MLB Trade Rumors: Heath Bell to the White Sox? 10 Trades for Would-Be Contenders
As the offseason winds down, people tend to separate the teams they believe will win from the teams they believe will lose. Basically, the Boston Red Sox are on one side and the Kansas City Royals are on the other side, for example.
But then there are those teams who aren't losers but aren't quite winners either. Those are the teams who are close to becoming true contenders.
These teams are usually one or two key pieces (players) away from competing—like when the Milwaukee Brewers acquired both Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum.
This list features 10 possible trades that these teams could make to potentially make a run at the playoffs this year. These trades are mostly speculation, and it is extremely likely that none of them will actually happen. But they are trades that I feel—and hope some of you will feel—would make the teams I am going to discuss contenders.
Carlos Lee to the Detroit Tigers
1 of 10
The Detroit Tigers had an interesting 2010 regular season. After beginning the season on a fairly good note, the Detroit Tigers went on to play mediocre baseball that led them to a disappointing 81-81 record.
There were bright spots, however, as Miguel Cabrera had another MVP-like season, along with the emergence of Austin Jackson.
The Tigers also had a good rotation, as they received very nice contributions from Armando Galarraga, Justin Verlander and the surprising Max Scherzer.
The Tigers are hoping that 2011 will be much different for them. The Tigers rotation is looking relatively strong as far as next year goes, and their bullpen should suffice. The infield is also pretty solid on paper if Brandon Inge and Jhonny Peralta return to their old selves.
One thing the Tigers do need is a corner outfielder. Yes, Ryan Raburn can play the outfield, but he is more valuable playing in the infield.
Carlos Lee would be a nice fit for a team like Detroit. Lee struggled out of the gate last season but finished up strong and put up some decent overall numbers. The Houston Astros weren't as fortunate, as they struggled all season long and did not finish strong.
The Astros are probably shopping Lee's massive contract, and the Tigers would be wise to try to acquire him. A package of good minor league prospects, Ramon Santiago and perhaps Alex Avila could sway the Astros to give him up. Lee would provide big production and home runs hitting in front of or behind Cabrera and could play the outfield while taking a turn at DH once in a while.
Joakim Soria to the Tampa Bay Rays
2 of 10
The Tampa Bay Rays have lost a massive part of their team this offseason, and people are curious as to whether or not the Rays are going to able to compete anymore.
The Rays lost All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford, power-hitting Carlos Pena, the consistent Joaquin Benoit, the fan-loved Matt Garza, decent catcher Dioner Navarro, phenomenal closer Rafael Soriano and All-Star shortstop Jason Bartlett. After losing this much, most teams would have zero hope left.
However, things are still bright in Tampa, and they are only one or two pieces away from once again being taken seriously.
Joakim Soria may be one of those pieces. The Rays received a lot of great prospects in return for Garza earlier this week and are absolutely stacked when it comes to young talent. The Kansas City Royals have been scooping in young talent as the rebuilding stages once again commence in KC.
Joakim could be an ideal fit for the Rays, as he is a dominant closer and is under control for very little money for quite a while. The Tampa Bay Rays could offer KC many good prospects in return, satisfying both sides.
Carlos Beltran and Oliver Perez to the St. Louis Cardinals
3 of 10
The New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals both had disappointing seasons last year, but for two very different reasons.
The Mets suffered through many injuries, many controversies and a lack of talent to finish the year with a god-awful record.
The Cardinals had a nice year but faced disappointment as they missed the postseason by very little, as they fell short to the Cincinnati Reds.
The New York Mets are not going to be much better this season, and they have very few valuable assets left. The Mets have been rumored to be shopping Carlos Beltran around. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have been rumored in the past to be looking to unload young outfielder Colby Rasmus.
Many of you may not like this deal, but I think it would be a nice one.
I propose Beltran and Oliver Perez to the Cards for Rasmus and a few minor leaguers. The Cardinals benefit from this trade, as they receive an All-Star center fielder with a lot of pop and five-tool capability and receive a good reliever to balance out the pen.
The Mets receive a good young outfielder who could really balance out the lineup and would receive some salary relief as well as prospects for the future.
.png?w=256)
Juan Gutierrez, Joe Saunders and Kelly Johnson to the Chicago Cubs
4 of 10
The Chicago Cubs sucked last year and have for the longest time. But things have begun looking a little brighter as younger players have began to emerge as bona fide major leaguers.
The Cubs made a splash this week as they acquired Matt Garza from the Rays for loads of prospects. If the Cubs are serious about competing, they need to make at least one more significant trade.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are going to lose a ridiculous number of games next year, and GM Kevin Towers knows it. Towers has gotten rid of a lot of players this offseason and probably wouldn't hesitate to pull off more trades.
The deal I thought of would send Joe Saunders, Juan Gutierrez, and Kelly Johnson to the Cubs for Kosuke Fukudome, Sean Marshall and minor leaguers to the Diamondbacks.
The Cubs would receive more rotation stability with Saunders, a good setup man in Gutierrez and the second baseman the Cubs fans have so desperately craved. The Diamondbacks receive more young talent for the future, a promising outfielder, a throw-in pitcher and some much-needed salary relief.
