Players who should be made available in the American League by July 31st
By on July 2, 2010
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With the calendar turning to July two of the biggest events of the baseball season take place within a couple weeks of each other.
After the the excitement and entertainment of the Mid-Summer Classic ball clubs move from a fun and friendly environment and get down to business for the next two weeks.
Recently, Buster Olney put up a post about the easiest and hardest general managers to strike a deal with and this could be one of the only seasons in which every team in the majors will be working to make a deal before July 31st.
Here is a list team by team of who should be available for Selling teams.
AL West
Oakland - After a hot start to the season, the A's fell off quickly and should once again be selling some veterans after the break that were signed for a one year deal for the sole purpose of gaining prospects.
Ben Sheets, Coco Crisp, Ryan Sweeney - I want to also add Kurt Suzuki to this list because of how difficult it is to find a good hitting catcher. Other than Sheets I don't see any other A's pitcher being available.
Seattle - Who would have thought the Mariners were going to be out of the race that fast? Ichiro, Guiterrez, Doug Fister, Figgins and King Felix are virtually the only players Seattle will not allow to leave, but with the talent this team holds there are a lot of opportunities to rebuild the farm system. Cliff Lee, David Aardsma, Erik Bedard, Russell Branyan, Jose Lopez, Casey Kotchman, Milton Bradley (maybe) could all be dealt for some pretty good names and Seattle may find themselves rebuilding a half a season earlier after living with the win now mentality.
Angels - It's hard to say they could be sellers by the end of the month because I don't think Texas will run away with the division, and any two team race will never have one team throw in the towel that early. But possible players the Angels could acquire will be Adam LaRoche, Casey Kotchman, Derek Lee, or Lance Berkman.
Rangers - The biggest buyers of the AL West have the least amount of money to spend, but will need strategic moves to take on bigger contracts like that of Cliff Lee, but I think there are other pitchers available that vastly improve the Rangers - Brandon Morrow of Toronto or Ben Sheets for Oakland. The offense is potent, but veteran leaders like LaRoche, Branyan, or even waived players such as Garrett Atkins or Edwin Encarnacion could add pop off the bench and LaRoche could be a great starter.
AL Central
Kansas City Royals - An interesting offseason had the Royals built like a team that was going to try and compete in the Central, but early injuries and a slew of underachievers leave the Royals in yet another selling trade deadline. Kansas City does have untouchables in Butler, Soria, and Greinke, but Scott Podsednik, Jose Guillen, Alberto Callaspo, Rick Ankiel and David Dejesus could return some much needed prospects to a struggling KC franchise.
Cleveland Indians - From 1 game away from their first World Series in 10 years to being the league's biggest seller the last two seasons. They've traded away Victor, Sabathia, Cliff, and Mark DeRosa in the past three seasons and had he not gotten injured you could probably add Grady Sizemore to that. Right now they are trying to unload Travis Hafner, but others that could join him are Kerry Wood, Jake Westbrook, Jhonny Peralta, and maybe even Shin Soo-Choo.
Chicago White Sox - From sellers to buyers in a matter of two weeks, the Sox could be the biggest buyers out there - but Kenny has been quick to pull the plug and the club goes on a losing streak and can't take advantage of a 2 game deficit despite the slow start than the selling game could start all over again. If the Sox sell - Paul Konerko, AJ Pierzynski, Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, Freddy Garcia, Juan Pierre, JJ Putz and Bobby Jenks could all find new homes - however as it stands they remain buyers and could land the likes of Prince Fielder, Berkman, or Adam Dunn.
Detroit Tigers - I don't see the Tigers making many moves selling or buying, but with the injury to Joel Zumaya and the needed help in the outfield players like Aardsma, Octavio Dotel, Jermaine Dye or Gary Matthews Jr could add some relief.
Minnesota Twins - The supposed front runner for Cliff Lee may need a little more than just him to seal this division. The staff has been disappointing outside of Pavano and Liriano, but the bullpen is young and old. The left side of the infield could use some work as well as Michael Cuddyer has been playing third base with all the injuries. Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez could be a fit here, as well as Christian Guzman or Stephen Drew.
AL East
Orioles - They might be the only immediate sellers this year, but have some decent arms to offer. Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie should be made available for the right offer. Ty Wiggington, Luke Scott and Miguel Tejada all may move as well and for teams like Boston and the Twins infielders could be a hot buy this deadline.
Blue Jays - A surprising six games over .500 without Halladay has Toronto fans wondering what if. I do think however since it is seemingly impossible for the Blue Jays to win with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays standing in front of them that pitchers like Kevin Gregg, Brandon Morrow and Brian Tallet could be made available. Also Vernon Wells could have a lot of value for the right offer if Toronto wanted some really good young talent.
Rays - Baseball's best farm system gives Tampa the most to work with at the deadline for a big bat or a big arm - right now both are struggling. Longoria has dipped below .300, BJ Upton looks dinged up, Pena has hovered the Mendoza line all season, Bartlett has dropped tremendously from last year, the emergence of Jon Jaso, Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez have allowed them to stay in contention. It doesn't appear Carl Crawford is going to give the Rays a discount this off season so trading him in a blockbuster deal may have to be an option.
Red Sox - A slow start was wiped clean by a hot June, now injuries have put another road block in front of the BoSox heading into the break. With Pedroia, Martinez, Ellsbury and Buchholz all banged up Boston has looked to their farm system for immediate help. Luckily for them Tampa has gotten ice cold and they lead the Wild Card comfortably. Christian Guzman and Ty Wiggington look like they could be the best immediate help to Boston.
Yankees - They haven't been able to avoid injuries either this year, but they've had role players step in when needed to and just have too much fire power to be affected by one injury. The Yankees have been mentioned in Cliff Lee talks for an already strong Yankee rotation. Other than Lee I don't see the Yankees making a real push for any other big names, but Jermaine Dye was mentioned in the offseason and I'm sure would be looked at for a late inning bat.
I'll come out with a position by position list of these players shortly and the National League version will be up later today. So until then enjoy the first day of Fourth of July weekend!
After the the excitement and entertainment of the Mid-Summer Classic ball clubs move from a fun and friendly environment and get down to business for the next two weeks.
Recently, Buster Olney put up a post about the easiest and hardest general managers to strike a deal with and this could be one of the only seasons in which every team in the majors will be working to make a deal before July 31st.
Here is a list team by team of who should be available for Selling teams.
AL West
Oakland - After a hot start to the season, the A's fell off quickly and should once again be selling some veterans after the break that were signed for a one year deal for the sole purpose of gaining prospects.
Ben Sheets, Coco Crisp, Ryan Sweeney - I want to also add Kurt Suzuki to this list because of how difficult it is to find a good hitting catcher. Other than Sheets I don't see any other A's pitcher being available.
Seattle - Who would have thought the Mariners were going to be out of the race that fast? Ichiro, Guiterrez, Doug Fister, Figgins and King Felix are virtually the only players Seattle will not allow to leave, but with the talent this team holds there are a lot of opportunities to rebuild the farm system. Cliff Lee, David Aardsma, Erik Bedard, Russell Branyan, Jose Lopez, Casey Kotchman, Milton Bradley (maybe) could all be dealt for some pretty good names and Seattle may find themselves rebuilding a half a season earlier after living with the win now mentality.
Angels - It's hard to say they could be sellers by the end of the month because I don't think Texas will run away with the division, and any two team race will never have one team throw in the towel that early. But possible players the Angels could acquire will be Adam LaRoche, Casey Kotchman, Derek Lee, or Lance Berkman.
Rangers - The biggest buyers of the AL West have the least amount of money to spend, but will need strategic moves to take on bigger contracts like that of Cliff Lee, but I think there are other pitchers available that vastly improve the Rangers - Brandon Morrow of Toronto or Ben Sheets for Oakland. The offense is potent, but veteran leaders like LaRoche, Branyan, or even waived players such as Garrett Atkins or Edwin Encarnacion could add pop off the bench and LaRoche could be a great starter.
