With the MLB trade deadline approaching in just over a month, teams start to make trades around this time in order to get someone to help them get to the playoffs and to get more in return for the players they give up. Three trades already happened and they both American League teams, with the Rays trading Span and Colome to the Mariners a month ago, and the Royals trading Jay and Herrera to the Diamondbacks and Nationals respectively. Teams like the New York Mets may still look to make trades. Below are some players that non-contending teams could trade.

Minnesota Twins

Last season, the Twins got the final Wild Card spot and lost in the Wild Card game to the Yankees. In the offseason, the Twins set their sights on contending in 2018, but remain seven-and-a-half games back in the AL Central and 11 1/2 games of a Wild Card spot. The Twins will probably hold onto players that are signed past this season but might look to deal players with expiring contracts.

Brian Dozier

Dozier is the best power-hitting second baseman in the game. Dozier has hit 20+ home runs in the past four seasons, with a career-high 42 home runs in 2016. With that power comes a mediocre batting average, as he is a career .248 hitter. This season, Dozier has hit 10 home runs with 30 runs batted in and a batting average of .221.

The Dodgers have been linked to Dozier since 2016 and with Logan Forsythe not doing much for them, the Dodgers could look to acquire Dozier.

Lance Lynn

Coming off a solid 2017 season, the Twins brought in Lynn on a one-year, $12 million contract. He started off disastrous but has been effective the last few times he has toed the rubber.

This season, Lynn is 5-5 with a 4.64 ERA. He also has 73 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings. Something that might entice teams about Lynn is that he's not prone to giving up home runs as he has only given up seven home runs this season. A team that is looking for back-end help in their rotation could get Lynn and shouldn't have to give up much.

Fernando Rodney

The Twins brought in Rodney to solidify their bullpen for the 2018 season. Rodney has a 2.73 ERA with 17 saves in 20 chances. Rodney probably won't be a closer on a contending team, but could possibly be a setup man. He may even be given the role of pitching one inning in the middle of the game on a contending team if he is traded. Rodney should come fairly cheap due to his age of 41 and his contract expiring at the end of the season.

Zach Duke

Like Rodney, the Twins brought in Duke to help solidify their bullpen for this season. This season he has a 2.96 ERA in 34 games. With left-handed pitchers in high demand, the Twins could get something decent or a few mediocre prospects in return for Duke.

The

Texas Rangers

The Rangers have a record of 35-45 and are 17 games back in the AL West. With the Rangers being in the same division as the Astros, Mariners, and Angels, it is nearly impossible to contend.

Cole Hamels

Hamels is not as good as he used to be, but he still remains a very effective starter. Hamels has a 3.63 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 97 1/3 innings pitched. For a team that's looking for a mid-rotation starter, Hamels would be a good choice. Hamels is the Rangers' best trade chip and would net the Rangers a pretty good return. Hamels has been strongly linked to the Yankees.

Adrian Beltre

Despite him being 39 years old, Beltre has shown no signs that his age is slowing him down, as he has posted a batting average of .280+ for the past nine years.

This season, he is batting .309 with 54 hits in 49 games. Beltre has been in the major leagues since 1998 and has yet to win a world series. The Phillies and Braves have been linked to Beltre.

Doug Fister

Fister was brought in on a one-year deal in the offseason and hasn't been very good in a Rangers uniform. He only has one win and a 4.50 ERA to go along with an opponent average of .278. A contending team may not even want him, but if he does get moved, he could be got for close to nothing.

Keone Kela

Kela is still under contract for two more seasons, so the Rangers have no need to move him, but they could decide to trade him this year in order to increase the return they get for him. Kela is a perfect 19-of-19 in save opportunities this season and has posted an opponent average of .206.

In order for the Rangers to trade Kela, they will most likely need two or three good prospects in return. A team like the Red Sox or Dodgers, which already have an elite closer, would be a good fit for him.

Jake Diekman

Diekman has been a very good pitcher out of the bullpen for the Rangers this season, as he has a 2.96 ERA across 33 games. Diekman will be a free agent at the end of the season, which limits his return, but they could get a decent haul for him as he is a left-handed relief pitcher which is in high demand.

Jesse Chavez

Chavez was a starting pitcher on the Angels last season, but the Rangers signed him to pitch out of the bullpen for the club this season. Chavez has been average in the bullpen, pitching to a 3.33 ERA.

A contending team may not want him, but if there is a team that does, they would be able to have him at a cheap price.

Oakland Athletics

The Athletics are usually the ones selling players at the deadline, but this year, they could be buying, depending on how they do over the next few days. They are currently 41-38 and are tied for third with the Angels in the division. The A's are also seven games back of a Wild Card spot. They may keep players who they can control, but might look to ship players that will be a free agent when the 2018 season is over.

Santiago Casilla

Casilla used to be the closer of the Giants, but faltered in the 2016 season. Casilla has put up a 3.04 ERA and has a very good opponent average of .157.

He would be best suited to pitch the seventh inning on a contending team and could be had for fairly cheap.

Jed Lowrie

Lowrie has been a surprise player for the Athletics ever since he came to Oakland in 2016. This season, he is batting .279 with 12 home runs and 51 runs batted in. He also has 86 hits in 79 games, with 34 of those hits going for extra bases. If the Athletics have a chance to make the playoffs, they may hold on to him, but if they fall out of contention, they will ship him and will expect a good haul in return. Lowrie has the ability to play both second base and third base, which increases his value, as he is versatile and he can also bat from both the right and left side of the plate. The Dodgers or Red Sox would be a good fit for him.
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