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MLB trade rumors: Will Lorenzo Cain, Johnny Cueto, J.D. Martinez be dealt?

By Justin McGuire

Jun 2, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain (6) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lorenzo Cain, Johnny Cueto and J.D. Martinez are among the top MLB  free agents-to-be who could get traded during the season.

As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, we will be taking a regular look at some of the biggest names that could be moved.

Lorenzo Cain, Royals

Will the Kansas City Royals be sellers? If they are, look for center fielder Cain to be the most sought-after position player on the market.

K.C. is only four games out of first place, but that’s mostly because the American League Central is weak. The Royals are below .500, have a run differential of minus-30 and have looked like anything but a contender.

So realistically, they should be looking to deal. No team has more to gain from a fire sale: Cain, third baseman Mike Moustakas and first baseman Eric Hosmer are free agents at year’s end. All three could bring back a decent return and help the Royals re-stock a farm system that ranks among the worst in baseball.

Reports indicate the Royals would love to keep Cain, but so far extension talks have gone nowhere. And if the franchise truly is planning to enter rebuild mode, it makes no sense to tie up money on a player who will be 32 early next season.

Cain isn’t the player he was in 2015, when he finished third in AL MVP voting, but he’s an elite defender with good on-base skills and speed. He’s even hitting home runs again, though he is not a power hitter.

POSSIBLE LANDING SPOT: Cain would be a perfect rental for the Washington Nationals, who are without Adam Eaton for the rest of the season. One especially intriguing idea that’s been floated is for the Royals and send Cain and closer Kelvin Herrera to the Natts in a package deal. Herrera’s struggles this season, however, make that scenario less likely.

Johnny Cueto, Giants

Despite their struggles this season, the San Francisco Giants appear unlikely to have a fire sale. The team brass thinks it can contend in 2018 and has no intention of embarking on a major rebuilding project.

That said, don’t be surprised if they dangle Cueto.

The right-hander is signed through 2021, but he has an opt-out clause after this season that he is expected to exercise (the free-agent market for pitchers is weak). The Giants may prefer to try to re-sign Cueto, but there at least some indications he isn’t happy in San Francisco.

Cueto has struggled this season (4.57 ERA in 14 starts), but he has a track record as one of the top starting pitchers in the game. The Giants likely could add a top-50 (or maybe even top-25) prospect in exchange for the two-time All-Star.

Cueto’s situation is somewhat complicated by the fact  he’s due a $500,000 bonus if he is traded. But it’s hard to imagine a contender balking at paying the bonus if it helps them land a top starter.

POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies are looking for starting pitching and have prospects to deal. But I doubt the Giants would deal Cueto to a division rival.

The New York Yankees are looking to land a top-of-the-rotation guy and have an excellent farm system. The Chicago Cubs could be a factor as well as they try to recapture the magic of 2016.

Next: 50 Best Teams Never To Win The World Series

J.D. Martinez, Tigers

Martinez may the single most likely player to be dealt before the trade deadline.

The veteran outfielder is a free agent after this season, and the struggling and aging Tigers are not going to try to re-sign him.

Martinez has been one of the best hitters in the American League over the past several seasons (top 10 in OPS in 2014, 2015 and 2016). He’s been even better this year, posting an OPS of 1.093 in 31 games.

Martinez would  be the best bat available at the deadline, and the Tigers would be foolish not to try to snag a top prospect or two as they embark on a rebuilding project.

POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to add an impact bat and could slide Martinez into either left field or right field, where playing time has been divided amongst Tommy Pham, Jose Martinez, Randal Grichuk, and Stephen Piscotty.

The Rockies could use an upgrade in right field, where Carlos Gonzalez has been terrible (he’s hitting barely above the Mendoza Line). The idea of Martinez playing half his games at Coors Field makes this trade worth hoping for.

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