MLB Trade Rumors: Jason Kubel and 5 Available Discount Bats at the Deadline

As teams continue to make a big splash before the MLB trade deadline, there aren't names like Carlos Beltran and B.J. Upton available for every buyer. 

When players like Josh Willingham and Ryan Ludwick are commanding ridiculous prices, you know it's going to be hard to acquire anyone for cheap, but it's possible.

Just look at what the San Francisco Giants did last July and August. They didn't acquire any huge names, but they got a lot of important, cheap pieces, and were able to skyrocket in the standings and eventually win the World Series. 

For teams like the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates or anyone not trying to sell the farm system, there are options.

Here are five of those options. 

Reed Johnson, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are surely going to be looking to move pieces, but they have said they don't want to give up anyone under contract past 2012. 

Reed Johnson, a free agent after this season, should attract some trade partners who aren't looking to spend much. According to Jon Morosi, Johnson is available. 

Johnson hasn't been a full-time starter this year, so the price is definitely low, but he is putting together a good year, hitting .328 with a .369 OBP. 

The 34-year-old is owed somewhere around $300,000 for the rest of this season and might just be the biggest bargain on this list. Johnson would make for the perfect complementary player on a playoff team. 

Conor Jackson, Oakland Athletics

Conor Jackson is hitting just .257 with three home runs and 30 RBI. His OPS+ is a meager 88. He doesn't hit right-handed pitching well.

Yet, there is still interest around this guy. Jackson shows good patience and the ability to put wood on the ball, and in the last two weeks, he's hitting .333 in more than 40 at-bats.

Jackson isn't flashy, but he'll give you a smart at-bat, he can play good defense and he can play any of the corner infield spots or in the outfield. 

The 29-year-old will come very cheap and could serve as an integral part for a contending team. The Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly interested. 

Jason Giambi, Colorado Rockies

According to Troy Renck, the Colorado Rockies will make it happen if Jason Giambi wants to leave for a contender.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates are both reportedly interested, and both could get a nice piece, as Giambi would serve as a perfect situational lefty with good power.

In just 96 at-bats, the 40-year-old has hit 10 homers (before you call it the Coors factor, seven of those have come on the road), with eight of those coming against right-handed pitching.

Giambi is signed to a one-year deal worth $1 million, and it wouldn't take much to get him in a trade.

He's the type of veteran who could be key to a playoff or title run.   

Jeff Francoeur, Kansas City Royals

Jeff Francoeur is quietly putting together a very nice season for the Kansas City Royals. 

He's hitting .268 with 13 home runs, 60 RBI, 16 stolen bases and an improved walk rate. 

It seems like Frenchy has been around for a long time, but he's still only 27 years old, he's a free agent after the winter with a mutual option and he could serve as a cheap rental.

The Boston Red Sox are supposedly interested, and it shouldn't take any top prospects to get this underrated right fielder. 

Jason Kubel, Minnesota Twins

Jason Kubel is owed somewhere right under $2 million for the rest of the season before his contract expires, and he could be the perfect cheap rental for teams that miss out on Carlos Beltran.

Kubel's price may be low because he just returned from the disabled list, but he has shown in four games that he's still in good form.

On the season, the 29-year-old is hitting .307 with six homers and 14 doubles in 215 at-bats. He hits right-handers very well (.326) and doesn't embarrass himself against lefties (.268).

Kubel has spent some time at DH this year, which might scare off NL teams, but he has played an average right field (-0.5 UZR) in 31 games.

The rumors around the Twins' Michael Cuddyer seem to be heating up, but Jason Kubel would be a much cheaper option.