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Most of the time in life what matters is what one does, not what you say you will do. Baseball General Managers have the rare aspect of their job description in that other people (the media and fans) spend a lot of time focused on what we think they should do. Every writer, analyst and fan has their own opinion regarding what their team should do before the vaunted non-waiver trading deadline.

It is the reason people play fantasy sports. For the baseball fan, it is commensurate with writing a Christmas list  – which most of us stopped doing when we figured out the whole Santa Claus thing. These MLB General Managers have the rare opportunity to decide whether their team will be “Buyers” or “Sellers” as they determine which course of action will be best for their franchise. Then they decide how to make it happen.

Teams in contention are looking to add talent – preferably veterans with expiring contracts to fill a void on their team. Every team is in search of that extra pitcher or another hitter to add to their lineup but the true challenge is getting the most “bang for one’s buck (or millions of bucks as the case may be).” Some GMs simply make their Santa list and expect the most expensive, high profile “toys” that money can buy. Certainly the mechanics of these deals have to be worked out but if you are the New York Yankees and you desire Lance Berkman or Kerry Wood, you pretty much get them.

“Buying Teams” often use their farm system as currency and generally “Selling Teams” will deal with anyone willing to take large contracts off their hands. Sometimes these deals seem one-sided at the time (Jake Peavy, Manny Ramirez, Mark McGwire, C.C. Sabathia, Fred McGriff, Rickey Henderson) while other times the handful of prospects turn out to be cornerstones of the new franchise for years to come. In 1997 the Seattle Mariners sent Derek Lowe & Jason Varitek to Boston (on purpose) to obtain reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. The 2002 Montreal Expos traded Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Lee Stevens and Brandon Phillips to Cleveland in exchange for Bartolo Colon & Tim Drew. Would you trade Larry Andersen for Jeff Bagwell or John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander knowing what you know now? One thing for sure, it is rarely a boring time of year.

It is not unlike negotiating the price of supplies knowing that Armageddon is scheduled for a certain date. As the trading deadline approaches teams in need up the ante to get that missing piece for their postseason run. Sometimes the stakes are too high and they must withdraw. Other times bidding wars can become quite pronouncedly frenetic forcing teams overpay for their prize.

Selling teams want to ensure that they get something in return for these high-priced veterans who will become free agents while buying teams know that they are essentially renting mercenary players for a couple of months. On rare occasions, the veteran may opt to sign long-term with the team that traded for them instead of heading for the open market but more often than not everybody involved knows that this is a temporary arrangement with short-term aspirations.

In “olden days” (from 1969-1993 four playoff spots were available) there would usually be about half a dozen buyers and a plethora of sellers. This year an inordinate number of teams across baseball seem to be hovering around the .500 mark. Thanks to the wildcard (8 postseason spots up for grabs) there is more artificial hope as it takes longer for teams to be considered out of contention. Philadelphia leads Atlanta by 4.5 games while no more than 4 games separate a collection of 14 teams from first place. Each league will offer a wildcard so this puts 14 teams in contention for 8 postseason spots – even the Pirates are in the race! That’s not counting teams who are still just a few games off their division lead – especially in weaker divisions like AL West, AL Central and NL West. General rule of thumb is that if your team is below .500 by the All-Star Break then you are out of contention.

Then again, if you think your team is in contention, you probably are going to keep your players right where they are. The Tampa Bay Rays are 44-35 (.557) but in third place behind the Yankees and Red Sox. Even with the possibility of a wildcard, coming in third won’t cut it – no matter what your record. Meanwhile the Seattle Mariners (39-41, .488) are just three games behind Texas and 1.5 games behind LA Angels in the mediocre AL West.

Suffice to say the AL West and Central will struggle to send a division winner with a winning record to the postseason. Cleveland has led the AL Central for most of the season (predicted to win about 60-70 games). Kansas City once led the AL Central but now find themselves one game behind previously-favored Minnesota (9 GB) at 10 games out – in the basement. Are they kaput? Not really. The tease is that they will likely remain in mathematical contention just long enough to last through the July 31 Trading Deadline and into the dog days of August heat and September regret. Fans just love when that happens (“…it’s cricket night here at the ballpark and don’t forget that next week we will provide tumbleweeds for all fans 14 and under…”)!

Who are the buyers? Who are the sellers? Who has the prospects to pull off a deal – and who will be suddenly jumping from cellar-dwellers into a pennant race? Logic and reason would indicate that about 15 teams have a shot at contending while 15 will be looking to sell veterans for blue chip prospects. Not all contenders will be buying while not all pretenders will be looking to sell – depending on what prospects are available!

