Looking ahead to the trading deadline

At this point, there are basically no free agents left who would be an upgrade for the A's.  So I am looking ahead to the trading deadline because I am assuming that the A's will be good enough to consider themselves "buyers" during the trade deadline.  Right now, almost every team feels like they have a chance to compete, or at least their owners want the fans to think so, so trading for talent now would come at a high price. This is a post that encourages you, the commentors, to come up with your own potential trades I will attempt to predict which teams will consider themselves out of it by trade deadline, and which players could be "got" without having to pay a steep price.  I am assuming that the A's starting pitchers and relievers will be solid, so I am mostly looking at offensive upgrades.

Royals- not much quality left on that team after two of their most sought after players, DeJesus and Grienke, have already been traded away.  Soria and Butler become their two best players, but we don't really need Soria, and Butler would likely cost too much and I am not sure what his role would be if he did join the A's.

Chance of A's making a trade with the Royals: 1 %

Marlins-  The Marlins may well end up being the worst team in the NL east, and the Marlins will try to move some players so they can build for the future.  The Marlins would probably only trade Hanley for at least 3 sure fire prospects, but the price may come down if Hanley starts acting up again.  There is no one else really worth the A's trouble on this team.

Chance of making a trade with the Marlins: 3%

Nationals:  They have improved but they will probably still suck.  Who becomes available?  Not Zimmerman, not Werth, not Strasburg, so, basically, no one of value.  Nyjer Morgan and Adam Laroche could be had for cheap, but, even then, they are probably not worth it.

Chance of making a trade with the Nationals: 3%

Pirates- Ok, I really can't think of anyone on this team that the A's would want.  Maybe we can trade ballparks?  Maybe the Pirates trade McCutchen for Stomper.  I wouldn't put it past them.  Though I would miss Stomper...

Chance of making a trade with the Pirates: 7%

Mariners- This becomes somewhat trickier since teams generally do not like to trade within their own division.  Chone Figgins could become available as could Ichiro.  It seems inplausible that the Mariners trade Ichiro, but they may want to start a new era which means getting rid of Ichiro.  Bedard could also be ripe for the plucking if he is not on the DL, and the A's could be searching for a more valuable fifth starter.

Chance of making a trade with the Mariners: 10 %

Astros- I would really only want the A's to trade for Carlos Lee or Hunter Pence, but Pence is probably untouchable, and Leee may not really be worth it.  Lee would still be a power threat if he is willing to take on more of a utility/ not play every game role.  He is damn expensive, so the Astros would have to eat some of his contract.

Chance of making a trade with the Astros: 12 %.

Cleveland- I refuse to say their team's name because, frankly, I hate it.  I am surprised that it has not been changed yet but that probably has to do with Native Americans becoming extinct, so there is not a lot of people who care enough to try to change their name.  Anyways, I am getting off of my high politically correct horse and moving on to the point.  Cleveland may have Sizemore, Choo, and Cabrera available.  Cabrera would be a really nice backup infielder to have and he would probably not cost very much.  Sizemore and Choo would take more to get, but Clevand may be desperate come trade deadline time.  Who knows?

Chance of making a trade with Cleveland: 25%

Diamondbacks-  They will likely find themselves in the cellar of the NL west, and I am sure that Justin Upton trade rumors will begin swirling once again.  The Diamond back would want too much for him.  I could see them willing to trade Chris Young and Stephen Drew for a cheaper price, and both of these players would give the A's a lot of offensive help.  I would be ecstatic if the A's were able to get either of these players without having to sacrifice too much, and I could actually see that happening. We have traded with the D-Backs recently, so familiarity may make the trade easier.

Chance of making a trade with the Diamondbacks:27%

Blue Jays-  The Blue Jays are a team that carries a ton of offensive firepower, but they are not likely to contend.  The Blue Jays are intriguing as well because they have a ton of "pop" in their lineup. Bautista, Aaron Hill, Escobar and Lind could be had for the right price.  I only see the A's going after Bautista or Hill but they prove to be too expensive

Chance of making a trade with the Blue Jays: 30%

Orioles- The Orioles are a really interesting team because, this offseason, they have added a lot of offensive pieces to an already sound offensively ball club.  That being said, the Orioles will likely be out of it come trade deadline time, and I think the A's should really try to make a trade with them.  Mark Reynolds, Derrek Lee, J.J. Hardy, Brian Roberts, and Felix Pie could all be available.  I would love to get Markakis, but I don't see the Orioles dangling him about.  The aforementioned players could probably be had at a low price, and they would all either be a positional upgrade or they could become a really good bat off the bench.

Chance of making a deal with the Orioles: 35%

Cubs-  The Cubs have added some pieces, but I still think that they are not good enough to contend. Aramis Ramierez, Garza, Zambrano, Soriano, Fukudome, Pena and Bryd could all be probably be had.  Some may cost more than others, but Ramirez, Byrd and Soriano would help the A's out a lot.  I would especially love to see us land Ramirez or Byrd, and we could probably obtain them without having to give up all that much.

Chance of making a trade with the Cubs: 37%

Ok, those are the teams that I can say, with relative certaintiy, will be sellers come trade deadline time.  Any of these players interest you.  I probably left off a lot of other tradable players, so discuss potential trades in the comments box.