Plenty of potential trade-deadline action
As more sellers emerge, division contenders ponder big moves
 Charles Krupa / AP Because the Red Sox have in-house options to help the rotation, they might deal Brad Penny. |
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American League
Boston: It’s hardly a secret the Red Sox would like to dump Julio Lugo’s contract (the rest of $9 million this season, plus $9 million in 2010), and the desire has grown with the impending returns of Jed Lowrie and Mike Lowell.
As for the rotation issues, there are enough in-house options to preclude a deal. Clay Buchholz gets his chance this weekend, as they wait on Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Smoltz. So if anything, Brad Penny eventually could be dealt — perhaps even after the July 31 deadline.
New York: The offense leads the majors in a handful of key categories, and Phil Hughes has made a nice transition to a setup role. Too bad they need him in the rotation, too, as they haven’t played well against the other top AL teams.
Rather than take on another starting pitcher salary, the likelier move is for a current closer (George Sherrill?, Chad Qualls?) who can pitch in a setup role. Another outfield bat wouldn’t hurt, either.
Tampa Bay: What they really need is for their in-house options to get it going, namely Scott Kazmir, Pat Burrell and Dioner Navarro. That, plus David Price’s emergence as a front-of-the-rotation starter.
Joe Maddon, ever the optimist, continues to say he can mix-and-match successfully at the back end of games, but another piece to work with is all but a necessity.
Detroit: You know how bad Magglio Ordonez is going when he gets benched even though the need for a powerful corner outfield bat is glaring. A left-handed hitter would be preferred, making Baltimore’s Luke Scott a possibility.
The other way to go would be to add salary — something owner Mike Ilitch is willing to do — in the form of pitching depth. But they haven’t surfaced in the Roy Halladay speculation.
Minnesota: The Twins almost always look from within to make midseason improvements, so maybe they’ll give Alexi Casilla another shot. Meanwhile, Kevin Mulvey has been recalled, and Kevin Slowey is getting closer to coming off the disabled list. And the late-season schedule should work in their favor.
Chicago: Scott Podsednik put an end to the early miserable center field production, and Gordon Beckham is giving every indication of being a future star.
But Clayton Richard is faltering of late, and it’s been a case of where’s Bartolo? The next two weeks will tell if General Manager Kenny Williams buys or sells. Carlos Quentin is expected back this week, and that can’t hurt an inconsistent offense.
Los Angeles: Injuries to Torii Hunter and Vlad Guerrero couldn’t have come at a worse time. Now the Angels’ offense could be in some trouble, joining a staff that is an eye-opening 12th in the AL in ERA. Maybe this just isn’t the Angels’ season, after all.
Brandon Wood is the best of the in-house offensive options — which could move Chone Figgins to DH or left field. That said, the likeliest deal is for some setup help, as Scot Shields is out for the year, and Jose Arredondo is back in Triple-A.
Texas: Tom Hicks’ money woes will preclude the addition of a big salary such as Halladay’s. But the Rangers do have a surplus of highly regarded minor leaguers, and with the Angels more vulnerable than ever, it’s time to deal a second-rung prospect or two for more pitching.
National League
Philadelphia: It’s Pedro Martinez first, then we’ll see. The Phillies have the luxury of waiting, as they have the NL East lead, and there isn’t a real solid challenger at this point.
But if they want to go deep in the playoffs again, it’s obviously going to take more than their current rotation to get there. So a Halladay deal, or one for a quality No. 2-3 type, has to get done if Martinez can’t be of much help, as expected.
Atlanta: Tommy Hanson is settling in, and Tim Hudson is due back soon, potentially giving the Braves a rotation five-deep in quality. But can they string together enough offense?
Trading Yunel Escobar — as some speculation has arisen — would only add to the offensive troubles, so don’t expect that, even though he can be exasperating defensively. Do they rent Matt Holliday for a couple of months?
Florida: Ridiculous payroll limitations will keep the Fish from making a significant salary addition. But closer Matt Lindstrom should be back soon, and top prospect Cameron Maybin likely will get another chance.
Whether than can stay in the playoff chase will depend on the rotation behind All-Star Josh Johnson, the only starter currently with a winning record.
New York: The harsh truth is that unless Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado get healthy and productive in a hurry, this is going down as a lost year in Citi Field.
So making a desperate move for the present may not be the way to go. Some caution — and holding onto top prospects — is advised here unless fortunes turn in a hurry.
St. Louis: GM John Mozeliak’s job would be so much easier if only Ryan Ludwick and/or Rick Ankiel would get hot, or Troy Glaus would come off the disabled list slugging.
In the meantime, Mozeliak will have to constantly address the question of adequately protecting Albert Pujols in what could be a monster season, even by El Hombre’s very-high standard.
Milwaukee: They won’t be adding a CC Sabathia-type this time, as GM Doug Melvin wisely says he won’t be parting with Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel after giving up a chunk of young talent last July.
Trading J.J. Hardy for pitching help and turning the shortstop job over to Escobar would be risky at midseason, but very well could happen this winter.
Chicago: As badly as the Cubs have played, and as many injuries as they have suffered, they’re still in the playoff hunt. But really now, isn’t it hard to imagine this team suddenly catching fire, coming together in the clubhouse and on the field, and storming its way into the post-season with a strong finish?
A bloated payroll caused by previous bad decisions is restricting GM Jim Hendry’s ability to add necessary pieces.
Los Angeles: Would you put Clayton Kershaw in a Roy Halladay package if you had a chance to win it all? The Dodgers won’t — especially when they would have to take on Halladay’s financial commitments.
But there is a need for an innings-eating starter, or at the very least, another reliever or two given extensive use and now the injury issues of Ronald Belisario and Jonathan Broxton. They do have young arms teams want.
San Francisco: Randy Johnson being on the disabled list is limiting the chance of a pitcher-for-hitter deal being consummated. (And the Giants don’t even want to think that Matt Cain’s injury will be lasting.)
They won’t deal top catching prospect Buster Posey, either. But perhaps they could part with something from their league-leading bullpen, or a pitching prospect for a bat — or even a starting pitcher, if necessary.
Colorado: This isn’t just a bad team that got hot with a managerial change. They’re a legit wild card contender, but that said, bullpen injuries (Taylor Buchholz, Alan Embree) are catching up to them, and you can’t expect Joel Peralta and Matt Daley to shoulder the load in September.
Problem is, dealing Garrett Atkins or Ryan Spilborghs would leave things a bit thin on the offensive side, which has had its share of inconsistencies.
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