MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Offseason Targets for Teams Losing out on Hunter Pence

At this season's July 31st non-waiver trade deadline, two All-Star outfielders became sought-after additions for teams looking for some pop in the middle of their lineup.  Those two men were Carlos Beltran of the Mets and Hunter Pence of the Astros. 

While Beltran has always been a good player, he is entering the back-end of his career at age 34 and was viewed only as a second-half rental for a playoff team.  Pence, on the other hand, is only 28 and still in his prime and is under contractual control for the next few seasons, which is what made him so appealing to the Philadelphia Phillies.

After Pence was traded to Philly, it left some teams wondering what other options would be available this offseason to bolster their lineups.  Well, the good news is there is no shortage of bats this season as there was last year, when the list included Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth and the rest.  This offseason will be different, and you can bet that some monstrous contracts will be signed.

10. OF/DH Magglio Ordonez

Magglio Ordonez started off the year about as badly as anyone can, batting .171 with one homer and five RBI over the first two months of the season.  However, he has since been able to at least partially turn things around, batting .287 with three home runs and 14 RBI during June and July.  I think what Magglio needs is a change in scenery. 

The Tigers have some talented young outfielders on their roster, and the DH spot is occupied by Victor Martinez, so the odds of him returning to play the 2012 season in Detroit are slim.  At 37 years of age, Magglio is on the last leg of his major league career, so look for him to be signing one-year deals from now on and look for the first of these deals to be in the friendly dimensions of Camden Yards with the Baltimore Orioles.

9. OF Josh Willingham

Current Oakland A's outfielder Josh Willingham is an intriguing option for teams looking for an offensive boost this offseason.  Despite his consistently low batting averages, Willingham can still offer great production in terms of home runs and RBI. 

This year, hitting in a weak Oakland lineup, Willingham is hitting .248 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI.  The average will likely remain low, but his other numbers could heavily increase if he finds a home with a team in a smaller ballpark. 

If they aren't content with their current all left-handed outfield alignment of Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury and Josh Reddick, the Boston Red Sox could be a great fit for Willingham, who could greatly utilize the Green Monster to his advantage.

8. OF/DH Jason Kubel

It has been said before, but Jason Kubel really is one of the most underrated players in baseball.  Just to prove it, I'll give you his stats for this year: .305 batting average with eight home runs and 41 RBI. 

I'll bet not many of you knew Kubel was a .300 hitter, and make no mistake, those power numbers could be a lot better, and will be, if he joins a team with a more hitter-friendly ballpark.  He was just starting to find his home run stroke in 2009, the last season in the Metrodome, when he hit 28, but saw a decrease to 21 after moving to Target Field last year. 

While his defense is questionable at best, there is no doubt what kind of production Kubel can contribute with in the middle of a lineup.  If he stays as a DH, the Rogers Centre in Toronto could be a potential landing spot for him, as the Blue Jays are well-known for their home run hitting and could use some protection for Jose Bautista. 

7. OF Michael Cuddyer

Michael Cuddyer has been an invaluable member of the Twins for the past few years, continuously filling in for the oft-injured Justin Morneau.  While normally starting as the primary right fielder, Cuddyer is not a bad defensive first baseman, so there are no concerns over his defensive capabilities, as there are with his teammate Jason Kubel. 

Cuddyer is also a great contributor at the plate, batting .298 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI thus far this season.  Cuddyer would be a great fit on any team, but with the Twins needing to focus more on their pitching woes, they will likely only retain one, either him or Kubel, and my bet is that they bring Cuddyer back into the fold. 

This guy could be a Twin for life.

6. SS Jimmy Rollins

With all the hype over Jose Reyes's impending free agency, many people forget that he isn't the only big-name shortstop on the market. 

Longtime Phillie Jimmy Rollins is also due for a new contract, and while most assume he'll simply re-up with the Phillies, there is a chance that he may take more money elsewhere.  The Phillies have been on a spending spree for the past couple years and may not be able to compete with other clubs for J-Roll's services when he hits the market. 

Talented shortstops are a rare commodity on the free-agent market, and someone is going to throw money at Rollins this offseason.  My bet is that if Philly can't lure him back into the fold, he will join the current NL Central rivalry and joins either the Cardinals or the Brewers. 

The Cards just acquired Rafael Furcal at the deadline, but his 2012 option is a club one, so if he doesn't produce, the Cards may let him walk and go after Rollins or Reyes instead. 

The Crew has Yuniesky Betancourt, but he is a subpar shortstop, both defensively and offensively, so they should be in the market for Rollins, especially if Prince Fielder leaves. 

5. OF Carlos Beltran

Teams may have missed out on Hunter Pence AND Carlos Beltran this year, but there is one difference with Beltran.  He will be available again after this year. 

Now depending on how well he performs with the Giants, he may want to stay with them, and they may want to bring him back, especially if they repeat as World Series champions this season.  However, he will likely have his share of suitors, as power-hitting outfielders, even older ones like Beltran, have no lack of interest in the free-agent market. 

