The All-Star Game has come and gone, and it's back to the business of either pursuing a playoff spot or building toward the future for MLB's 30 franchises. The trade deadline always creates a ton of buzz, and often fizzles or underwhelms.
But not always, and this year there are some juicy names reportedly on the trade block. Here are the seven biggest names that are likely to get shipped to new cities.
Cole Hamels, SP Philadelphia Phillies
Hamels is just 3-5 this season, but he has posted a 2.93 ERA, struck out a hair under nine batters per nine, and has been death on left-handers. That is music to the ears of many teams, specifically the pitching-needy Yankees whose park is built for power-hitting lefties. Cliff Lee is also likely on the block, but Hamels' production is close enough to Lee's that he becomes a more appealing target due to his age. More than just the Yanks will be willing to pay a pretty penny for this ace.
Jonathan Papelbon, RP Philadelphia Phillies
Papelbon remains one of the league's best closers--which is sort of wasted on a last-place team. Consistent closers are very tough to find, so grabbing one with a 1.21 ERA and a SO/9 of 8.0 is marvelous. He won't be cheap, but outside of a handful of teams Papelbon is a big upgrade in the bullpen.
Starlin Castro, SS Chicago Cubs
Castro is just 24 years old, and still could be a future star, but the Cubs are loaded at SS with young talent and Castro is the most appealing near the deadline because he can contribute now. He's rebounded nicely from an awful 2013, and is hitting .276 with 11 home runs. He only has three stolen bases in 2014, but in 2011 he swiped 22 bags, followed by a 25-steal 2012 campaign. Ultimately, he may not move because the asking price is sure to be high, but he could be a franchise-changing addition.
Marlon Byrd, OF Philadelphia Phillies
So in the GIF above, Marlon Byrd swung so hard he broke his bat without hitting the ball. That's how he's smacked 18 home runs this year and totaled 54 RBI. This has pretty much become a Phillies firesale piece, but Byrd could be a difference maker much like he was for the Pittsburgh Pirates a season ago, especially for AL teams with a DH spot to plug him into.
David Price, SP Tampa Bay Rays
Saved the best for last. The Rays would probably be silly to deal Price to the Yankees, and give them Price + Masahiro Tanaka for years to come. But Price is one of the best pitchers in baseball and they can get a big haul for him, even if he's a threat to leave in the offseason. He'd instantly help ANY team in the sport, and the Rays have enough young arms to recover in Oakland-like fashion.
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