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) /

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OAKLAND, CA – JULY 05: Jed Lowrie #8 of the Oakland Athletics goes down for a ball that gets by for a base hit off the bat of Kevan Smith #36 of the Chicago White Sox in the top of the third inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on July 5, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

27. Jed Lowrie, 2B, Oakland Athletics

He’s not a big star, but in many ways, Jed Lowrie is the perfect trade deadline target. Lowrie is a 10-year major league veteran with a solid .260/.328/.406 career slash, but has raised his game this season. In 84 games, the 33-year-old is hitting .279/.346/.458 with nine home runs, 27 doubles, 32 RBI and 51 runs scored. He’s a switch-hitter, and though Lowrie has only played second base for the A’s this season, he has experience at every infield position. It’s hard to find a more versatile utility infielder.

Also, Lowrie’s contract features an option for the 2018 season with a $1 million buyout. Therefore, if Lowrie continues his great play down the stretch, whichever team trades for him has an opportunity to pick up the $6 million option to keep him around for next season. If he falls apart, the club isn’t locked in to a major commitment.

The A’s are one of just four MLB teams to lose 50 games before the All-Star break, which means the club is likely already looking ahead to 2018. In order to clear roster space for younger players to gain experience, it makes sense to trade Lowrie to a contender sooner rather than later.

Every contender could use a player like Lowrie, so the list of possible destinations is long. The Angels could use him as a starter at second base, having recorded the worst fWAR (-0.6) at the position this year. The Rockies, Rays and Rangers all rank among the bottom six at the position, and the Indians could use Lowrie as insurance for Jason Kipnis, who has struggled with injury this season. The Red Sox, Lowrie’s first MLB franchise, might consider him at third base as well.

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