We all know Beltran has been great this year, but there is always the injury risk that kept him sidelined for extended periods of time during his tenure with the Mets. 

Beltran has expressed his desire to stay in the National League, and I have a feeling that the Chicago Cubs are going to be big spenders this offseason, as they attempt to bring an end to the 103-year World Series drought.  They would be a good fit for Beltran after trading Kosuke Fukudome to the Indians at the Trade Deadline. 

They may need to land another big-name free agent to convince Beltran to join them, but we'll get to that later.

4. SS Jose Reyes

Mets superstar shortstop Jose Reyes has put together an MVP-type season this year after battling injuries all of last season.  He is in line for a big-time pay day this offseason, as he is far and away the best defensive and offensive shortstop in the game, with only Troy Tulowitski of the Rockies even coming close to his talent level. 

At 28 years old, Reyes is in his prime and would be a fantastic addition atop almost any team's lineup.  As I said before in regards to Jimmy Rollins, great shortstops are rare, and Reyes is a valuable commodity. 

As a Yankees fan, I hate to even think about it, but I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if the Boston Red Sox aggressively go after Reyes.  They have had a plethora of different shortstops ever since trading away Nomar Garciaparra in 2004, and none have been able to stake their claim. 

Many think top prospect Jose Iglesias could be the shortstop of the future for the Sox, but they can always trade him if they sign a sure thing in Reyes.

3. OF/1B Lance Berkman

After a rough season last year, the Astros decided that Lance Berkman's best days were behind him and traded him to the Yankees for their playoff run. 

He didn't contribute too much, and it looked like a good decision by the Astros...until he made his return to the NL Central this season.  Berkman signed with the Cardinals and has enjoyed a revival season in 2011, putting up the same kind of numbers that made him a feared opponent years back in Houston. 

To protect themselves from a potential letdown, the Cardinals only signed him to a one-year deal, so Berkman will be able to re-test the free-agent market this year following his amazing performance, similar to what Adrian Beltre did after his one-year revival in Boston last year. 

I think Berkman will want to stay where he is comfortable, in the NL Central, and almost every team could have a place for him.  The Cardinals would obviously love to retain him, the Brewers could use him to replace Prince Fielder at first, the Cubs could play him at first or the outfield and even the Reds and Pirates could use him.

2. 1B Prince Fielder

Almost any other year, Prince Fielder would be the crown jewel of the free-agent market.  Nonetheless, he is going to receive a monstrous contract, especially once the top player on this list signs his deal. 

Fielder is about as sure a lock as anyone in baseball to hit 35-plus homers and drive in 100-plus every year.  He is a pure cleanup hitter, capable of driving almost any pitch well over 400 feet.  He even plays an above-average first base, despite his size. 

However, it is thought that he will eventually have to become a full-time DH by the end of his next contract, which is expected to range anywhere from seven to 10 years, meaning he should probably sign with an American League team.

Many people believe that the Chicago Cubs could have interest in Fielder, but honestly, they would be smart to stay away from him.  At his size, Prince is a ticking time bomb.  It's not a matter of if, but when he will be unable to play first base any longer. 

It could be as far as seven years away, but it will happen, and when it does, it will be an easy transition for an American League team to make him a DH.  Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers could show interest, but we will have to wait and see if they can afford what is bound to be a large price tag on Fielder.

1. 1B Albert Pujols

Yes, I still deem Albert Pujols as the top prize of this upcoming free-agent market.  I know he hasn't had a very "Pujols-like" season thus far, hitting .283 with 27 home runs and 69 RBI, but he has heated up recently. 

His home run total is still impressive, especially considering he had a stint on the DL this season.  His batting average is far lower than his career mark of .328, but I don't expect that to continue. 

He has a very good chance to come out of the 2011-2012 offseason as the highest-paid player in the history of the game (which should infuriate A-Rod), and if he leaves the Cardinals, he will immediately pay dividends for his new team.

The number of teams bidding for his services will likely be less than most people think.  Remember, the payroll-powerhouses, the Yankees and Red Sox, will NOT be in the race for Pujols. 

The Yankees have Mark Teixeira signed to an eight-year, $180 million deal, and the Red Sox have Adrian Gonzalez signed to a seven-year, $154 million deal.  Pujols is not about to change positions and will not be a DH or make either of those two players a DH, so there is literally no chance for Pujols to enter the Rivalry.

I suspect three, maybe four teams to be in the mix for Albert Pujols.  Those teams will be the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Washington Nationals, the St. Louis Cardinals and...the Chicago Cubs. 

In the end, I think that the Cardinals' best chance at retaining Pujols will be for him to give them a hometown discount, because the Cubs and Nationals will be throwing boatloads of money at him. 

If Pujols wants the biggest contract, he'll sign with the Nationals.  If he wants a still-lucridous deal with a chance to be a hero, he'll sign with the Cubs.  If he wants to be respected as a player, he'll re-sign with the Cardinals. 

One thing is for sureit'll be fun to watch this winter.