The All-Star game break during the MLB season is the slowest time of the year in professional sports, but with divisional races heating up and teams turning from pretenders into contenders, the July 31 trading deadline is expected to be very active and some of the biggest names that could be switching teams includes Giancarlo Stanton, Kendrys Morales, Matt Garza and Alex Rios.
Stanton is the most valuable name that keeps coming up in talks and even though people think the Marlins are ready to deal him, they may surprise everyone and keep him. The Texas Rangers have been connected to both Stanton and Rios and they would love to pluck the young star away from the NL to add him to their system. The team is battling with the Athletics in the AL West and since he is making $537,000 this year, the Marlins may want to ditch him before a big pay day. The team likely won't part with him without a major player or prospect in the deal.
Last season Stanton hit .290 with 37 home runs and 86 RBIs, but this season he is at .250 with 10 home runs and 27 RBIs, but everyone knows that talent that he has. The other major name that is being talked about is Matt Garza and the Cubs so far have been patient, but it is likely that he will be moved. Garza has a 6-1 record and a 3.17 ERA into the break and CBS Sports reports that the Bodgers, Red Sox, Orioles and Indians all could be interested. Alex Rios has also been mentioned in talks with the Rangers.
Morales is a very likely option to get moved, as the Mariners (despite playing well of late) are 11 games out of the Wild Card and since he will be a free agent next season and will want over $10 million per year, it might be the perfect move for Seattle. The team traded starter Jason Vargas for Morales this offseason to get more pop in the lineup and he has done that, but since the team is just 43-52 at the break and are 13 games out of the division, general manager Jack Zduriencik may realize it's selling time.
Morales has been solid with power in the lineup while hitting .280 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI this season and since Raul Ibanez has been playing like he's 20, the team may not feel bad about getting rid of some power. Ibanez has been mentioned as a possible chip since he has 24 home runs, but Morales will get the team a much better player in return since he is younger and ESPN is reporting that the Pirates could be a spot for him to land, as they need a first baseman type player. Morales benefits from the DH, but the Pirates are playing better than they have in years and they may not worry about it as they try to add more power to the lineup.
Morales is a switch-hitting power bat and a number of teams could be looking for that, including the Pirates, who are battling with the Cardinals for the central division. The Mariners are feeling good after sweeping the Angels heading into the break, but that won't keep them from being sellers, as they have been way too inconsistent this year to have any shot at getting into the playoff race.
