"The trading season began rather bizarrely, with the Mets rushing to trade Francisco Rodriguez, their star high-priced closer with the scary vesting option, a new agent and a missing no-trade list. K-Rod's previous agent failed to submit his 10-team no-trade list, and Mets higher-ups became concerned that his just-hired agent, Scott Boras, might try to rectify this situation. Although there was seemingly no way to submit a list that was already two years late, Mets GM Sandy Alderson didn't think it was worth taking a chance a trade could be stalled by a debate over the missing list.

Shortly after Boras was hired, the Mets were telling interested teams K-Rod would be somewhere else "within 48 hours.'' And he was, sent to Milwaukee for two players to be named later.

Interestingly, the Brewers happened to be one of the 10 teams on the never-submitted list. Ultimately, that didn't matter since the Mets never saw the list, and Milwaukee made the best monetary offer to the Mets, taking K-Rod's contract plus about $5 million from New York in the deal that will send two prospects of the Mets' choosing to New York from a list of five.

It was an interesting start to what could be an unpredictable trading season. Here is the latest on a top 40 players (plus a few others) who could find themselves elsewhere by the July 31 trade deadline.

1. Carlos Beltran, Mets OF. K-Rod's friend and former teammate expects to go somewhere, though the Mets are expected to wait another week to 10 days to let things settle and see where they stand. Though there's been speculation Beltran would clear waivers with his $18.5-million salary, Alderson is said not to be so sure of that. And why should he be? Beltran is an All-Star and probably the best hitter who will go, and he can't forget that an underachieving, tainted Manny Ramirez was claimed by three teams last year. The Giants, Tigers, Reds, Indians, Braves, Phillies, Red Sox and Yankees all could be possibilities. Beltran has a full no-trade so he has a say, too.

2. Jose Reyes, Mets SS. The superstar who is expected back soon is very likely to remain a Met through the end of the year now. It's going to be tough for the Mets to absorb the kind of P.R. hit trading Reyes would bring. Plus, they also appear to be gearing up for a run at keeping Reyes this winter, though they might need the Einhorn agreement to be completed and a favorable ruling in the Madoff/Picard case, which many expect now.

3. Heath Bell, Padres RP. He clearly expects to go, as it's become plain that San Diego can't afford even a discounted price for a star free-agent closer. The Phillies, Rangers, Reds, Cardinals, Yankees, White Sox and Angels are possible.

4. Mike Adams, Padres RP. The heir apparent to Bell will stay unless San Diego can get one of about a dozen very top prospects they seek. The price tag is suitably high considering his 0.70 WHIP and $2.5 million salary.

5. Colby Rasmus, Cardinals OF. His name apparently has come up, with Jon Jay playing well and Rasmus never really meshing with iconic manager Tony La Russa. Rasmus has tremendous tools and will bring a haul, if they pull the trigger. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a Rasmus-for-Jeremy Hellickson trade with Tampa Bay was once discussed; but two GMs said they'd be shocked if the Rays would trade a cost-efficient big-time young starter like Hellickson.

6. Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies SP. Teams will be surprised if the Rockies wind up dealing the talented righthander despite a slip in velocity and performance. "If he is traded, that's a major red lag,'' one NL exec opined.

7. B.J. Upton, Rays OF. His name certainly has been thrown out there, which is no surprise considering his batting average continues to languish (he's at .239 after hitting .241 in '09 and .237 last year) and the Rays have two big outfield prospects. Upton may be an underachiever in terms of average, but he makes up for it in other ways. He could be one who is just perpetually on the trading block.

8. Hunter Pence, Astros OF. They seem unlikely to trade him since he's becoming the "face of the franchise,'' in the eyes of many. He's a great hustler and example for any young players they might have (they don't have many). But he beat them in arbitration for $6.9 million, and as one rival GM pointed out, "The franchise could us an overhaul.''

9. Michael Bourn, Astros OF. He's been discussed, but the Astros aren't exactly chance-takers. Would really help the Braves.

10. Josh Willingham, A's GM. He's the A's only real power hitter at this point and he'd help any team that needs an outfielder, including the Giants, Reds, Tigers, Phillies and Braves. David DeJesus, Coco Crisp and Hideki Matsui are three less valuable A's outfielders.

11. Edwin Jackson, White Sox SP. The White Sox are dealing from strength here. They'll have six starters when John Danks comes back, Jackson is a free agent after the year and the Sox need offense. Calls are coming in.

12. J.J. Hardy, Orioles SS. Baltimore wants to sign the free-agent-to-be to a three-year extension, but if he doesn't agree, he could go. The Giants, Reds and his old Brewers all could be in the market for a shortstop to enhance their pennant chances. Baltimore has also gotten calls on Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, though none of them seems especially likely to be dealt.

13. Carlos Peña, Cubs 1B. He could provide instant power for a pennant contender. Another free agent after the year.

14. Michael Cuddyer, Twins OF. He's one of the hottest hitters in baseball and an All-Star, so he could help all the teams that seek an outfielder. But for now in the tight AL Central the Twins are holding tight. Considering they spent to win this year, that's no shock. It might take a sudden downturn to change that stance, but if they do start to fall, this team has plenty to offer, also including Francisco Liriano, Kevin Slowey, Matt Capps and Jim Thome.

15. Kerry Wood, Cubs RP. This Cubs loyalist would have to approve any trade. The team would benefit by him saying "yes'' since he would bring a significant prospect and the Cubs could re-sign him after the year. They seem reluctant to trade excellent lefty Sean Marshall, and John Grabow's $4.8-million 2012 salary would be tough to move."