5 big names that could be traded

On July 28, 2015, then Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos pulled off one of the most unexpected trade deadline blockbusters in recent history, acquiring five-time All-Star Troy Tulowitzki (as well as veteran reliever LaTroy Hawkins) from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Jose Reyes and a trio of prospects.

In honor of the looming one-year anniversary of that crazy deal, let's look at five big names that could be traded before Monday's non-waiver trade deadline.

Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

When the Reds signed Votto to a 12-year, $251.5-million extension in 2012, they were one year removed from a division title, months away from another NL Central crown, and, with a core comprised of precocious youngsters like Johnny Cueto, Jay Bruce, Mat Latos, and Homer Bailey, ostensibly poised for a bright future.

Except that bright future never came.

Four years later, the Reds are mired in the earlyish stages of a rebuild, and, having moved out quite a bit of veteran talent in recent months, remain on pace for their worst record since 1982.

Votto, however, is still a monster, boasting a robust .414 OBP - which, by the way, is somehow nine points lower than his career mark - and a 143 OPS+ through 97 games. He's 31 now, and still has another seven years and more than $179-million guaranteed on his contract, but given how productive he still is, that's actually a pretty reasonable deal (Chris Davis, at 29, got seven years and $161 million) and the Reds would definitely eat some money in a trade to bolster their return in prospect capital.

Potential destinations: Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays.

Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays

Teetering on the precipice of a rebuild, this might be the optimal time for the Rays to get the wheels in motion, as Longoria - one of just a handful of viable trade chips - appears to have rebounded from his two-year funk.

After managing just a .744 OPS from 2014-15 (a mark lower than Luis Valbuena's over that span), the three-time All-Star boasts a 133 OPS+ in 2016, with 22 homers and a career-high .535 slugging percentage. He isn't one of the game's elite third basemen anymore, but even with a crazy conservative projection of 2 WAR per year for the next six seasons, Longoria will still provide surplus value on a below-market deal that guarantees him another $99 million through 2022 (AAV: $16.5M).

As painful as it'll be for Matt Silverman to part ways with the best, most beloved player in Rays history, small-market teams can't afford to be sentimental, and Tampa Bay's farm system, while somewhat deep, lacks high-ceiling talent.

Potential destinations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees.

Kendrys Morales, DH, Kansas City Royals

The Royals know better than most that a good rental comes with a hefty price tag, having shipped off five prospects - among them, Sean Manaea and Brandon Finnegan - for Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist ahead of last year's deadline, so, given that they're 7 1/2 games back of a wild-card spot, they'd be remiss not to consider moving Kendrys Morales.

Though his numbers have regressed significantly from 2015, the 33-year-old (who has an $11-million mutual option for next year) has been raking for two straight months now, hitting .319/.383/.577 with 11 homers and nine doubles since May 31. Morales, who also owns an .882 OPS against left-handers this year, doesn't play a position, but in a trade market lacking impact bats, the Royals could really capitalize by moving the reigning Silver Slugger award winner.

Potential destinations: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Colorado Rockies

Just like the rest of the Colorado outfield cohort, Gonzalez continues to hear his name bandied about in trade rumors, what with the Rockies - mired in a state of perpetual mediocrity - once again expected to miss the postseason.

With the three-time All-Star both healthy and enjoying his most productive season since 2013, this could be the year the Rockies decide to pull the trigger, too, as Gonzalez - who will make $20 million next year, then hit free agency - is tied for 12th among outfielders with 2.8 WAR while hitting .317/.371/.547 (127 wRC+) with 20 homers through 96 games.

His numbers away from Coors Field (.740 OPS) may give prospective suitors pause, however, and given his injury history - Gonzalez averaged 111 games per season from 2013-2015 - the Rockies may not have as much leverage as they think, even in a seller's market.

Potential destinations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians

Brett Gardner, OF, New York Yankees

The Yankees may not be selling, but if they are prepared to punt - and the Aroldis Chapman deal doesn't necessarily suggest they are - they've got more chips to play with than just Andrew Miller.

Given that they likely won't contend in 2017 - they have a -21 run differential right now, after all, with their best player and second-best starter becoming free agents at season's end - the Yankees should consider moving Gardner, too, while he still has some trade value left.

Under contract through 2018, the 32-year-old left fielder is still a league-average player on a below-market deal, but he's lost the pop that made him a 3-WAR player, on average, over the last couple seasons.

In 2016, he's been about as valuable as Melvin Upton Jr., who was traded to Toronto on Tuesday, so there would definitely be a market for Gardner, who's cheaper and less risky. The Yankees just have to decide if they're willing to accept that they're a couple years away from being competitive again.

Potential destinations: Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals