MLB Trade Rumors: Will Each Team Be Buyer or Seller at Trade Deadline?
July 31 is the MLB trade deadline. This is the special time of year when teams put the "for sale: inquire within" sign on the outside of the stadium. Teams from across the country look to shed salary, unload unhappy stars, or add that special piece, that the front office believes will propel the team to a championship level.
We are taught that you should sell high, and buy low. The same goes for baseball. Prospects and one year wonders are huge parts of the game. The desperation hours right before the deadline garner crying general managers and tense locker rooms. You got to love baseball.
While it may be difficult to tell at the beginning of the season who will be buyers and who will be sellers, there are definitely teams that have already waved the white flag on the 2011 season.
Injuries and records will further dictate how this list formulates over time, but this is sports, why not make predictions months in advance!!
Here is a breakdown, team by team, of who will be buyers and who will be sellers come the MLB trade deadline.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Veteran relievers
Somehow, the NL West is one of the most competitive in baseball. There are four very solid teams, and the Arizona Diamonbacks.
The team is very young, and while their young pieces are attractive trade bait, teams will be calling about their veteran bullpen guys like J.J. Putz, and Aaron Heilman.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Corner infielders insurance
To compete against the Phillies, the Braves will have to rely on their already steady pitching to take them even further. They still have a very formidable offense, but Chipper Jones is on his last life, and rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman is far from a sure thing.
They can turn to a player like Eric Hinske for insurance, but veteran corner infielders always seem to become available closer to the deadline.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Starting pitching
It is very much going out on a limb saying that the Orioles will be in contention by the middle of July or later, but I believe in Buck.
For the first time in years, the team has a legitimate lineup, full with bona fide major league hitters. On the other hand, their starting pitching is shaky. They have a young staff that can fall apart at any time.
I will not go as far to say they could be this year's Texas Rangers, but imagine if they went out and got a dominant starting pitcher...
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Depth
They have the big name offseason additions, the All-Star starting pitching, and a stacked bullpen. So what do you get the team that has everything? Players to replace them and give them a rest.
Pinch hitting, pinch running, and defensive replacements are a very underrated part of a baseball team. Ask the Yankees who bothered them more in 2004, Jason Varitek or Dave Roberts?
On the team's depth chart, Jed Lowrie is backing up every single infield position....Enough said.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Stale veterans
This might finally be the year that the Cubs really figure out that what they have been doing over the last five seasons has not worked. By the time the trading deadline roles around, and the team is out of contention, hopefully the front office will finally get rid of their aging veterans.
Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Pena are the names that come to mind, but the fire sale might even go beyond.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: (insert big name here)
Over the last few season, whether it be via trade or free agency, the White Sox have added Alex Rios, Edwin Jackson, and Adam Dunn. These are all nice players, but they are not what you would consider winners.
The team has gone after questionable talent, and assuming the Sox are in somewhat of a playoff race towards the end of the summer, it can be assumed they will go out and try to find the next big name on the market.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Relief pitching
It looks like the Red are not just a flash in a pan; their quick start and momentum from last season give us no reason to think that they will not be buyers come deadline time.
Losing Arthur Rhodes, their workhorse from a season ago definitely hurts the team. They will need to replace him with another shut down middle reliever to compliment Aroldis Chapman.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Frustrating veterans
Grady Sizemore, Fausto Carmona, and Travis Hafner are the three guys that come to mind when I think of players that need to get healthy and get out of town. The Indians gave big contracts to the wrong guys, and they are now paying for it.
There are good young players in Cleveland, and it is time to take out the trash.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Starting pitching
The Rockies offense is dynamic and their bullpen is solid. What should concern fans is the starting rotation.
After Jimenez and De La Rosa, their rotation is promising, yet young. Adding a quality veteran might be what they need to get over the hump in the tough NL West. If Aaron Cook cannot come back strong from injury, a midsummer trade might be the answer.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Old guys making a lot of money
The team has enough talent to stay afloat throughout the season. This is both a blessing and a curse. While they might try to acquire a player or two at the deadline, it is in their best interest to finally put the nail in the coffin of the Magglio Ordonez era.
Along with Ordonez, the team should pursue suitors for Joel Zumaya, Jhonny Peralta, and/or Brandon Inge.
Is there anything worse in sports than to be in successful purgatory...?
Florida Marlins
11 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: A veteran bat
Don't look now, but the Marlins have the most talent they have had in years. Everyone knows about Hanley Ramirez, but Mike Stanton and Gaby Sanchez are two of the best young players IN THE GAME.
If the pitching can hold up and the team remains competitive, it would be interesting to see what type of veteran bat the team can acquire.
