MLB Trade Rumors: The Top Targets Still on Every Team's Radar
The Major League Baseball trading deadline arrives this Saturday, which leaves all 30 teams mere days to pull off a deal that is either going to help them in this year's pennant chase or set them up for the future.
The hot stove is still flush with rumors with any number of players possibly going to any number of destinations, but which players remain atop each team's list of most desired players?
Every team, especially every contending team, has that one player it wants more than anyone else.
Who is that player, and can the respective team pull off the deal? All those questions will be answered by Saturday, but previewed here first.
Arizona Diamondbacks
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The Diamondbacks acquired Jackson prior to the 2010 season, but they appear ready to move him before he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. The Nationals and White Sox are the apparent front runners. Jackson is among the second-tier starters on the market and could be enough for the White Sox, who do not have the minor league pieces to get a front line starter.
Chances for a Trade: Strong possibility
Colorado Rockies
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The Rockies looked poised to make another second-half run just a few weeks ago. However, a cold spell has dropped them eight games back in the NL West, and now they may be sellers at the deadline instead of buyers.
The one player they may still acquire is Jorge Cantu. Cantu would provide power on the corners and allow the Rockies to keep Jason Giambi in his more ideal pinch-hitting role. However, the Rockies (51-48) will have to judge how in the race they are before Saturday night.
Los Angeles Dodgers
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The Dodgers are looking for another arm to bolster their rotation in a division where pitching rules. Ted Lilly would provide the Dodgers not only a veteran arm to enhance a young staff, but he is also a free agent at the end of the season, which helps the currently questionable financial situation in Los Angeles.
However, the Dodgers may be against a rental, which could dissuade them from making the deal. Nonetheless, Lilly is a good fit for the Dodgers.
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San Francisco Giants
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Corey Hart is the guy the Giants covet most, but his price tag may be too high for the club's liking. The Giants have popped up on every rumor for every outfielder reportedly on the block. Yet it is Hart, who is still arbitration eligible, that piques the Giants' interest.
The Giants have most recently been connected to Jose Guillen, who could appear as the more logical and likely choice at this point.
Chances for a Trade: Possible. The Giants have the young arms to get it done but could hit a snag with Milwaukee's desire to hang onto young talent still under its control.
San Diego Padres
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The Padres' top choice was David DeJesus, but that was before he smashed the end of his trade stock into the wall at Yankee Stadium. The Padres are still looking for offense, which could lead them to another Royals outfielder in Jose Guillen. The Padres are starved for offense but appear unwilling or unable to go get a bigger, splashier bat.
The Padres could also make a last minute move for Jake Westbrook but appear willing to see if he clears waivers after the deadline.
Chances for a Trade: Very possible. Guillen is a free agent at the end of the year, which will bring the demand down for young Padres pitching going the other way.
Pittsburgh Pirates
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This time of year for the Pirates never begs one to ask who the Pirates will acquire, but instead who they will trade away. Octavio Dotel tops this year's list as contending teams look to bolster their bullpens.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. A number of teams need late-inning help, and the Pirates are going to take advantage of Dotel's market value.
Houston Astros
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The Phillies and Cardinals remain the front runners, but Oswalt comes with a hefty price tag ($32 million owed) plus the top prospects Houston will want in return.
Chances for a Trade:Decreasing possibility. The Cardinals reportedly consider Oswalt's contract too pricey (remember they have to take care of Albert Pujols soon), and the Phillies' commitment seems to wane by the day.
Chicago Cubs
8 of 30
It is not a matter of who the Cubs will acquire, but who they will trade away. Ted Lilly has been the object of many rumors (Dodgers, Tigers, Yankees, and Mets to name a few).
The club has also hinted at its willingness to absorb the rest of Kosuke Fukudome's contract for a trade, and there are developing rumblings that the Cubs are shopping Derrek Lee.
Lee was most recently tied to a rumor that sends him to the Texas Rangers, who are looking to move on at first base beyond Chris Davis. However, Lee has indicated he's unlikely to waive his full no-trade clause.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. It's only likely because it is difficult to see Ted Lilly sticking around past Saturday's deadline. It is also difficult to see Lee going anywhere at the deadline.
