MLB Trade Speculation: 10 Guys the Yankees and Red Sox Will Be Fighting Over
The MLB season is only two weeks old, and experts are already talking about potential trading or free agency scenarios that certain teams will pursue. Sure enough, the two teams at the heart of each debate are the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
It seems that season after season, these two teams make moves designed to best each other. As a result, they are extremely well matched and fight for top position in the standings every year. Even during spring training, rumors swirled about both teams making a play for St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter (pictured at left).
With next year's free agency class fairly weak, chances are that teams will look to acquire big names through trading, or the "rent a player" system, rather than spend big money during the offseason. That being said, here are trades (or in some cases free agency situations) involving 10 players who both the Yankees and Red Sox will pursue. As always, it will be a fight to the finish to see who ultimately lands them.
No. 10: Heath Bell
1 of 10
Heath Bell has been the subject of trade rumors since 2009. He has flourished in the closer's role for the San Diego Padres since the departure of Trevor Hoffman, registering 91 total saves as of April 13 of this year. However, Bell comes at a high price and with his impending free agency on the horizon, the Padres may look to move him.
Honestly, Bell would be beneficial to both the Yankees and the Red Sox. On the Yankees' end, general manager Brian Cashman already started a trend of putting closers in a late inning/setup role by signing Rafael Soriano to a three-year contract. If Joba Chamberlain or any of the other late-inning guys falter down the stretch, Bell could be a welcome addition to the team, especially if Soriano opts out of his contract at any point.
In terms of the Red Sox, current closer Jonathan Papelbon is a free agent at the end of the season. Given his less than stellar 2010 season, it's highly unlikely that the team will bring him back on a long term deal. Although it is a near certainty that Daniel Bard will assume the closer's role, signing Bell to a short contract (maybe two years) could provide some insurance in case the Bard experiment fails.
Regardless of where Bell ends up, expect both the Yankees and the Red Sox to make a play for him.
No. 9: Edwin Jackson
2 of 10
Last season, Edwin Jackson spent half of the season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to the Chicago White Sox. While in Arizona, he threw a no-hitter against the then-dangerous Tampa Bay Rays. Yet, he needed 149 pitches to do it and walked eight hitters in the process. His numbers in Arizona were as follows: 6-10, 5.16 ERA, 104 SO, 1.49 WHIP.
His numbers with Chicago, however, were completely different. There, he posted a 4-2 record with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He is off to a decent start in 2011 with a 2-0 record, 2.89 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Also, he has 24 strikeouts in 18.2 innings of work.
There is no denying that Jackson still has a lot of potential at age 27. Chicago seems to be a good fit for him and if he stays there all season, he should have a pretty good year. He hits free agency for the first time this coming offseason and with both the Yankees and the Red Sox having a lot of money potentially coming off of the books, Jackson could be a hot commodity.
The Yankees, as most know, have a lot of question marks at the back end of their rotation. If, at either the end of the season or at the trading deadline, that part of the team needs to be addressed, Jackson would be a prime candidate.
The same can be said for Boston. After Jon Lester, the team's rotation is average at best, if not completely hit-or-miss. With Daisuke Matsuzaka underachieving, per usual, and the team needing a spark to lift them out of the AL East cellar, trading for or eventually signing Jackson could be beneficial.
No. 8: C.J. Wilson
3 of 10
From 2005-2009, C.J. Wilson was a reliever and sometimes closer for the Texas Rangers. In 2010, he became a starter and flourished in that role as his team went on to make the World Series. In 33 starts, Wilson posted a 15-8 record with a 3.33 ERA, not to mention 170 strikeouts and a 1.24 WHIP.
Wilson turns 31 this offseason, but thus far hasn't showed any signs of slowing down. He has a 1-0 record and 3.72 ERA in three starts, the only concern being his 1.34 WHIP. If he performs well down the stretch and in the unlikely event that the Rangers find themselves out of the playoff race, he will be a valuable bargaining chip. Of course, both the Yankees and Red Sox will make offers.
The tall lefty has a diverse pitching repertoire, including a hard sinker and the ever-elusive "gyroball," so any team in need of pitching would be lucky to have him.
.png?w=256)
No. 7: Jason Kubel
4 of 10
For the past three seasons, Jason Kubel has been a valuable power bat in the Minnesota Twins' lineup. He hit 69 home runs from 2008-2010 and has proven to be a very patient hitter, posting a .273 batting average and .342 OBP over that stretch. However, after batting .300 in 2009, Kubel had an off 2010 and only hit .249.
The drop in batting average can possibly be attributed to playing in the pitcher-friendly Target Field rather than the Metrodome, but 2011 is a make-or-break year for Kubel anyway. If he has a good season, teams in the hunt for a powerful lefty bat will be in play for him both this season and in the offseason.
Given all of the money invested in Joe Mauer, it is unlikely that the Twins will look to keep Kubel. If the offer is right, they will surely trade him. Given how both the Yankees and Red Sox will potentially have needs at designated hitter at midseason as well as next season, Kubel will be an attractive option to both teams.
Both the Yankees and Red Sox play in hitter-friendly parks that favor left-handed batters, so either location would be ideal for a power hitter like Kubel. His batting average may be suspect, but he could easily hit 25-30 home runs in a season with either Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park as his home ballpark.
No. 6: Matt Capps
5 of 10
In 2010, Matt Capps registered 42 saves while spending half the season with the Washington Nationals before being traded to the Minnesota Twins. This year, with regular closer Joe Nathan back from Tommy John surgery, Capps has been relegated to a setup role. He's doing fairly well, but chances are he wants to be on a team where he can be the full-time closer.
