The Yankee Farm System Preview will be up shortly.  But first, time to deal with a surprise move, as the White Sox have apparently traded Jon Garland to the Angels for OrlandoCabrera.  And honestly, I think that the White Sox have done themselves a disservice, while the Angels are positioning themselves for another move. 

Garland was worth a lot on this market and could have netted the White Sox a good collection of parts to help rebuild themselves for the long term.  For example, a trade with the Rangers could have netted them a shortstop prospect (Joaquin Arias), a pitching prospect (can't think of one right now), and another prospect.  A trade to another team, such as the Dodgers could have netted them Andre Ethier, Chin-hui Tsao, and another player.  But instead, they trade for a good defensive shortstop and nothing else.  If anything, this impacts the rotation severely, as they will now field a rotation of the following:

• Mark Buerhle (LHP)
• Javier Vasquez (RHP)
• John Danks (LHP)
• Jose Contreras (RHP)
• Gavin Floyd (RHP)/Gio Gonzalez (LHP)/ Lance Broadway (RHP)

The White Sox will surely miss Garland's durability and consistency, and for the most part will be going with a cheaper, but less proven rotation.  True, this move could lead to the discovery of one of their arms being able to take the next step foward, like Gonzalez or Broadway, but it is still a very short term move.

All in all, it should be an excellant defensive infield, but it doesn't do much to push the White Sox ahead of Detroit, Minnesota or Cleveland, and at the most, pushes them ahead of Kansas City.

White Sox Grade - C

As for the Angels, they now have an embarressment of riches, with a potential rotation of the following:

• John Lackey (RHP)
• Kelvim Escobar (RHP)
• Jered Weaver (RHP)
• Jon Garland (RHP)
• Joe Saunders (LHP)/Ervin Santana (RHP)

This gives them an opportunity to now trade for a big bat, with Santana likely being the victim.  Truth be told, he has better stuff than Saunders, but he just doesn't have the command over it.  And, with the acquisition of Garland and the rise of Nick Adenhart, their best pitching prospect, time has simply run out for the Angels to try and fix him.

Theoretically, the Angels could put a big bat in the lineup by using Santana as bait.  They can easily place Figgins or Erick Aybar at shortstop and not suffer much of a loss in offense there, but third base is a hole and could use an upgrade, although they could simply just promote Brandon Wood to play third and see if the kid can hit. 

There aren't a lot of options out there at third base that are available.  They could try and deal for Hank Blalock, but it seems unlikely they'd do a deal within the division. 

What this could symbolize, however, is the beginnings of a push to acquire Miguel Cabrera.  The Angels now have a spot cleared for him and they could offer a package of Santana, Reggie WIllits (who can handle center), Wood and a fourth prospect, perhaps Terry Evans, though no doubt the Marlins will demand Howie Kendrick thrown in as well. 

Overall, I like the trade from the Angels' standpoint, as they give up nothing and now can get to work on adding that big bat to add to the lineup, giving them a two year window to own the division until Seattle and Texas are ready to begin their respective campains to knock them out.

Angels Grade - A

Normally I love the guys from Baseball Prospectus and their various takes on the world of Baseball, but there are times when I do take issue with some of the opinions they write.

Like this recent piece that Joe Sheehan, writing for SI.com, indicating five trades that need to happen raised my ire.  Sheehan's words are in italics, mine are normal.

Red Sox trade CF Coco Crisp to the White Sox for 1B Chris Carter. Boston must unload Crisp, who was supplanted as the team's centerfielder by Jacoby Ellsbury during the ALCS. The Red Sox' every-day lineup is set for 2008, but they could use some depth among their hitting prospects as they move toward the end of the Manny Ramirez -- David Ortiz era. The White Sox are focused on the short term, as shown by their extending the contracts of veterans Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle. So 20-year-old first baseman Carter, who was third in the Class A Sally League with 25 homers, is expendable. Getting Crisp, 28, who is owed a very reasonable $11 million over the next two years, at a down moment would be smart shopping.

