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For Contenders With Deep Pockets

Payroll flexibility is a beautiful thing at the trade deadline, as it allows a team to acquire talent by providing salary relief to the other club.  For teams with a little money to burn and an inclination to keep top prospects, here are some players who I think could be acquired mostly by taking on their contracts.  This list doesn't take no-trade clauses into account, except for the elimination of Aramis Ramirez.

• Catchers: None
• First basemen: Derrek Lee, James Loney, Brad Hawpe, Juan Rivera
• Second basemen: Mark Ellis
• Shortstops: Rafael Furcal, Clint Barmes
• Third basemen: Mark Reynolds, Casey Blake
• Left fielders: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee
• Center fielders:  None
• Right fielders: Kosuke Fukudome, Michael Cuddyer
• Designated hitters: Vladimir Guerrero, Hideki Matsui
• Starting pitchers: Javier Vazquez, Kyle Davies, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster
• Relievers: Mike Gonzalez, Kevin Gregg, Joe Nathan, John Grabow, Jonathan Broxton

I haven't included players on contending teams here, though it's certainly true someone could acquire players like Aaron Rowand and Jason Bay by only taking on their contracts.

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