MLB Trade Speculation: 5 Best Teams Who Should Be Sellers at the Deadline

With the MLB trade deadline just 12 days away, many teams are already clearly labeled "sellers" or "buyers."

But what about those teams that are some where in the middle? What to they do?

There has been much more parity this year. Besides the AL West, the top two teams in each division are within three games or less of each other. Many of the races are still wide open.

This has caused a lot of cloudiness as to whether or not many teams will be selling or buying. 

Here's the thing, though: baseball is as much a business as it is a game. Some of those teams in the middle can't make themselves big buyers like the Yankees and Red Sox can.

Here's a look at the top five teams who can't afford to break the bank this deadline, even if a playoff spot is on the line. 

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays have the unfortunate luck of playing the AL East. Even though they currently sit six games over .500, they are still eight games out in the divison, and six-and-a-half back of the wild card-leading Yankees. 

Baseball Prospecuts has the Rays' playoff chances at just under four percent.

Throw in the fact that the Rays have the second lowest payroll in the majors, and are usually near the bottom of that list, and they are almost definite sellers.

Tampa Bay certainly won't be able to make any huge additions at the deadline, and with the two teams in front of them almost certainly improving, a playoff run is unlikely.

B.J Upton is set to his last year of arbitration next season, and will likely command a raise. Johnny Damon also hits free agency in the winter.

Those two guys are actually Tampa Bay's priciest, and getting rid of them for some good value would keep the payroll down.   

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians are in a tough position.

They sit atop the AL Central by one game, but they don't have nearly enough funds (fifth lowest payroll in MLB) to take on a big name player at the deadline. 

The Tribe has been a nice story, but with Grady Sizemore heading to the DL, they are going to have trouble staying ahead of Detroit, who will probably make some moves.

Add in the fact that Cleveland's biggest need right now is starting pitching, and the most expensive pieces this deadline will be just that, and the Indians might be in trouble.

They have a lot of players still on the books for next season, so, come winter, they might need to dip into that talented farm system of their's instead of free agency. They can't sell the farm this deadline.

The Indians shouldn't necessarily be sellers, but contrary to rumors, they probably shouldn't be buyers either. 

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals, like the Tampa Bay Rays, have been bitten by the good-division bug.

The Nats sit right at .500, but have virtually no chance of catching the Braves or Phillies. Even though they have put together a nice season, they should make themselves sellers.

Washington has lots of nice trade chips, especially in the relief pitcher department.

They are a good team, but aren't going anywhere this season. 

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been good, but I just don't see them realistically catching San Francisco in the west or Atlanta for the wild card. 

The Giants have been seriously linked with Carlos Beltran and other big names, while the D-Backs have a small payroll and can't go after anyone huge.

If they can land someone decent for a small price, by all means go for it, but don't give up too much for a rental that probably won't make a four-game difference. 

This is another situation like the Indians. They don't necessarily have to be sellers, but it appears that being a buyer won't be worth it. 

Los Angeles Angels

The Texas Rangers are a really good team, and they are primed to get even better.

The Los Angeles Angels are also very good, but they aren't catching Texas. Period. 

However, the Angels have been linked to Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Beltran, among other guys. Either of these two will cost LA some good, young talent, and it probably won't be worth it.

I don't see Ramirez or Beltran making the Angels better than the Rangers will be after the deadline.

Also, Los Angeles' payroll is increasing by the second, and if they could unload some players at the deadline, that would probably be the smarter move.