One Player Who Every MLB Team Wishes They Snagged at the Deadline

Now that the MLB non-waiver trade deadline has passed, teams throughout the majors have finalized deals that either added upgrades to their respective rosters for the expected playoff push, or they traded veterans for future prospects that will position themselves well for the future.

In either case, there were also deals that had been discussed or deals that may have fallen apart for various reasons, and players that teams would have like to have added didn’t come to fruition.

While there is still another month to deals after a player has passed through waivers, many teams will still be unable to get that one player or prospect that they really desired.

Here is a look at the players that each MLB team would have liked to acquire at the deadline but were unable to for various reasons.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured on the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle. Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers was intent on landing a veteran reliever to help his bullpen for the stretch run. Towers was able to land reliever Brad Ziegler from the Oakland A’s, but at a steep price, dealing away power-hitting first baseman Brandon Allen and reliever Jordan Norberto.

The player that Towers really wanted, however, was left-handed reliever Matt Thornton of the Chicago White Sox. However, the White Sox wanted top prospects in return for Thornton, who is under contract through 2013 with a club option for 2014.

Atlanta Braves: Hunter Pence, Philadelphia Phillies

The Atlanta Braves were able to acquire a significant upgrade to their lineup when they acquired center fielder Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros for four prospects who weren’t considered to be major contributors at the major league level.

However, the Braves went after Bourn only after they were thwarted in their efforts to acquire Bourn’s teammate Hunter Pence, who instead went to the Philadelphia Phillies for a package of top prospects.

In the end, Braves’ GM Frank Wren was unwilling to part with the pieces that the Astros were asking for Pence in return.

Baltimore Orioles: Anyone Who Can Pitch

The Baltimore Orioles dealt away two players (Derrek Lee, Koji Uehara) and got decent value in return, but in the end, the Orioles didn’t get what was needed the most—pitching prospects.

They were able to land Tommy Hunter from the Texas Rangers in the deal for Uehara. Hunter was 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA in 22 starts for the Rangers last season, including a start in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

However in spring training this year, Hunter was unable to crack the starting rotation and has been used out of the bullpen for the Rangers after starting the season in Triple-A.

Hunter will apparently pitch out of the bullpen for the O’s for a period of time before joining the rotation, but it’s clear that other discussions involving Orioles’ veteran players did not yield the type of returns that the Orioles were looking for in terms of pitching.

Boston Red Sox: Hiroki Kuroda

The Boston Red Sox were clearly in the market for starting pitching, especially in the wake of a season-ending injury to Daisuke Matsuzaka and the back issues of starter Clay Buchholz.

After pulling out of a deal for A’s starter Rich Harden when Red Sox physicians balked at the potential future health of Harden, the Red Sox landed Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners.

There was no question, however, that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein most coveted Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda was unwilling to waive his no-trade contract and approve a deal to any team, preferring to play in a muddied situation in LA instead.

Chicago Cubs: Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

Other than dealing Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians, the Chicago Cubs were strangely quiet during the last weekend of the non-waiver trade deadline, despite many rumors about several players, including Carlos Pena, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano and others.

The Cubs have long been rumored to be prepared to work hard in luring potential free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder to Chicago, but with the hefty contracts of Ramirez, Zambrano and outfielder Alfonso Soriano, Fielder may be just a pipe dream at this point.

Chicago White Sox: Derek Holland, Texas Rangers

After the Chicago White Sox dealt starter Edwin Jackson to the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in the week (Blue Jays then flipped Jackson to St. Louis), Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted on Saturday that White Sox GM Kenny Williams was concerned about rotation depth and was said to be looking to acquire another starter.

The Texas Rangers were very interested in acquiring White Sox reliever Matt Thornton, but when Kenny Williams said that any deal for Thornton had to include Rangers’ starter Derek Holland, the Rangers then said that White Sox starter John Danks would have to be included as well. Williams would not bite.

Cleveland Indians: Ryan Ludwick, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Cleveland Indians adopted an “all in” philosophy with regard to their playoff chances this season, making what was arguably the biggest deal during the non-waiver trade deadline window with the acquisition of Colorado Rockies pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez for four prospects and acquiring right fielder Kosuke Fukudome from the Chicago Cubs for two other prospects.

