Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Deadline machinations

We sit eight days away from the MLB trade deadline with everyone looking to see the big names that get dealt. This year, we've had two teams strike early with the trades of aces CC Sabathia and Rich Harden. Let's take a gander at some possibilities as the 31st approaches.
Mark Teixeira - The Braves have been decimated by injury and they have little hope of winning the NL East. Their best bet is to move their powerful firstbaseman before he leaves via free agency. Luckily for them, they have an excellent partner lined up - the LA Angels. The Angels need a power bat and are offering Brandon Wood in return. If Atlanta could also throw in a reliever and get Casey Kotchman and Wood, they'd score a coup.
Adam Dunn - The Donkey isn't being talked about much these days, but despite what JP Ricciardi thinks, Dunn is a productive player. The Yankees and Mets could both use the big man's services. I'm going out on a limb and saying Dunn will be traded in the next week.
Huston Street - Oakland's closer seems to be next on the A's chopping block. Rumors have the Brewers closing in. If Billy Beane can get minor leaguer Mat Gamel in return he'll have done well. The Brewers need to solidify their pen more than any other contender out there and they need to make this deal.
Matt Holliday - Holliday's home and road splits suggest he's not an elite player away from Coors Field. Nevertheless, teams will be inquiring about the slugger in the next couple weeks. The emergence of thirdbasemen Ian Stewart is prompting the Rox to look around. They'll need a big return to move Holliday - they've asked the Rays for pitching phenom David Price. My guess is Holliday goes nowhere as the asking price will be Rocky Mountian high.
AJ Burnett - The best pitcher left on the market, Burnett could be an excellent sell-high for the Jays. The problem is, with Harden and Sabathia off the market, their available partners have diminished. Still, Burnett may be just the gamble a team like the Yankees is willing to take. Look for the hard-throwing righty to be traded right at the deadline.
Erik Bedard - Bedard won't be healthy in time for the deadline, but he will almost certainly be traded in August. The bet here is that the Dodgers make the move in an effort to steal the NL West from Arizona in the final weeks of the season.

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