Milwaukee Brewers
9 of 30
The big question regarding the Brewers' deadline is whether or not they will move Prince Fielder. Fielder, who is a free agent after 2011, will command a hefty price from interested teams, but Milwaukee's general manager appears disinterested in numerous offers focused on minor league prospects.
The White Sox are the team in most serious considerations but are unlikely to have the blue-chip, big league-ready players the Brewers desire.
Chances for a Trade: Slim. The Brewers want a steep price in prospects. While the White Sox stand as the most seriously interested team, they do not have pieces, nor are there enough other serious offers out there.
Cincinnati Reds
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Blue Jays left-handed reliever Scott Downs is quickly emerging as one of the most sought-after relievers on the market. The Reds are putting their name in the hat as they look for another left-hander, one capable of getting hitters out from both sides of the plate, as they supplement the bullpen around Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero.
Chances for a Trade: Slim. The Reds have to go up against at least the Yankees and Red Sox in this deal. That is a foreboding sign for the small-market Reds.
St. Louis Cardinals
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The only problem is Oswalt's asking price. Now, Oswalt has stated he is willing to restructure his contract. But money is money, and the Cardinals may decide to allocate it elsewhere.
Chances for a Trade: Very possible. The deal can happen if the Cardinals wake up one morning this week and firmly believe they cannot win the National League without Oswalt.
Washington Nationals
12 of 30
The Nationals are at least keeping one ear on the Edwin Jackson front, but the greatest attention paid to Washington during this week leading up to the deadline will be focused on Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, and Matt Capps.
All three pieces are sought after, but Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo appears unwavering in his stance that he will keep all three in D.C. unless blown away by an offer. Dunn is being pursued by the White Sox, Tigers, and possibly even the Yankees. Willingham gives any number of teams solid outfield depth, while Capps is the only qualified closer on the market.
Chances for a Trade: Possible. Rizzo has said he will not jump head first into a trade simply to move players. The Nationals want to get serious about winning and building their team. They can't do that if they trade away three of their core players.
Florida Marlins
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The Marlins enter Tuesday 5.5 games back in the NL Wild Card chase and will determine over the next few days whether they are buyers or sellers, contenders or pretenders. In the meantime, rumors are heating up around Jorge Cantu going to the Rockies, Giants, and most especially the Rangers.
Additionally, the Marlins could ship out outfielder Cody Ross and take advantage of his value during a somewhat disappointing season.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. The Marlins have never been a team to sit on their hands at the trade deadline. Cantu to the Rangers seems like the most realistic rumor to come true.
New York Mets
14 of 30
The Mets hit a cold streak at the absolute wrong time. Now 50-49 after an ugly road trip, the Mets need to regroup and decide if they are indeed buyers at the deadline or if their ugly West Coast trip was indicative of a team that isn't going to the playoffs.
That decision will likely be known if the Mets go after another name starting pitcher, most likely Ted Lilly. The Mets have also been in discussions with the Royals about a three-for-three trade that would involve Jeff Francoeur, Luis Castillo, and Oliver Perez going to Kansas City for Gil Meche, Jose Guillen, and Kyle Farnsworth.
The Mets are in a tumultuous state right now with a coaching staff on its toes and a fanbase frustrated over the team's poor play out of the All-Star break.
Chances for a Trade: Mixed. The chance at acquiring Lilly is possible, but the Mets may not be front runners. At the same time, it would be somewhat surprising to see the Mets sit back and do nothing of value (or would it?).
Philadelphia Phillies
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If not the Cardinals, the Phillies have been the other team most interested in acquiring Oswalt. The problem for the Phillies, like the Cardinals, is the financial commitment to Oswalt beyond this season.
However, despite their incredibly inconsistent offense, the Phillies enter Tuesday just 2.5 games back in the NL Wild Card, and Oswalt behind Roy Halladay could get them back on track.
Chances for a Trade: Possible. The Phillies showed last year they are not afraid of going out and getting a big name starting pitcher. However, the asking price this time around could be top prospect Domonic Brown, which would likely push Philadelphia back from the table.
