MLB Trade Deadline: 11 Bold Predictions for All of the Top Traded Players

As always, there was a lot of chaos and movement around the MLB trade deadline.

Some came unexpected, while others were, well, expected.

Also, we saw teams contending for a pennant only get stronger, as well as those fighting for the playoffs make a move to gain the edge.

Nonetheless, as they come down the stretch, it will surely be intriguing to watch these players in their new homes.

So, that only means one thing: predictions.

And one for each of the top traded 11 players of '11, dealt in the nick of time.

Side Note: Predictions are for how each player will finish out the year with the team to which he was traded.

Carlos Beltran

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .281

Homeruns: 15

Hits: 103

RBI: 67

A great addition for the defending champions because they're arguably the worst offense and the best pitching.

Bringing in a guy like Carlos Beltran will, at the very least, up their team batting average and OBP.

Plan on him taking over as their go-to RBI man as well.

Prediction: Seven homers, 35 RBI

Mike Adams

2011 Stats

Holds: 23

ERA: 1.13

Strikeouts: 49

Innings: 48.0

The Texas Rangers bullpen just became ridiculous.

Prior to the acquisition of Mike Adams, their best reliever was Darren Oliver with a 2.23 ERA and 11 holds through 36.1 innings.

Which isn't bad by any means.

Except Adams is even better and now has an offense backing him up.

He should continue his dominance.

Prediction: 25 holds, 35 strikeouts

Colby Rasmus

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .240

Homeruns: 11

Hits: 85

RBI: 42

He was one of the better young, up and coming players in St. Louie, but Toronto will gladly welcome Colby Rasmus.

Now, although he's heading into the most difficult division in baseball, he just adds more firepower to the Blue Jays offense.

And once the batting average increases—and it will—keep Toronto in sight come 2012.

Prediction: Five homers, 25 RBI

Hunter Pence

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .306

Homeruns: 11

Hits: 125

RBI: 63

The 2011 Philadelphia Phillies might be the next version of Murderer's Row.

And although it's still a stretch to compare them to the 1927 Yankees.

But their lineup of Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco and now Hunter Pence is borderline aristocratic.

Add in their pitching staff and just wow yourself.

Prediction: Seven homers, 38 RBI

Edwin Jackson

2011 Stats

Record: 8-7

ERA: 3.87

Strikeouts: 101

Innings: 128.2 

As much as we love to watch the Cardinals offense with Lance Berkman, Albert Pujols and Matt Holiday, pitching at some point must be addressed.

St. Louis ranks 22nd in quality starts and 14th in ERA.

In order for them to compete with San Fran and Philly, these need to significantly improve.

Therefore, the deal for Edwin Jackson should make up some lost ground and get them back atop the NL Central.

Prediction: 6-3 with an ERA of 2.70

Kosuke Fukudome

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .267

Homeruns: Three

Hits: 81 

RBI: 14

The Tribe is in desperate need of an offensive resurgence.

They began solid but have died since the All-Star break and now are on the cusp of letting the division really slip away.

Bringing in Kosuke Fukudome will help, as he was respectably productive for the Cubs.

Cleveland needs to get back on track real fast, and he can surely be of assistance.

Prediction: Three homers, 27 RBI

Derrek Lee

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .246

Homeruns: 12

Hits: 82

RBI: 41

The Pittsburgh Pirates are relevant for the first time in 20 years, and the addition of seasoned-vet Derrek Lee will widen their 2011 window.

For one, he comes to a young team, so his influence will be the most important.

However, with PNC Park rolling every night, there will be added pressure.

Prediction: Five homers, 32 RBI

Koji Uehara

2011 Stats

Holds: 13

ERA: 1.72

Strikeouts: 62

Innings: 47.0

The addition of Mike Adams from San Diego improved the Rangers bullpen very well.

The addition of Koji Uehara and Adams puts Texas over the edge and quite possible the AL favorites.

With the Orioles, he was shutting everyone down, and now introduced to a team like Texas, no one should touch him.

Prediction: Eight holds, 37 strikeouts

Orlando Cabrera

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .244

Homeruns: Four

Hits: 79

RBI: 38

Along with Carlos Beltran, the acquisition of Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera can only help the Giants offensive woes.

He was a great influence on a young Indians team, and now he goes somewhere with a bunch of experience and success like himself.

In San Fran also though, his impact will be greater based on the race for the NL pennant.

Prediction: Three homers, 24 RBI

Jonny Gomes

2011 Stats

Batting Average: .212

Homeruns: 11

Hits: 48

RBI: 31

He played a vital role for the Reds last season and now has a spotlight opportunity on a growing franchise.

That said, Jonny Gomes will need to connect more at the plate but should see more action with Washington.

In any event, he'll play an even bigger role in the nation's capital since building to success is always the toughest part.

Prediction: Five homers, 18 RBI

Ubaldo Jimenez

2011 Stats

Record: 6-9

ERA: 4.46

Strikeouts: 118

Innings: 123.0

The ace in Colorado becomes the ace in Cleveland as the Tribe desperately needed a solid starting pitcher.

Now yes, Ubaldo Jimenez is struggling this season, but no one is exempt from a down year.

Also, a change of scenery might be just what the doctor ordered because helping the Indians recapture that early season magic is crucial at this point.

He also may help take some pressure off of Fausto Carmona, who hasn't been playing his A-ball either.

Prediction: 4-4 with an ERA of 3.65