I would almost agree with this if the Red Sox on record hadn't already said they would target high talent in the lower minors.  With that in mind, the Red Sox would be more likely to target Faustino De Los Santos, a impact righthander in the White Sox's Low A affiliate.  That would probably kill the trade.

A more plausible trade would likely be with Texas, who could offer a young arm in Jake Brigham, a highly projectable right hander who is similar to Sox prospect Michael Bowden, or the Dodgers, who have a load of ammunition they could offer in return.

Rockies trade 3B Garrett Atkins to the Twins for RHPs Anthony Swarzak and Eduardo Morlan. Ian Stewart (.304/.379/.478 at Triple A Colorado Springs) is ready to take over at third base for Colorado, which should be looking to add strikeout pitchers to a staff heavy on contact guys. Minnesota has a glut of young pitchers and desperately needs to add a bat to help Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer. Swarzak, 22, a starter who projects as a mid-rotation guy, is buried in the Twins' system. Morlan, 21, struck out 12.6 men per nine innings as a reliever in high A ball and could be a 2008 version of closer Manny Corpas.

Actually, I'm all about that trade.  Sheehan nails this one.  It will never happen, however, as Minnesota stockpiles arms and never uses them, which has possibly killed several trades that could have helped the team.  Another thing is that Atkins is untradable thanks to the recent success and the fan backlash may not be desirable to the Rox.  Stewart is more likely to be traded and he could fetch a solid young arm in a trade.  One trade likely to be bandied about:  Stewart to New York for Ian Kennedy.

Orioles trade SS Miguel Tejada to the Blue Jays for OF Adam Lind, RHP Brandon League and LHP David Purcey. The Blue Jays' window is fast closing since they'll lose the services of Troy Glaus, A.J. Burnett and Frank Thomas after 2008. With the Yankees going through a transition, it may be '08 or never for the J.P. Ricciardi regime. Tejada would give Toronto a big offensive boost over the current shortstop, glove man John McDonald. The rebuilding Orioles won't get the Jays' best prospect (outfielder Travis Snider), but they would get three major-league-ready guys, at low cost.

Not Happening.  The Orioles could probably get a lot more for Tejada than Lind, a solid outfielder, Purcey, a okay, but not great lefty, and League, a setup man.  If they really wanted to shop Tejada, they could probably get something better from the Angels, likely 3B Brandon Wood, a Troy Glaus-esque third baseman and RHP Ervin Santana, who could be an ace if he gets out of LA.  A third prospect, possible Reggie WIllits, could go back in return and could be passable in center if they so chose.

Another option would be the Dodgers, who could sent back a package of CF Juan Pierre, 3B Andy LaRoche, and LF Andre Etheir.  EIther option would be a lot better than what Sheehan offers in his column.

Brewers trade SS Alcides Escobar to the Rangers for 3B Hank Blalock. Milwaukee could then move Ryan Braun, the first third baseman in 14 years with a sub-.900 fielding percentage, to rightfield, rightfielder Corey Hart to center and centerfielder Bill Hall to third base, where he'd platoon with Blalock, another high-split guy. That would put two players, Braun and Hall, in positions where they're better suited, while stretching Hart slightly. Blalock would provide a key lefty bat for a team that lists to the right. Meanwhile, with Escobar, 20, Texas G.M. Jon Daniels would add to his collection of prospects a glove-first shortstop who could eventually move Michael Young to third base.

Won't happen.  The Rangers already have a highly projectable shortstop in Elvis Andrus and a similar version of Escobar in Joaquin "The Machine" Arias.  They'd be more likely to add someone else that could play centerfield, or a highly projectable athlete.  If the Rangers were to trade Blalock, which likely won't happen because Blalock's value is low, they'd target someone like Crisp, actually, though a more realistic option would likely be Luke Scott of the Astros, who reporteldy have been thinking about using Wigginton at second.