Hunter Pence and Wandy Rodriguez to the Colorado Rockies
5 of 10
The Colorado Rockies are one of the most promising teams in baseball. They have an offensive juggernaut at the shortstop position in Troy Tulowitzki, an MVP-caliber outfielder in Carlos Gonzalez and one of the best pitchers in Ubaldo Jimenez.
The Rockies have also surrounded them with a fairly able team—but they are not quite championship-caliber yet.
The Houston Astros are coming off a terrible season and need to rebuild.
My deal idea would see Hunter Pence and Wandy Rodriguez go to the Rockies for Ryan Spilborghs, Felipe Paulino, Jhoulys Chacin, minor leaguers and a player to be named later.
This trade would make the Rockies instant favorites, as they would add a great pitcher to their already solid rotation and would receive good young power in Pence to fill in the void that has always been in right field. The Astros get young talent, an able outfielder, a throw-in reliever and a potentially great pitcher.
Justin Upton and Stephen Drew to the Oakland Athletics
6 of 10
The Oakland Athletics had a surprisingly solid year, as they finished second in the AL West standings with an 81-81 mark. They had perhaps the best, if not one of the best rotations in baseball and received beautiful contributions from younger players.
One thing missing from the A's last year, though, was hitting, which has plagued them for quite some time.
As I said earlier, the Arizona Diamondbacks are doing some spring cleaning. Even though the Justin Upton rumors have been slow lately, I still feel Towers would trade him.
The deal I am proposing would be Upton and Stephen Drew to the A's for minor leaguers, Brett Anderson, Landon Powell and potentially Adam Rosales. This deal works for the A's, as they receive a power bat with five-tool potential and a really powerful shortstop. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks would get great young talent, a great young pitcher, a potentially great catcher and a throw-in.
Chone Figgins and Erik Bedard to the Los Angeles Angels
7 of 10
The Los Angeles Angels have not recovered from the offseason that saw them lose Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins, John Lackey and other important pieces. They finished third in the West last year and were really mediocre.
The offseason has been pretty sad too, as the Angels failed in almost all of their free agent endeavors, as they could not lure Adrian Beltre or Carl Crawford and don't appear to be in a position to entice free agent closer Rafael Soriano.
The future of the Seattle Mariners is bleak with the exception of Felix Hernandez. They quite obviously regret the signing of Figgins and many others. The Angels and Mariners, though they are division foes, could make adequate trading partners.
My idea: Chone Figgins and Erik Bedard to the Los Angeles Angels for Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar, a minor leaguer or two and a player to be named later. The Angels would get a speedy and hopefully better than last year Figgins and could get the best side of Bedard. Meanwhile, the M's would grab the full of potential Wood, the solid Aybar and some young talented players.
Omar Infante to the Tampa Bay Rays
8 of 10
I should say that this trade is possible if the Rays DON'T do the Soria trade.
The Florida Marlins are a pretty bad team right now, but the future is quite bright. The Marlins are relying on the talents of Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson as they look towards the future.
This offseason, the Marlins were in a bad position and were basically forced to trade Dan Uggla. The return was decent and was highlighted by Omar Infante.
The Rays, as stated previously, are trying to recover from the loss of big stars. The deal I propose would send Omar Infante to the Rays for Sean Rodriguez, a minor leaguer and Andy Sonnanstine.
The Rays would receive a versatile infielder who could replace Jason Bartlett and could pay huge dividends. Meanwhile, the Marlins would receive a nice package of young talent and a decent reliever.
Michael Young to the Los Angeles Dodgers
9 of 10
The Texas Rangers had a phenomenal season last year. They won the AL West with ease and made it to the World Series but did not win it.
The Rangers' primary goal this offseason was to grab Cliff Lee, but they failed, so they pursued Adrian Beltre and were lucky enough to sign him. That leaves an odd man out in the Texas Rangers system: Michael Young!
Now, I don't think they want to put Young through the pain of having to DH and be bored every day.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were mediocre last year and had their share of problems both on and off the field. The Dodgers have used this offseason to really shore up the pitching staff and the bullpen. The Dodgers do, however, need some more offensive help. The Dodgers have a decent outfield, so it is the infield that needs help.
I propose Michael Young and Mitch Moreland to the Los Angeles Dodgers for James Loney and Casey Blake. The deal works for Texas, as they acquire a solid, young, run-producing first baseman and a veteran infielder in Blake to occasionally come off the bench. The Dodgers get an upgrade at third and a young first baseman in Moreland.
Heath Bell to the Chicago White Sox
10 of 10
The Chicago White Sox had a decent season last year, finishing the 2010 campaign with a really nice 88-74 record. Unfortunately, they missed the playoffs because of those baffling Minnesota Twins.
The White Sox have made some nice additions this offseason but are still in need of relief help after losing Bobby Jenks.
The San Diego Padres had a wonderful year last season as they shocked the baseball world. Yes, they missed the playoffs, but they showed just how much talent they have.
Now, with the trade of Adrian Gonzalez, all hope is gone from San Diego, and it is time for them to start cleaning house—starting with All-Star closer Heath Bell.
My trade would send Bell to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Gavin Floyd, minor leaguers, Mark Teahen and Tony Pena. The move would shore up what has been an uneasy ride in Chi-town with closers, instantly making the White Sox the favorite to win the Central.
The Padres, on the other hand, would get a good pitcher in Floyd, prospects, the decent Teahen and some relief help to fill in the absence of Bell.
.png?w=480)
