Like no other sport, baseball's annual midseason trade deadline is typically a frenzied, interest-worthy phenomenon. Fans of teams from every spectrum of the league's power structure are vested in these activities as the good teams look to become great, the great teams aim to become unbeatable, and even the worst of the worst are afforded a hopeful opportunity for making sound moves towards building for the future.
While this hope provides a sound alibi for the masses to remain engaged with the season, despite many finding their supported franchise woefully out of contention — and believe me, as a loyal Cubs fan, I can relate to this paradigm quite directly — the reality is the pomp surrounding baseball's July 31st non-waiver trade deadline typically belies the fundamental truth that most teams don't make the key moves that make the most sense.
As a public service to MLB and its thirty franchises, I've taken the liberty of bringing those very moves to the forefront for each and every one of those teams in a two-part series of articles. The first entry in that series, detailing the "Haves," can be found below. I assure you that this information is based on zero factual information and reflects nothing more than my own personal knowledge of the game and those that play it and, as I've already mentioned, my Cub fandom should provide all the legitimacy to this process that is deserved.
The Buyers
The following teams are going into the trade deadline in a position of relative strength. Their first half performance has shown that they are not only on the right track, but are clearly nearest a point where you could say one big "add" would provide the most direct jolt in nudging each from contender to favorite status.
Philadelphia Phillies — Currently owning baseball's best record, the Fighting Phils have parlayed their one key offseason acquisition (SP Cliff Lee) into a dominant starting rotation that will anchor the team despite some obvious weaknesses in their day-to-day lineup. To that end, the one move that Philly should be looking at making is acquiring a dynamic bat from the right side. While this market may be thin for such players, Houston's Hunter Pence would be the most ideal fit. He has speed, plays solid defense and is a solid, proven hitter. He can play any of the three outfield positions, so he should be able to get steady at bats to remain sharp for a role as a pinch-hitter and double-switch guy in the playoffs.
Boston Red Sox — Having gone 42-19 since a dismal 2-10 start to the season, the Red Sox are rolling and have scored the most runs in baseball. Clearly, they are the class of the American League and should remain firmly entrenched atop the tough AL East as they look forward to the return of current disabled listers Carl Crawford, Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie, and Bobby Jenks. A power lefty out of the bullpen is really the best fit for the Sox, so Baltimore's Mike Gonzalez should be their target.
New York Yankees — While once again in contention, the Yankees are in a very tough spot. They are clearly not as complete a team as the Red Sox, so a division title is a tough proposition, and with the Rays breathing down their necks, they can't afford to slip up at all as the Dog Days of Summer rear their head. There is no doubt that the Pinstripers are most inclined to look for another solid starting pitcher, and Chicago's Carlos Zambrano would provide the intensity and intimidating presence that could buoy a rotation that, as currently constructed, is primed for a letdown as the season grows longer.
Atlanta Braves — You have to hand it to the Braves, their management team continues to field a very competitive team in spite of their aging stars and injury-prone youth movement. While they could use another quality rotation arm, their bigger need is bringing in a utility player that could spell Chipper Jones, Alex Gonzalez, and Dan Uggla in an effort to keep those players fresh. Based on their starting rotation's strategy of producing lots of ground balls and letting their defense do the work, Houston's Clint Barmes makes sense. While he lacks a big stick, he is a proven commodity as a strong defensive player and does have experience battling through a pennant chase while serving as a spot-player or late-inning defensive replacement.
Milwaukee Brewers — The Brewers have come on of late, moving into a spot that most pundits had them slotted in atop the NL's weak Central division. While they should have plenty of talent on their roster to ultimately take their division crown, a bullpen of Latroy Hawkins, Kameron Loe, Zach Braddock, Marco Estrada and Sergio Mitre does not instill much confidence. Even when lefty specialist Mitch Stetter returns, you have to think that their front office is diligently looking at finding an arm or two to further anchor their 'pen. The Angels' Scott Downs is one guy that the Brew Crew should have on speed dial.
St. Louis Cardinals — Injuries may ultimately derail any hopes the Cards have of making some noise in search of a playoff berth, but the veteran St. Louis team is still very much a contender at this point in the season. While the bullpen has not been a disaster, acquiring another late-inning arm would certainly be a cook-to-order way to offset any drop off in runs that losing Albert Pujols for any length of time would lead to. Though he's struggled, Oakland's Brian Fuentes is a proven late-inning guy who would benefit from the stability and reputation of St. Louis's top notch pitching coaches.