Indians trade SS Jhonny Peralta to the Cubs for OF Matt Murton and RHP Sean Gallagher. Rather than move Peralta to second or third base to make room for Asdrubal Cabrera, Cleveland should trade him near the peak of his value for a much-needed corner-outfielder bat. The Cubs made do with fan fave Ryan Theriot at short this year, but Peralta, 25, is a clear upgrade. His below-average defense with the Tribe wouldn't be as much of a liability with the Cubs' high-strikeout, fly ball staff.

First of all, I don't think that Gallagher would be a good fit for the Jake, or the AL for that matter, so he's out.  Murton is a solid outfielder, but the Indians have David Dellucci on the team and rather than admit they made a mistake and move on, they'll likely stick him in left field next season as the starter.  Nice try, but this deal would be a disaster for the Indians, who would get a player with the same upside as Cliff Lee.  I really don't see why this would work out.

Tomorrow night, I'll post my own trades that should be done.

Try not to rip me too hard.

Top 15 Red Sox Prospects Tomorrow!

The Rangers Report

Record As Of August 14, 2007

51-66, Fourth In The AL West

Draft Status – First Five Rounds

One final update of the signings and the status of the Rangers’ picks in the first five rounds.  There will be a follow up Thrusday once all the signings have drawn.

• 1st Round – Blake Beaven (RHP) – Very Likely.  Beaven and his company have still had a lot of posturing on both sides, but Beaven will sign.  He won’t go nearly as high in the draft next year if he re-enters, plus he’ll have developed a reputation for being difficult.  Though he’s asking for $2 million, he won’t get it and it’s high time he figures that out.  Hopefully, things will work out, though according to a quote attributed to his mother, there has been progress.  Beaven has kind of pissed away a year of his development.  Instead of possibly joining Michael Main in Clinton next season for full season ball, Beaven will likely be retained in extended until the short season ball clubs start up, where he’ll likely be sent to Spokane.
• 1st Round – Michael Main (RHP) – Signed.
• 1st Round (S) – Julio Borbon (CF) – Likely.  Borbon has had almost nothing written about him, mostly because Scott Boras likes it that way and because he’s been focused on working on deals for Rick Porcello.  Borbon is likely going to get signed, probably for above slot money, but Boras should have gotten a deal done weeks ago.
• 1st Round (A) – Neil Ramirez (RHP) – Very Likely.  Ramirez wants to be a Ranger and has himself said that he’s very close to a deal.  The Rangers are going to pay above slot for Ramirez, who is a first round talent that slipped because of some bad showings toward the end of his season.
• 1st Round (A) – Tommy Hunter (RHP) – Signed. 
• 2nd Round – Matt West (SS) – Signed.
• 3rd Round – Evan Reed (RHP) – Signed.
• 4th Round – Garrett Nash (CF) – Won’t Sign.  Nash’s reps have told the Rangers that their client will not be signing with the Rangers.  Instead Nash will be headed to Oregon State.  This was to be expected and realistically, it was a wasted pick.
• 5th Round – John Gast (LHP) – Doubtful.  Gast’s representatives have been back and forth in contact with the Rangers, but it’s looking like Gast won’t be coming to Texas, though I think this has more to do with money than anything else.  Gast is regarded to be a solid lefty that could be a solid middle of the rotation horse.  But, realistically, Gast and his advisors are probably weighing the difference in money and they probably decided that if Gast sits one year, rehabs, and has a pair of solid seasons at Florida State, it would be much better than what the Rangers could offer him.

Vicente Padilla’s Progress

Vicente Padilla, who hasn't pitched for the Rangers since June 21 because of right triceps irritation, is scheduled to start for Texas tomorrow against Kansas City.  He’ll be held on a 80 to 85 pitch count and will be shadowed by one of the long relievers, John Rheinecker, Mike Wood and Jamey Wright.  Padilla hasn’t had any problems with his forearm but there are some wonders if he’ll be able to dominate.  We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.  With the season already gone to hell, there’s not much we can go on.

