Iguana775
06-07-2004, 07:55 PM
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/story.asp?sport=MLB&storyid=3401
Carlos Beltran - OF Royals - The prize. There’s a slight chance that a bigger name could be traded, but Beltran is the best player that’s likely to be dealt in July. Only if his teammates have a big June and put the Royals back into contention will Beltran be kept. There isn’t a team in baseball that couldn’t use Beltran, but since there’s very little chance that he’ll sign an extension and forego free agency, there probably won’t be too many serious bidders. Here’s a look at some of the possibilities:
Padres: Josh Barfield, Dennis Tankersley, Xavier Nady
Yankees: Dioner Navarro, Eric Duncan, Alex Graman
Athletics: Joe Blanton, Bobby Kielty
Dodgers: Edwin Jackson, Koyie Hill
Red Sox: Kevin Youkilis, Kelly Shoppach, Jon Lester
Cubs: Corey Patterson
Phillies: Marlon Byrd, Ryan Howard
White Sox: Neal Cotts, Joe Borchard, Jon Rauch
Mets: Justin Huber, Matt Peterson, Royce Ring
If the Padres decide they want Beltran, they’ll become the favorites. The only problem would be if the Royals insist on Sean Burroughs, who shouldn’t be on the table. The Yankees can’t give the Royals the major league-ready prospects they desire, but they could take a bad contract, most likely Brian Anderson’s. The A’s and Dodgers can both try to put packages together without including their top pitching prospects, but in order for that to work, they’d have to hope the Padres stay out of the bidding. The Red Sox are capable of matching the offers of the other teams, but the better bet is that they’ll sit this one out and go after a pitcher.
The rest of the teams are all longshots. The Cubs and Phillies might want to upgrade in center field for the stretch run, but neither is frustrated enough to make the move yet. The WhiteSox work from the disadvantage of being in the same division as the Royals. The Mets would be better off making a run at Beltran once he becomes a free agent.
Kris Benson - RHP Pirates - GM Dave Littlefield probably would have done better had he traded Benson in the preseason. The right-hander has been a major disappointment so far, but since he is throwing in the mid-90s, someone will take a chance on him. There isn’t a pitching coach in baseball who wouldn’t like a chance to show Benson what he’s doing wrong. How he performs over the next month will determine whether it’s the Yankees or Red Sox or the next level of teams (WhiteSox, Rangers, Giants, Twins) that take the plunge.
Jeromy Burnitz - OF Rockies - The Rockies should trade Burnitz, Vinny Castilla and Royce Clayton while their values are at their high points, but Burnitz seems to be the only one who is particularly likely to go. With 15 home runs and 44 RBI already, Burnitz might be the No. 2 outfielder available, and since he doesn’t make much ($1.5 million this year, $3 million mutual option in 2005), the Rockies should get something substantial for him. Both the Braves and Cardinals have openings in left field, and the WhiteSox could use him as a center fielder.
Freddy Garcia - RHP Mariners - Garcia is the top starting pitcher sure to be available in trade talks. Since the Mariners currently have one of the worst records in baseball, there’s a real chance that he’ll be dealt before the month is out. The odds favor Garcia staying in the AL, with the WhiteSox, Red Sox, Yankees and Twins expected to be the strongest suitors. The WhiteSox have no shortage of young pitching to trade, but they lack the infield and catching prospects that the Mariners need most. Still, an offer of Neal Cotts and one of the team’s top four outfield prospects (Jeremy Reed, Joe Borchard, Ryan Sweeney and Brian Anderson) could get a deal done. The Red Sox might be able to get Garcia in exchange for Kevin Youkilis. In addition to Garcia, it’s likely that the Mariners will also consider parting with either Gil Meche or Ryan Franklin.
Eddie Guardado - LHP Mariners - If the Mariners make Guardado available, just about every contender will be interested, even the ones that are perfectly content with their closers. The Cubs, WhiteSox, Red Sox, A’s, Marlins and Giants could all use someone to help out in the eighth or ninth innings. Since he’s signed at less than market value, the Mariners could get more for Guardado than either Garcia or Boone. The Cubs could afford to part with a couple of quality young pitchers (Andy Sisco and Chadd Blasko?) and either Jason Dubois or David Kelton.
Kenny Lofton - OF Yankees - They shouldn’t get anything in return, but the Yankees might find a taker for Lofton’s contract if they decide he’s too much of a distraction to keep. The WhiteSox, Cardinals and Cubs would be possible fits. The WhiteSox are the contender most in need of a center fielder. The Cards would have to use him in left field. The Cubs had Lofton fill in for an injured Corey Patterson last year and could let the two battle for playing time over the final two months.
Mike Maroth - LHP Tigers - The Tigers would be perfectly content to keep Maroth around since he has turned into the team’s most consistent starter, but they probably will field a couple of offers for him next month. The Reds, Twins, Rangers, WhiteSox, Padres and Giants could all use another solid innings-eater, and Maroth makes only a little more than the minimum, putting him in every team’s price range.
If somehow the sox can get Garcia an Everyday Eddie, I would be extactic! lol. maybe that should be in deep pink.
