The MLB trade deadline is getting closer and players like Justin Upton, Troy Tulowitzki, David Price, Ben Zobrist, Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels, James Shields, Aroldis Chapman, Mike Leake and Scott Kazmir are all potential targets to be traded and teams like the NY Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs could be buyers at the deadline.
The Phillies are expected to deal Cole Hamels and he could be one of the biggest names traded at the deadline. Hamels has been brought up in trade rumors since last year and that could make him a target this year for teams. Coming into the season it looked like the Boston Red Sox were the favorites to land Hamels, but Jon Heyman at CBS Sports reports that the Dodgers are in the mix along with the Texas Rangers. The Houston Astros also showed interested, but Hamels is not likely going to waive his no-trade for a deal to Houston.
The Washington Post lists players like Justin Upton, Troy Tulowitzki, Johnny Cueto, David Price, Ben Zobrist, Mike Leake and Austin Jackson as players that could move and the results of games over the next two weeks could determine who buys and sells. The Padres have been disappointing all season and they could sell after spending big this offseason on deals for Upton, Matt Kemp, Shields and Wil Myers. Upton is going to get attention since he will be a free agent, while Shields could be an option for teams in need of pitching.
Ben Zobrist has come up as a target for teams with the Oakland Athletics struggling and the NY Mets, Chicago Cubs and NY Yankees could be interested. The Mets are looking for more offense and they could be a fit for Zobrist if they give up some prospects, while the Yankees would love to upgrade their infield with Stephen Drew not hitting much. The Yankees don't want to deplete the farm system and they could also look at a pitcher with CC Sabathia struggling, with names like Mike Leake and Hamels as options. The Yankees have also reportedly scouted Cueto.
Troy Tulowitzki continues to get attention with the Rockies struggling and he also was mentioned in trade talks last year. Tulowitzki has a lot of money left on his contract and while he continues to come up and continues to not get dealt, this year could be different with the Rockies looking like they will be rebuilding for the next few years. The Mets have always been mentioned as an option since they have such a weakness at shortstop, but the team has been cheap in recent years and likely will not step up. Zobrist is a more likely option since he will be a free agent after this season.
Heyman writes that the Dodgers also could look at Cueto as an option, as the team has money to spend on a big name pitcher and they have prospects to deal. According to ESPN, the Phillies are looking for a strong package of prospects and they may want two or three key young players in any deal for Hamels. The Phillies pitcher is still relatively young and while he has hit a rough patch of late, he has pitched well over the last year dating back to last season. The Dodgers likely will not consider giving up top prospect Corey Seager.
Check here for more on potential deals at the deadline and players that could be traded.