AL Central
Kansas City Royals - An interesting offseason had the Royals built like a team that was going to try and compete in the Central, but early injuries and a slew of underachievers leave the Royals in yet another selling trade deadline. Kansas City does have untouchables in Butler, Soria, and Greinke, but Scott Podsednik, Jose Guillen, Alberto Callaspo, Rick Ankiel and David Dejesus could return some much needed prospects to a struggling KC franchise.
Cleveland Indians - From 1 game away from their first World Series in 10 years to being the league's biggest seller the last two seasons. They've traded away Victor, Sabathia, Cliff, and Mark DeRosa in the past three seasons and had he not gotten injured you could probably add Grady Sizemore to that. Right now they are trying to unload Travis Hafner, but others that could join him are Kerry Wood, Jake Westbrook, Jhonny Peralta, and maybe even Shin Soo-Choo.
Chicago White Sox - From sellers to buyers in a matter of two weeks, the Sox could be the biggest buyers out there - but Kenny has been quick to pull the plug and the club goes on a losing streak and can't take advantage of a 2 game deficit despite the slow start than the selling game could start all over again. If the Sox sell - Paul Konerko, AJ Pierzynski, Andruw Jones, Mark Kotsay, Freddy Garcia, Juan Pierre, JJ Putz and Bobby Jenks could all find new homes - however as it stands they remain buyers and could land the likes of Prince Fielder, Berkman, or Adam Dunn.
Detroit Tigers - I don't see the Tigers making many moves selling or buying, but with the injury to Joel Zumaya and the needed help in the outfield players like Aardsma, Octavio Dotel, Jermaine Dye or Gary Matthews Jr could add some relief.
Minnesota Twins - The supposed front runner for Cliff Lee may need a little more than just him to seal this division. The staff has been disappointing outside of Pavano and Liriano, but the bullpen is young and old. The left side of the infield could use some work as well as Michael Cuddyer has been playing third base with all the injuries. Cubs slugger Aramis Ramirez could be a fit here, as well as Christian Guzman or Stephen Drew.
AL East
Orioles - They might be the only immediate sellers this year, but have some decent arms to offer. Kevin Millwood and Jeremy Guthrie should be made available for the right offer. Ty Wiggington, Luke Scott and Miguel Tejada all may move as well and for teams like Boston and the Twins infielders could be a hot buy this deadline.
Blue Jays - A surprising six games over .500 without Halladay has Toronto fans wondering what if. I do think however since it is seemingly impossible for the Blue Jays to win with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays standing in front of them that pitchers like Kevin Gregg, Brandon Morrow and Brian Tallet could be made available. Also Vernon Wells could have a lot of value for the right offer if Toronto wanted some really good young talent.
Rays - Baseball's best farm system gives Tampa the most to work with at the deadline for a big bat or a big arm - right now both are struggling. Longoria has dipped below .300, BJ Upton looks dinged up, Pena has hovered the Mendoza line all season, Bartlett has dropped tremendously from last year, the emergence of Jon Jaso, Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez have allowed them to stay in contention. It doesn't appear Carl Crawford is going to give the Rays a discount this off season so trading him in a blockbuster deal may have to be an option.
Red Sox - A slow start was wiped clean by a hot June, now injuries have put another road block in front of the BoSox heading into the break. With Pedroia, Martinez, Ellsbury and Buchholz all banged up Boston has looked to their farm system for immediate help. Luckily for them Tampa has gotten ice cold and they lead the Wild Card comfortably. Christian Guzman and Ty Wiggington look like they could be the best immediate help to Boston.
Yankees - They haven't been able to avoid injuries either this year, but they've had role players step in when needed to and just have too much fire power to be affected by one injury. The Yankees have been mentioned in Cliff Lee talks for an already strong Yankee rotation. Other than Lee I don't see the Yankees making a real push for any other big names, but Jermaine Dye was mentioned in the offseason and I'm sure would be looked at for a late inning bat.
I'll come out with a position by position list of these players shortly and the National League version will be up later today. So until then enjoy the first day of Fourth of July weekend!
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