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MLB Trade Deadline: Top 5 candidates with predictions

By Ryan Ferguson

Jul 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Marlon Byrd (3) reacts after flied out during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. The Marlins won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Marlon Byrd (3) reacts after flied out during the sixth inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. The Marlins won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Marlon Byrd, OF

Even at the age of 36, Byrd continues to carve-out a Major League existence, thanks, in no small part, to his bat, which has always contained a fair amount of thunder.

The corpulent outfielder, currently in the first year of his second stint with the ghastly Phillies, is one of just five National League players to have slugged at least 20 home runs in 2014. Moreover, Byrd has 60 RBI on the season and owns a respectable .266/.316/.478 slash line.

These accomplishments, coupled with Philadelphia’s obvious need to rebuild, has piqued the interest of contending teams hoping to add a powerful accent piece. Cincinnati has engaged in tentative negotiations for Byrd, whilst power-thirsty Seattle will also consider him a target. Byrd holds partial no-trade protection, safeguarding him from deals to the Mariners, Kansas City, Toronto and Tampa Bay, but has displayed a purported willingness to accept any trade should his $8m option for 2015 be exercised as a condition.

PREDICTION: Traded to Yankees for two mid-level prospects with upside.

The Yankees need some pop in the outfield. Jacoby Ellsbury is batting a sound .282, but, considering the short right field porch at The Stadium, New York was hoping for more than his eight home runs. Similarly, Alfonso Soriano was recently released, and Carlos Beltran’s .228/.287/.427 slash line has rendered him an expensive disappointment.

Thus, in recent weeks, General Manager Brian Cashman has tried almost everything to revamp his everyday lineup. With a depleted farm system, the Yankees don’t have a lush inventory with which to entice potential trade partners and, as a result, seem inclined to pursue expensive players on non-contending teams. By agreeing to absorb salary (the Yankees strong suit) and rid teams of unwanted contracts, Cashman believes he can, in the coming days, fashion a ballclub capable of overcoming Baltimore in the AL East and giving Derek Jeter one last crack at the postseason.

Marlon Byrd is his ideal guy.

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