The trade deadline is five weeks away, so I’ll take my first look at which teams are buyers and which are sellers this season, as well as who may be on the move.
AL East
Boston Red Sox – Buyers: The Red Sox have opened up a five game lead in the division and don’t appear to be slowing down. The lineup has no holes, and they’ve found their answer at short with Nick Green. Dice K has been awful, but Justin Masterson has filled in nicely. With Brad Penny and Josh Beckett pitching well lately, it’s unlikely they’ll go after another starter. Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon anchor a solid ‘pen. They don’t really need anything, but they’ll have to make at least a minor move to show the players that they’re series about winning another World Series.
New York Yankees – Buyers: The Yankees will do something big – they always do. Five games out of first, the Bronx Bombers will need help to catch the Red Sox. Chien-Ming Wang’s return in late May hasn’t done anything to help this team. Phil Hughes has been moved to the bullpen, but the Yankees may want to consider switching him with Wang. If not, they may go after a starter. Erik Bedard is an option, but with OF issues and Greg Halman not ready for the majors, Seattle would likely ask for Xavier Nady if he can rebound from his elbow injury. If they go after a bat, Aubrey Huff and Garret Anderson are options.
Toronto Blue Jays – Buyers: If Toronto really thinks they’re in contention in late July, they may be buyers. We all know they can score, but they have platooned their fifth starter all season. One more solid arm might be the missing piece that can keep them hanging around. The problem is, they can’t afford to give anyone up at the major league level and expect to stay in contention, and they don’t have any big name prospects. Is it worth butchering the farm system for one run at the two Goliaths?
Tampa Bay Rays – Sellers: The Rays won’t repeat the 2008 magic, but they have a nice young team that should keep them away from the AL East doormat for a while. They have the best farm system in the league, and it may only get better if they decide to sell this season. Carl Crawford and Akinori Iwamura both have 2010 options, so it’s unlikely they will go. What they should do is get a bullpen makeover by dumping Jason Isringhausen and Troy Percival, but neither has any value with lengthy DL stints. Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson could step into the ‘pen this year.
Baltimore Orioles – Sellers: The futility continues this season in Baltimore. After a brief first place stint, the Orioles have dropped 11 back. Catcher Matt Weiters is the real deal and could soon be the face of the franchise, meaning Gregg Zaun probably won’t get his 2010 option picked up. If the O’s are smart, they’ll try to trade him now. The Tigers, Phillies and Brewers will be calling if they do. Next to Tampa Bay, Baltimore has the best farm system in the league, and it’s loaded with good pitching. They’ll need to get some good hitting prospects for Aubrey Huff.
AL Central
Detroit Tigers – Buyers: The Tigers are the class of the worst division in baseball, but they’ll have to make a move if they have any hopes of getting out of the ALDS. Miguel Olivo would be a nice fit, but Kansas City won’t let him stay in the division. If the Tigers miss out on Zaun, they may go after Benji Molina at catcher. The bullpen isn’t great, but it will have to do because getting a starter is more important. Dontrelle Willis can’t be trusted to stay healthy and Zach Minor is not a starter. Expect them to go aggressively after Erik Bedard knowing they need a lefty. They have a better set of outfielders to trade than the Yankees if Seattle is interested.
Minnesota Twins – Sellers: The Twins have always built from within the organization, and that won’t change this year. They’re in contention once again, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to make any kind of move. Signing Joe Crede to a one year deal in the offseason was a risk, but he’s been surprisingly healthy. Still, he’s hitting only .230, and if the right team makes an offer, the Twins may take it. Same goes for Mike Redmond. He’s a solid backup catcher to have on any team, but the Twins need to improve a farm system that has grown weak over the past few years. They’ll be all ears in July.
Chicago White Sox – Sellers: General Manager Kenny Williams usually sets off the fireworks with a big move, but not this season. The Sox have failed to produce consistently at the plate, keeping them from being a real threat in the division. Jermaine Dye has built up his trade value over the past three years, and the Sox should get some solid farm help for him. Jim Thome will also be a free agent at the end of the season. If the Yankees are looking for a two month bat, don’t rule it out of the question.
Kansas City Royals – Sellers: The Royals have a lot of players who will be free agents after this season. The pitching seems to have finally arrived in Kansas City, so the focus should be on improving their lineup. Miguel Olivo has the most trade value, but some teams may call for Coco Crisp as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re both in different uniforms in August. Ron Mahay has been decent out of the ‘pen, but his big appeal is the fact that he’s a lefty. The Brewers may have an eye on him.
Cleveland Indians – Sellers: The Indians made the biggest sell of the year last season by trading C.C. Sabathia and essentially giving Milwaukee the wild card. This year that big name is Cliff Lee. He does have an option for 2010, but the Cy Young winner may end up somewhere else for the right price. Will Milwaukee be willing to make a second straight deal for him? The Cubs also have a lot to offer for him. Meanwhile, Mark DeRosa is sure to find a home somewhere.
AL West
Los Angeles Angels – Sellers: It’s hard to imagine the Angels selling when they’re tied for first, but in this case selling doesn’t mean giving up. If they want to trade Bobby Abreu, who they signed in the offseason, they can get sme serious majorv league talent for him. Chone Figgins has been a part of trade rumors for years, and the Angels will likely lose him at the end of the year if they don’t explore. They may try to trade one of those two for a fifth starter. I still expect them to win the division.
Texas Rangers – Buyers: The pitching has finally arrived in Arlington to compliment an always explosive offense. They could be another team in hot pursuit of Aubrey Huff at first, or see what Washington would want for Nick Johnson. Hank Blalock will be a free agent at the end of the year, and he’s expendible if needed. They have a deep farm system with a lot of big names they can use to trade, so if there is a season to go for it all, this is the one.
Seattle Mariners – Sellers: Amazingly, the Seattle Mariners are .500 and just 2.5 games out of first place. Unfortunately, that’s about as close as they’ll get. They may still think they’re in contention, but they should end up being sellers. Erik Bedard will be one of the best pitchers available if Seattle lets his contract run dry, so they’ll surely try to get something for him. The Tigers and Yankees are the top offerings, but the Cubs could make a move for him once Aramis Ramirez returns. Seattle might want to think about exploring options for Adrian Beltre, who is a Scott Boras client and would leave for more money at the end of the year. The farm system is worst in the AL and could use some young prospects.
Oakland Athletics – Sellers: The move for Matt Holliday hasn’t turned out like Oakland had hoped. Holliday is hitting just .270 with only eight home runs. Still, there would be a number of teams interested in having his bat for the stretch run, and Oakland can still get a lot for him. They have an excellent farm system, and their top four prospects (Cahill, Anderson, Cunningham, Gonzalez) coming into 2009 are already in the majors. This team is headed in the right direction by grooming homegrown talent. Jason Giambi and Orlando Cabrera could also be on the trading block.
Coming tomorrow – NL Buyers and Sellers