On Sunday, the Indians also made a strong play for San Diego Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick, but in the end Padres’ GM Jed Hoyer opted for a better deal from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cincinnati Reds: Michael Bourn, Houston Astros

The Cincinnati Reds were another team who was quiet during the last weekend of the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, only dealing outfielder Jonny Gomes to the Washington Nationals for two prospects the week previous.

The Reds did make a strong play for Houston Astros outfielder Michael Bourn, who ended up going to the Atlanta Braves for a package of prospects. Considering the Reds are two games under.500 and 6.5 games back in the race for the NL Central title, many thought the Reds would be much more active.

However, GM Walt Jocketty told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that the prices for players were just too much to stomach.

"It wasn't because we didn't try," Jocketty said. "There wasn't a deal that made sense.

"We tried working on a number of big deals and some of the guys that were traded, we were in on most of them. Some of the requests for us, we felt were ridiculous and a lot more than we were willing to pay."

Colorado Rockies: Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

The Colorado Rockies were in on only one trade this past weekend, but it was the biggest trade of all—dealing away starter Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for a package of top-tier prospects.

However, the player the Rockies really coveted—New York Yankees pitching prospect Dellin Betances—would not be made available by the Yankees in any package of return prospects for Jimenez.

Detroit Tigers: Jim Johnson, Baltimore Orioles

The Detroit Tigers only made one trade this past weekend, but it was significant, bolstering their rotation by acquiring Seattle Mariners starter Doug Fister.

While the Tigers also picked up reliever David Pauley from the Mariners in the same trade, they also made a play for Baltimore Orioles reliever Jim Johnson. However, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweeted on Sunday that the deal was unlikely.

Florida Marlins: Brandon Inge

The Florida Marlins were involved in exactly zero deals during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, with the exception of acquiring outfielder Mike Cameron from the Boston Red Sox much earlier. Many experts felt that the Marlins would stay inactive, opting instead to stand pat before their move to their new stadium next season. MLB.com reporter Joe Frisaro tweeted as much on Friday.

However, the Marlins are in need of production at third base, and were said to have been interested in Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge, who was outrighted to the minors last week. But in the end, the Marlins opted to steer clear, preferring instead to wait for prospect Matt Dominguez to continue his development in Triple-A.

Houston Astros: Josh Reddick, Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox were one of the teams who were interested in acquiring Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence.

However, as reported by Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Astros were only looking for a deal that would include Sox outfielder Josh Reddick and prospect Kyle Weiland.

Considering that Reddick is currently hitting .333 with four HR and 21 RBI in 38 games for the Sox, GM Theo Epstein was not about to include Reddick in any deal.

Kansas City Royals: Anyone Who Doesn’t Mind Losing

The Kansas City Royals made two minor deals during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, dealing away third baseman Mike Aviles to the Boston Red Sox and infielder Wilson Betemit to the Detroit Tigers. But many experts wondered why Royals’ GM Dayton Moore wasn’t much more active.

With players like Jeff Francis, Kyle Davies, Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera all rumored to be on the block, Moore stood pat instead.

Matt Connor of SB Nation Kansas City pointed out that Francoeur, Cabrera and Francis especially would have netted a nice return for Kansas City. While Francoeur has indicated that he would like to sign long-term with the Royals, both Cabrera and Francis are free agents at the end of the season, and yet they’re still in Kansas City.

The Royals have to be considered losers at this point for not capitalizing on what was considered a weak market.

Los Angeles Angels: Koji Uehara

Considering that the Los Angeles Angels are only two games out of first place behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West, it was a surprise to see the Halos making no deals whatsoever during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window.

The Angels didn’t have a whole lot of options in terms of trade chips, however. While they really wanted Baltimore Orioles reliever Koji Uehara, they were unable to offer an attractive enough package to the Baltimore Orioles, who opted instead to send Uehara to the Angels’ rivals, the Texas Rangers.