Atlanta Braves
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The Braves appear fairly content with their pitching as it stands, but they are certainly keeping their collective ear to the ground for a bat. Nate McLouth is coming off injury and having a disappointing year. That could spark the Braves to restart talks for Jose Bautista, who they asked about in the Yunel Escobar-Alex Gonzalez trade.
Bautista would give the Braves a power-hitting outfielder who can flex in and spell Chipper Jones at third base as well. The Braves are also reportedly keeping tabs on the Marlins' Cody Ross.
Chances for a Trade: If the price is right. Bautista comes with a $10 million price tag in arbitration, which is a large pill to swallow for the Braves. Yet Atlanta has a 4.5 game lead over the currently surging Phillies. That could be enough to scare the Braves into a trade.
Seattle Mariners
17 of 30
The Mariners are bad, very bad, and do not have many attractive pieces left after shipping Cliff Lee to Texas. Closer David Aardsma is the name most widely circulated as teams look to solidify their seventh and eighth inning roles.
Russell Branyan could be had on the cheap for teams looking for power off the bench, while Jose Lopez hangs out there as a cheap solution for a utility player.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. The Mariners are going nowhere this season. Their big experiment before the season fell on its face, and now the Mariners should take advantage of any current value they have left on the active roster outside of a small collection of starters.
Oakland Athletics
18 of 30
Athletics general manager Billy Beane hoped to shop Ben Sheets midseason for prospects. That plan has since backfired and was confirmed by Sheets' move to the disabled list earlier this week. Any chance of Sheets going before the deadline is done.
However, the A's may still move lefty reliever Craig Breslow, who has drawn interest from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Tigers.
Chances for a Trade: Very unlikely. The A's could still move Breslow or right-hander Michael Wuertz, but any chance of Sheets going is done.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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The Angels took one big step by acquiring Dan Haren, who they promptly watched get nailed by a line drive, but the club is still looking for a bat. Adam Dunn would be the dream scenario, especially since they can allow him to play first base until the end of the season.
The Angels are also keeping close tabs on Pittsburgh's Garrett Jones and Derrek Lee, though the latter seems very unlikely.
Chances for a Trade: Possible. Dunn is likely out of the equation, but it would be surprising to see the Angels fail to grab any corner bat for the stretch run.
Texas Rangers
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The Rangers are looking for a bat to supplement and likely replace Chris Davis at first base. Jorge Cantu is the name most associated with that plan, and it appears that a deal will likely happen before the deadline according to Jayson Stark and other rumor mills.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. Whether it is Cantu or Ty Wigginton or Wes Helms, the latter two both linked to the Rangers, Texas is likely to make another move to stretch its already potent lineup.
Cleveland Indians
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The Indians have a few pieces of value to move. One position player who could be on his way out is third baseman Jhonny Peralta. Peralta gives teams flexibility on the left side of the infield and would be a solid addition off the bench.
The Indians are also listening to offers for Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, and Kerry Wood. Wood comes with an unattractive price tag and lackluster 2010 performance. Carmona is a highly valued young arm, and Westbrook pitched arguably his best game of the season last night against the Yankees.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. The Indians have four pieces that could fit with any team making a playoff push. Westbrook is the most likely player on his way out, followed by Peralta, Wood, and Carmona.
Kansas City Royals
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The Royals possessed one of the hottest commodities of the summer in David DeJesus before he went down with his thumb injury. That leaves Jose Guillen and possibly Gil Meche as the most sought-after Royals. Guillen is still a power threat and a free agent-to-be, which makes him attractive to teams looking for a jolt to their lineup.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. There are a number of National League teams (Padres, Giants, Braves, Rockies) who are in the market for offensive help. Chances are one will take a shot at Guillen.
Detroit Tigers
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The Tigers are another team that hold Adam Dunn at the top of their wish list. However, it is increasingly unlikely Detroit will be the landing spot.
Nevertheless, the Tigers are without Magglio Ordonez for six to eight weeks and need offensive help. If not Dunn, the Tigers have inquired about Jose Guillen, Jayson Werth, Jeff Francoeur, and Corey Hart.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. The next six weeks are the season as far as Detroit is concerned. The Tigers cannot afford to be left in the dust by Chicago and Minnesota because of a woebegone offense. They need a bat, and they needed it yesterday.