That might not happen this season, but Capps would be a good fit for both the Yankees and the Red Sox in continuing with Brian Cashman's lockdown bullpen theory. If Joba Chamberlain or another reliever falters down the stretch, Capps would be ideal. He throws hard and has good control, overall a welcome addition to the bridge to Mariano Rivera.
The Red Sox could also use him in both a setup and closer role. Jonathan Papelbon has been effective thus far, but suppose he reverts to his struggles of 2010? Trading for Capps would provide the team with a hard-throwing righty who can be an effective stopper that just might be a better option than Papelbon.
No. 5: Roy Oswalt
6 of 10
For most of his career, Roy Oswalt was the ace of the Houston Astros. Yet, with the lack of run support over the past couple of seasons and his numbers suffering as a result, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at midseason after posting a 6-12 record despite a 3.42 ERA and an amazing 1.10 WHIP. Houston's loss turned out to be Philadelphia's gain as Oswalt went on to have a 7-1 record with an astounding 1.74 ERA and an incredible 0.85 WHIP in 12 starts for the team.
Oswalt's success has continued this year as he has started off 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA. Yet, no matter how well he does with the Phillies, I wouldn't be surprised if the team listened to offers for him. His contract is up after this season and the Phillies are a very deep team already, so they could probably afford to lose him.
If this does indeed happen, both the Yankees and the Red Sox will give Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. a call. Ultimately, I have to give this trade battle to the Red Sox. Oswalt is a top pitcher whose price will be high, and the Yankees won't be willing to part with so many top prospects just to acquire him.
Still, that doesn't mean they won't stay in the negotiating process long enough to make the Red Sox give up some of their top players.
No. 4: Chris Carpenter
7 of 10
The moment Adam Wainwright was declared out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, the idea of trading fellow St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter became a hot topic. With the Cardinals struggling and the soon to be 36-year-old pitcher owning an 0-2 record with a 5.82 ERA, the possibility of moving him becomes more and more likely. Of course, the Yankees and Red Sox are two teams that would be willing to gamble on him.
Despite his age, Chris Carpenter is still a top pitcher. In 2010, he went 16-9 with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. On top of that, he has been a Cy Young Award finalist three times, even winning in 2005 (21-5 record, 2.83 ERA, 1.05 WHIP).
Like Oswalt, Carpenter's contract expires at the end of this season. Given his age and injury history, he should come pretty cheap to both the Yankees and the Red Sox. If he can go to either team and be effective, the odds of each going far in the playoffs become more and more likely.
No. 3: Jered Weaver
8 of 10
Jered Weaver is not a free agent until after the 2012 season. Yet, given the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's history of not extending top players, his continued successes make it more likely that he could in fact be traded one day. He has already started the season 3-0 with an 0.87 ERA and 0.87 WHIP, as well as 27 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.
Stats aside, Weaver is still young at age 29 and has a long career ahead of him. Yet, his full potential has yet to be realized. As talented as the Angels are, they do not score a lot of runs. As a result, Weaver has only averaged just under 13 wins a season, excluding 2011.
Just imagine how well he could do on a team that scores a lot of runs. He could do quite well on the Yankees, as he is used to demanding fans who are accustomed to winning. Yet, the Angels' asking price could be a bit too high for Brian Cashman.
The same can be said for Boston, who need another electrifying pitcher to pair with ace Jon Lester. If they were willing to part with top prospect Jose Iglesias along with another top player or two, then they could easily win the Weaver race.
No. 2: CC Sabathia
9 of 10
This is the only player on the countdown whose battle will not be one in the trade negotiation room. Prior to the 2009 season, CC Sabathia signed a seven-year, $161 million deal with the New York Yankees. The contract includes an opt-out clause that can be exercised following the third year of the deal, at the close of the 2011 season.
Last season, the big lefty said that he would not exercise that clause. Unlike most players in the majors, Sabathia actually moved his family to the New York area with him, purchasing a home in Bergen County, New Jersey.
Yet, at spring training, Sabathia changed his tune. In talking to Andrew Marchand of ESPN, Sabathia stated that, "anything is possible" regarding his future. Sure enough, Yankees fans immediately went into panic mode.
However, the odds of Sabathia leaving the Yankees seem fairly slim. First off, no other team really has the funds to lure him away from a deal that pays him $23 million a year. Also, given how his family is here with him and they love the area, why pack up and move again?
Still, this would be an ideal opportunity for the Boston Red Sox to make their division rivals sweat. By simply making an offer to Sabathia, if he does opt out, the Red Sox will force the Yankees to up their offer to the big left-hander.
Hopefully, it does not come to this. If it does, however, all eyes will certainly be on how the situation plays out.
No. 1: Francisco Liriano
10 of 10
It doesn't matter how well Francisco Liriano does down the stretch. He could have back-to-back 20 win seasons for the Minnesota Twins, and they still won't re-sign him following the 2012 season. It is more likely that they trade him either this season or the next, and both the Yankees and Red Sox will be contenders to acquire him.
All in all, this trade battle has the potential to become Johan Santana 2.0. The Twins will want top prospects in exchange for their ace, and it will all come down to which team is willing to part with more. On top of that, it wouldn't be shocking if Liriano wanted a contract extension as well.
Regardless of how negotiations go down, expect both the Yankees and the Red Sox to be key players in looking to land Liriano. He would be a welcome addition to both of their rotations with the electrifying stuff he has. Don't let his 0-2, 7.71 ERA start fool you. On a top offensive team, this guy could do some serious work.
.png?w=480)