ON SALE: Prince Fielder leads a list of 208 potential 2012 Free Agents. As Milwaukee looks to remain in the NL Central race along with St. Louis, let’s remove both Albert Pujols and Fielder from this list. Removing players from contending teams reduces the list to a more manageable round number of about 100  but still leaves a muddy picture regarding players on teams who MIGHT be in contention. Everybody is always looking for some more arms so let’s start with…

STARTING PITCHERS

TEAMS IN NEED: NY Yankees, TB Rays, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners

Ryan Dempster, CHC  Starter? Reliever? Starter? 5-6, 5.31 ERA in 17 starts is his worst season since 2003. 2008-2010 averaged 200+ IP, 14 W and 3.30 ERA making 33 starts with 1.31 WHIP; 34 years old, $13M. Top of this class of potential targets – even with a $13M salary and 2012 player option.

Jon Garland, LAD 1-5, 4.33 ERA is un-Garland-like having started 30 or more games 10 straight seasons with132 career wins, averaging 200 IP per season with a WHIP of 1.38; 31 years of age @$5M teams would be foolish not to try and get him away from the bankrupt Dodgers and extend his contract three or four years.

Paul Maholm, PIT  4-8, 3.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts; just under $5M, has option for 2012, 29 years old

Jason Marquis, WAS  7-2, 3.53 ERA, 1.33 WHIP in 2011 for awful Washington; $7.5 M, worth it at 32 years old!

Oliver Perez, NYM  21-28 over 4 seasons in Pittsburgh, 29-29 as a Met, hasn’t seen the mound in 2011… $12M per season has never garnered so little for someone so talented. Hard to believe he is only 28 years old and seeking his fourth second chance team!

Javier Vasquez, FLA Career 156-156, 4.32, this season 4-7, 6.37 in 15 starts; not very sexy stats for $7M; 14 seasons, 35 years old but can still be a significant contributor – especially for a young team seeking veteran leadership

Chris Young, NYM  1-0, 1.88 ERA in 24 IP but he rarely stays healthy and has just one postseason appearance (with San Diego in 2006 NLDS). If he can stay healthy, he is only 32, costs $1.1M. Eight seasons, 3 teams, 190 IP per season average, 49 Wins in 139 starts… something doesn’t add up… What is it?

Livan Hernandez, WAS  5-8, 3.81 for an abysmal team. No one knows if Livan is really 36 as he claims or 46 years old but his postseason experience dates back to the 1997 World Champion Florida Marlins (of terrible teal). Love the experience and the relatively inexpensive price tag ($2M) and he will always eat up innings even if they don’t result in Livan’s win column. Maybe a swingman or 5th starter for a team that needs innings down the stretch to save their top starters.

*Brett Myers, HOU  3-6, 4.65 ERA over 102 IP, 75K/32BB, he’s a head case (hide the women and children) but he can bring the heat; signed through 2012 so his $11.5M per season contract comes along with 90 wins in 10 seasons – mostly with bad teams. Averages 162K and 197 IP per season with just 67 BB.

*=signed through 2012

RELIEF PITCHERS

TEAMS IN NEED:  St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, TB Rays, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, LA Angels, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers

Heath Bell, SDP 2-3, 21 SV, 2.53 ERA  Hells Bells, who wouldn’t want this premier closer at the top of his game? 114 SV over 8 seasons and may have another 8 to go. Padres wouldn’t part with Adrian Gonzalez until Bosox gave up the entire farm in trade, look for same deal.

Jonathan Broxton, LAD 1-2, 5.68 ERA, 7 SV in 2011 but 84 SV in 12 seasons, at 6’4” & 300 lbs you’d fear this guy too! At $5.5M his rehab assignment was brought to a halt with recurring elbow pain, which is also scary. More to come…Caveat emptor!

Tim Byrdak, NYM 33 G, 19 IP so you know he’s not overworked! Everybody wants another lefty (which explains Arthur Rhodes’ career) and this lefty only costs $900K at 37 years old. Not sure he is anybody’s first choice but everybody needs a token lefty in the bullpen – especially in the postseason.

Octavio Dotel, TOR Twelve teams this man has pitched for over 13 seasons… he has saved 36 in a season, has a 3.77 lifetime ERA in 855 IP, 11 K/9 and 1.25 WHIP. 24 IP in 20 G for Toronto, 37 years old. Setup main with extra savior faire.

Mike Gonzalez, BAL 1-1, 5.81 for Baltimore in 26 IP; he is left-handed, has a pulse and costs $6M/yr. 55 career SV but really is more of a setup guy or left-handed specialist as they call them now. Take a chance on Senor Izquierda but don’t expect him to be much more than a one inning hombre.