Chicago White Sox
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The White Sox head into the deadline with high hopes of acquiring either Prince Fielder or Adam Dunn. Prospect Dan Hudson will most likely go the other way in either case, which is a cost the White Sox must weigh given the thin margin of error they have to play with in their rotation.
If neither Dunn or Fielder can be had, Chicago will likely explore cheaper options, namely Brad Hawpe or Russell Branyan, according to Ken Rosenthal. Jon Heyman says the White Sox could fall back to Adam LaRoche and possibly Lance Berkman.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. White Sox general manger Kenny Williams isn't going to sit idly by before the deadline. He is going to make some move to get a bat in the middle of the White Sox lineup.
Minnesota Twins
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The Twins are looking for help at the back of the bullpen. Jon Rauch's internal stock is slipping, and the Twins want another arm to bolster Rauch and the ninth inning.
Matt Capps has not been a sure thing in the ninth inning this season, but he is an upgrade. The Twins have also expressed interest in Blue Jays left-hander Scott Downs.
Chances for a Trade: Likely. The Twins are in the thick of the hotly contested AL Central and cannot afford to go through the last 10 weeks of the season with growing uncertainty in the back of the bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles
26 of 30
The Orioles aren't buyers, but they are the target of many teams' interest because of Ty Wigginton and Jeremy Guthrie. Wigginton is pursued by the Rangers, Rockies, and Yankees, though the Orioles appear unwilling to trade with the Yankees.
The Padres have voiced interest in Jeremy Guthrie but may have to pay a price to get him because Guthrie is under team control through 2012.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. Guthrie may stick around, but Wigginton and his expiring contract are likely gone to a team that needs infield depth.
Toronto Blue Jays
27 of 30
The Blue Jays are the home of the most sought-after reliever in Scott Downs, but the bulk of the Blue Jays bullpen could be headed out of town by Saturday's deadline. Jason Frasor and Kevin Gregg are also in the running for many teams seeking late-inning help. Meanwhile, there is the chance that the Blue Jays sell off Jose Bautista.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. The Blue Jays are asking for top prospects from the Yankees and Red Sox in order to trade him in the division. That is foaming the existing battle between the two teams for Downs. Other than Downs, there is a good shot Frasor and Gregg have new homes by the end of the week.
Boston Red Sox
28 of 30
The Red Sox are going to add a reliever. It's just a matter of which one. Downs is their top choice, but the price of a top prospect will likely be too much for the Red Sox.
They are also looking at the Athletics' Craig Breslow and Michael Wuertz and most recently contacted the Marlins about their closer Leo Nunez. Downs is the front runner, but the better odds are with "the field" for Boston.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. The Red Sox do not like what is going on in the bullpen in front of Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon. They can't run the risk of losing any more games in the AL East at the expense of soft middle relief.
Tampa Bay Rays
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The Rays are in a situation where they would like to add a bat but cannot take on much payroll. That makes Jayson Werth an attractive option because he is owed only about $3 million for the rest of the season before becoming a free agent.
The Rays may not be in a position to sign him after the season, but they could get him without giving up their top prospects in right-hander Jeremy Hellickson and outfielder Desmond Jennings.
Chances for a Trade: Possible. It's not like the Rays are starving for offense, but adding a bat like Werth's would go a long way to helping Boston stay off the Rays' heels.
New York Yankees
30 of 30
The Yankees' pursuit of Royals closer Joakim Soria came to an end when the Royals turned down a possible offer led by Yankees' top prospect Jesus Montero. The move was not only to bolster the Yankees bullpen this season, but Soria, 26, was no doubt viewed as a shot to be Mariano Rivera's heir apparent.
Instead the Yankees will look at an assortment of relievers including Scott Downs, Michael Wuertz, and Craig Breslow. The Blue Jays' price tag for Downs is likely beyond what the Yankees are willing to part with.
The Yankees may also be in the mix for Jhonny Peralta and Cody Ross.
Chances for a Trade: Very likely. These are the Yankees, and this is the trading deadline. Why wouldn't something can get done? It's just a matter of finding the right piece.
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