MLB Trade Rumors: 5 Hitters Who May Move Last-Second at the Waiver Deadline

Thursday night is the deadline for waiver deals to get done.  In the next 24 hours, some big name players will be traded to other teams for mere pennies on the dollar.  Most of these moves will involve teams looking to add a little extra punch for the final playoff push.

Looking at the playoff picture now, some teams need a little help in the offense department.

One of the names that has been floating around quite a bit for the past week or so is that of St. Louis Cardinals outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman, who has had a tremendous comeback year after a dismal 2010.  Recently, Texas Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson made a pitch (ha ha) for Berkman to join the Rangers for the last month of the season.

Here are some hitters, including Berkman, who could find themselves on new teams come September.

No. 5: Carlos Lee

The Houston Astros own baseball's worst record at 45-90.  Translation: the playoff hopes died months ago.  The team already trimmed some payroll in July when they sent Hunter Pence to the Phillies, and now it is time to do the same with Carlos Lee.

Lee is in the final year of his contract and is set to make $19 million this year.  The one-time power threat is batting .273 with just 13 home runs on the season, despite a respectable 74 RBI. 

Some teams out there need a right-handed power bat and considering how the Astros need to dump more salary and rebuild from the ground up, especially with a new owner on the way in, Lee is a man who could surely be moved.

No. 4: Carlos Pena

Considering how he is currently playing on a contract worth $10 million, Carlos Pena sure hasn't played as though he is worth that much. 

If the Chicago Cubs were paying for someone who was good enough to hit home runs and play solid defense, it's a good deal.  For someone they were counting on to guide the team to the playoffs, not so much.

Pena has 24 homers and 68 RBI on the season, but is batting just .225.  A week ago, according to ESPN, the New York Yankees made a claim on the big first baseman.  A deal is unlikely to be made on that front, but the possibility that the fifth-place Cubs could deal Pena for cash or minor leaguers remains highly likely.

No. 3: Lance Berkman

Last season, in a year split between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, Lance Berkman had a forgettable 2010.  The switch-hitter hit a subpar .248 with 14 home runs and just 58 RBI.  Despite that, the St. Louis Cardinals inked him to a one-year deal worth $8 million.

Thus far, this season has been a rebirth for the 35-year-old Berkman.  He is batting .289 with 30 homers and 81 RBI.  His team is currently 10.5 games out of first place in the NL Central and with the Milwaukee Brewers running away with the division, Berkman could be dealt.

As mentioned before, C.J. Wilson already made a pitch for Berkman to come to the Rangers.  Yet, as ESPN mentioned earlier today, Berkman stated to St. Louis reporters that he does not want to be traded and wishes to come back to the Cardinals next season.

However, with the team looking to pull out all the stops to re-sign first baseman Albert Pujols, Berkman may be a casualty of payroll slashing.  Considering how the playoff hopes for this season are looking bleak, team management could look to deal him.

No. 2: Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd is not a bad player by any means.  Yet, he isn't exactly a great one either.  He is currently in the second year of a three-year, $15 million deal with the Cubs and if the team wants a shot at Pujols, they need to cut costs.

Byrd is a good lineup presence in that he usually hits for a decent average.  Even in his injury-plagued 2011, he has managed to bat .296 with seven home runs.

Still, the Cubs are in a place where they absolutely need to rebuild from scratch and while Byrd is a good guy to have on the team, he is just not worth the price he is being paid.

No. 1: Hideki Matsui

Hideki Matsui is an attractive trade option at this point for multiple reasons.  He has less than $2 million remaining on his contract for this season and also has had a stellar second half. 

On the season, he is batting .260 with 11 home runs and 64 RBI.  That isn't much compared to the damage he did with the New York Yankees, but still impressive considering he is now 37 years old and his knees are shot.

Still, teams in the market for a lefty bat off the bench, or even in the starting lineup, should take a look at Matsui.  As any Yankees fan can say, there is no clubhouse presence more positive than that of the man broadcaster Jon Sterling dubbed "The Sayonara Kid."

With a little more gas in the tank and a cheap price tag, Hideki Matsui is a man who could easily push a team into the playoffs.