Top 10 Trade Deadline Ideas

I know its early, but these are potential trade ideas that could happen come the deadline if everything stays relatively the same. With my addiction to Out of the Park Baseball I like to play GM a lot. So I thought long and hard about some potential deals that could go down. Most of the trades before you going to seem very far-fetched and unreasonable and that's simply because I am not great at gaging a guy's value, but its the idea or basis of the trade that I am trying to get across here. But if I am right, this could be one of the most exciting deadlines ever. So let's get this thing started...

1. BEN SHEETS TO THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLES
The purposed deal could look like...
Milwaukee Brewers Receive:
SP Brett Myers
RP Ryan Madson
SP/RP Josh Outman
SP Joe Savery
C Jason Jaramillo

Philadelphia Phillies Receive:
SP Ben Sheets
OF Tony Gwynn Jr
RP Mitch Stetter

Much like the Carlos Lee deal, the Brewers could potentially send Sheets in a deal that does not necessarily cripple the team the rest of the way. As for the Phillies, the Myers experiment simply has worked the past couple of seasons and he is due 12.5 million next season, I believe that would be glad to dump that on another squad because if his struggles continue options are running thin on him. In return they get speed-burner Gwynn who could be a nice addition and simply did not fit into the Brewers organization and a proven ace to compliment Hamels. Also, they get a bullpen arm that performed well for the Brewers that is currently doing quite well in AAA. As for the Brewers, I believe Myers is a risk that they are willing to take. Myers has had good seasons that aren't too far off in the past, but his consistency and homeruns are a couple of issues. Also they receive a very underrated bullpen arm in Madson who has overcome his early season struggles. Outman, while he has had his struggles, is a lefty arm that could be helping the Brewers very soon whether it be in the rotation or bullpen. Savery is still a relatively raw arm and is struggling this season, but his potential is very strong and I'd see the Brewers hard-pressed to past that lefty up if available. Jaramillo has not had a strong year in AAA but the Brewers could use a good catching prospect and the Phillies should be more than willing to deal him with C Lou Marson having an amazing year in AA. The Brewers may try to go straight for the top and try to nab projected ace Carlos Carrasco, but with Sheets injury issues the Phillies may have a hard time paying such a steep price.

2. KEN GRIFFEY JR TO THE ATLANTA BRAVES
Atlanta Braves Receive:
CF Ken Griffey Jr
RP Jared Burton

Cincinnati Reds Receive:
SS Diory Herandez
RP Luis Valdez
C Clint Sammons

I believe the Reds have to realize he isn't producing like he used to and his name alone could draw a decent lot in return, they may hold onto Griffey if they continue to climb into striking distance of contention though. With Diaz out of an extended period and not having a strong season and also have oft-injured Kotsay in the OF, the Braves may just be the only NL willing to have Griffey patrol the field for them. I believe this will be a highly contested sweepstakes between the Braves and Blue Jays but ultimately the Braves come out on top. The Braves would also get a good young arm in Jared Burton to add to their bullpen. While Valdez is a good RP prospect, the keys to this deal lie in Herandez and Sammons. Sammons is a highly touted catching prospect, but with McCann in the way the Braves may look to use his strong season in AAA in the trade market. Herandez is a terrific young prospect who looks ready for the big league level and could make an instant impact on Cincy's roster.

3. RANDY WOLF TO THE HOUSTON ASTROS
Houston Astros Receive:
SP Randy Wolf

San Diego Padres Receive:
CF Mitch Einertson
SP Brad James

Randy Wolf should be a rather inexpensive option in terms of trade value available at the deadline. Probably no team in contention could use starting depth as much as the Houston Astros. The Padres seem to work deals that get decent returns so I believe they could get two prospects to get excited about in the future, Einertson is struggling this season but is still a good prospect. James is a very good pitching prospect who may be ready relatively soon.

4. BRIAN FUENTES TO THE MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Milwaukee Brewers Receive:
RP Brian Fuentes

Colorado Rockies Receive:
CF Michael Brantley
SS Brent Brewer
LF Adam Heether

Another big deadline move from the Brew Crew, but if in contention I don't believe they'll be scared to go out and snag a, more than likely, two month rental reliever. They have probably learned their lesson about overpaying for them with Scott Linebrick, but it is clear this bullpen needs help and Fuentes could provide a good closing option for this team. The Rockies should be unfearful about dealing Fuentes, especially considering as though they seem dead in the water and Fuentes seems prepared to hit FA. If they can get value over a compensation pick, I don't see how they couldn't jump on it. I believe both Brewer, a highly regarded MINF prospect which the Rockies could use, and Brantley, a well performing CF in AA, along with a good LF prospect.

5. DEREK LOWE TO THE YANKEES
New York Yankees Receive:
SP Derek Lowe

This would be one of my stunners, there is no doubt the Yankees are going to be in the market for a starter and the Dodgers have 3 pitchers who are coming up on their contract year. It seems sensible that they are going to shop at least one. Schmidt's trade value is incredibly low and while Penny may be the one to leave, his slow start could turn a few teams off.

6. PAUL BYRD TO THE CARDINALS
St. Louis Cardinals Receive:
SP Paul Byrd

With the retirement of Mark Mulder and poor back-end rotation performances the Cardinals could look to starting pitching answers at the deadline. Byrd could draw interest from a few different teams including the Cards, Brewers, Braves, and Astros, but if the Cardinals remain on the edge of the playoffs I could see them making this move to push them up.

More to come including returns on 5 and 6.