite an inconsistent offense that has been marred by injuries.

The Braves could use another impact bat to bolster a lineup that is seeing Dan Uggla slowly climb back to respectability. Center field and shortstop are only two possible holes to fill, though. Even shortstop is a long shot as Atlanta's front office seems content with Alex Gonzalez's defense and veteran presence.

Jordan Schafer has played good defense in the absence of Nate McLouth and Martin Prado, but his .295 on-base percentage most certainly shouldn't be leading off for a contender. McLouth's defense isn't as strong as Schafer's, but his .347 OBP is much more helpful in creating runs.

The other possible acquisition for the Braves would be a right-handed reliever. With the return of Peter Moylan on the horizon and the emergence of Cory Gearrin, however, that problem might solve itself by the middle of August. That said, if Fredi Gonzalez has any plans to use Scott Proctor in any situation other than a blowout, Atlanta should trade for a different reliever to avoid using such an albatross.

So, who should the Braves target at the trade deadline? Here are seven possibilities for general manager Frank Wren, who has a very strong minor league system to use.

RHP Jason Frasor

The Toronto Blue Jays have to be pushing hard for the possible re-alignment that would turn each league back into one large division because as long as they are stuck in the AL East, they really don't have much of a chance.

Jason Frasor is on the trade block and the two teams made a trade last season, swapping shortstops Alex Gonzalez and Yunel Escobar. Frasor has a 3.23 ERA, 3.78 FIP and 3.92 xFIP this season, though his walk rate of 3.2 per nine is a bit concerning. He is mainly a fastball pitcher, but he also sports a slider.

The good thing about Frasor is that he wouldn't cost the Braves a top prospect. He would simply be a rental through the rest of the season, as he is due to become a free agent at the end of the year. There is a club option for next season, but I doubt the Braves would pick it up for more than $3.5 million.

Possible trade: Jason Frasor for Billy Bullock

RHP Chad Qualls

Although he had a rough season in 2010, Chad Qualls has bounced back nicely in 2011. His ERA of 2.72 more than four runs better than last season and his FIP (2.90) and xFIP (3.63) are both improvements as well.

He is signed cheaply for the rest of the season at $1.5 million with a club option for next year. That is always good for the cash-cautious Braves. There are definitely some red flags surrounding Qualls, most notably his strikeout-to-walk ratio, but he shouldn't have a major fall from grace.

The Padres are ready to trade most of the major pieces from their elite bullpen, including Heath Bell and Mike Adams, who would be much more expensive. The Braves might be able to fly under the radar and acquire Qualls for a reasonable price.

Possible trade: Chad Qualls for Phillip Gosselin

RHP Grant Balfour

Despite a name that suggest major league pitcher would be the worst possible career choice, Grant Balfour has become one of the more consistent relievers in the league. His walk rate is higher than you would like for a high-leverage pitcher at 3.7 per nine, but he strikes out nearly 10 batters per game to offset that.

Balfour keeps the ball in the park, which is key for relievers. His repertoire includes an impressive fastball and a plus slider as well as a curveball and a change-up. He would instantly form a solid seventh inning duo with lefty Eric O'Flaherty.

Balfour's contract, which is $3.7 million for this season and $4.0 million for next season, could be a problem for the Braves. If the Braves could include a bad contract in the trade, like Scott Linebrink, they would probably be willing to give a slightly better prospect. That could work for the Athletics as well, as Linebrink would come off the books at the end of the season.

Possible trade: Grant Balfour for Scott Linebrink and Carlos Perez

CF Torii Hunter

At $18 million per season for the next two years, Torii Hunter would seem to be well out of the Atlanta Braves price range. That is until you bring Derek Lowe into the conversation. Making $30 million between this season and next, Lowe would bring the salaries within a workable range.

A trade involving both of these players should help each team. The Braves would add another bat with some pop to their lineup while the Angels add a veteran starting pitcher in the pitching-heavy AL West. The Angels could replace Hunter with Peter Bourjos and the Braves could replace Lowe with Mike Minor or Julio Teheran.

Hunter has a triple-slash line of .239 / .310 / .379 this season, but with the the second-lowest batting average on balls in play of his career, he should see improvement in the batting average category moving forward. He has played mostly right field for the Angels this season, but I think a move make to center field in the short term isn't completely unreasonable.

Possible trade: Torii Hunter, Daniel Tillman and cash considerations for Derek Lowe

CF Michael Bourn

Michael Bourn would give the Atlanta Braves and their fans what they have coveted for awhile–a true leadoff man. Bourn has paired his great speed with a high on-base percentage to earn a 3.2 wins above replacement (WAR) already this season.

Bourn has a line of .289 / .350 / .392 so far this season, fueled perhaps by a high BABIP, but it might be nearly sustainable based on prior seasons. He has stole 35 bases already in 2011, whereas the Braves as a team have only stolen 33, the lowest total in the majors.

Bourn is signed for $4.4 million this season followed by his final season of arbitration next season. He won't come cheaply as his WAR has been around five for the past two years, but it would make the Braves offense exponentially better.

Possible trade: Michael Bourn for Jordan Schafer, Arodys Vizcaino and Andrelton Simmons

CF Denard Span

The emergence of Ben Revere while Denard Span has been on the disabled list with a concussion might allow the Minnesota Twins to deal from a position of strength at the deadline. The question would be whether or not the Twins consider themselves sellers.

Span was off to a good start to the season, accumulating a 2.7 WAR in 56 games, before landing on the disabled list with a concussion. He has since passed all of the requisite tests and been sent out on a rehab assignment. He should be able to return to action prior to the trade deadline.

Since Span's name hasn't been thrown around in trade circles much, it is tough to know what Minnesota would expect in return. It would probably be less than Michael Bourn, but it would probably still be two top-20 prospects, including a solid young arm from the top 10.

Possible trade: Denard Span and cash considerations for J.J. Hoover, Todd Cunningham and Mauro Gomez

CF Carlos Beltran

Although the chances of the Atlanta Braves acquiring the highly-paid Carlos Beltran are slim, it isn't totally out of the realm of possibility. Since the New York Mets wouldn't want Derek Lowe, they would have to pick up a good portion of the remaining contract.

Beltran would have to move back to center field with his bulky knee for the last 60 or so games of the season, but he has performed well in right field this season, so he should perform at a level comparable to Nate McLouth. If he cannot make the move, he wouldn't make a good investment for the Braves.

However, if the knee can hold up in center and the money issues can be worked out, Beltran's bat would be a pleasant addition to the Braves lineup. He is hitting .287 / .381 / .512 this season with 14 home runs and a 3.5 WAR. He would be a major upgrade over McLouth and Jordan Schafer.

Here is the possible Braves lineup with Beltran:

1. Martin Prado – LF

2. Carlos Beltran – CF

3. Chipper Jones – 3B

4. Brian McCann – C

5. Dan Uggla – 2B

6. Freddie Freeman – 1B

7. Jason Heyward – RF

8. Alex Gonzalez – SS

That's a pretty darn good lineup if everybody can stay healthy (looking at you Chipper and Heyward). The Mets are asking top prospects for Beltran if they have to pay the contract, so it wouldn't be a cheap move, but it would be one that could put the Braves over the top.

Possible trade: Carlos Beltran and cash considerations for Arodys Vizcaino, Carlos Perez and Mycal Jones