The MLB trade season is heating up as the July 31 deadline approaches and with a number of teams within striking distance of their division leads and playoffs spots, they will be looking to reload and add depth to weak positions, making players like Alfonso Soriano, Jake Peavy, Yovani Gallardo, Josh Johnson and Casey Janssen attractive targets.
Soriano could be the biggest named player to be moved at the deadline and after a number of years of being named in trade talks, he could finally be ready to move. Soriano said that if the team wants to trade him he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause and a deal could send him to two of his old teams in the Rangers or the Yankees. Soriano signed an eight-year, $136 million deal back in 2006 and after years of losing, he may be ready to move on.
Any team that traded for Soriano would get a strong bat and a solid glove and since the Cubs are way out of contention, they will be sellers once again at the deadline. Soriano has been hot lately with .381 with six homers and 15 RBIs in the Cubs' last 10 games and that could motivate teams to try and snag him now before the deadline gets closer. The Yankees and the Rangers need outfield help and his power is something New York needs desperately, while Texas may want another bat after Lance Berkman was injured.
Some big trades have already been done, including the Cubs moving Scott Hairston and Scott Feldman and the team could continue that way. The Marlins traded Ricky Nolasco and he could be the first of many pitchers to move. Jake Peavy is back on track to return from injury and he could be an attractive piece, as he has posted a 2.97 ERA with 15 walks and 63 strikeouts in 60.2 innings before his last two starts.
The 32-year-old is a solid option for teams looking for pitching depth and that also fits Yovani Gallardo, Josh Johnson and Casey Janssen. The Blue Jays were hot for a while, but after hitting another bump in the road, Johnson and Janssen could be on the way out, as a number of teams need help in the bullpen. Janssen has a 2.57 ERA and is 17-for-18 in save opportunities and he could be a good fit for the red Sox, who need a new closer badly.
