Scott Rolen, Cincinnati Reds – I’ve heard that the Reds are contemplating making a major push in 2010, but if they don’t land the big time pieces they’re seeking they’ll look to cut costs and move Rolen (among others).  They’ll have a hard time getting back the same type of haul they gave up for him just a few months ago, and may have to give him up for next to nothing if they want to move his salary.  If I’m reading the contract details correctly, whoever ends up with Rolen will be on the hook for about $13M in 2010.   Rolen is still an above average hitter and fielder, but given his injury history you have to be getting a little worried about handing over that much guaranteed salary.

Rolen’s offense would take a hit in Safeco, but not terribly.  He’s a line drive guy (12th best LD% in baseball for 2009) who hits from gap to gap.  For the most part, his home run power is to straightaway left field and his shortest home run of the year was 364 feet. All of his homers to left-center were well over 400 feet.  He’d use the gaps well and still be able to get his 10-15 homers playing half his games at Safeco.

Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers – The Detroit Tigers are also looking to shed payroll and Inge could be one of the casualties.  He’s due a reasonable $6.6M in 2009, though I can’t say I’m much of a fan.  He’s a great defender, which is nice, but his big offensive first half seemed to be more fluke than breakout and his production fell off a cliff in the second half of his age 32 season.  He was hitting .268/.360/.515 with 21 home runs through July 12th while running an extremely high HR/FB ratio and low LD%.  Regression’s a bitch; he hit just .186/.260/.281 with 6 homers in his final 75 games.  That doesn’t look like a guy you’d want.  Oh, and did I mention that he’s known as a whiner and a clubhouse cancer?

Seattle is probably better off going with Matt Tuiasosopo and/or Jack Hannahan at 3B rather than picking up Inge’s walk year.

Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals - The Royals probably aren’t moving Gordon, despite the trade for Josh Fields.  That said, anything can happen and the Royals have made some puzzling moves in the past, so Gordon’s name is worth bringing up.  Gordon has been disappointing after being rushed through the minors and deemed the next George Brett by KC fans, but he hasn’t been a complete disaster and seems poised for a breakout.  He has a good approach at the plate, the raw power is there and he put up solid numbers in 2009 between the Royals and Omaha when healthy.  Given that Gordon is still under team control for four more seasons I don’t think even Dayton Moore would be willing to sell low, but you never know.  I love Gordon and would love to see him break through as a member of the Seattle Mariners.