With the MLB trading deadline just days away (midnight on July 31st), there's a wide range of players rumoured to be on the move, though the talent level thins rapidly past the top few. From the almost certain (Randy Johnson) to the highly unlikely (Carlos Delgado), there are enough rumours to keep the hardest of die-hard trade junkies close to their computers for the next few days. This thread will be the catch-all Batter's Box place to discuss rumours, report on deals, and calculate winners and losers.
We'll start with this ten-point list of some of the players in play.
1. Randy Johnson
It's hard to separate fact from fiction here, as often happens when the New York press gets involved in trade rumours. But the Big Unit's sojourn in Arizona appears to be done, and the Yankees are the most desperate to grab him. Trouble is, the Yanks have virtually nothing of interest in their farm system, so there's talk they might take on a bunch of the D'Backs' bad contracts instead. The Dodgers and Angels may also be in the hunt.
2. Kris Benson
No, I don't understand either why the mediocre pitcher with the second-most-interesting job in his household is attracting so much attention at the trade deadline. But Benson clearly appears to be the consolation prize for the pitching-starved team that doesn't get the Unit. Minnesota is considered a leading contender, but virtually every other team with playoff aspirations has come up in discussions. Pirates GM Dave Littlefield has been asking the moon for Benson, and might yet get it from someone.
3. Larry Walker
Big risk, big potential reward. The Man from Maple Ridge has reportedly expressed his willingness to consider a trade, and the Rockies probably wouldn't ask for much in terms of prospects from the winning team. But his injury history, his huge contract, and the fear of mile-high stat inflation has made him very difficult to move. A team that waits in the bushes until the last minute and makes a successful low-ball offer might just end up with a rejuvenated and dangerous outfielder.
4. Steve Finley
Another aging outfielder is putting up one more good season, and the Diamondbacks are hoping to strike while this particular iron is hot. There are rumours that the Marlins were close to a deal, but that Finley would prefer to go to San Diego, which really hasn't shown much interest so far. The Phillies would appear to be the natural choice, but Finley appears reluctant to go east, and Marlon Byrd may not be enough. If Arizona is waiting on Gavin Floyd, they may be waiting a while.
5. Orlando Cabrera
There's probably a better chance of Dick Cheney giving an interview to Mother Jones magazine than of Cabrera returning to the Expos (or whatever they'll be called) next season, so the orphaned organization will be happy to get something now. His best days are behind him, but Cabrera might still be attractive to a team like the Cubs looking for infield pop.
6. Doug Mientkiewicz
With Justin Morneau finally in Minnesota to stay (much to the chagrin of Canadian Olympic fans) and Mientkiewicz on his way out of town after this season, the Gold Glove first baseman has already been told he'll be dealt. Doug (I'm tired of typing his last name) has always been brilliant defensively, but he's added an increasingly fearsome bat to his repertoire lately. Of course, it's hard to get much in return for a player who's publicly announced he'll be dealt. Just ask Gord Ash.
7. Jose Mesa
Mesa is the poster child for the average closer: brilliant one season, unreliable the next, almost certainly overpaid for most of his career. Mesa is having a good season this time around, and bullpen help is often desirable down the stretch. Many contenders would have at least a passing interest in Mesa as a setup man, with the Cardinals a top candidate but with little to offer from a poor farm system.
8. Barry Zito
Now we come to the longshots. Could the former Cy Young winner be had at the deadline? After a heavy workload the last three years and a troubling season on the mound, it's possible. Oakland can't re-sign all of their Big Three starters, and a Hudson-Mulder-Harden-Blanton-Redman rotation would look pretty good in 2005. Any team willing to risk taking on a possibly injured ace lefty, not to mention dealing with Billy Beane, is more than welcome to try.
9. Jeff Kent
The Astros are a puzzle, as Thomas pointed out earlier this week, and Kent may be the key to it. While Carlos Beltran gets all the trade attention, it's likelier that Houston would hold onto the spectacular centrefileder and instead peddle Kent, who's hitting well but is also an attractive trade target and can be replaced right now by Chris Burke. Anyone need a slugging first baseman for the balance of the year? Benson to Houston, Kent to New York, Dioner Navarro and cash to Pittsburgh?
10. Nomar Garciaparra
Speaking of tradeable infielders on contending teams ... this one is a stretch, but don't discount the possibility of the Sox moving Nomar, especially if the Yankees get the Big Unit and John Henry needs to respond. A three-way might work here too: Cabrera and Livan Hernandez to the Red Sox, Garciaparra to the Cubs, shiny pebbles and cash to the Expos. Naw, even I'm not cynical enough to think that could happen....or am I?
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