MLB Trade Deadline: The Top 8 Value Players Left on the Block

With only four days left until the 2011 MLB Trade Deadline, it appears the once bear market has turned bullish with the blink of an eye.

The greatest aspect of the trade deadline is that each and every team can try to improve, not only teams in contention.

For example, earlier today Colby Rasmus was plucked away from the St. Louis Cardinals in another brilliant move by Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos. 

There are some big names on the market this season, and per the usual, those few players are getting the bulk of the attention.

It's the "other" guys who can make the biggest difference—and for a much lower price. That is what makes these players so valuable.

Here are the top eight value players left on the block.

Javier Vazquez (SP), Florida Marlins

Age: 35 

Contract: One-year, $7 million

2011 Key Stats: 108 IP, 5.35 ERA, 82 K

Javier Vazquez has been horrible this season, just as he was in 2010 with the New York Yankees.

Why on earth would any contending team want to take a chance on this guy?

For starters, Vazquez could be had for dirt cheap if he is willing to waive his no-trade clause. He may be 35 years old now, but we have seen signs—however few—this season that Vazquez still has something left in the tank.

Only two seasons ago, Vazquez pitched to a 2.87 ERA with 238 strikeouts for the Atlanta Braves. If he is put into the right situation on the right team, Vazquez could surely prove to be well worth the cost.

Considering Vazquez could probably be had for two bats and a bucket of baseballs, I'd say that's a great value for his potential to help down the stretch. 

Ian Desmond (SS), Washington Nationals

Age: 25

Contract: Arbitration through 2015

2011 Key Stats: .225 BA, 20 SB, 4.64 RF/G

The Washington Nationals more than likely will not trade Tyler Clippard or Drew Storen. If they're willing to rid themselves of shortstop Ian Desmond, you can bet there will be plenty of teams calling.

To get rid of Desmond now would be selling on him extremely low, and there is a team out there who could reap the rewards of giving him a fresh start.

Desmond is having a very poor sophomore season in Washington, but he did hit .269 with 10 homers as a rookie in 2010. More importantly, his defensive play at shortstop has seen dramatic improvement this season.

Still only 25 years old, Desmond is under team control for four more full seasons and based on potential, there may not be a better "value" trade candidate out there.

Jason Vargas (SP), Seattle Mariners

Age: 28

Contract: Arbitration through 2013

2011 Key Stats: 134 IP, 4.09 ERA, 3 SHO

Jason Vargas may not be well known outside of Seattle, but the Mariners pitcher has put up solid numbers over the last two seasons and could do great at the back end of a contender's rotation.

Vargas has pitched three complete game shutouts in 2011 and has improved his strikeout rate each season over the last three years.

While allowing less than a hit per inning, Vargas is a very effective pitcher so long as he keeps walks to a minimum. 

Any team who chooses to acquire Vargas knows they are getting a pitcher who can pitch deep into ballgames on a regular basis, and he should make less than $10 million over his final two arbitration years.

Denard Span (OF), Minnesota Twins

Age: 27

Contract: Owed $14.25 million through 2014 with a 2015 club option

2011 Key Stats: .294 BA, .364 OBP, +1.8 dWAR

With Carlos Beltran and B.J. Upton getting most of the action on the trade market, Denard Span has been somewhat overlooked.

Truth be told, for what it might cost to acquire each of the three outfielders, Span may be the best option.

Span is locked up into a team-friendly deal through the 2014 season, and he would bring a solid bat to man the leadoff spot.

To go with his continually improving offense, Span provides fantastic defense in center field—at this point arguably some of the best in the AL.

Span has quietly built a +11.8 WAR since joining the league in 2008, and he could prove to be a steal on the trade market.

Mike Adams (RP), San Diego Padres

Age: 32

Contract: Arbitration through 2012

2011 Key Stats: 46 IP, 24 H, 9 BB, 1.17 ERA

Heath Bell is one of the hottest names on the trade market. His teammate, however, may give teams the best value for their buck on the entire trade market.

Mike Adams isn't a one-year wonder, either. In his four seasons in San Diego, Adams has compiled a 1.67 ERA and 0.902 WHIP in 215 IP.

Not bad for a guy who could be had for half the price of his team's closer.

Adams doesn't walk many batters and gives up very few long balls. He would be a great addition to shore up the back end of any bullpen.

Melky Cabrera (OF), Kansas City Royals

Age: 26

Contract: Arbitration through 2012

2011 Key Stats: .300 BA, 12 HR, 57 RBI, 121 OPS+

Melky Cabrera seems to have finally realized some of that potential the Yankees saw for four years while they tried to groom his as their center fielder.

Still only 26 years old with one more arbitration year, Cabrera has finally caught on with the Kansas City Royals.

Cabrera provides average defense and has finally learned how to steal bases. 

It won't take any top names to land the "Melk Man," rather only two or three midlevel prospects, tops. With his production this season and his ability to play all three outfield positions, I'd say he's well worth the price.

Doug Fister (SP), Seattle Mariners

Age: 27

Contract: Arbitration through 2015

2011 Key Stats: 139 IP, 3.30 ERA, 111 ERA+

Doug Fister may be the best value player available at the 2011 MLB trade deadline.

Although 27 years old, Fister is under team control through most of his "prime" years and won't be a free agent until 2016. His salary is a meager $437,000 in 2011.

He doesn't have a big name but just as his counterpart in Jason Vargas, Fister has been more than solid in the Mariners rotation.

Fister's 3-11 record on the season is further proof of how bad the run support is in Seattle, and it may only take is a big bat to pry his arm away from the Mariners.

Fister would be a solid midrotation starter, especially on a NL club like the St. Louis Cardinals. With names like Ubaldo Jimenez floating around heading up to the deadline, Fister's value continues to soar.

Michael Bourn (CF), Houston Astros

Age: 28

Contract: Arbitration through 2012

2011 Key Stats: 37 SB, 24 2B, .300 BA

Michael Bourn is a difference maker.

Bourn's game is old school, almost a lost art in today's game. In my opinion, Bourn could be considered the "missing piece" on a number of ballclubs.

With nearly 200 stolen bags in the last three-and-a-half seasons, Bourn's patience at the plate has shown tremendous improvement, and aside from power, he has turned himself into a complete player.

Along with his speed, Bourn is well on his way to a third straight Gold Glove award in center field, where he has accrued a plus-4.0 dWAR since the beginning of the 2010 season.

Making only $4.4 million this season, Bourn could demand around $7-8 million in his last year of arbitration. For a game-changing player that is a bargain, and he could come cheaper than many think.