With the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline fewer than two weeks away, dozens of established major leaguers and intriguing prospects across all of baseball will be changing teams. Teams in contention will struggle with the challenge of winning now without mortgaging their future, while those in rebuilding mode will look to stock up for 2012 and beyond.
Last year's deadline saw current major leaguers such as Dan Hudson, Wilson Ramos and Brett Wallace switch uniforms, as well as Top 100 prospects such as Tyler Skaggs and Pat Corbin. The 2011 deadline is sure to feature some major names from the prospect world as well.
The players on this list aren't ranked by their ability, but rather by the likelihood with which they will be dealt in the coming days. All trades imagined below are purely speculative, but consist of names that are frequently mentioned as trade candidates.
10. Dayan Viciedo, first base/designated hitter, Chicago White Sox
Viciedo’s name isn't one that's mentioned frequently in rumors, but it makes sense for him to be dealt from a logistical standpoint. Viciedo is hitting at a .322/.371/.525 (BA/OBP/SLG) clip in Triple-A, but while he is clearly MLB-ready, he has nowhere to play in Chicago. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn represent long-term commitments at first base and designated hitter, respectively, and Viciedo would be a defensive liability at third base or in the outfield. Still just 21 years old, Viciedo would draw a ton of interest on the trade market, and could be used to land a quality reliever –- think Leo Nunez -- or a more offensively potent third baseman thanBrent Morel.
Viciedo’s name isn't one that's mentioned frequently in rumors, but it makes sense for him to be dealt from a logistical standpoint. Viciedo is hitting at a .322/.371/.525 (BA/OBP/SLG) clip in Triple-A, but while he is clearly MLB-ready, he has nowhere to play in Chicago. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn represent long-term commitments at first base and designated hitter, respectively, and Viciedo would be a defensive liability at third base or in the outfield. Still just 21 years old, Viciedo would draw a ton of interest on the trade market, and could be used to land a quality reliever –- think Leo Nunez -- or a more offensively potent third baseman thanBrent Morel.
9. Robbie Erlin, starting pitcher, Texas Rangers
Erlin is probably the fourth or fifth best prospect on this list, and as such could be used as the centerpiece of a deal for a top-of-the-rotation starter or a closer. Still just 19 years old, Erlin has already reached Double-A, and is largely dominating there through 54 2/3 innings. The Rangers are unlikely to deal their two best prospects -–Jurickson Profar or Martin Perez -- but may decide Erlin is expendable for a Heath Bell, Mike Adams or Jon Danks. He could be a mid-rotation starter by as soon as this time next season.
Erlin is probably the fourth or fifth best prospect on this list, and as such could be used as the centerpiece of a deal for a top-of-the-rotation starter or a closer. Still just 19 years old, Erlin has already reached Double-A, and is largely dominating there through 54 2/3 innings. The Rangers are unlikely to deal their two best prospects -–Jurickson Profar or Martin Perez -- but may decide Erlin is expendable for a Heath Bell, Mike Adams or Jon Danks. He could be a mid-rotation starter by as soon as this time next season.
8. Desmond Jennings, outfielder, Tampa Bay Rays
It makes little sense for the Rays to trade Jennings, but then again it makes no sense for Jennings to still be in Triple-A. The 24-year-old center fielder is hitting .280 with 12 homers, 17 stolen bases and a .375 on-base percentage. He's battled injuries throughout his career, but he'd be an immediate upgrade over Sam Fuld orJustin Ruggiano and could assume leadoff duties from Johnny Damon. The Rays are more likely to tradeB.J. Upton, but if they don't, Jennings could be dealt for a middle-of-the-order bat or an elite bullpen arm if they decide to shoot for the playoffs this season.
It makes little sense for the Rays to trade Jennings, but then again it makes no sense for Jennings to still be in Triple-A. The 24-year-old center fielder is hitting .280 with 12 homers, 17 stolen bases and a .375 on-base percentage. He's battled injuries throughout his career, but he'd be an immediate upgrade over Sam Fuld orJustin Ruggiano and could assume leadoff duties from Johnny Damon. The Rays are more likely to tradeB.J. Upton, but if they don't, Jennings could be dealt for a middle-of-the-order bat or an elite bullpen arm if they decide to shoot for the playoffs this season.
7. Josh Reddick, outfielder, Boston Red Sox
Reddick has fast become a fan favorite in Boston. But while he's capable of being an everyday big league right fielder, his value will never be higher than it is now. Reddick has hit .367 with four homers and 18 RBI in his impressive 2011 campaign, but he's done so in a very small sample size, and he can't sustain that type of success. Plus, many still view Ryan Kalish as the Red Sox' right fielder of the future. Reddick wouldn't be nearly enough if the Red Sox shoot for a big name like Jose Reyes or Ubaldo Jimenez, but if they set their sights on Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Cuddyer or Carlos Beltran, his name could come into play.
Reddick has fast become a fan favorite in Boston. But while he's capable of being an everyday big league right fielder, his value will never be higher than it is now. Reddick has hit .367 with four homers and 18 RBI in his impressive 2011 campaign, but he's done so in a very small sample size, and he can't sustain that type of success. Plus, many still view Ryan Kalish as the Red Sox' right fielder of the future. Reddick wouldn't be nearly enough if the Red Sox shoot for a big name like Jose Reyes or Ubaldo Jimenez, but if they set their sights on Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Cuddyer or Carlos Beltran, his name could come into play.
6. Charlie Furbush, pitcher, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are rumored to be seeking a mid-rotation starter in the Derek Lowe or Jeremy Guthrie mold, and Furbush is the type of solid, yet non-elite prospect who could be involved in such a deal. Furbush has pitched well at Triple-A this season, with a 3.17 ERA and 10.17 K/9 rate, but allowed five home runs in just 29 innings with a 4.03 ERA in the majors. His ceiling is as a mid-rotation starter, but he may end up in the bullpen. Don't expect the Tigers to trade Andy Oliver or Nick Castellanos and consider Jacob Turner all but untouchable.
The Tigers are rumored to be seeking a mid-rotation starter in the Derek Lowe or Jeremy Guthrie mold, and Furbush is the type of solid, yet non-elite prospect who could be involved in such a deal. Furbush has pitched well at Triple-A this season, with a 3.17 ERA and 10.17 K/9 rate, but allowed five home runs in just 29 innings with a 4.03 ERA in the majors. His ceiling is as a mid-rotation starter, but he may end up in the bullpen. Don't expect the Tigers to trade Andy Oliver or Nick Castellanos and consider Jacob Turner all but untouchable.