Also look for the Marlins to search for middle infield depth.
Houston Astros
12 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: The past
Over the last few season, the Houston Astros have parted ways with Miguel Tejada and Lance Berkman. Carlos Lee is next on the chopping block. He has given the team some great moments and towering home runs. It is time for the team to repay the favor by sending him to a contending team.
The team cannot move forward without clearing out the remainder of the players that represent the way things use to work.
Kansas City Royals
13 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Actual players
The team's payroll is $36.1 million. Alex Rodriguez makes $32 million. So far, the team has looked respectable despite their embarrassing payroll.
They have a deep farm system that is set to produce major league ready talent within the next year or two. Why not go out and bring in some reasonably economic players that have some experience. I see that the team has done this with Melky Cabrera, and Jeff Francoeur, so let the trend continue.
Hopefully the team finds a way to keep Joakim Soria, who has stated his desire to stay in Kansas City. Beats me.
Los Angeles Angels
14 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY/SELL
What they are buying: Corner infield help / A team identity
Ever since the Kendry Morales injury, things in LA have not been so hot. The team missed out on Carl Crawford, who they thought they had in the bag, followed by breaking the cardinal sin of panicking and trading for an over the hill, relevant in name only, outfielder in Vernon Wells.
Morales is still not back and the questions remain. What do they do with Bobby Abreu? Will Scott Kazmir ever return to form? Who is Jordan Walden, and why is he closing?
Arte Moreno is too rich and too stubborn to just sit there and let this happen without writing a few checks.
Los Angeles Dodgers
15 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Better talent than they should be giving away
The Dodgers are still a young and talented team, but beyond their control is the non baseball related ownership divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt.
Andre Ethier had a disappointing second half in 2011, the team did not make the playoffs, and the grumbling over the divorce has left a sour taste in every Dodger fan's mouth. Who knows if the team will try to cut salary, or if lack of performance on the field will lead to irrational decisions.
At the end of the day, the team could move some of their older stars i.e. Rafael Furcal and Jonathan Broxton, if their performances are not up to par.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: The biggest vegetarian the world has ever seen (Prince Fielder)
The longer Zack Greinke misses time, the most likely it is we see Fielder traded. If the team is competitive, which it is built for right now, the Brewers will most certainly roll the dice and play the season out with Fielder.
He is a free agent after this season, and at only 26 (27 in a month), there are few teams that would not pursue his services.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Infield help
This is where early season predictions become difficult. There is no reason to believe that the Twins will not make a playoff run, as they have two of the best players in the game.
Like the San Antonio Spurs, the Twins seem to pick up the right players for their system and make it work. But, an unproven infield of Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Alexi Casilla, and Danny Valencia does leave room for concern.
We will see as the season goes on, but for right now, I predict a small trade to improve their infield if the right deal comes along. Matt Capps could be perfect trade bait.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: The Omar Minaya era
With no disrespect to the former Mets general manager, many of the payers that he signed have not worked out over the entirety of their contracts.
Johan Santana has broken down from years of wear and tear, and the "E" light is on, on Carlos Beltran's tank.
While it is hard to imagine the Mets trading Jose Reyes, there are very few players on the team that are absolutely untouchable. As stated throughout the slideshow, there are going to be teams that need veteran bats, a commodity the NYM has plenty of.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: The biggest fish out there / Starting pitching
It is not a complete trade list without talking about the New York Yankees. Their offense is set, barring major injuries, and their bullpen, despite the occasional hiccup, should be fine.
That being said, pitching and defense win championships. The defense is solid, but the starting staff consists of C.C. Sabathia and a whole lot of question marks. Luckily, these guys will get the run support needed on most nights, but the glaring hole that is the Yankee rotation, may not be able to support the weight of the big apple.
Cashman, as always, has free reign to get any player he deems necessary to win a championship, at essentially any cost. You do not miss out on Cliff Lee TWICE, and not feel an overwhelming pressure to find the next big thing.
Sometimes you need to throw out big bait to catch bigger fish. The Yanks have a pretty big chum and his name is Joba.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Anti-moneyball power hitter
Billy Beane has gotten back to his old ways of finding the best OBP and OPS guys and surrounding them with a great bullpen and a greater starting rotation. The A's are an underrated 2011 sleeper team that may make a run at the wild card of even the division.
But there is a severe power outage in Oakland. Josh Willingham is their best power hitter, which is a problem. Not since Matt Holliday have they had anyone that struck fear in the opposing pitcher. I like the team, but putting this much pressure on a rotation this young, is formula for disappointment.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Time
This article here about Utley's injury is a good example of how uncertain the team is about the length of his DL stint.