One Final Teixeira Nugget

One final note on the Teixeira non-trade to the Angels.  They apparently never offered 1B Casey Kotchman and LHP Joe Saunders.  The offer was Teixeira straight up for Casey Kotchman and RHP Ervin Santana, plus maybe Terry Evans, a right fielder.   I like Evans, but come on, Kotchman and Santana.  Really? 

Rangers Notes (Majors)

• Rangers setup man Akinori Otsuka has begun to throw off flat ground and reportedly had no problems.  If things work out, Otsuka will return in September, in time for roster expansion.
• 3B Hank Blalock is still feeling some soreness in the nerves along his side muscle and that has been restricting him from making strong throws to the infield.  Once he’s able to do that, he should be able to go on a rehab assignment.  I’m beginning to wonder if the Rangers might have to look at Blalock as a first baseman and give someone like Travis Metcalf, who’s rotting down at Triple A, a shot to make himself a legitimate major leaguer.  It’s not like there’s a hell of a lot of attractive other options on the Corner Infield market and it would save the Rangers from having to re-sign Wiffy Wilkerson for another year.
• Toronto released former Rangers shortstop Royce Clayton.  He had a good career, much more than what one with his skill set would normally expect.

Rangers Notes (Minor)

• 2007 First Round Michael Main has done enough on the mound to earn himself a promotion to Class A Spokane, where he’ll be working in relief for the time being.  Main has currently raised his stock well after acclimating himself quickly to the Arizona Rookie League.  All this is likely in preparation for him to join the Clinton Lumberkings next season.
• Frisco righthander Armando Galarraga was named the Rangers’ minor league pitcher for July after he went 3-1, 1.58 in six starts, including a one-hit shutout and a two-hit shutout. 

 See you all thursday!  

Why the Angels need to trade Ervin Santana, is Miguel Cabrera the second coming of Mo Vaughn, why Brett Tomko shouldn't have been sent to the rotation, and 2007 Free Agency Bargain Bin Pitchers.

Angels Need To Trade Santana Soon

The Angels would probably be wise to trade Ervin Santana now, as cracks are appearing in his trade value.

Santana is a talented young pitcher that has been shopped often.  It's beginning to show why, however?

Outside of Angels Stadium, Santana morphs into Jeff Weaver and gets killed.  Take a look at his splits for this season.

• Home - 3-1, 2.33 ERA
• Away - 0-4, 7.86 ERA

That's horrible.  Jeff Weaver horrible.  Well, maybe not that bad.

But the fact of the matter is that Santana may not be the young ace in the making that we think he is. 

At least, not in the American League.

In the National League, I think Santana could really blossom.  With lineups that are less potent, more pitcher friendly stadiums (Busch, Petco, Shea, Dolphin, Turner, and Dodger Stadiums, just to name a few), we could see Santana maintain more of his dominance and be a perennial All-Star.  True, he would get killed in other parks (Coors and Minutemaid  would be where Santana would probably be in trouble), but overall, a move to the National League would be beneficial.

Where would he fit best?

The Angels want a bat in return for Santana and are probably hoping to cash in on a trade, similar to what Oakland did when they traded Mark Mulder to the Cardinals.  I don't think they'll get that much, nor do I think they'll get what they would have last season.   However, if the Rockies would be willing to eat enough of Todd Helton's contract, or if  the DBacks are willing to part with one of their talented young hitters, or even if Omar Minaya or John Schurholz is willing to part with a regular (Lasting Milledge would probably be enough to get a deal done), I think that the Angels would do well in terms of return on their investment.

The Second Coming Of Mo Vaughn?

You all remember Mo Vaughn, right guys?  The Red Sox slugger that practically ate his way out of the league by 30 or so?

Apparently, Miguel Cabrera is following the same route.

Cabrera, according to Baseball Reference.com, was 185 when he entered the league.  He has since added on a whopping 55 pounds since then.  Several scouts have said that at this point, Cabrera might need to consider another position change, probably first base, or be traded to the American League where he can DH. 

