MLB Trades on the Horizon
With the trade deadline on the horizon many teams around the league are looking to see who they can add to their roster to better their chances at making a run for the post season.
Like every year, there are many players that have been rumoured to be on the market for a number of reasons. Some are flat out looking to play for a more competitive team; others are looking to get paid better, so their current team is trying to get something for them rather than lose them to free agency. Whatever the reason, there are a number of high profile players that could be changing uniforms by the end of the month.
Pitchers
There are a few marquee names that are getting some attention as trade bait this season, some garnering more attention than others.
One of the more talked-about players is Cliff Lee. Lee is currently the lone bright spot on the dark horizon that is the Seattle Mariners. Teams that want to add another stellar pitcher for a play-off push would do well to consider paying whatever price Lee demands.
Even with a lacklustre team like the Mariners behind him, Lee has still managed to post a respectable record of 7-3, but it's his statistics that are what really impresses. His ERA of 2.45 is one of the best among starting pitchers in the American League. His strikeout total is not mind blowing, but pair that with only five walks so far this season and it becomes impressive to say the least.
Few pitchers are eating up innings like Lee either; through 12 starts he has logged 95 2/3 innings including four complete games in his last five starts.
The fans may not like the team trading away their best player, but with Lee's stock as high as it is the team could get quite a few young, talented, but unproven players in return. When a team is looking to be rebuilding for the next few seasons, dealing their best chip for a bunch of good ones would be a smart play.
Roy Oswalt is the next best picture on the market; the only problem is his team has not exactly put him on the market. Oswalt has grown impatient with the losing ways of the Astros and has made it clear that he would gladly wave his no trade clause. However, the Astros have also made it clear that they are not looking to move their biggest star.
Batters
Rumours have a number of prospective big names bats possibly moving to new homes fairly soon.
Derek Lee is working on his seventh season with the Chicago Cubs and possibly his last. The 14-year veteran is rumoured to be possibly involved in talks sending him to the Los Angeles Angels. Lee is hitting just .231 on the year, his lowest total since his 1998 season with the Marlins; the Angels are no doubt counting on Lee returning to the form that saw him hit 35 home runs last season. There is also a chance that he could be paired with Xavier Nady in a trade deal.
Many teams have shown an interest in David DeJesus of the Kansas City Royals. The outfielder has been hitting .331 over the course of the 2010 season with 5 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 39 runs to his resume. The Royals have not said that he is not on the market, but just told interested parties to call back later.
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres was rumoured to be on his way out of town after the 2009 season. The Padres would undoubtedly get quite a bit for the hard hitting first baseman, but now that the Padres have emerged as a contender it is highly unlikely that San Diego will look to let go of one of their best players.
Then again when it comes to the business of professional baseball is anyone really untouchable?
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