The MLB trade deadline is around the corner and names like David Price, Cole Hamels, James Shields, Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake, Ben Zobrist, Aroldis Chapman and Scott Kazmir could be targets to get traded, as teams like the NY Yankees, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers could look at making moves.
The pitching market has a number of notable names that could get traded and Hamels remains at the top of the list heading out of the All-Star break. According to Hardball Talk, Hamels is the most likely player to get traded this season, as he has been mentioned in deal talks since last season and with the Phillies rebuilding, they likely will sell. The Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds have had down seasons and that puts Scott Kazmir, Tyler Clippard, Ben Zobrist, Johnny Cueto, Aroldis Chapman and Mike Leake on the block as targets.
Cueto and Leake are both heading into free agency next year and that could push the Reds to make deals with those pitchers. Chapman reportedly also could be on the move and teams like the Blue Jays and Red Sox come in with needs at closer. Chapman gave a pretty nice audition in the All-Star game, throwing a number of 100-mph pitches and he could be a major target come the deadline. Frank Thomas said before the All-Star game that a team to watch with Cueto and Chapman are the Red Sox, as they have the prospects to make a deal after playing back into the playoffs race.
David Price potentially could be traded, as the Tigers are not quite where they want to be in the standings and he also is heading into free agency. According to Hardball Talk, Price and the tigers have not talked about an extension, as Price is expecting to get some big contract offers this offseason at age 29. Price has put up a sub 2.50 ERA this season and he has been strong for the Tigers after coming over in a trade last season. The Tigers are at .500 and while the plan is not to trade Price, there is chance the team could make a move if they think he will leave as a free agent.
James Shields is an interesting target for teams, as the Padres spent big this offseason and made deals, but it has not worked out for the club. The team is not in playoff position and they could look at dealing Shields after just signing him to a four year contract. Shields is not pitching that well and a team could try and buy low on him with a 4.01 ERA this season for the Padres. Shields is 33 and he may cost less than trading for someone like Hamels, Price or Cueto. Jeff Samardzija, Mike Leake and Kazmir could be options for a team like the Yankees, as they would like to add starting pitching without giving up major prospects. Those players could move for packages with some second tier names over players like Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez.