The MLB trade deadline is still far away, but some disappointing teams can already see the writing on the wall-looking at you Tampa Bay Rays. In these cases, there can often be major pieces that may swing a pennant race ripe for the picking. 2014 is one of those years. Here are the five players most likely to be moved prior to the July 31 deadline.
David Price, SP Tampa Bay Rays
Price has put his home run woes behind him, and has authored three consecutive ace-quality starts for the slumping Rays. They can't hit a lick, and their rotation's been decimated by injuries. Price is an ace of the highest order, and it's unlikely the Rays are willing to pony up the kind of dough he'll want. Even though he's just a rental, adding a pitcher of his caliber even for a few months is a no-brainer (see Sabathia, CC in 2008). Price's strikeout-to-walk numbers are staggering (11.10), and he's increased his strikeouts per nine innings from 7.3 in 2013, to 10 this year.
Best fit: Kansas City Royals
Jeff Samardzija, SP Chicago Cubs
Samardzija was battling historically bad run support earlier this year, and led MLB in ERA at one point with an 0-4 record. Things have gotten a little better in that sense, while Samardzija's having a career season. His strikeouts are actually down slightly, but his increased control has transformed him into a legitimate ace. Like Price, he's on a one-year deal so teams trading for him should probably be willing to pay up in the offseason but he's a serious addition to any staff in the entire league.
Best fit: Toronto Blue Jays
Jonathan Papelbon, RP Philadelphia Phillies
Some may say Papelbon's not the force he was as a member of the Boston Red Sox, but he's been plenty dominant in 2014 despite walking more than three batters per nine innings. He sports an ERA of 1.79 and his FIP sits at 2.79 even with all the free passes. It's unclear how he'd be as a setup man with his alpha dog personality, but there's precious few teams in the sport right now that wouldn't view him as an upgrade over what they have at closer. He won't be cheap-he's got two more seasons at $13 million per year, but he's definitely effective and proven in big spots.
Best fit: Detroit Tigers
Matt Kemp, OF Los Angeles Dodgers
Matt Kemp is one of the most talented players in the sport, but he's got a long injury history and his defensive ability has fallen off a cliff. His play in center field was so poor that the Dodgers felt the need to remove him from the position, knowing it would anger him, and went right ahead and plopped him in left field. L.A. has a glut of outfielders and everyone knows it so they won't get full value for any of their pieces. Aside from Yasiel Puig, who is not going anywhere, Kemp still can bring back the most in return even with his ridiculous salaries running through 2019 (about $21 million per).
Best fit: Boston Red Sox
Chase Headley, 3B San Diego Padres
It doesn't look like the Pads are poised to do a whole lot this year, and they find themselves 13.5 games out of first already. Chase Headley is a talented hitter, but one who has been mostly disappointing in San Diego. They should consider moving him to a team in need of a corner infield bat, then slot in youngster Jedd Gyorko when he comes off the disabled list. Teams with injured veterans at a corner spot could really use Headley, especially since there's no commitment beyond this season if he fails to live up to expectations.
Best fit: Texas Rangers
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