MLB Fastball 07.20.07: Top Names On The Trade Market
Posted by Neil Borenstein on 07.20.2007
As July 31 approaches, the trade rumors heat up in Major League Baseball. Check out who the top names in batting and pitching are, and just what kind of interest surrounds them in this week’s edition of MLB Fastball!
Who's Hot At The MLB Trade Deadline?
Hitters and Pitchers On This Year's Market
First baseman Mark Teixeira is attracting interest as July 31 approaches.
As is natural when there's little more than a week and half before the non-waiver trade deadline, rumors are rampant in the world of Major League Baseball. Every team is either trying to make that last ditch effort at adding weapons for a playoff run or trying to sell off some pieces in order to gain some youth and financial flexibility for the future since contention is not quite in the cards this season.
The market is not as strong as it could have been. With Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners and Mark Buehrle of the Chicago White Sox signing five- and four-year extensions, respectively, with their current teams, there are a few less players available that would have drawn quite a bit of interest. Don't get me wrong. There are still plenty of names out there. But it would have been a lot more interesting if Ichiro and Buehrle were available, especially since both were set to become free agents this offseason.
Regardless of those guys no longer being obtainable, other names have surfaced as top interest players around the league. Whether it is for batting or pitching, there are options for teams that need some sort of improvement to make a healthier push toward their division titles or Wild Card berths. So lets take a look as some of big names in batting and pitching that could switch teams on or before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Batters
Mark Teixeira, First Baseman (Texas Rangers): Any hopes the Texas Rangers have of making a push for playoff contention is a longshot. And that's being generous. The team sits at 15.5 games behind the AL West leading Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and is 15 games back in the American League Wild Card standings. The Rangers' season is done, and has been done for quite some time. At this point, several names from their roster are floating on the trade block, including Sammy Sosa and Kenny Lofton. No name is bigger than that of first baseman Mark Teixeira, however, who returned to the Rangers' lineup on July 13 after missing a little over a month of action due to a strained quadricep. In 67 games this season, Teixeira is hitting .302 at the plate with 13 home runs, 44 runs and 45 RBIs. Texas is in a very interesting, and somewhat unfortunate situation, with Teixeira. It's fairly reasonable to assume that the Rangers would not want to trade a player of Teixeira's caliber, especially when he could literally be considered the offensive leader of a franchise that does really need one. But Teixeira, who is 27-years old, is set to become a free agent following the 2008 season and he does not want to be a part of a rebuilding process in Texas, something the organization desperately needs at this point with what will be eight straight playoff-less seasons. With that, even though it's still over a year away, the Rangers stand to lose Teixeira for absolutely nothing if they don't deal him sometime between now and the winter of 2008. With the playoffs a lost cause at this point and interest high, now might be the best time for Texas to send Teixeira to a team for some top pitching and hitting prospects. Both teams from Los Angeles, the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves seem to have at least a mild interest in the slugger, and I'm sure the Rangers could find some sort of suitable trading partner among those teams. My best bet would be that the Rangers work out a deal with the Angels for Casey Kotchman and one of the team's young starting pitchers, perhaps even the struggling Ervin Santana.
Adam Dunn, Left Field (Cincinnati Reds): I think if there were ever a guarantee to be traded by the deadline, Adam Dunn would be just that. Dunn has been a man of interest to several teams for some time now. And as the July 31 deadline approaches, I think we'll see a deal materialize that sends the power bat out of Cincinnati. With Dunn, you have to take the good with the bad. Dunn will never, EVER, be a .300 hitter. In fact, if he ended a season at .270, it would be a cause for celebration. Simply put, Dunn is not very disciplined at the plate and strikes out like crazy. But when he can get his eye on a ball that he likes, it is going to soar over the fence and count for a monster home run. Where Dunn lacks the skills to be a contact hitter he makes up for with his incredible power. He's proven over the last three years that he's good for at least 40 home runs over the course of a season, and he's on pace to hit 45 this season. If a team is able to look past his deficiencies at the plate, it is getting a very strong batter. There are rumors that the Reds and Milwaukee Brewers might have a deal in place that would send Tony Gwynn, Jr., Matt Wise and a prospect to Cincinnati for the 27-year old left-handed hitter. I don't know if that will be completed by July 31. But I think it's a certainty that Dunn, a free agent after this season if he's traded, will end up in something other than a Reds uniform for the remainder of this season.
