Jul

Top 10 MLB starting pitchers that could be traded by July 31

By Allan

Congratulations to the National League for winning their first All-Star victory since 1996. Fans of National League teams can now dream of watching their team host a World Series Game 7.

We have about two and half weeks before the non-waiver trade deadline reaches us on July 31, so let’s take a look at starting pitching and see who the top 10 players PRO Rumors thinks could be switching teams:

10. Ben Sheets, Oakland Athletics, RHP: A’s GM Billy Beane has said that he does not expect to be active at this year’s trade deadline. We’re calling BS! Beane was born to make trades and he signed Sheets with the intentions to trade him around this time of year. There were Mariners scouts at the A’s game last week when Sheets started, but it’s unlikely the Mariners want Sheets. Just pure speculation, but there could be a three-way deal somewhere involving Sheets, and the Mariners just needed to check up on the A’s inventory.

9. Ricky Nolasco, Florida Marlins, RHP: Nolasco could be a good consolation prize for any team that lost out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Some experts say that Nolasco is unavailable, but if the Marlins were presented with the right major-league-ready prospects, then they would deal the right-hander. The 27-year-old is arbitration eligible this coming winter, and he should expect at least a $5 million salary next season. He won’t break the bank, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are having financial issues with their pending divorce, so they could be candidates.

8. Kevin Millwood, Baltimore Orioles, RHP: Millwood’s value was higher in May, but he had a terrible June and is on the disabled list. He’s one of the players that could be dealt after July 31st since he’s likely to clear waivers. If a team is desperate enough and they cannot get another pitcher on this list, then Millwood may be their best option. The St. Louis Cardinals could be a fit given their problems with their rotation.

7. Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs, RHP: Hate me now for writing this. Will Big Z be traded? Unlikely. Is it possible? Sure. Why? Two teams may want to swap bad contracts. Zambrano is owed about $45 million from his current five-year deal. Another team with a bad contract close to that amount may be able to take on the big guy and deal with his anger management issues. Earlier this month, we talked about a possible deal for San Francisco Giants’ outfielder Aaron Rowand in exchange for Zambrano. You can read about it here. Worst case scenario: bat him cleanup – he has 20 career home runs.

6. Edwin Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks, RHP: Mr. No-Hitter. If it wasn’t for his inconsistency, he would be a superstar. He threw 149 pitchers to complete his no-no, so that’s what you should expect if he were to land on your team. The plus side is that the Arizona Diamondbacks are in the selling mode, Jackson is young and can improve, but he’s going to make $8.35 million in 2011. Maybe the Minnesota Twins could use the right-hander.

5. Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians, RHP: Carmona is relatively affordable and with a string of team options, he could be under team control though 2014. He’s prone to wildness and could falter under the pressure of a big city such as New York. The Mets could be a potential destination for Carmona, but he may not be able to handle the media and the fan base.

4. Jake Westbrook, Cleveland Indians, RHP: Westbrook is a free agent after this season, and has about $4.48 million left on this year’s contract, so he’d be a good fit for a team that doesn’t want to take on payroll beyond this season. The Indians are in selling mode, and would like to get something for him instead of letting him walk, so expect the team to make a deal. The San Diego Padres and the New York Mets have been mentioned as possible future Westbrook employers.

3. Ted Lilly, Chicago Cubs, LHP: Our first left-hander on the list. The New York Mets have once again been linked to Lilly. Lilly could be considered a poor man’s Cliff Lee. He is owed $6 million for this season, and the Mets likely won’t have a problem taking that payroll on. The issue – he may not be much of an upgrade to Hisanori Takahashi, and the Cubs may want a big prospect in return.

2. Dan Haren, Arizona Diamondbacks, RHP: Many teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals or the Philadelphia Phillies would love to have Haren. With the instability of the Dback’s GM position, the team may not want to make move their biggest named player. Jerry Dipoto, the interim GM, may not be trusted by the ownership. If presented with the right superstar prospect (think New York Yankees catcher, Jesus Montero or Phillies outfielder, Anthony Gose) then the Dbacks may move Haren.

1. Roy Oswalt, Houston Astros, RHP: Oswalt has drawn interest from the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and New York Mets, to name a few. The big problem is that the Astros want everything in exchange for the veteran right-hander. They want the team to pick up the $7 million that he’s due for the rest of this year, the $16 million due next year and the $2 million buyout for his 2012 team option, and that’s in addition to your team’s best prospects. One more thing – he also has a no-trade clause, so you better be sure you are in contention. Given the demands, he could be traded sometime in August since he’ll likely clear waivers. Expect the White Sox to make a push for Oswalt.