The Phillies experimented with Luis Castillo for about 10 minutes before nixing that idea, and are now using the 33-year-old Wilson Valdez until further notice.
The pitching staff is so dominant, that Utley's injury has become a secondary story to non Philly fanatics. The versatility of Placido Polanco, the inevitable call up of Dominic Brown, and the expendability of Joe Blanton helps the Phillies in their quest for a short term replacement. This is a wait and see scenario that will figure itself out in time.
For now, the Phillies are definite buyers if it appears Utley will be out long term.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Starting pitching
Is it crazy to be slightly optimistic about the product that the Pirates are putting on the field?
Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, and Neil Walker have made the team respectable...quickly, and offer Pittsburgh fans a reason to not hide in a cave until football season returns (one day).
It is conceivable, that the team could remain somewhat competitive if they all live up to their potential and obtain a starting pitcher or two.
I say buy with caution, because I can remember a very similar time in Pirates history when they went about trading Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and Nate McLouth like they were lepers.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Rent a players
The Padres are the All "sure-ill-take-him-on-my-team" team. Looking up and down their lineup, players like Orlando Hudson, Jason Bartlett, Brad Hawpe, Ryan Ludwick, and Cameron Maybin have all had some level of success on another team, yet they were acquired by the Padres for .60 cents on the dollar.
These are all guys that could either have bounce back years, lead the team to the playoffs, and sound like a finely tuned automobile. Or, they could be traded like parts of the same car, and make other teams run more smoothly.
Losing Gonzalez is going to hurt, and if the team falls out of contention, the experiment could be broken up. Stay tuned.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Bullpen security
The people that scratch their head and wonder how the Giants won the world series need to look no further than the roster in place. Five dependable starters (more or less), veteran leadership from top to bottom, and a good bench, are all qualities that are shared between a championship contender and the 2011 San Francisco Giants.
This team is similar to the San Diego Padres, with better starting pitching and a more proven lineup. Teams are always looking to add an arm or two in the bullpen, and the Giants should be no different.
Once Brian Wilson is healthy, look out for a potential repeat in the Bay area.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Veterans looking for a change in scenery
If the Seattle Mariners were a stock, I could imagine brokers on the floor screaming "SELL! SELL! SELL!".
They are looking like the cellar dweller again this season, and it is hard to imagine Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley, and Jack Wilson making it to the other side of 162.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Help for Pujols
The Cardinals are a very interesting team. With the looming free agency of Albert Pujols, the team needs to prove they will go to great lengths to keep him. They certainly did this by keeping Matt Holliday, but the injury bug has already bitten the team with Adam Wainwright's Tommy John's surgery.
I can see the usually level headed St. Louis front office making a panicky move in order to make a playoff push and keep the team from giving Pujols a reason to leave.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: Everything but the kitchen sink
Losing Evan Longoria to an extended injury only exacerbates the still unhealed wound from losing Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, and Jason Bartlett in the offseason. This may be the year they unload the no longer excusable B.J. Upton.
Pitching will keep them alive, but the AL East is no place for mediocre baseball.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: A starting pitcher
Can the front office once again justify going out and getting another big name free agent to be pitcher? This is THE question. So far, the Rangers do not look like they need to tamper with the team they have assembled.
But, as the season wears on, we will see how long a pitching staff can go without a star. Dangling Michael Young out there cannot hurt, and might be the solution.
I have always been taught if it's not broken, don't fix it....
Toronto Blue Jays
29 of 30
Front Office Strategy: SELL
What they are selling: The remaining pieces to a grander plan
The Blue Jays have successfully gotten rid of Vernon Wells and Alex Rios and replaced them with low cost players and prospects. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee the team any form of success, but it certainly points them in the right direction.
Adam Lind and Aaron Hill need to have better seasons, and with good, young arms, the Blue Jays might be one of the surprises of the American League.
While they do not have any more bloated contracts, they still have pieces like Edwin Encarnacion to acquire prospects.
Washington Nationals
30 of 30
Front Office Strategy: BUY
What they are buying: Prince Fielder or any other big name on the market / Starting pitching
In a large market, the Washington Nationals have been trying to establish themselves as respectable franchise by signing top tier free agents. Jason Werth is the first huge free agent signing they have made since moving to Washington, and they hope to build on it.
Ownership is willing and able to spend money to improve the team, and acquiring Prince Fielder either via trade or free agency are on the top of the priority list.
With Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper (a year or two away mind you), and Stephen Strasburg, the Nats may be only a piece or two away from becoming a legitimately competitive organization.
Follow me on twitter @ AustinSchindel
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