Francisco Rodriguez, NYM  62 SV 3 years ago and signed a huge contract to close games in Queens… since then 8-10, 3.16 ERA, 80 SV, 181 K in three seasons but he shows signs of life in 2011 going 1-2, 3.65 in 37 games with 20 SV; option on contract for 2012 but costs $13M per season

JC Romero, FA  Designated for AAA assignment and now a Washington National; if we showed you his stats you might yack but Romero was also “washed up” when Boston released him in 2007… actually his numbers never look bad because he rarely pitches a full inning (16.1 IP in 24 G in 2011, 3.86 ERA, 10K/12BB, 1.71 WHIP) as he is a left-handed specialist (which also means he has trouble getting right-handed hitters out)

Koji Uehara, BAL – Better lefty than Romero or Byrdak (1-1, 2.25 ERA, 36 IP, 0.778 WHIP), $3M per year

CATCHERS

TEAMS IN NEED: San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks

Ivan Rodriguez, WAS Despite hitting .212 with 2 HR & 17 RBI in 33 G, “Pudge” would be the rare commodity in providing a veteran presence defensively by calling a game and organizing a young pitching staff. Rodriguez offers 20 years of major league acumen and even at the age of 39, could be a positive force for a contender. Over 2,500 games, 2,800 hits (.297 career average) and he has played in 40 postseason games (winning the 2003 World Series with Florida, losing 2006 with Detroit).

Rod Barajas, LAD Career backup catcher often pressed into service by the dearth of catching talent, career avg .232, 20 HR, 71 RBI, 31% caught stealing; Again good veteran insurance, won World Series in 2001 when Arizona beat the New York Yankees; $3.25M price tag but Dodgers need to dump salary

FIRST BASE/THIRD BASE

TEAMS IN NEED:  St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks

Derrek Lee, BAL – .242, 6 HR & 22 RBI is not the statline of a potential franchise savior… perhaps this is why Baltimore couldn’t turn it around despite bringing in veterans like Lee, Vlad Guererro and Mark Reynolds? Lee is 35 years old but as recently as 2009, he hit .306, 35 HR, 111 RBI. Big boppers like Lee tend to not fade so much as fall off a cliff… 2010 might have been his “cliff” –  splitting time with Chicago and Atlanta and now adjusting to the American League in 2011… Lee may have a few dingers left in his version of “Wonderboy” and he can still pick it at first base but this is another member of the 2003 champion Florida Marlins who is relegated to a role player rather than a leading man; Career .281 hitter who has walloped as many as 46 bombs in a season; $7.25M doesn’t buy as much as it used to…but could help several clubs

Lyle Overbay, PIT – Constantly flying under the radar has one advantage – no one notices when you finally reach mediocrity, 34 years old and never a superstar, Overbay has never exceeded 22 HR or 92 RBI in any season but he could prove useful as a left-handed bat off the bench or split 1B/DH duties; .229, 6 HR, 30 RBI

Carlos Pena, CHC – Quite an enigma…(ay, Dios Mio)over 11 seasons… averages 35 HR & 96 RBI.. but hits .220 (his career best was .282 in 2007)… watch out for National League teams with $10M to spare and want to add a DH-type for the World Series. While Pena is a solid defensive first baseman, you have to want his bat in the lineup somewhere. 2011 he is hitting .225, 17 HR, 44 RBI

Jim Thome, MIN – Who wouldn’t want to add Thome and his career 593 HR in 21 seasons to their lineup as a World Series DH? Good idea except that Thome this season has struggled to hit .235 with 4 HR & 13 RBI in 100 AB. Injuries and age have finally caught up with the spry, 41-year-old who used to be a powerhouse sending monster moon shots out of Jacobs Field. Someone will take a flyer on “The Beast” Thome unless the Twins get back in the race and want to keep him for themselves. $3M is a bargain for him!

Casey Blake, LAD – As the mass exodus from Depression-Era Dodgertown continues, Casey Blake could once again be a stretch run steal and a competent utility player with some thump in his bat; Blake (.252, 4 HR, 18 RBI) came to the Dodgers to help shore up their 2008 stretch run and now could do the same for another team seeking a 3B, a fourth OF or a right-handed bat off the bench. He has been to the ALDS, NLDS, ALCS and NLCS but never to the World Series. Look for someone to pony up $6M for Blake who can play four positions defensively.