First base wouldn't be a bad option for him, where he would rival Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman as the most dangerous first baseman in the league.  This would likely interest Omar Minaya, who could replace Carlos Delgado in a few years with Cabrera, giving him a potent offense force in the lineup.

Tomko Heading Back To The Pen

Remember last year, when Brett Tomko talked about how glad he was to be moved into the pen and how he spoke about how he would like to be a closer.

Well, he wasn't glad about being asked to move again. 

Tomko walked past reporters without a word after telling a Dodgers public relations official that he didn't have time to talk about it.

And realistically, the Dodgers shouldn't have been putting Tomko out to start to begin with.  He was surprisingly capable as a setup man/middle reliever and the fact that the Dodgers sent Chad Billingsley to the bullpen instead of Tomko is just bad roster management.

Hong-Chih Kuo will move into the rotation if his next start at triple-A Las Vegas goes well. 

2007 Free Agency - Starting Pitchers (Bargain Bin)

For everyone who wants to take a chance on some of these less than stellar members of a rotation, here's who's available.

• Rodrigo Lopez (Rockies) – Lopez was traded in his final year of arbitration to the Rockies, where so far he’s been solid for the Rockies…when healthy.  However, there is still enough doubt about Lopez that he belongs down here.
• Byung-Hyun Kim (Marlins) – Kim received interest in the fact that he’s a fairly decent, fairly durable pitcher that can function as a fifth starter.  He’ll get work this off-season,
• Jeff Weaver (Mariners) – It’s starting to get a little old with the bad Weaver.  But someone will take a chance on him because of his age, potential, and out of need.
• Jaret Wright (Orioles) – It’s over for Wright as any more than a fifth starter, where his durability as well as his ability won’t hurt the team as much.  However, expect some team to overpay for his services, as they will see Wright as a reclamation project that could pay big dividends.  Hmmm, the Cardinals could come calling.
• Wade Miller (Cubs) – The Cubbies took a flyer on Miller and the result was a solid Spring Training and little else.
• Kip Wells (Cardinals) – Depending on what the hell happens with this season, Wells could see the interest in him build.  How much depends on his performance.  People still feel he’s got great stuff, but honestly, Wells seems to almost invent ways to lose games.  He will find work, but whether it’s on a major league deal is to be decided.
• Odalis Perez (Royals) – [If $9MM club option is declined.]  Perez is a average fifth starter that would probably be better suited for the NL than the AL.  His stuff is rather mediocre and he seems to get by more on luck than skill.  I do expect the Royals to exercise his option, as they really lack any decent options for the rotation, even with Luke Hochevar doing good things in the minors.
• Victor Zambrano (Blue Jays) – Zambrano is an average stuff kind of guy that could pull his weight as the fourth man in the rotation.  It all depends on how well he bounces back from TJ.  So far, the results have been…not pretty.
• Eric Milton (Reds) – Yeah, I doubt that there will be much interest in Milton at the moment, considering how badly he’s pitched. in the past few years.
• Matt Clement (Red Sox) – Don’t know what happened to Clement.  One moment he was awesome, the next moment he was awful and relegated to the bullpen.  Clement will find takers thanks to his past history of success, but as to how much those takers are willing to offer is a different matter all together.
• John Thomson (Blue Jays) – Thomson, at this point of his career, looks done.  I don’t see him getting anything more than a minor league contract, though Ranger Fans should always hold a debt of gratitude toward him.  The compensation pick that was received for Thomson was spent on Texas’ top prospect, Eric Hurley.
• David Wells (Padres) – At Well’s age and with his current health concerns, he’s likely going to hang it up.

   

That's all I got, see you next week unless the Fort Worth Star Telegram goes nuts again.

Jim Bowden has done an average job as GM of the Washington Nationals, with most of the deals that he has made working out for the better (see the original trade of Alfonso Soriano and the Austin Kearns deal) and has generally shown a decent job as far as the draft. 

