Trade Candidates

Starting Pitchers:

Jeff Samardzija has been pitching great this season and the Cubs have not been playing well. Losing teams are always prone to trade veteran players for prospects. Samardzija is pitching to a 1.68 ERA in 75 innings with 64 strikeouts. Possible suites for the 29 year old right hander  would be the Baltimore Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees, the Texas Rangers, and even the Colorado Rockies.

Jason Hammel is another steady Cubs pitcher who played with the Baltimore Orioles last year. Hammel is 31 years old and throughout his career he ranks as a 4th or 5th starter. In 2014 he is pitching to a 3.04 ERA in 64 innings with 54 strikeouts. Destinations for Hammel might include the Colorado Rockies, the Texas Rangers, the New York Yankees, or Los Angeles Angels.

Justin Masterson is not finding much success in 2014 and will be a free agent at the end of year. Masterson's ERA has risen up to 5.21 after his start last night, but he has the potential to be a number 1 or a really good number 2 starter. Masterson is 29 years old and if he wants to get a big pay day this off season he needs to improve, but for now he is a potential trade target for many teams. A team like the Boston Red Sox might be in on Masterson, somewhere he has played before.

David Price is without a doubt the biggest name being
bounced around in rumors. Price is pitching to a 4.42 ERA in 77 innings with 84 strikeouts. The ERA is bound to go down and Price is almost expected to be successful. The Rays traded James Shields two seasons ago for Wil Myers and Jake Ordizzi to the the Royals. Price may get an even bigger pay out that Shields. If Price is traded during the season the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Arizona Diamondbacks seem like logical destinations for the hard throwing southpaw.

Relief Pitchers:

JJ Putz is nearing the end of his career and like all old relief pitchers the Yankees should be involved. Putz is on the DL now but he will be ready to go way before the trade deadline. He is 37 years old and has not had a bad season since 2009. The Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Los Angeles Angels may also be in on the veteran.

Mike Adams has been succesful for most of his career but now it appears he might change his team yet again. The crafty right handed pitcher has a 2.51 ERA this season and the Phillies are looking to get rid of some salary. The same teams who may be in on Putz should be in on Adams. Adams is 2 years younger than Putz at 35.

Infielders:

Alexei Ramirez has been raking for the White Sox with a .324/.357/.483 slashline and 9 stolen bases this season. He is a short stop by trade but can probably play second base easily. He is 32 years year old and will likely be a big addition this season.

Adam Dunn is a first baseman by trade, but projects more as a designated hitter. An American League team is likely to trade for Dunn if is he to be traded. Dunn has a .236/.391/.458 slashline this season which is pretty good for him in recent years. Dunn is 34 years old and can definitely provide power for any team.

Ruben Tejada has been the Mets' problem the past two seasons, but now they are trying to push him onto someone else. A team rebuilding may take a bid at Tejada, but the Mets won't get much in return for him. The Cubs, Phillies, White Sox, Astros, or Marlins may be potential landing spots for Tejada

Aaron Hill is 32 years old and has a .255/.314/.404 slashline this season. Hill is a second baseman, but can likely play third, although he has never done so in recent years. Hill would be a great addition for the Orioles,
Yankees, Braves, or Giants if Scutaro is not back by then.  

Chase Utley has been raking this year. He is a long shot to be traded but his .333/.389/.546 slashline is very appetizing to competing ball clubs. Chase Utley would likely to be dealt to the same teams Hill would be, but it is not likely in my eyes.

Outfielders:

Matt Kemp: Matt Kemp is currently playing on the bench for the Dodgers and not providing much for the team. He has a .262/.325/.450 slashline in 43 games this season. Kemp is a super star with a heavy contract and one team that may be in on Kemp is the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox though Jackie Bradley Jr. would fill the hole Ellsbury left, but they were wrong. Its time for the Red Sox to get the other end of the big trade they made in 2012. The Reds, Rangers, and Mariners might be other teams interested in the 29 year old outfielder.

Ichiro Suzuki is 40 years old, but still great on defense and still getting on base. The Yankees have too many outfielders and Ichiro wants to keep playing. A team that desperately needs an outfielder would trade for Ichiro, but it seems he will finish the year the the Yankees.

Alex Rios was traded from the White Sox to the Rangers not too long ago, but he would be a good trade candidate this off season. He is tearing it up with a .330/.361/.498 slashline this season, but he is 33 years old. Rios can play any outfield spot, but more of a corner outfielder. The Red Sox may go to Rios instead of Kemp, but the Giants, Nationals, or Mariners might be in on Rios.

Josh Beckett No Hits the Phillies

On Sunday May 25, Josh Beckett tossed his first career no hitter. Beckett has been stellar all year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and no one expected him to be this good. In one report he has been using his curve ball a lot more and creating a lot of variation in the pitches he is throwing. Beckett has already surpassed the amount of innings he threw last year and his ERA is the lowest since his 2011 season at 2.43. In a rotation with names such as Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, and Haren, I think we all find it surprising that Beckett is the second best. The two time World Series champ will look to find more success against the Pirates in his next start.