Edwin Encarnacion, TOR – .260, 5 HR, 15 RBI in 211 plate appearances is not going to knock anybody’s socks off, but Encarnacion has always been a solid, reliable, unselfish team player. He left Cincinnati before they got to the NLDS and the Blue Jays are not going anywhere before Encarnacion turns 30. That’s right he’s only 28 years old and while he has never hit more than 26 HR or knocked in more than 76 runs in a given season, he would be an upgrade over half the third basemen in baseball; $3M per year

Melvin Mora, ARZ – For the better part of the previous decade, Melvin Mora was one of the most effective batsmen that nobody knew. A .277 lifetime hitter, he averaged 18 HR & 79 RBI while playing SS, 2B, 3B or wherever his team asked him to play. Spending most of his career in Baltimore explains why no one in the general public outside of Federal Hill might have known him. Mora is now 39 years old and in the fading twilight of his career. He is nothing more than a utility player now but could provide much-needed depth for teams seeking a veteran presence. He has hit just .230 in 134 plate appearance, so how much is left in the tank?

Aramis Ramirez, CHC – If your team doesn’t have a third baseman they likely won’t be in contention but ask anyone if they want to add this guy to their squad? Hitting .291, 9 HR & 38 RBI this 33-year-old has languished with Pittsburgh and in Wrigleyville so his playoff experience is limited to 77 plate appearances but there is no doubt he can help every team down the stretch. Whatever part of $15M remains on his contract, contending teams will gladly pay. The Cubs would be fools not to demand a slew of prospects in exchange for Ramirez.

SECOND BASE/SHORTSTOP

TEAMS IN NEED: Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers

Aaron Hill, TOR - Definition of “solid if unspectacular” at .247, 3 HR, 10 SB but he can do everything you’d ask of a middle infielder. Think of Chuck Knoblauch with the Yankees – on the right team he can provide a spark of offense, a swath of defense and an abundance of energy in the clubhouse

J.J. Hardy, BAL – Finally Hardy is gaining respect as one of the elite offensive shortstops who can also play defense. Batting .303, 11 HR, 30 RBI, he has swatted 25 HR in each of two seasons and might make his first All-Star team in his seventh season. $5.85M will get you his services this season but look for a bidding war on the open free agent market for 2012. Shrewd teams would lock him up at today’s pricing. Born in Cal Ripken’s rookie year he is the only Baltimore shortstop besides Miguel Tejada to bat over .300 since the Ironman.

Jose Reyes, NYM – Easily the premier shortstop on the market both now and as a 2012 free agent. Hitting .349 with 15 triples, 29 SB, 3 HR with speed, defense and a healthy dose of crazy, lack of talent is not a problem. His problem is that he plays in the most expensive mausoleum known to modern man for a team that is going nowhere and is desperate to unload his $33M contract. Think Rickey Henderson to Toronto 20 years later – this guy could wind up being The Differencemaker for whoever swings a deal.

Clint Barmes, HOU – Wasn’t this guy supposed to be Troy Tulowitzski before there was a Troy Tulowitzski? In 2009, Barmes put up 23 HR, 76 RBI, 12 SB while hitting .245 (50 points below his previous season’s average) and now he’s hitting .224 for Houston which is a glorified AAA team! Scraping the bottom of the barrel here if you give up prospects but Barmes is only 32 and could have some solid seasons remaining in his future; Better bet that $4M is too much to shell out for this Mendoza Clubber. Houston would be lucky to get a decent prospect in exchange but should be eager to get him off the payroll.

OUTFIELDERS

TEAMS IN NEED: Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies

Carlos Beltran, NYM – Centerfielder by trade, Beltran has conceded to play right while the Mets’ youth movement trudges forward. At 34, you may not see another 40-HR, 120 RBI season but .281, 11 HR, 53 RBI is good enough for most 2011 contenders. He may cost $20M per season on the open free agent market if Scott Boras has anything to say about it but right now he could make a serious contribution.

Milton Bradley, SEA – Personal problems and the label of “bad teammate” don’t seem to matter when you have the talent. Bradley has always had the talent but he doesn’t seem to play well with others. Bradley is hitting 60 points below his career average, 2 HR, 13 RBI in 28 G none of which bodes well for his market prospects but Bradley doesn’t seem to really care either way so long as he gets paid. At $10M per season, he may have trouble finding work in 2012 or he could be rejuvenated by a pennant race. Isn’t that the mark of a true mercenary?

Michael Cuddyer, MIN – Whatever happened to the Minnesota Twins making the playoffs every year? Ten games out, plagued by injuries and struggling to get their marquee players out of traction and onto the field, this bunch would probably pay money to end the season tomorrow. Cuddyer is one of half a dozen Twins who might be in the market for a new home very soon. Batting .286, 10 HR, 30 RBI, 7 SB and he can play first, third or either corner OF spot. $8M may put some suitors off but not many. Very sad for the crown jewel of Target Field and one of the best fan bases in baseball.

