Kuzul

Less than five weeks remain until the MLB July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

What happens during this time can turn a moribund franchise around or take a contending team from the brink of greatness and put it over the top. Now is when general managers can set their franchise back or forever cement their legacy as the architect of greatness.

Here are three MLB trade scenarios based on actual need and published rumors from the week ending Sunday, June 29. 

As a standard note, the following proposals are nothing more than postulation. The point here is to build a trade based on someone else’s written or spoken word.

They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, though, and take into consideration each franchise’s strengths and weaknesses. 

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The MLB July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is less than six weeks away, and the rhetoric is quickly reaching a crescendo.

The quagmire in the standings is slowing, giving way to an established set of clubs that have legitimate chances of reaching the MLB postseason. As such, the number of rumors over the past seven days grew considerably from the week prior.

Here are three MLB trade scenarios based on actual need and published rumors from the week ending Sunday, June 22. 

As a standard note, the following proposals are nothing more than postulation. The point here is to build a trade based on someone else’s written or spoken word.

They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, though, and take into consideration each franchise’s strengths and weaknesses. 

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The 2014 MLB season has been nothing short of spectacular.

Sure, there have been an inordinate amount of season-ending injuries to pitchers and position players alike, but this year has been fantastic for the game.

We have witnessed record-setting pitching performances. International rookies are finding tremendous success on the mound and at the plate. And don’t forget about the arrival of heralded prospects in each league that have dominated the national conversation.

Let’s focus our attention on the best MLB had to offer last week and identify the stars at each position.

As always, this will be to the point. One player will represent each fielding position and the designated hitter, while one hurler will get the call for the lot of them. The only caveat is that each position player must have appeared in at least four games at the position for which he is being considered.

Let’s get started.

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Outside of the MLB postseason, the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is the most exciting time to follow the game. The rumors come fast, and they come furious. 

Now, last week was the first time this season when the names being mentioned broke away from guys like Jeff Samardzija and David Price, who are commonly discussed. There were some outside-the-box suggestions that could make sense given the right circumstances.

Here are four MLB trade proposals based on actual need and published rumors from the week ending Sunday, June 15. 

As a standard note, the following trade proposals are nothing more than postulation. The point here is to build a trade based someone else’s written or spoken word.

They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, though, and take into consideration each franchise’s strengths and weaknesses. 

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Last week, all eyes were on the 2014 MLB draft. Now the attention is turning toward the inevitable mayhem that accompanies the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Amidst the chaos, there is one constant. Each week, someone will step up and thoroughly dominate at their position, while others will have weeks they would just as soon forget.

Let’s focus our attention on the best MLB had to offer last week and identify the stars at each position.

As always, this will be to the point. One player will represent each fielding position and the designated hitter, while one hurler will get the call for the lot of them. The only caveat is that each position player must have appeared in at least four games at the position for which he is being considered.

Here are the stars across MLB for the week ending Thursday, June 12.

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With the 2014 MLB first-year player draft behind us, it’s time to set our full attention on the upcoming July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

This is, after all, when teams put their full focus on improving the current roster via trade in hopes of reaching the postseason. And with 20 teams within three games of .500 heading into Monday, the potential trades are nearly endless.

Some clubs will be looking to add depth or to fill a hole on their 25-man roster. Others will look to get a slew of top prospects in return for a star. 

Here are four MLB trade proposals based on actual need and published rumors from the week ending Sunday, June 8.

As a standard note, the following trade proposals are nothing more than postulation. They are balanced deals that are fair for each team, taking into consideration each franchise’s strengths and weaknesses. 

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With each passing week of the MLB season, the trade rumblings grow louder. That’s the way it is every year, though, as the annual frenzy that is the non-waiver trade deadline approaches.

This week has been no different.

There are the mainstay rumors involving Jeff Samardzija and the ever-present New York Yankees, of course. Over the last seven days, however, a couple of other names have surfaced on the list of MLB players who are either needed or could be available.

It must be noted that nothing here will go down tomorrow. These are trades that benefit each side and add a little to the national conversation.

Here are four MLB trade proposals based on actual need or published rumors from the week ending Sunday, May 25.

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Major League Baseball is a mercurial sport. And by that I mean the fortunes of an MLB player can turn on a dime.

Some players—who were of almost no use—will suddenly come alive and carry their team to several victories. Conversely, players who were performing at a high level can go through stretches where it seems each ball they hit hard goes right to someone. 

Take Boston’s David Ortiz, for example. From May 6 to May 14, he had a .552/.606/1.172 slash line with five home runs and eight RBI and was the hottest hitter in MLB. Since then, he is hitting a woeful .115 and has a .348 OPS.

Just like that, Ortiz has gone from hero to hindrance.

So which players have stepped it up over the past seven days? For the sake of brevity, things are going to be straightforward here. One pitcher and one player from each position, including designated hitter, will represent MLB as a whole.

To be sure, this isn’t science. And for every player presented, there will be an argument for another. But isn’t that what makes MLB so much fun to follow?

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There are just over 10 weeks remaining until Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline. That means we all have just over 10 weeks of rampant speculation and intrigue awaiting us at every turn.

This past week only added to the anticipation with news that several players could be available. The wheels turn quickly around MLB.

As always, the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox figured prominently into the media’s conversation. A couple of others, however, joined the maelstrom by letting it be known that they had players that could be had for a price.

Per usual, the proposals put forth here are nothing more than conjecture. They are fair deals for each team, though, that fit specific needs from both sides.

Here are five trade ideas based on actual need or published speculation from the week ending Sunday, May 18.

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Another week of the MLB season has passed, and along with it, a new set of potential trade opportunities has emerged.

In the past seven days, there have been key injuries on contending teams, rumors of relief pitchers being made available and the constant din of a starter leaving the city of Chicago.

And as time passes, the needs of a few teams are coming sharply into focus. Individual roles, for example, are becoming more defined, which means that certain players are now available and could fill an area of weakness for another club.

To be sure, it is highly unlikely that anything mentioned here is on the verge of actually happening. It is simply too early, but now is when conversations between general managers become more intense.

Here are five trade ideas based on actual need or published speculation from the week ending Sunday, May 11.

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