Most likely NL prospects to be traded

While the rumor mill is churning leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the talk is almost always focused on the big names at the Major League level. But although the focus may be on Carlos Beltran, Heath Bell, Mike Adams and other top trade targets, what makes those deals happen is almost always the minor league prospects heading the other way.

So let's think about real teams and real contenders, and what kind of prospects they might be dangling out there in an attempt to get that extra piece -- or maybe even one of the big prizes -- while reviewing what they are looking for based on recent discussions with several team executives.

In this piece, we'll break down the National League contenders, identifying a player who could be a big chip and a potential hidden extra player for each team. The American League contenders are addressed here.

Atlanta Braves

What they need: The Braves would like a better solution in center field and could throw Derek Lowe onto the market in order to free up some money to do so.

To find out which prospects the Braves, Phillies, Cardinals and other top contenders might trade, you must be an ESPN Insider.

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