It appears that the Angels will continue to dance with who brung ‘em, and hope that their pitching can be enough to overtake the Rangers in the AL West.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Ivan Nova

Considering there was so much talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers unloading veteran players and trimming payroll in the wake of their bankruptcy and ongoing ownership issues, they too were quiet during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, only dealing shortstop Rafael Furcal to the St. Louis Cardinals and a last-minute deal that involved minor league prospects with the Boston Red Sox.

However, the Dodgers asked the New York Yankees for pitcher Ivan Nova and a catching prospect in return for pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, and the Yankees were unwilling to include Nova.

The Colorado Rockies also wanted Nova included in a deal for Ubaldo Jimenez.

Milwaukee Brewers: Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Orioles

The Milwaukee Brewers made the first big splash during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, acquiring New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez for a package of players to be named later.

The Brewers also acquired Washington Nationals utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., bolstering their roster in the wake of the Rickie Weeks injury.

However, their efforts to land a starting pitcher, specifically Baltimore Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie, were thwarted.

Orioles’ beat reporter Brittany Ghiroli tweeted on Saturday that the O’s had not received any offers for Guthrie that they were happy with, including from the Brewers.

Minnesota Twins: Drew Storen, Washington Nationals

It’s hard to analyze what the Minnesota Twins did during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, because in fact what they did was absolutely nothing.

The Twins were neither buyers or sellers, and with their loss on Sunday to the Oakland A’s, the Twins are now seven games back in the AL Central. While the division just might be the weakest in baseball, and the Twins still have a legitimate chance of making a run, it was still odd that they in fact made no deals whatsoever.

According to Twins’ GM Bill Smith, it wasn’t for a lack of trying, however. Smith told reporters in a conference call that the Twins did inquire on several players, but the asking price was just too high.

"As much as we wanted to try to improve this club and again to provide some more pieces for (manager Ron Gardenhire) and the coaches and everybody, I'd rather make no deal than a bad deal," Smith said.

It had been reported on Sunday that the Twins made a play for Washington Nationals closer Drew Storen, with Twins’ outfielder Denard Span to be the return piece, but the deal was not consummated.

"We had a lot of activity, we had a lot of calls, we made progress on a number of possibilities," Smith said. "But we just couldn't get to the finish line.”

New York Mets: Jonathan Singleton, Houston Astros

When the New York Mets made the decision to trade right fielder Carlos Beltran to the San Francisco Giants for prospect Zach Wheeler, they did so after the Philadelphia Phillies balked at receiving Beltran for one of their top prospects, Jonathan Singleton.

While the Mets got a great prospect in Wheeler, the man they really wanted was Singleton, who ended up going to the Houston Astros in the deal that brought Hunter Pence to Philly.

New York Yankees: Ubaldo Jimenez, Cleveland Indians

The New York Yankees shocked just about everyone in baseball when they were completely inactive during the entire MLB non-waiver trade deadline period.

The pitcher they coveted the most was Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. However, in return the Rockies wanted a package that included top prospects Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, Jesus Montero and current starter Ivan Nova.

The Rockies nixed any deal when the Yankees pulled the original deal off the table and offered Phil Hughes and other prospects instead.

The Cleveland Indians ended up nabbing Jimenez on Saturday, giving up top prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White.

Oakland Athletics: Lars Anderson, Boston Red Sox

Many were surprised that the Oakland Athletics didn’t unload many of their players who had been rumored to be gone (Josh Willingham, Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Andrew Bailey, Grant Balfour).

Another player rumored to be traded was pitcher Rich Harden, and indeed, the A’s had a deal in place to deal Harden to the Boston Red Sox for first baseman Lars Anderson.

Anderson is a power-hitting prospect who had no future for the Red Sox with Adrian Gonzalez signed long-term.

Philadelphia Phillies: Heath Bell, San Diego Padres

The Philadelphia Phillies pulled off a great deal in nabbing Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence, although they did give up two prospects in Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton.

However one pitcher the Phillies went hard after, closer Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres, turned out to be just a bit too expensive in terms of prospects for the Phillies.

