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MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Players Set To Be On The Block This Offseason

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MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Players Headed To the Block This Offseason

Colorado Rockies Troy Tulowitzki Carlos Gonzalez
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The 2014 MLB season is approaching its final months with several teams trying to slide into a playoff spot. But other teams are out of it and already looking at their options for the offseason. With those teams in mind, here are 10 players likely to be on the trade block during the MLB offseason.

10. Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler New York Mets
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10. Zack Wheeler

Zack Wheeler New York Mets
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The New York Mets are in rebuilding mode, but their time is coming with great pitching prospects like Wheeler joining the squad. But for all of their strong pitching prospects, the Mets have no impact position players. For this reason, it seems likely that the Mets will try to swing a trade for an impact hitter this offseason by parting with a prized arm. Wheeler seems to be the most expendable and could be on a new team in Spring Training.

9. Pedro Alvarez

Pittsburgh Pirates Pedro Alvarez
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9. Pedro Alvarez

Pittsburgh Pirates Pedro Alvarez
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are notorious for trading their talent when they become too expensive and are not likely to sign a long-term extension. Alvarez fits both of those categories and is a free agent after next season. His poor play this season should also give the Pirates reason to dangle him at other teams looking to tap into his power potential. Alvarez should be a good fit for an AL team as a designated hitter.

8. BJ Upton

Atlanta Braves BJ Upton
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8. BJ Upton

Atlanta Braves BJ Upton
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The Atlanta Braves signed BJ Upton a few years ago because they were hoping to also add his brother, Justin, and let the brothers lead them to division titles. Justin has lived up to the hype, but BJ has been absolutely awful since joining the Braves. If the Braves can find a taker for BJ's huge contract, they will not hesitate in dumping him this offseason.

7. Cliff Lee

Philadelphia Phillies Cliff Lee
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7. Cliff Lee

Philadelphia Phillies Cliff Lee
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The Philadelphia Phillies are in a tailspin as an organization, because they are one of the worst teams in baseball yet have one of the highest payrolls in MLB. To fix this problem, the Phillies need to dump expensive veterans such as Cliff Lee. Lee is still an effective pitcher in the league when healthy, and the Phillies should have quite a few suitors for his services if they shop him this offseason.

6. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies
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6. Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels Philadelphia Phillies
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Like his teammate Lee, Cole Hamels is another player the Phillies have to explore trade possibilities for. He is the most attractive trade chip that the team has and could fetch a lot in a trade to a pitching needy team. The Phillies need impact prospects to help them rebuild their team, and by shopping Hamels, they could get players in return that will help the team turn things around faster than expected.

5. Matt Kemp

Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp
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5. Matt Kemp

Los Angeles Dodgers Matt Kemp
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have a logjam in their outfield with four players who should be in the lineup every day. To fix that problem, it seems likely that the Dodgers will trade one of their star outfielders. Kemp seems to be the most likely trade candidate, because he is playing the least and has been removed from his natural position. The Dodgers could use a pitcher this offseason and could make a straight up deal with Kemp and a starter.

4. Starlin Castro

Chicago Cubs Starlin Castro
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4. Starlin Castro

Chicago Cubs Starlin Castro
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The Chicago Cubs have been the most active team trading players over the past decade and that should not change this offseason. The Cubs have hoards of young hitters in their farm system, especially middle infielders. Because of this surplus, it seems likely that the team could decide to ship out the inconsistent Starlin Castro. The Cubs could get a pitcher in a Castro trade, so it is a lock that he will be on the trade block this winter.

3. Carlos Gonzalez

Carlos Gonzalez Colorado Rockies
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3. Carlos Gonzalez

Carlos Gonzalez Colorado Rockies
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The Colorado Rockies are far from competing for the playoffs, and they have several stars they should consider trading to help restock their farm system. Carlos Gonzalez is one player who has been mentioned in trade talks the past few years, and the Rockies could explore trade possibilities again this offseason. With plenty of possible suitors for his services, he will at least be placed on the trade block once the season ends.

2. Troy Tulowitzki

Troy Tulowitzki Colorado Rockies
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2. Troy Tulowitzki

Troy Tulowitzki Colorado Rockies
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Like Gonzalez, the Rockies need to do something with Tulowitzki. He is under contract for six more seasons, but it does not seem like he will ever win with the Rockies. He is the best shortstop in the majors by far and has even demanded a trade. The haul of prospects that it would require to bring in a player of Tulowitzki's caliber is astronomical, and the Rockies would be dumb not to at least consider trading their star player.

1. Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins Giancarlo Stanton
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1. Giancarlo Stanton

Miami Marlins Giancarlo Stanton
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The Miami Marlins have flirted with the idea of trading Stanton before and have refused to every time. This offseason should be no different. Teams like the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners are trying to put packages together to land him. The Marlins will likely put Stanton on the block again with these new trade options emerging and see if this is the year they trade the best power hitter in the last decade.

Justin Broyles is a Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @Tweets_ByJ, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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