Cole Hamels (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
The July 31st major league baseball trade deadline is looming and teams will be deciding in the coming weeks if they are buyers or sellers. Will the Toronto Blue Jays pull the plug on their seemingly sinking ship as they continue to fall farther out of contention in the absolutely brutal world of the AL East? Will the Detroit Tigers try to inject some life into their surprisingly clunky 2012 campaign?
What about the Texas Rangers? Their roster is loaded, but also has some holes that could be plugged with a big trade, say Cole Hamels or Francisco Liriano. The Dodgers were spurned by Carlos Lee, but I have a feeling that might work out in their best interest.
Below I’ve listed some of the players that could be moved and teams that might be interested.
Hitters
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B – Toronto Blue Jays > Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers
Chase Headley, 3B – San Diego Padres > Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, LA Angels
Bryan LaHair, 1B – Chicago Cubs > Los Angeles Dodgers
Carlos Lee, 1B – Houston Astros > Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers
Jed Lowrie, SS – Houston Astros > Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates
Justin Morneau, 1B – Minnesota Twins > Cleveland Indians, LA Dodgers, Texas Rangers
Hanley Ramirez, 3B – Miami Marlins > Detroit Tigers, LA Angels, LA Dodgers
Alfonso Soriano, OF – Chicago Cubs > Any team the Cubs can get to take on his $18 million per year contract
Denard Span, OF – Minnesota Twins > Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals
Carlos Quentin, OF – San Diego Padres > Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, LA Dodgers, Tampa Bay Rays
Shane Victorino, OF – Philadelphia Phillies > Detroit Tigers, LA Dodgers, Texas Rangers
Josh Willingham, OF – Minnesota Twins > LA Dodgers, Washington Nationals
Pitchers
Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs > Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers
Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs > Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers
Zack Greinke, Milwaukee Brewers > Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Philles > New York Yankees, St Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers
Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins > Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, St Louis Cardinals
Brett Myers, Houston Astros > New York Mets
Wandy Rodriguez, Houston Astros > New York Yankees, Texas Rangers
Huston Street, San Diego Padres > New York Mets, St Louis Cardinals
Jason Vargas, Seattle Mariners > Cleveland Indians,
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About Rob White
blue jays are still in it pal, we are going to get a pitcher and try for a playoff spot this year as our offense is killing it this year… know you’re information about our standing (only 2.5 games out of wildcard)
Thanks for commenting Alex. I’m aware of their position in the standings, but think they are trending downward. Besides, I only asked if they would pull the plug.