5 best players available before the MLB trade deadline

Merrifield might fly under the radar a bit due to the fact that he plays in Kansas City, but all he does is play every day at nearly every position while raking at or above .300.

Merrifield is hitting .302 this year, and he’s gotten playing time at second base and all three outfield spots. Unfortunately, Mike Matheny’s Royals are once again destined for a season at the bottom of the AL Central, and a third straight losing season might finally motivate Dayton Moore to move forward on a trade.

Merrifield has led the league in triples once as well as both hits and stolen bases twice. That production coupled with his versatility would make the 31-year-old Swiss Army knife an invaluable member of just about every team with eyes on a title this season.

Kansas City has made no bones about the notion that this team is building for the future, so getting rid of their best player to a team in need of his talents could net them quite a haul in return.