As most of you know the MLB trading deadline is July 31st, just around the corner. This is a lot like all other trade deadlines, lots of build up and little follow through. For the next four days there will all kinds of talk about what big name is on the move and who may be interested in their services. Here's the quick run down of what's being talked about around baseball:
1. The biggest name out there is that of Mark Teixeira of the Texas Rangers. Teixeira is a big left handed power bat, what team wouldn't want that? He is only 27 years old and in 2005 he hit 43 HR and and had over 140 RBI, not a bad year at all. His power numbers have dropped since then but he's still a good bet for 30 HR and 100 RBI a year. He's a guy who has been on the block all year and has obviously gone nowhere so far. So you're probably thinking, 'if he's so good then why is he being shopped and why hasn't he been traded yet?' I won't lie, those are all good questions and here's why those things are happening. The main reason is, as always, money. After the 2008 season he will be a free agent and his agent is super jerk Scott Boras. Boras is known around the sports world for getting the most money for his players. So in order to get Teixeira in the first place a team would have to give up some really good young players and then run the risk of having him leave town for more money in the winter of 2008. That's a gamble. Word right now is that the Rangers are lowering their expectations for what they'll get in return. So Teixeira may actually be traded.
2. A bunch of crap, that's what is left. All teams need relief pitching, too bad that adds up to no one giving up what they have. The only real exception there is in Houston where the Astros are playing awful ball but have some great relief pitchers. Lidge, Wheeler, and Qualls could all be traded in the next couple days should the Astros admit that their season is over (it is). Should that happen every contending team will be on the phone with the Astros. They could really restock their minor league system with a couple of nice trades.
3. White Sox players. Another rumor floating around is that the White Sox are pretty much shopping their whole roster as they have been a big disappointment this year. They have an old team of slow stars. Dye, Thome, and Konerko aren't getting any younger and the Sox aren't getting any closer to another World Series. They may decide it's time to start over. I'd be okay with that after they just took 3 of 5 from the Tigers.
4. The key thing to remember is that most of this and the rumors all over the news are speculation. Almost nothing will happen. However, it's possible that this could be the year we see a bunch of big names go. That's what keeps me paying attention.
2 comments:
A great point on relief pitching, everybody needs it and nobdoy is giving it up. As an FYI for all Tigers fans, the NY Post ran an article that said they are interested in Kyle "I am good for a HR and a pair of walks in 1/3 of an inning" Farnsworth. I would love for Joe Torre not to have that option anymore. Not to mention, making the Tigers bullpen weaker would be a plus for all Wild Card contenders.
ANother guy that is out ther eis John Garland, CHW. He is going to be a guy whose name is thrown around. I am more suprised that the Astros, CHW, and Rangers haven't started dumping players yet. All three teams are essentially done and have big assests to retool their teams as Blake noted. Maybe I will eat my words but Texiera isn't moving. I am one who has heard his name flaoting around for a trade since before the season started. Nobody is going to give Texas what they want and Texas doesn't sound like they are willing to throw in the towel.
I am expecting very little to happen over the next few days but hoping that I am very wrong.
I think that Garland isn't really available and that what the Sox are doing is saying he is and then when teams make offers (almost no matter how good) they'll say 'no, but you can get contreras for less than that.'
Just one mans opinion.
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