MLB Trade Deadline: 30 players most likely to move

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 10: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates with Melky Cabrera #53 after the Chicago White Sox win the game against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on June 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Indians 5-3. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

12 of 30

SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 19: Justin Upton #8 of the Detroit Tigers takes a swing during an at-bat in game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 19, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 6-2. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

19. Justin Upton, OF, Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers entered the 2017 season in a precarious position. With a roster of big-money, big-name players on their roster, such as Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, and a few under the radar players like Michael Fulmer and J.D. Martinez, there was plenty of optimism the club would compete in the AL Central.

However, because several of those big names, which also include Victor Martinez and Ian Kinsler, are also in their mid-to-late 30s, the club’s window to compete for a World Series title is closing quickly. Therefore, the common belief among the baseball community was if the Tigers started slow, and were out of contention by the trade deadline, they could become sellers and pull the trigger on a rebuild.

Detroit entered the All-Star break with a 39-48 record, which put the club eight games back in the division and 6.5 games out in the Wild Card race. Conventional wisdom tells us that’s too big a hole to climb out of, and it’s time to try and build for the future.

One of the most valuable trade chips at the team’s disposal, All-Star outfielder Justin Upton is one of the top right-handed power hitters potentially available this summer. The 29-year-old hit .265/.350/.491 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI through 81 games. He has also played solid defense in left field after posting lackluster results earlier in his career.

Truthfully, the opt out clause in his contract makes Upton slightly less likely he’ll be traded this summer than he would be without it. If he didn’t have the ability to become a free agent at the end of the season, Upton would probably rank among the top 10 players on our list because of his youth, power, and that his baseline contract is scheduled to run through 2021.

Home/MLB Trade Rumors