Who’s Going Where? Trade Deadline Predictions

Trade Deadline Approaching

10 Impact Players Could be Traded Before the July 31st Deadline

The second half of the baseball season has already began, and some top teams are already improving their playoff chances by acquiring new talent.

The Rangers acquired Cliff Lee, the Braves got Alex Gonzalez and the Angels just completed a deal with the Diamondbacks to acquire Dan Haren.
Here are 10 more impact players who could be moving before the deadline, and where they might be headed.

1. Jason Werth – OF – Philadelphia Phillies
Werth is an interesting candidate because the Phillies are in contention, and might be looking to acquire top notch talent of their own in Roy Oswalt. With Dominic Brown knocking on the door and Werth just a couple months away from free agency, the Phillies will likely try to use Werth in a three team deal (they are still looking to acquire talent, but most selling teams don’t want to trade for a soon-to-be free agent). There are plenty of teams looking for an outfielder, and I think that the Red Sox will ultimately end up with Werth.

2. Roy Oswalt – SP – Houston Astros
Oswalt has been on the trade block for a while now, and is the best pitcher left on the market. With the Astros high demands, the number of teams attempting to acquire his services will be limited. The fact that Oswalt has a no-trade clause and wants his option picked up will limit those teams further. At this point, I still believe that the Phillies will end up with Oswalt, after they unload Jason Werth.

3. Adam Dunn – 1B – Washington Nationals
Dunn is another player who has been widely speculated about for a while. With the Nationals slowly sinking out of contention (again) Dunn could be on the move. The White Sox could be among the suitors for Dunn’s services, and I think if the Nats decide to move him he will be Chicago bound.

4. Prince Fielder – 1B – Milwaukee Brewers
Fielder won’t necessarily be moved at the deadline, but the Brewers are out of contention, and Fielder will be due for a ton of money soon. Although the Brewers will want to deal Fielder, I’m not confident that they will get enough in return for his services. I think Prince will still be in Milwaukee following the deadline.

5. Jose Bautista – OF – Toronto Blue Jays
To say the least, Bautista is having a career year for the Blue Jays. With 27 homeruns already, he becomes one of the more attractive bats on the free agent market if teams think he can continue his pace. The Blue Jays have already moved shortstop Alex Gonzalez, and will likely be shopping Bautista as well. Come next week, Bautista may be playing in San Diego.

6. Corey Hart – OF – Milwaukee Brewers
Hart is another outfielder having a career year. Hart is probably the first Brewer that will be traded this year. With Magglio Ordonez on the DL, the Tigers will be looking for another bat to stay in contention. If the White Sox do go out and acquire Adam Dunn, the Tigers will be forced to make a move, and might wind up with Hart.

7. Jorge Cantu – 1B/3B – Florida Marlins
Cantu can fill a couple different roles, and might ultimately end up being a bench player for a contending team. The Rangers have been pushing to get Cantu, and will likely get their man if they value him as a starter where others may see him as a bench player.

8. Ted Lilly – SP – Chicago Cubs
With the Cubs falling out of contention, Lilly is one of the more attractive pitchers on the market. While many teams likely will be in the market, I think that Lilly will end up in Detroit, even if they go out and land Cantu. Their pitching staff has been less than stellar this year, and Lilly would give them a better chance of hanging with the Twins and White Sox.

9. Cody Ross – OF – Florida Marlins
Although the Marlins may elect to keep Ross, who’s contract doesn’t expire for another year and a half, they will move him if another team is willing to give up enough for the Toy Cannon. Some rumors have recently linked Ross to the Braves, but I think he could be headed to Philadelphia if he stays within the division.

10. Lance Berkman – 1B – Houston Astros
Before today, I would have said that Berkman could be headed to Los Angeles, but I don’t see the Angels doing too much now that they have acquired Dan Haren. With the Nick Johnson on the DL, the Yankees could be players for Berkman, who could spell Teixeira at first and play DH while in the American League.

Brett Kettyle
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Trade Deadline Approaching July 26, 2010 – Brett Kettyle 10 Impact Players Could be Traded Before the July 31st Deadline The second half of the baseball season has already began, and some top teams are already improving their playoff chances by acquiring new talent. The Rangers acquired Cliff Lee, the Braves got Alex Gonzalez and [...]