Texas Rangers — The defending AL champ should face little resistance on their way to another division title. Still, there is something lacking from this team that makes you wonder how deep a run they can make in the post season once they get there. Baltimore's Derek Lee brings a gold-glove caliber defensive player into the mix and a bat that, when hot, is as consistent as any in the league. With the young Mitch Moreland currently handling most of the first base duties, Lee would fit in nicely on a rotational basis.
Tampa Bay Rays — Even as a third-place team, the Rays are still considered a very strong ball club and, with the right move, would certainly fall into the category of contender. Getting their hands on a starting shortstop has to be a priority, and making a big play in netting New York's Jose Reyes would immediately move Tampa from pursuer to pursued.
San Francisco Giants — I know what you're thinking ... the Giants aren't even winning their own division at this point so how can they be considered in this first cut of teams? Well, they did win the World Series last season and they still have a very deep, very good starting rotation. Obviously, losing Buster Posey was a big blow to an already middle-of-the-road offensive team. To help offset this loss, the Giants should be looking at grabbing a quality back stop with offensive potential, and Chicago's Geovany Soto would be a nice pick up in serving that very purpose.
The Fence-Riders
This next group of teams is either atop their division currently as overachievers or a bit lower in the standings than their talent would lead you to believe they'd be. Also considered buyers, these guys are in a much more tenuous position where not making a move may well prove disastrous to their hopes for 2011.
Arizona Diamondbacks — Aside from Cleveland, the Diamondbacks are the biggest positive surprise in baseball. An unimpressive lineup combined with an erratic set of starting pitchers makes the D-Backs a prime suspect for falling flat on their face in the season's second half. To help avoid this eventuality, Arizona should be looking for a top-tier starting pitcher, especially since there isn't any realistic offensive options that could be both key contributors and affordable under Arizona's traditionally conservative payroll. Houston's Wandy Rodriguez is an interesting guy and would fit that mold at a price that would be right for Arizona.
Cleveland Indians — Anybody that tells you that they thought the Indians would be atop their division this late in the season is a dirty liar or a pathetically tunnel-visioned Indian fan. Finding a great closer would be a boon for Cleveland's slim chances at remaining in a position of power in the AL. Kansas City's Joaquim Soria is one guy who would provide a boost to Cleveland's late inning consistency and is someone that may be had at the right price.
Cincinnati Reds — The Reds have underachieved to date in 2011, but there is still time to turn things around for the new Big Red Machine. But such a turnaround will not happen unless they can net themselves another big bat to provide protection in the lineup for Joey Votto and company. With the Marlins struggling, star SS Hanley Ramirez may not be the pipe dream that many would have him pegged for and the Reds are one team that have the arms (Aroldis Chapman) and prospects to make such a deal palatable to the Marlins.
Colorado Rockies — The Rockies have the talent to compete in this division, but they need to find another power bat. Chicago's Alfonso Soriano is an expensive option, but with his contract set to expire, the time may be right to move him.
Minnesota Twins — Injuries to key players in the early going have led to some struggles for the Twins, but they aren't so far behind in the standings that they should be throwing in the towel just yet. They do have a talented rotation and their bullpen is not a weakness as long as players play to their potential. But there are many holes offensively that can't be ignored, so Baltimore's Mark Reynolds would be a solid "get" and would provide some middle-of-the-order power that is clearly lacking in the Twin Cities.
Chicago White Sox — Though finding themselves a few games below .500, the White Sox are a veteran club with tons of potential to get hot in a hurry. It is this reality that makes the team an interesting read as the trade deadline approaches ... they do have some high salary guys that could be appealing to other contenders in "buy" mode, which would net them some solid prospects, but they also are close enough in the standings to move into the market as buyers themselves.
Logically, in looking at their team makeup, a closer would make sense here, however there are a few other teams that will be looking at late-inning arms and my sense is the ChiSox won't be willing to part with the same number or quality of prospects that some of those others may dangle. So a quality back up plan is securing a quality situational arm with an upside ... enter L.A.'s Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo's struggles have been epic this season, but he is a low risk option and a lefty arm who could use a change of scenery. And, in this one case, there is the value-add angle of including Juan Uribe in a package for Kuo, which would net them another veteran bat and could be a very realistic "throw-in" option.
Detroit Tigers — Of all the teams in this "buyer" category, the Tigers, at least in my reckoning, are the least likely to pull off a "go for it" sort of maneuver. They have some high priced players in place already and they have to feel good about their depth in pitching. The one glaring hole in their lineup is on the left side of their defense. Expect the Tigers to make a play for a situational bat with some defensive acumen, which makes San Diego's Jason Bartlett and interesting option.
Stay tuned for the second follow-up article featuring the remaining 14 clubs who find themselves in the position of "sellers."
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