Jermaine Dye, Right Fielder (Chicago White Sox):Unlike Mark Buehrle, the Chicago White Sox did not offer Jermaine Dye a contract extension. Also unlike Buehrle, Dye is actually having an extremely poor season, hitting only .227 at the plate. Even in his disastrous state at the plate, Dye is still commanding some interest from clubs around the Majors. This actually adds up very well for the White Sox, who can trade away an under-performer during a season that doesn't really have any hope for playoff contention. And the White Sox can also get something in return for Dye, who is set to become a free agent after this season. In 79 games played, Dye has hit only 16 home runs along with 46 RBIs, 38 runs scored and two stolen bases. It definitely not what Chicago expected from Dye this season. For anybody to have interest in the 33-year old, there must be some optimism that Dye can recreate his numbers from last year in the second half of this season. Last year, Dye managed to hit over 40 home runs for the first time in his career – 44 to be exact, along with 120 RBIs, 103 runs scored and a .315 batting average. That might have been nothing more than an exceptional year for Dye, because his numbers this year are pretty much on pace (outside of batting average) to reach what he did in 2005, the year the White Sox won the World Series – 31 home runs with 86 RBIs, 74 runs scored and a .274 batting average. But still, that .227 batting average lingers and it has to be a cause for concern. Regardless, there is interest, most notably from the New York Mets. The Mets are basically in line for any top of the line power bats for their outfield, and are dangling guys like Lastings Milledge or Carlos Gómez in front of teams that want to make a deal. A lot depends on the status of Moisés Alou, but I wouldn't be shocked if Omar Minaya made a big push in the coming week to acquire Dye. Both Los Angeles teams, the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres are also considered interested in Dye.
Ken Griffey, Jr., Right Field (Cincinnati Reds): It's hard to believe the Cincinnati Reds would deal away two of their starting outfielders. But for the right price(s), it might be worth it. Like I said before, Dunn seems to be on his way out and I'll be far from surprised is he's donning another uniform on or before July 31. Griffey is not as much of a guarantee, but there are definitely going to be teams interested in the 37-year old who is only 13 home runs away from becoming the sixth player to enter the exclusive 600-home run club. This year, Griffey is batting .283 with 24 home runs, 65 RBIs, 54 runs scored and six stolen bases. What might be even more impressive is the fact that Griffey has played in 89 games so far this season, putting him on pace to suit up for about 155 games total by season's end. Even if he is a few games off that mark, it would be the first time since joining the Reds back in 2000 that he's played over 145 games, and only the second time he's played more than 128. That, of course, is always going to be a cause for concern for Griffey, considering he's one of the biggest injury risks across the league. It's really hard to imagine where this man would be in his career if it weren't for injuries. So, if a team is willing to take the risk that he might go down again despite the fact that he has been okay thus far this season, that team might land somebody that can definitely give the extra push necessary for playoff contention. I don't think there is a huge market out there right now for Griffey, but I would think that the Reds are listening to some offers. One of those offers is probably coming from the Mets, and I think Griffey would be a better pickup than Dye would be. I think when it's all said and done, Griffey will remain in Cincinnati. But his name should be floating around in the next week in a half.
Dan Johnson, First Baseman (Oakland Athletics): If Mark Teixeira doesn't get traded or a team misses out on him, there is a lesser option out there for teams in need of some first base improvement. Dan Johnson's bat is nowhere near as effective as Teixeira's, but he does provide some power and would come at a much cheaper cost on the trade market than Teixeira. This season, Johnson is batting .252 with 10 home runs, 37 RBIs and 30 home runs in 71 games. Those aren't jaw-dropping numbers, but a team can't bring Johnson in thinking he's going to vastly improve anything. He will certainly help a team already in contention that just needs to add a little to be postseason ready. Johnson's been in rumors with the New York Yankees for reliever Scott Proctor, but it's also possible the A's will send him out to the Minnesota Twins. Either way, Oakland is itching to bring up Daric Barton, and one sure fire way to make that happen is to get Johnson out of town.
Other rumored batters on the market include Wilson Betemit (2B, SS, 3B – Los Angeles Dodgers), Reggie Sanders (OF – Kansas City Royals) and Mike Piazza (C – Oakland Athletics).
Pitchers
Roy Oswalt, Starting Pitcher (Houston Astros): I'll preface this blurb by saying that I highly doubt Roy Owalt will be traded by the Houston Astros at this year's trade deadline. I think he is too important to that team no matter how poorly they might be playing. And he is one of the few good things Houston fans can be proud of this season. That aside, there are rumors that the 29-year old righty could be on the move if the team thinks the future of the organization would benefit much better without him. I'm not sure I understand how the Astros would figure that, but it is what's out there. The New York Mets have a huge interest in bringing Oswalt over to New York, much like they did last season near the deadline. And Billy Wagner has been acting as a magnificent shill for New York, promoting how "not bad" the area is while playing for the Mets. Of course, Wagner has some history with Oswalt when the two played together with the Astros. Oswalt would definitely cost a lot and the Mets would probably need to send a pretty large package out to Houston that would include at least Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman. But if the Astros can get a bunch of young talent that seems to have a bright future, they might be willing to pull the trigger on their ace. Again, I doubt we'll see Oswalt on the move. But his name is not absent from rumors.