Bowden has had a pair of gaffes in his tenure that have really bombed, however:

• Losing RHP Darrel Ranser on a waiver to the Yankees after Ranser was dropped from the 40 Man Roster.   Not a smart decision for a team lacking in pitching arms.
• Not Trading Alfonso Soriano at the 2006 Trade Deadline. 

Simply put, the decision to hang onto Soriano was a terrible one, especially when you consider the proposed package offered to the Nationals by the Los Angeles Angels.

Here's what we could have seen last July 31st...

The Washington Nationals Trade OF Alfonso Soriano to the Los Angeles Angels for SS Erick Aybar and RHP Ervin Santana

Aybar is a solid shortstop candidate that has excellent range and enough of a bat to succeed in the National League once he's fully developed.  As for Santana, Santana seems like a pitcher that would really thrive once he moved to the National League. 

The trade could use one more player, as Soriano was traded for three players and such a bounty would require a third.  Upon looking through the organization, I really don't know of any others that the Angels would be willing to give up, unless the Angels were desperate enough to give up Jered Weaver or someone else.

However, Bowden killed the deal, having just acquired shortstop Felipe Lopez in the Kearns deal and not wanting a glut at short.  He also wanted to sub Aybar for masher Brandon Wood, to which the Angels finally said no.

Still, even the trade as is would have benefited the Nationals a lot more than what they actually got:

• The Cubs' second round pick plus a first round compensation

That's right.  The Cubbies were able to obtain Soriano for close to nothing, as their draft pick, due to it being a Top 15, was protected from Draft Pick Compensation.

Ouch.

On The Block:  Ervin Santana

Why He’s On The Block:  One of the most talented young pitchers in the game, Santana is in the unique position of being the most movable pitchers available.  Santana still has four years of cheap control left on him and because of his talent, Santana is highly coveted.  Because the Angels need a big bat and because of the fact that there are long term commitments to Kelvim Escobar, Bartolo Colon, and John Lackey, plus with the Weavers and Joe Saunders in the mix, Santana is pretty expendable, even though it would be in the Angels’ best interest to keep him.

Negotiable:  No.  GM Bill Stoneman is very shrewd (even if it is to a fault) and will make sure that they get nothing less than a quality bat in return.

What He Offers:  Here’s what Santana can offer:.

·          Plus:  Great stuff.

·          Plus:  Is showing the ability to become a solid workhorse in the rotation.

·          Plus:  Has high strike rates.

·          Plus:  Still has years of control left.

·          Minus:  High strikeout totals.

·          Minus:  Gives up way too many hits.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  55% chance of him staying, only because Stoneman is stingy to a fault, which has cost the Angels a few times on the trade market.  If he does make a move, most likely forced by Artie Moreno, here’s where I can see Santana going.

·          Tampa Bay Devil Rays – 40%.   Adding Santana would be a jolt to the Tampa rotation, giving them a solid one-two punch with Scott Kazmir as the ace of the rotation with Santana in the two slot.  Plus, if the Devil Rays could get Brandon Wood, they would shift BJ Upton to the outfield and have their shortstop of the future in the wings as well.  The problem is that such a trade would cost the Devil Rays Carl Crawford, a valuable player.  Will I think it’ll happen?  No.  Stoneman again, is frugal to a fault.  And this could cost him in the future.

·          Milwaukee Brewers – 30%.  I mention the Brewers because of the fact that they have just what the Angels need: a big bat.  Carlos Lee is in the final year of his contract and could be dealt straight up for Santana.  This would be a quick and painless deal.  The Angels would get their offensive help and the Brewers would get a good young pitcher to help bolster a rotation that has been inconsistent as hell.  Unfortunately, I doubt that both sides have thought about this mutually beneficial deal, making it unlikely that it will happen.

