July 1, 2009

Baseball Update: Buyers & Sellers

The Baseball Update is a look at the happenings around Major League Baseball

I love this time of the year in baseball. We have just flipped the calendar to July, which means we are officially in the dog days of summer. This is the time of the year that separates the contenders and pretenders in baseball. This is also the time of the year when we start to see teams look to either buy or sell in going into the trade deadline.

The trade deadline isn't until August, but that doesn't stop teams from negotiating or making trades. But since we are in the Dog Days of Summer, we get to witness which team is a buyer and which team is a seller.

Buyers
San Francisco Giants- The Giants are only interested in hitting. A source has said that the Giants are interested in Jermaine Dye and Victor Martinez. The Giants though don't want to trade one of their top prospects in Madison Bumgarner or Buster Posey. The Giants were said to be interested in Mark DeRosa, but I think the Indians were asking for too much. Either way I expect the Giants too make a trade eventually.

Philadelphia Phillies- The Phillies are in need of starting pitching. The Phillies have been linked to Kansas City starters Gil Meche and Brian Bannister. The pitcher though the Phillies could really use is Dan Haren of the Diamondbacks. Haren's name has been thrown out as trade bait, and and he would be an excellent choice for the Phillies.

Los Angeles Dodgers- The Dodgers have shown interest in Indians pitcher Cliff Lee. And with the trade of Mark DeRosa, the Indians are definitely sellers.

Milwaukee Brewers- The Brewers are looking to make another big trade for a starting picher like they did last year with C.C. Sabathia. The Brewers have shown interest in Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis and the Mariners Jarrod Washburn. Also they have shown interest in Astros pitcher Brandon Backe.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim- Today their was an report that the Angels were trying to make a deal for Dan Haren. The Angels do need more pitching to go along with their lineup.

Texas Rangers- The Rangers are in need of some pitching help as well. Their lineup will always score runs, but their pitching staff needs help. I could see the Pirates trading Zach Duke here.

New York Yankees- When are they not interested in a trade? They already traded for Eric Hinske, and they could be looking for more help. But what the Yankees will be interested in is bullpen help.

Sellers
Pittsburgh Pirates- I wonder if this team is ever interested in winning? They have traded Hinske, Nate McLouth, and Nyjer Morgan. I have to wonder though if the Pirates are interested in trading starting pitcher Zach Duke next? Duke is having a great season and their is a lot of teams interested in starting pitching. I also wonder if the Pirates are willing to deal their closer Matt Capps? Capps is also having a good year and teams like the Phillies and Rangers are in need of some bullpen depth.

Kansas City Royals- There has been rumors that the Royals are considering another fire sale with their team. David DeJesus, Mark Teahen, Kyle Davies, Brian Bannister, Gil Meche and virtually all of their relievers have been circulating in the rumor mill. The Phillies are supposedly interested in Bannister and the Giants are supposedly interested in Teahen. This another team that never seems like they are interested in winning. I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade the majority of the names listed here.

Cleveland Indians- They already traded Mark DeRosa and I don't think they are done. Whether or not the Giants trade for Victor Martinez, I don't think he will be an Indian by the end of the season. Also I could see this team trying to trade Cliff Lee, Ryan Garko, and Carl Pavano. They are not done dealing players yet.

Chicago White Sox- The White Sox are only four games behind the Tigers in the AL Central, so I don't understand why they are interested in trading away some of their players. Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye have both been brought up in deals. I think they only makes these trades if they can get some real value for these players.

Oakland A's- Billy Beane is always interested in making a trade. And Matt Holliday is at the top of the list. Holliday will be a free agent at the end of the year, so he could be a quick fix for any team. I wouldn't be surprised also if the A's would be interested in dealing Orlando Cabrera or Jack Cust.

Arizona Diamondbacks- The Diamondbacks don't seem to be interested in Dan Haren, but they could deal Doug Davis.

With so many teams in the playoff hunt, I think we could see a busy trade season in baseball. I expect trade rumors to fly right up until the trade deadline in August.

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