With the prospects already dealt to the Astros in the Hunter Pence, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. may have been too reluctant to trade off too much off his farm system in dealing for Bell as well.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Jason Kubel, Minnesota Twins

The Pittsburgh Pirates, who were buyers for the first time since 1992, pulled off two excellent deals in obtaining Derek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles and Ryan Ludwick from the San Diego Padres.

However, the Pirates also coveted Jason Kubel of the Minnesota Twins.

According to Jenifer Langsoch of MLB.com, the Pirates didn’t have to give up prized prospects for Kubel, but in the end, the Twins stood pat, keeping their team intact for a possible playoff push in a weak AL Central race.

San Diego Padres: Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies

The San Diego Padres got great value in trades they made over the weekend, getting two top pitching prospects (Robbie Erlin, Joe Weiland) in return for reliever Mike Adams and getting the choice of one of three minor league prospects from the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for outfielder Ryan Ludwick.

However, the Padres were very interested in catcher Chris Iannetta of the Colorado Rockies.

The Padres eventually backed off, with Troy Renck of the Denver Post tweeting that the Padres had concerns about Iannetta’s contract (owed $3.55 in 2012, team option for $5 million in 2013).

San Francisco Giants: Michael Bourn, Atlanta Braves

Many people believe that the Atlanta Braves got a steal in acquiring Houston Astros speedy center fielder Michael Bourn in return for center fielder Jordan Schafer and three middle-of-the-road prospects.

The Giants apparently coveted Bourn as well but were not willing to give up major-league-ready prospects in return.

Seattle Mariners: Anyone Who Can Hit

Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik was able to wrangle some prospects in Trayvon Robinson from the Dodgers (via the Boston Red Sox) and Casper Wells and Francisco Martinez from the Detroit Tigers, but all in all, they still need people who can hit.

The Mariners are on track once again to lead the American League in fewest runs scored and no immediate relief in sight.

At least they’ll have some pitchers who will get lousy run support.

St. Louis Cardinals: Heath Bell

The St. Louis Cardinals improved their starting rotation with the acquisition of Edwin Jackson, who won his first game in a Cards uniform on Friday (seven innings, one run, seven hits) and a couple of veteran relievers in Octavio Dotel and Mark Rzepczynski, but they were unable to land their coveted prize piece, closer Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres.

The Cardinals do have Fernando Salas, who has done a credible job in the role, but Bell was the player they went after.

They still have a possibility of signing Bell in the offseason, but with the negotiations for Albert Pujols, there is no guarantee the Cards will have enough money left for Bell.

Tampa Bay Rays: Colby Rasmus, Toronto Blue Jays

While the Tampa Bay Rays were extremely quiet during the MLB non-waiver trade deadline window, only trading infielder Felipe Lopez, they were at one point very interested in outfielder Colby Rasmus.

At one point, the Rays offered to deal either one of pitchers Jeff Neimann, Wade Davis or Alex Cobb, however the Cards opted to trade Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays instead.

Texas Rangers: Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox

The Texas Rangers added two key pieces to their bullpen in acquiring relievers Koji Uehara from the Baltimore Orioles and Mike Adams from the San Diego Padres.

However the Rangers also coveted a left-handed arm as well, especially with current left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes struggling.

Matt Thornton of the Chicago White Sox was high on the Rangers’ radar, however when the White Sox asked for starter Derek Holland in return, the Rangers countered by also asking for starter John Danks.

The White Sox said no, thanks.

Toronto Blue Jays: Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros

The Toronto Blue Jays were successful in dealing away a couple of reliever and snagging a center fielder (Colby Rasmus) who could be their answer in center long-term.

However, one player they coveted but were unable to land was Colorado Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta.

According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the Blue Jays pushed hard to acquire Iannetta, however for unknown reasons, the deal was never consummated.

Washington Nationals: B.J. Upton, Tampa Bay Rays

For several weeks, the Washington Nationals were said to have highly coveted Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, and at one point, were willing to overpay for his services.

However, the deal never came to be. However, there is still a distinct possibility the two teams could come to an agreement sometime during the offseason.

The Rays were scouting the Nats’ Triple-A team on Tuesday, so they obviously have some interest in dealing with the Nats at some point.