For contenders looking to acquire a new leadoff hitter, here are a few potentially available options (100 plate appearances leading off required):
- Kelly Johnson, Diamondbacks. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports finds the D'Backs likely to retain their second baseman, as he's under team control for 2011. We've read that Josh Byrnes was willing to listen on Johnson, but it's less clear what Jerry Dipoto is planning.
- Rickie Weeks, Brewers. It appears that Weeks would be even tougher to pry loose, as ESPN's Buster Olney recently tweeted that the Brewers have no interest in trading him.
- Fred Lewis, Blue Jays. He cost only cash for the Jays to acquire, so perhaps they'd consider flipping him.
- Scott Podsednik, Royals. The Royals hold a $2MM club option on Pods for 2011, though if he tallies 146 more plate appearances he can void it. He should be available.
- David DeJesus, Royals. It's rumored the Royals will wait a little longer before deciding whether to trade DeJesus, who can be retained in 2011 for $6MM. The Padres and Giants could make sense.
- Corey Patterson, Orioles. He's never been known for getting on base, but he's doing a decent job overall back with Baltimore. But if he's healthy, you'd think the Orioles would want to give more playing time to another former Cubs "next big thing," Felix Pie.
- Nyjer Morgan, Nationals. Four days ago, Rosenthal noted that "some within the Nats’ organization are in favor of trading Morgan to clear center field for Roger Bernadina." However, the Nats would be selling low on Morgan.
- Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports recommended a month ago that the Cubs consider moving both players. Theriot is under team control through 2012 as an arbitration-eligible player, while Fukudome is signed through '11 at a large salary and has no-trade protection against 15 teams.
