MLB Trade Rumors

Starting pitchers are clearly an important part of a Major League team's success throughout a season. Just as important is the assembly of relievers that a team keeps in their bullpen.

In his contract year, Prince Fielder will be looking to make a big impression on potential suitors this year.  He signed a $15.5 million dollar contract with the Brewers for 2011, but it is likely he will land elsewhere before the year is up as the Brewers probably cannot afford to sign him.

Also, the Brewers have been bit by the injury bug early, losing star pitcher Zack Greinke to a cracked rib shortly after they traded for him.  Another example is slugger Corey Hart, who has not played yet either after a strained oblique.

The season is only a few weeks old, but already teams have began to separate themselves from the pack, while others have shown once again that they still do not have what it takes to compete for a playoff spot.

Injuries and under performing players will inevitably create a need for some contenders to make a move to bring in a player to shore up their lineup as they make a push towards the playoffs, with the Chase Utley injury in Philadelphia a perfect example of that.

Only two weeks into the season, clubs should be starting to find out their team's weaknesses and strengths.

Before you know it, the August 31st trade deadline will be approaching and teams will be focused on improving their clubs. On the other end, poor teams will have fire sales for some of their top-notch players.

By August, teams should know whether they are in the playoff hunt or not.

Here are 13 players that could be on the market if their teams do not perform through the first half of the season.

Though the season is less than two weeks old, the potential for midseason trades is always present.

For small-market teams, acquiring highly-touted prospects for players that will soon be free agents is customary.

The contenders will look to the small-market teams when trying to add some depth for a postseason run.

Here are 10 small-market players that may be on the move this season.

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The Cubs are a team that is currently strapped for cash as far as their payroll is concerned, but with the contracts of Kosuke Fukudome, Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Pena, Carlos Silva, and John Grabow all coming off the books at the end of the season, they could be in line to make a splash this off season.

Another option could be dealing for one of a handful of top players that will be hitting free agency this season, in order to get a jump on re-signing them to a long term deal, and to contend this year.

July 31 is the MLB trade deadline. This is the special time of year when teams put the "for sale: inquire within" sign on the outside of the stadium. Teams from across the country look to shed salary, unload unhappy stars, or add that special piece, that the front office believes will propel the team to a championship level.

If the Los Angeles Dodgers begin to fade in the NL West, one of their prized possessions, right fielder Andre Ethier, may become available.

Most teams would jump at the chance to add the 28-year-old outfielder to bolster their lineup.

Naturally, the season is only four games old, so counting the Dodgers out already would be extremely premature. However, the Dodgers could get a nice return on Ethier later this season if things don’t work out in their division.

The opening month of the season is a time for optimism around baseball, as everyone is still in the running at that point. Still, there are clearly teams that will not be in that position for long, and they need to look ahead to what moves they may make at mid season to strength their team moving forward.

There are a number of intriguing options who may find themselves on the trade block sooner rather than later, with no name larger than Prince Fielder, who has been at the center of trade rumors for what seems like years now.

Competitive fire is something that a general manager loves to see in a player. The drive to succeed and the intensity that accompanies it can be an important part of a recipe for success.

There is, however, a fine line that some players walk, teetering between intense and insane.

Whether it's a result of the fame, pressure, media, teammates or just themselves, players can find themselves losing the battle with their composure.