Trade Market Recap

As the trade deadline approaches, many names will be tossed around in rampid speculation. The simple fact is that while hundreds of names will probably be mentioned, less than 10 will exchange teams and maybe one of them will be a marquee name. Here are some things to keep in mind about the market over the next couple of weeks:

The Bats:

Mark Teixeira has been placed at a 50/50 or possibly greater chance of being traded. By my estimations that means there's maybe a 25 % chance he is dealt before the trade deadline. Something at the winter meetings seems a little more likely. Teams with known interest include the Yankees, Braves and Red Sox with the Red Sox probably leading the way. The Rangers have asked the Yankees for one of Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and probably won't deal Teixeira for less. Hughes and Chamberlain are both untouchable. To make matters more difficult, Teixeira is a free agent after 2008 and initial reports expect agent Scott Boras to ask for something between 20 and 30 million a year.

Adam Dunn is available and a number of teams would like to acquire his services. One of the more suprising candidates is the Washington Nationals. The Nationals apparently would like to sign Dunn long term and make him the center of their rebuilding quest. This begs the question, why don't the Reds keep Dunn and rebuild around him? Never the less, expect Dunn to move at some point.

Jermaine Dye is available as well. A couple of teams are interested in him despite his dissapointing season. As you probably know, Dye is a free agent after this year and thus he would probably be only a one year rental. The Cubs have interest and have tools to trade, I assume Dye would be pleased at not having to move.

Other Bats that are available include Willy Mo Pena (who has been connected to a couple of teams including the Pirates), Jack Wilson (Blue Jays rumor was shot down), and Troy Glaus.

The Arms:

Dontrelle Willis is not available, contrary to popular belief. On the other hand, Jon Garland may be available after all. A trade between the Braves and White Sox swapping Garland and Edgar Renteria fell through, but Garland is still available. Jose Contreras is also available and if pushed, Javier Vazquez may be a possibility. The chances of any of these starters being dealt is small, however they are available and the cream of the crop. Joe Blanton and Noah Lowry could probably also be had, although their respective teams would probably rather keep them if possible. Scott Olsen could be dealt as well but, with recent legal problems I'd be surprised to see him move. The Diamondbacks are activly shopping Livan Hernandez but the draft picks might be worth more than whatever they could get for him. Joe Kennedy has drawn interest from a number of clubs, rumored to include the Brewers, Phillies and Dodgers. Ian Snell may be the best overall pitcher available but also the least likely to move. The Pirates would need to get a great bat for him.

The relief market is going to steal most of the headlines. Octavio Dotel seems almost certain to move. If so, Joakim Soria will probably step into the closer role again. Zack Greinke would have a shot as well. Greinke has also been mentioned in trade rumors, namely in a connection with the Cubs that turned out to be (apparently) false. I'd be very surprised to see Greinke go anywhere. The Yankees and Rockies are locked in trade conversations over Kyle Farnsworth. The sticking point is money. Eric Gagne is still a possibility to be dealt as well but, the Rangers may opt to simply resign him instead. Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, Soloman Torres, Jon Rauch, Chad Cordero and Scott Proctor are definately available as well.

Take it all with a grain of salt but, thats where we stand right now.