Carlos Beltran - OF Royals - The prize. There’s a slight chance that a bigger name could be traded, but Beltran is the best player that’s likely to be dealt in July. Only if his teammates have a big June and put the Royals back into contention will Beltran be kept. There isn’t a team in baseball that couldn’t use Beltran, but since there’s very little chance that he’ll sign an extension and forego free agency, there probably won’t be too many serious bidders. Here’s a look at some of the possibilities:
Padres: Josh Barfield, Dennis Tankersley, Xavier Nady
Yankees: Dioner Navarro, Eric Duncan, Alex Graman
Athletics: Joe Blanton, Bobby Kielty
Dodgers: Edwin Jackson, Koyie Hill
Red Sox: Kevin Youkilis, Kelly Shoppach, Jon Lester
Cubs: Corey Patterson
Phillies: Marlon Byrd, Ryan Howard
White Sox: Neal Cotts, Joe Borchard, Jon Rauch
Mets: Justin Huber, Matt Peterson, Royce Ring
If the Padres decide they want Beltran, they’ll become the favorites. The only problem would be if the Royals insist on Sean Burroughs, who shouldn’t be on the table. The Yankees can’t give the Royals the major league-ready prospects they desire, but they could take a bad contract, most likely Brian Anderson’s. The A’s and Dodgers can both try to put packages together without including their top pitching prospects, but in order for that to work, they’d have to hope the Padres stay out of the bidding. The Red Sox are capable of matching the offers of the other teams, but the better bet is that they’ll sit this one out and go after a pitcher.
The rest of the teams are all longshots. The Cubs and Phillies might want to upgrade in center field for the stretch run, but neither is frustrated enough to make the move yet. The WhiteSox work from the disadvantage of being in the same division as the Royals. The Mets would be better off making a run at Beltran once he becomes a free agent.
Kris Benson - RHP Pirates - GM Dave Littlefield probably would have done better had he traded Benson in the preseason. The right-hander has been a major disappointment so far, but since he is throwing in the mid-90s, someone will take a chance on him. There isn’t a pitching coach in baseball who wouldn’t like a chance to show Benson what he’s doing wrong. How he performs over the next month will determine whether it’s the Yankees or Red Sox or the next level of teams (WhiteSox, Rangers, Giants, Twins) that take the plunge.
Jeromy Burnitz - OF Rockies - The Rockies should trade Burnitz, Vinny Castilla and Royce Clayton while their values are at their high points, but Burnitz seems to be the only one who is particularly likely to go. With 15 home runs and 44 RBI already, Burnitz might be the No. 2 outfielder available, and since he doesn’t make much ($1.5 million this year, $3 million mutual option in 2005), the Rockies should get something substantial for him. Both the Braves and Cardinals have openings in left field, and the WhiteSox could use him as a center fielder.
Freddy Garcia - RHP Mariners - Garcia is the top starting pitcher sure to be available in trade talks. Since the Mariners currently have one of the worst records in baseball, there’s a real chance that he’ll be dealt before the month is out. The odds favor Garcia staying in the AL, with the WhiteSox, Red Sox, Yankees and Twins expected to be the strongest suitors. The WhiteSox have no shortage of young pitching to trade, but they lack the infield and catching prospects that the Mariners need most. Still, an offer of Neal Cotts and one of the team’s top four outfield prospects (Jeremy Reed, Joe Borchard, Ryan Sweeney and Brian Anderson) could get a deal done. The Red Sox might be able to get Garcia in exchange for Kevin Youkilis. In addition to Garcia, it’s likely that the Mariners will also consider parting with either Gil Meche or Ryan Franklin.
Eddie Guardado - LHP Mariners - If the Mariners make Guardado available, just about every contender will be interested, even the ones that are perfectly content with their closers. The Cubs, WhiteSox, Red Sox, A’s, Marlins and Giants could all use someone to help out in the eighth or ninth innings. Since he’s signed at less than market value, the Mariners could get more for Guardado than either Garcia or Boone. The Cubs could afford to part with a couple of quality young pitchers (Andy Sisco and Chadd Blasko?) and either Jason Dubois or David Kelton.
Kenny Lofton - OF Yankees - They shouldn’t get anything in return, but the Yankees might find a taker for Lofton’s contract if they decide he’s too much of a distraction to keep. The WhiteSox, Cardinals and Cubs would be possible fits. The WhiteSox are the contender most in need of a center fielder. The Cards would have to use him in left field. The Cubs had Lofton fill in for an injured Corey Patterson last year and could let the two battle for playing time over the final two months.
Mike Maroth - LHP Tigers - The Tigers would be perfectly content to keep Maroth around since he has turned into the team’s most consistent starter, but they probably will field a couple of offers for him next month. The Reds, Twins, Rangers, WhiteSox, Padres and Giants could all use another solid innings-eater, and Maroth makes only a little more than the minimum, putting him in every team’s price range.
If somehow the sox can get Garcia an Everyday Eddie, I would be extactic! lol. maybe that should be in deep pink.