With the Major League Baseball All-Star Game now in the rearview mirror and only 18 days remain before the non-waivers trade deadline, some players know their names will start appearing on the trade block.
One such player is relief pitcher Pat Neshek. He knows he could be packing his bags as soon as he returns to Philadelphia where he currently plays for the Phillies.
Neshek pitched the second inning for the National League in the Tuesday All-Star Game and did not allow any runs. He knows as do other talented players playing on poor teams that little assurance exists that they will end the season where they started.
Neshek says he will be fine as he will be heading toward a team with a playoff future and adrenaline will kick in, but he said his biggest worry will be relocating his family to a new city if traded.
His scoreless second inning on Tuesday likely helped the possibility he would be traded. The Washington Nationals are desperate for a relief pitcher and with five members of the team at the All-Star Games Neshek heard from them about playing for the Nationals.
Neshek said he would like to remain in Philly but said you need to be realistic and know the team will likely go after young talented prospects for the future by trading him.
Brad Hand is another player who might be traded. The San Diego left-hander pitched well during the first half of the season.
Hand said that people have told him about being traded as family and friends have asked where he may end up during July.
During the first half of the season, Hand recorded 60 strikeouts in just 42 innings. He added that having his name come up in those types of conversations means you are playing well and a team fighting for a playoff berth wants you.
The Padres are 22 games behind the first place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West which means they too will likely being looking to bulk up on prospects for the future by trading Hand.