Jeff Francoeur, KCR – “Frenchy” was labeled “The Natural” and was the darling of the Braves… then the Mets… and then could barely find any takers on the free agent market before Kansas City volunteered. Hitting .264, 11 HR, 45 RBI he will fit nicely in with a team who seeks some right-handed balance for a heavy left-handed lineup. Not a superstar but every team in baseball would love to have a Jeff Francoeur on their ballclub. Has a $2.5M mutual option for 2012 and at 27 might be a steal for a team looking to keep him long-term. No way he stays in Kansas City unless they make a huge run!

Vladimir Guererro, BAL – Career averages .318, 35 HR, 114 RBI.. those are averages over 16 seasons. Now at 36, he has put up .282, 6 HR, 28 RBI in 71 games for Baltimore so obviously he is in decline. Vlad the Impaler in decline is still better than most DH options – especially for a National League team.

Jason Kubel, MIN – Is your team seeking a .310 hitter who can hit for power, hit in the clutch and play a decent game in the outfield? Just $4M and a couple of blue chip prospects and you might have a deal with Minnesota Twins would jump at in a second. It’s like a flea market in the Twin Cities these days. Go get him before somebody else will!

Ryan Ludwick, SDP – seemingly no one realizes that this former Cardinal, Ranger, Tiger and Indian wound up in San Diego because virtually no one wanted him. A .257 hitter with 10 HR & 50 RBI would be a welcome addition to half the teams in baseball. He is a quiet player who goes about his business and plays the game the right way. In 2008 & 2009 with St. Louis he was putting up 25-37 HR with 100+ RBI and he is only 32 years old. $6M will seem like a bargain when he hits the open market in 2012 but teams would be very wise to negotiate a contract extension while they have him wearing their uniform.

Josh Willingham, OAK – If it is possible to still be a prospect at age 32, Willingham has not yet reached his full potential. Eight seasons at .262, 25 HR, 84 RBI but still he is neither a household name nor a marquee player. He languishes in Oakland and Washington and Miami where fans are limited to friends and family by engraved invitation – but he could provide some serious pop to the GM smart enough to get him at $6M… that is… if he returns from injury in time for the trading deadline. Five tools, no waiting!

Bobby Abreu, LAA – has always been a professional hitter and a clubhouse cancer, not a bad guy just a selfish, unmotivated player; Lifetime .296 hitter averages 21 HR, 96 RBI & 30 SB over 16 seasons and can do everything… when he wants to…  At 37 Abreu has diminished to .288, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 13 SB and is not very likely to be traded. Not even the Yankees would want him back at $9.5M… then again it only takes one team to take a shot…

This is not a complete list of potential 2012 free agents (see bottom of page) but the above are the most likely candidates on predominantly non-contenders who would be desirable trade bait.

The complete list of potential 2012 free agents is included below:

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Written by Christopher Rowe
Contributing writer Comcast Sports, NY Times contributing stringer 1996-2000, Contributing writer Yahoo Sports (2001 World Series). Contributing writer Newsday Long Island (1992-1994, Jets Training Camp) and Newak Star Ledger. Freelance Copywriter, Editor/Founder Atlantic Times Weekly (1993-2003) fantasy football magazine, produced screenwriter and general humorist. Hofstra University grad, Marist College honorary alum, Salesian; Purveyor of the Value and Valor of Philadelphia Eagles 1960 NFL Championship; Adrent believer that Eagles could have won Super Bowl XV...and Super Bowl XXXIX...plus modern decade of Eagles 5 NFC Championships... Believer in the Broad Street Bullies and the 1983 Sixers... Witness to Philadelphia Phillies World Series championships 1980 & 2008, Suffered Phillies first pro sports team to reach 10,000 losses,witnessed "1980 Cardiac Kids," 1983 "Wheeze Kids," 1993 "Macho Row" and many, many, many not-so-memorable seasons in-between... until the Philadelphia Baseball Renaissance of 21st Century, Five NL East division titles 2007-2011, 3 NLCS appearances 2008-2010, 2 consecutive World Series berths 2008 & 2009. 2008 World Champions of baseball [miss ya Harry and Richie]; "collector" of MLB ballparks (42 stadiums including 15 which are gone); Fantasy Football & Baseball player since 1992. Always a sports fan... Tenui Nec Dimittam Contact me christopherrowe@prosportsblogging.com