Joe Nathan, Closer (Minnesota Twins): Like Roy Oswalt, I highly doubt we'll see Joe Nathan playing elsewhere after July 31. But, his name is surfacing in rumors, and he has to be garnering some attention if that's happening. But, the argument being brought up is that Nathan could be dealt to save some money for the Minnesota Twins to use toward re-singing ace Johan Santana. And at only $6-million for next season, Nathan would be a highly attractive player to teams in need of cheap bullpen help from a player the caliber of Nathan. With Nathan out, Pat Neshek could take his 1.52 ERA in 47 appearances and become the Twins' new closer. This logic doesn't thrill me since a pitcher of Nathan's caliber is not the easiest thing to find. But, with the depth that the Twins have in their bullpen, it isn't completely farfetched to think the Twins would want to use Nathan's money on Santana. A starting pitcher like Santana is even harder to find than a closer like Nathan. In the end, I doubt Nathan will be out of Minnesota. But if teams like Philadelphia and New York take a peak at him, I wouldn't be shocked.
José Contreras, Starting Pitcher (Chicago White Sox): José Contreras is probably the most reasonable starting pitcher on the market. I don't think the White Sox are against dealing him away for the right return, and there are several teams interested in acquiring his services. The asking price is supposedly high, but that might change a bit as the deadline grows closer. Right now, Contreras is 5-11 with a 5.32 ERA and 63 strikeouts. But he has a ton of experience on playing for winning ball clubs, including being a member of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox team. He's really having an off year this season, as is most of Chicago. And it wouldn't be too farfetched to think Contreras could perform better on team heading toward the playoffs. The New York Mets are the team brought up the most in Contreras talks, but the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies might also come to the table with some young prospects to offer in order to add Contreras to their rotation.
Octavio Dotel, Closer (Kansas City Royals): It's funny that so many players from the Kansas City Royals could attract interest at trade deadlines, but the Royals themselves are still absolutely horrendous. This year, the big name they offer is Octavio Dotel – the team's current closer and player of interest for several Major League ballclubs. Considering the Royals' desire to be as bad as they can be and the fact that they could easily replace Dotel with 23-year old Joakim Soria, I doubt Kansas City is against dealing Dotel away. Apparently, the asking price is a bit high for Dotel. But I do think Dotel will end up somewhere else on or before July 31. Outside of Kansas City, Dotel is probably going to be an eighth inning setup guy. But his low salary and ability is attracting teams like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. Dotel will add depth to any bullpen that needs some more arms. I'm not completely sold that Dotel will actually work out extraordinarily well for any of these teams interested in bringing him in. Dotel does, after all, have an ERA over three. But he has the stuff teams are interested in for late inning relief, so it might be worth a shot for teams in need of bullpen help.
Matt Morris, Starting Pitcher (San Francisco Giants): Another player that is supposedly up for grabs with a reasonably high asking price is Matt Morris of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants have absolutely no hope of making the playoffs and the only thing keeping them optimistic these days is the fact that Barry Bonds' home run record chase is running wild across the entire league. At 13.5 games back in the NL West and 13.5 games back in the National League Wild Card race, the Giants are basically done for and the move to spend big money on Barry Zito and Bonds clearly didn't pay off for the playoff push. But now, the Giants have some tools to bring in a little youth to the organization via the trade market. One player definitely on the block is Morris, a nine-year veteran who currently has a 4.08 ERA. He would bring a plethora of experience with him to a new team. He would also be a perfect fill-in for the third or fourth spot in any team's starting rotation. He didn't have the greatest outing of his career in his last start on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs – allowing 12 hits and eight runs (five earned) in 4.2 innings of work. But there were a bunch of errors in that game and I'm still high on Morris' ability as a veteran. Even though I don't really think the Boston Red Sox are desperate for starting pitching, I could see them going after a player like Morris. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies will probably also take a gander at Morris and what the Giants are looking to purge out of them for him. I don't think it's a guarantee Morris will be traded, but I think there is a good shot he will be. At this point, he might be the most attractive of the starting pitchers that are definitely available on this year's trade market.
Other rumored pitchers on the market include Brian Fuentes (Closer – Colorado Rockies), David Weathers (Closer – Cincinnati Reds), Eric Gagne (Closer – Texas Rangers) and Brad Lidge (Closer – Houston Astros).
That's going to be it for this week's edition of MLB Fastball. I received two pieces of feedback about last week's column, and I will have those up along with responses by tomorrow in my blog.
Send all comments, questions, and suggestions to br7qbsteelers@yahoo.com.