·          Washington Nationals – 20%.  A long shot, to say the least, because of the fact that the Angels don’t want to be on the take for the rest of Soriano’s contract or give up significant prospects in return.  Washington would seek Santana, plus shortstop Brandon Wood and maybe catcher Jeff Mathis, now back in Triple A.  The Angels, long having been stingy with their prospects, will balk at the deal, even though Soriano has not only great power, but he’s also got the speed sorely needed in one of the slowest lineups in baseball.  Plus, Soriano has played in the American League West and is familiar with the pitchers and offenses there, making him valuable. 

·          Cincinnati Reds – 10%.  Here’s another deal that no one is talking about.  The Reds do have a big bat they could send back to the Angels: Ken Griffey Jr.  Because Junior isn’t reliable enough to play center, the Angels could offer to swap prospects for the slugging centerfielder, who seems to have rebounded from his earlier injury history to become an All-Star again.  Plus, Junior is a huge name and would bring people to the ballpark.  Here’s the problem though.  Junior has to approve any trade, and has thus far shot down any attempts to trade him.  Here’s another.  Junior still has years left on that monster contract of his.  It’s too bad, as the Reds could use another pitcher and Santana would be a good pickup, even if it’s at the expense of eating most of Junior’s contract.

End Result – Remains with the Angels.

On The Block:  Alfonso Soriano

Why He’s On The Block:  Despite being the Nationals’ best player, Soriano is likely to walk in the off-season, despite his vague statements about liking the city and the team.  He has also made statements about not being comfortable in left field and not wanting to make a decision until the offseason.  Combine with all of that the statements that Soriano does not like General Manager Jim Bowden, probably for making the trade for him in the first place and it becomes imperitive that the Nationals move him at the trade deadline, because it’s likely that no matter how much money they offer him, he’s not going to stay. 

Negotiable:  No.  Bowden wants pitching in return and he’ll take the best offer he can get.  Plus, as the pennant races tighten up and more players go down with injury, teams in contention will be more likely to release the hold on some of their better prospects, making the deal sweeter.

What He Offers:  Here’s what Soriano’s got to offer.

·          Plus:  Plays multiple positions.

·          Plus:  One of the fastest runners in baseball.

·          Plus:  Has loads of power in his bat.

·          Minus:  High strikeout totals.

·          Minus:  Still in his walk year as far as his contract goes.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  I can almost guarantee you that Soriano will not be in Washington in August.  With that in mind, here’s where he could go.

·          Los Angeles Dodgers– 40%.   The Dodgers have been asking around about outfielders to help them add some more offense into the outfield.  The Dodgers, with one of the most stacked farm systems in baseball, could make an offer to the Nationals of Dioneer Navarro, probably pitching prospect Edwin Jackson and maybe Chuck Tiffany or a pair of lesser prospects to complete the deal.  The Dodgers have the resources to make the offer and it’s likely that they’ll do so.

·          Los Angeles Angels – 30%.  The Angels need more offense and could make a run at Soriano if they are only a few games out of the division come July 31^st.  They have been shopping pitcher Ervin Santana hard for help, so a package of Santana, shortstop of Brandon Wood, and a lesser prospect would be good enough to pull the trigger.

·          New York Yankees – 20%.  The natural fit, so it would seem.  Soriano has longed for a return to a New York, so much so that he has maintained his residence in New Jersey for just that opportunity.  However, the Nats won’t budge on their asking price of pitching prospect Philip Hughes.  While Soriano would restore much of that punch to the Yankee lineup by taking time from Bernie Williams and add some speed to the bases, Soriano is in the final months of his contract.  If anything, the Yankees would be more likely to sign him in the off-season, with the contracts to Sheffield, Mussina, and possibly Jaret Wright coming off the books.

·          St. Louis Cardinals – 10%.  Again, the Cardinals would likely shift Soriano to centerfield, another position change, which could further enhance his value next season.  But again, the lack of pitching prospects torpedo’s their chances.  Plus, the Cardinals could always get him in the off-season. 

End Result – Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Trade Deadline.