MLB Trade Rumors: Carlos Beltran and Potential Landing Spots for Top 5 Players

Ten days remain until the MLB trade deadline, and some of the biggest names in baseball have been involved in rumors for weeks.

Baseball has seen some blockbuster trades at the deadline the past few seasons with names like Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Matt Holliday being shipped to teams with world championship aspirations.

Division races are heating up and some of the best teams in baseball are rumored to be pursuing top-flight talent that they believe will push their team over the top.

Which players are available, and where will they land?

Some teams have made it known that they will charge a king's ransom for their players, so what would it take to acquire one of the names being mentioned in trade rumors?

Here are five potential landing spots for players involved in trade rumors.

5. Carlos Beltran to Philadelphia Phillies

Is it possible that the GM of the Philadelphia Phillies, Ruben Amaro Jr., could acquire the top available player at the trade deadline for a third year in a row? ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin reported that the Phillies had scouts at the Mets game on Wednesday night.

Teams like the Red Sox, Giants, Braves and Yankees have been involved in trade speculation thus far, but it seems likely that the Phillies are the favorites to acquire the former All-Star.

The Red Sox seem to be a long shot at this point because they seem unwilling to give up any of their top prospects reports Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com.

The Phillies would most likely have to include power-hitting left fielder (and first baseman) Jonathan Singleton in any deal, along with one of their four pitching prospects in A-ball.

Singleton was thought to be in the "untouchable" category before the season began, but that is no longer the case according to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff. 

The Phillies have the best record in baseball and are the odds-on favorite to return to the World Series for the third time in four years. Acquiring Carlos Beltran would fill the Phillies' one glaring hole, which is a power hitter from the right side of the plate.

Have the Phillies become the "new" New York Yankees?

4. Heath Bell to Texas Rangers

Heath Bell has been involved in trade speculation all season long with teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, but Buster Olney tweeted on Sunday that the Texas Rangers are considered the favorites to land Heath Bell.

The San Diego Padres owner Jeff Moorad has made it clear that the team will not trade reliever Mike Adams, and he may have been a more valuable trade asset as he is under control through 2012.

Bell is so confident that he will be traded that he told Tim Sullivan of The San Diego Union-Tribune that his odds of being dealt are "at 90 percent." The Texas Rangers made a huge splash last season at the trade deadline when they acquired Cliff Lee, who helped them advance to the World Series.

Could they do it again in 2011 with the addition of Heath Bell? Their farm system is loaded with prospects that could be coveted by scouts across the league.

3. Josh Willingham to Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made themselves relevant for the first time in nearly 20 years this season. They are the feel-good story of 2011 and currently are in a battle for first place with the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds in the wacky NL Central.

Do the Pirates have enough on their current roster to win the division? MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch stated that the Pirates are looking for a right-handed bat and a reliever. 

Willingham would be a nice option in left field for the Pirates who would come relatively cheap and be a suitable replacement for the injured Jose Tabata. The Pirates front office owes it to their fans to make a splash at the trade deadline.

They have been pretenders for far too long, and it is time that they show the city they are contenders.

2. Ryan Ludwick to Cleveland Indians

SI.com's Jon Heyman tweeted that the Cleveland Indians have their eyes on Ryan Ludwick of the San Diego Padres. MLB.com's Jordan Bastian says that the Indians prefer a right-handed bat at the deadline. 

Ludwick could potentially be a terrific acquisition for the Indians, as his 11 HR and 61 RBI are impressive considering he hits in a miserable lineup and in a huge ballpark.

A "Ryan Ludwick to Cleveland" signing could go under the radar, but his bat would make a lot of noise in the AL Central.

1. Hunter Pence to Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves would surely like to counter the rival Philadelphia Phillies potentially acquiring Carlos Beltran, and they would certainly do that by bringing in two-time All-Star Hunter Pence.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports stated that the Atlanta Braves "fully intend" on adding a hitter at the trade deadline. 

The Astros are listening to offers for Hunter Pence according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, and Olney went as far to say that rival executives expect GM Ed Wade to trade Pence. Pence is under control through 2013, but he earns $6.9 million this year and will likely earn $10 million-plus in 2012.

The Braves are a team that could afford to bring in Pence.

Ed Wade should demand a lot from Atlanta in return for a guy that is having an outstanding season for a miserable club. His slash line is very impressive at .315/.356/.478 with 11 home runs.

The Braves have a lot of top prospects in their farm system, but would they really trade Julio Teheran? If they want Hunter Pence they may have to.