Of the names we’re hearing that are very likely available on the trade market, there’s not much to get excited about. At least not in terms of a player who can make an impact down the stretch as Marco Scutaro did with the San Francisco Giants in 2012.
But there are several second basemen on non-contending teams, or teams on the cusp of being a non-contender, who could be difference-makers if acquired. Whether their team pulls the trigger on a trade has a lot to do with the offer on the table.
Considering how thin the market is and with a handful of teams, including the Oakland A’s, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, looking for middle infield upgrades, it wouldn’t surprise me to see at least one of the top five names on this list go in a pre-deadline deal.
Here is a list of the top 10 potentially available middle infielders.