MLB's Trade Deadline Might Be a Quiet Affair in 2009

Tough economic times call for tough economical decisions.  Baseball is not immune to the downturn in the country's economy.

With teams trying to stay within more rigid payroll constraints this season, some of the usual buyers at the July 31 trade deadline will likely be out of the market.

Some teams have already made what seems like their big deals of the season.  Most teams likely can't afford multiple swaps of high-salary players.  Almost no one is interested in taking on the payroll problems of other teams.

It is shaping up to be a down year for baseball trading.

In St. Louis, the word is that the acquisition of Mark DeRosa is likely it for the Cardinals.  The team does not want to take on additional payroll and likely cannot get pitching help without doing so.

The Houston Astros, always active at the deadline, are financially strapped.  Owner Drayton McLane held the Astros payroll in check over the winter and seems determined to go forward with the players the team already has on the roster.

Instead of going out to buy a Matt Holliday, which the Yankees can surely afford, they settled for Eric Hinske. 

The only team that seems to be dealing with frequency is the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are collecting prospects and high-ceiling players who are struggling.  The Pirates hope to find some treasure with these players.  So far, their dealings have paid off. 

The problem is that the Pirates aren't really buying.  They aren't taking on big contracts or shelling out tons of players for a star.  They are basically making lateral moves and one-for-one deals that should pay off in the future.

Teams are also sheltering their prospects for a change.  No one is dealing top prospects this year.

Why?

It's simple baseball economics.  Those prospects are affordable until arbitration comes.  Until then, not only are they affordable, they are under club control.

Why trade cheap labor?

Not to say baseball teams are doing anything wrong.  Perhaps this is a throwback to days when players could play for a long period with their initial club.

So if stars like Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay are too expensive and top prospects like Tommy Hanson and Andrew McCutchen are untouchable, what does that leave for July 31?

It doesn't leave much.  Basically, it leaves a bunch of middle relievers and good, but not great, hitters and pitchers.

There will probably be at least one big deal somewhere.  But the days of the three-team, multi-player, big contract swaps appear to be on hold for greener times.

One thing seems certain: 2009's trade deadline will be a much quieter affair than 2008's had been.