Well, the trade deadline is upon us and the first big deal has been made! The Rangers shipped off Mark Teixeira and lefty reliever Ron Mahay for Braves young studs Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus. Two pitching prospects went to the Rangers as well. One is said to be Neftali Feliz and the other one is probably Matt Harrison.
Although the biggest news from a baseball standpoint is Mark Teixeira; from a fantasy standpoint, the biggest impact comes in the form of Saltalamacchia. Salty should immediatly become the starter in Texas and should provide great value from the catcher position for the rest of this year and years to come. Salty could become a top 5 catcher on most lists next year.
In other news, a Dye to the Red Sox trade seems very likely now. The White Sox would apparently recieve Wily Mo Pena and one of Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Bronx Bombers No Longer Bombing
It'd be an understatement to say that the Yankees are on a hot streak. Along with the Cubs, the Yankees are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now. Now only 7.5 games behind the struggling Red Sox, the Yankees have benefited from all around solid play from the whole team. With that said, the Yankees are looking as if they could become serious playoff contenders. Despite the new "develop the minors" strategy in New York, the Yankees will probably be buyers at the trade deadline. In fact, they have already begun by trading Double A reliever Jeff Kennard to aquire backup catcher Jose Molina. The Yankees have been after Molina for a while now. History tells us that despite rampid speculation, the chances that a star player will change hands at the deadline is thin. Never the less, here is a look at the names the Yankees have been connected to:
Ty Wigginton
Why it Works: Cashman is interested versatile players who can play multiple positions. Wigginton is also right handed, which is a plus for the largely left handed Yankees.
Who would go the other way: Scott Proctor. The Yankees should be willing to trade Scott Proctor because Joba Chamberlain is probably ready to make the jump to the majors from Double-A. The Devil Rays could use a AL East tested reliever, maybe even more so then they could use a starter.
Mark Teixeira
Why it won't work: As mentioned previously, big names rarely move at the deadline. In addition, the Rangers will be looking for no less than Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees won't move them.
Who would go the other way: If the teams could work something out, it wouldn't be for Hughes or Chamberlain. The Rangers would be welcome to almost any other pitching prospect in the Yankees system.
Octavio Dotel
Why it won't work: Dayton Moore is still asking for too much and the Yankees aren't interested in Dotel as a closer, therefore, another team will be willing to give more.
Mark Loretta
Why it would work: The Yankees are looking for a super-sub type utility player and that is exactly what Loretta is. The Yankees inquired on him back in December. The Astros should be willing to part with the soon to be 36 year old because the team needs to start rebuilding.
Who would go the other way: Most likely a minor league pitching prospect other than Hughes or Chamberlain. However, that's pure speculation; I haven't heard any names attatched to this rumor.
Wilson Betemit
Why it would work: The Yankees love Betemit, it wouldn't be the first time they've inquired on him -- or the second, or third for that matter. You get the point. Again, Betemit is a super-sub type player. He would fill that role this year and provide insurance incase Alex Rodriguez leaves after the season ends.
Who would go the other way: The Dodgers are looking for late inning relief help but, apparently, Proctor isn't good enough for them. Possibly Proctor and a minor leaguer could get it done.
Dan Johnson
Why it would work: The As would love to unload Johnson to make room for top prospect Daric Barton at first base. They are clearly in a selling mode, which has already started with the trade of Jason Kendall to the cubs.
Who would go the other way: Scott Proctor. The Yankees are certainly willing to move him, he's been attatched to almost every rumor. The As could use Proctor as a starter in '08.
In related news, the Yankees have been refusing to start selling. They clearly think they have a shot. They told the Mariners that Andy Pettitte wasn't available when the Mariners inquired. The Diamondbacks also inquired about Bobby Abreu but have seen backed off.
Keep an eye on all of the names I mentioned. Any players changing leagues at the deadline can have a big effect in AL or NL leagues.
Ty Wigginton
Why it Works: Cashman is interested versatile players who can play multiple positions. Wigginton is also right handed, which is a plus for the largely left handed Yankees.
Who would go the other way: Scott Proctor. The Yankees should be willing to trade Scott Proctor because Joba Chamberlain is probably ready to make the jump to the majors from Double-A. The Devil Rays could use a AL East tested reliever, maybe even more so then they could use a starter.
Mark Teixeira
Why it won't work: As mentioned previously, big names rarely move at the deadline. In addition, the Rangers will be looking for no less than Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and the Yankees won't move them.
Who would go the other way: If the teams could work something out, it wouldn't be for Hughes or Chamberlain. The Rangers would be welcome to almost any other pitching prospect in the Yankees system.
Octavio Dotel
Why it won't work: Dayton Moore is still asking for too much and the Yankees aren't interested in Dotel as a closer, therefore, another team will be willing to give more.
Mark Loretta
Why it would work: The Yankees are looking for a super-sub type utility player and that is exactly what Loretta is. The Yankees inquired on him back in December. The Astros should be willing to part with the soon to be 36 year old because the team needs to start rebuilding.
Who would go the other way: Most likely a minor league pitching prospect other than Hughes or Chamberlain. However, that's pure speculation; I haven't heard any names attatched to this rumor.
Wilson Betemit
Why it would work: The Yankees love Betemit, it wouldn't be the first time they've inquired on him -- or the second, or third for that matter. You get the point. Again, Betemit is a super-sub type player. He would fill that role this year and provide insurance incase Alex Rodriguez leaves after the season ends.
Who would go the other way: The Dodgers are looking for late inning relief help but, apparently, Proctor isn't good enough for them. Possibly Proctor and a minor leaguer could get it done.
Dan Johnson
Why it would work: The As would love to unload Johnson to make room for top prospect Daric Barton at first base. They are clearly in a selling mode, which has already started with the trade of Jason Kendall to the cubs.
Who would go the other way: Scott Proctor. The Yankees are certainly willing to move him, he's been attatched to almost every rumor. The As could use Proctor as a starter in '08.
In related news, the Yankees have been refusing to start selling. They clearly think they have a shot. They told the Mariners that Andy Pettitte wasn't available when the Mariners inquired. The Diamondbacks also inquired about Bobby Abreu but have seen backed off.
Keep an eye on all of the names I mentioned. Any players changing leagues at the deadline can have a big effect in AL or NL leagues.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Carpenter to have Tommy John
Cardinals ace, Chris Carpenter, is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery sometime next week, the Cardinals announced. Carpenter will miss the rest of this season and probably half of next season. Those who held onto Carpenter hoping for a return can now drop him. Drop Carpenter all the way down your list for next year as well. Think Pedro Martinez from this year.
By the way, It's good to be back!
By the way, It's good to be back!
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