For some teams in baseball right now they are looking to make a significant move via trade to make a playoff run. Some teams need and will acquire starting pitching, or a big bat. Some teams really truely need to make a move, but for some teams, no move may be the right move.
I am not going to go through all the teams but here are a few that need a new face in the clubhouse and a few that no move may be the best move.
Chicago Cubs - With the Cubs struggling all season long now it is time to make some moves. They have several players they can trade and if they want to have a better future it is time to move some players and stock up some younger players. They have starting pitching and several veteran players they can move. Kerry Wood and Mark Prior however should not be traded, they should be rested. This is not the season they hoped to have but next season at least they could start over. Any baseball franchise needs a solid 1-2 punch to start the rotation, with Wood and Prior they have that when they are healthy. If they can make any trades they need to get as many players in return as possible.
Washington Senators - They are in great position to trade Alphonso Soriano and possibly Nick Johnson. They also are a team who needs to get as much in return as possible. Getting cash back for these players is not a smart option. They can't afford to make a deal to get a prospect and cash for Soriano. They should be looking for several players in return even if they are all prospects. Cash does not win you games, look at the Yankees, they pay over $200 million for a team in second place in the AL East and 6.5 games back of the wild card.
Cincinnati Reds - Staring pitching is needed most. They have also been very streaky this season as well. Every time they have been counted out they put a string of wins together like as of late. They now lead the wild card race for the National league. The Reds should not be looking to move Griffey either. With Dunn and Griffey in the line up in gives them two solid left handed hitters that most teams only dream of.
Florida Marlins - if they have another fire sale they may as well move this franchise. No team in baseball has let more talent go than them. It is a shame that baseball fans in south Florida have had to be a part of a team that has won two World Series and traded away any player that remotely has a fan base. Maybe baseball should have a minimun cap as well to prevent teams like the Marlins from selling out on their fans as many times as they already have. Have they ever thought about trying to win back to back championships?
Chicago White Sox - No move may be best for them. They won the World Series last year and have only the Tigers in front of them in all of baseball. Bullpen help may be the only move they make.
Detroit Tigers - Rumored to be trying to work out a deal with Philadelphis for Bobby Abreu to add a left handed hitter to an already potent line up one through nine. They have also been rumored to be involved with a John Smoltz for Joel Zumaya trade. To trade Zumaya for anyone would be a mistake they would regret for many seasons to come. He is the future closer and has three pitchs already in his arsenal. It would be ironic if they did make that move since it was Detroit who traded Smoltz for a veteran pitcher in the first place when they traded him to Atlanta for Doyle Alexander in 1987. As for a left handed bat, they have Dmitri Young rehabing in the minors and he is a switch hitter. He has been almost the only force in the line up the Tigers had in years past. He may be just what they need and they already have him. No move may be the best move. They have the best record in baseball, they should go with what has gotten them there.
Milwaukee Brewers - If they can trade Carlos Lee they must. They have been fading fast and Lee makes a lot of dough. He will be a free agent at the end of the season and they need to get something for him. Lee will be in high demand but his impending free agency may hinder what they get in return.
New York Yankees - Starting pitching is imperative to acquire for the Yanks. They have had injuries and weak pitching all season. They need to look to National league to get what they need as American League teams will be less willing to trade with them. They will get their star outfilders back before the playoffs. Pitching wins anyway. And if they really want to win that is the direction they need to go.
Hi Mean, yeah i just think with Wood and Prior what would they really get for them? It may be best to let them rest almost all season and start fresh next year. I can't see anyone giving up too much to get them
Perhaps I'm dreaming, but maybe the Cubs would be interested in trading for Bobby Abreu. Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood for Bobby Abreu and a B-level prospect. Think the Cubs would bite?
Ultra - if the Cubs could make that deal they should. Adding a left handed bat like his and he does have remaining years under contract that the Phillies are willing to pay part of. They would have a much improved line up and it isnt like Wood is contributing right now. I am just not sure if it is time to move Wood or Prior based on their age. Although the Detroit Tigers were in this same predicament when they traded Jeff Weaver for Jeremy Bonderman, look at which direction those two players have gone. Bottom line, the Cubbies need to do something.
The Cubs and Phillies are basically in the same boat, except the Cubs are looking more to unload the heftier contracts on the roster, while the Phillies are just looking to put together a team that can win consistently.
We just traded Daniel Haigwood, who we acquired along with Aaron Rowand and Gio Gonzalez in the Jim Thome deal, to the Texas Rangers for Fabio Castro. We're 35-42, and Gillick makes a Minor League swap?
I can only hope it's the start of some action.
Aramis Ramirez sure would look good in a Phillies uniform...
Bob- You're right about the yankees pitching but they really need middle relief. There starters for a while have had one of the lowest ERA's in the AL. It just never seemed like it. They need a good releiver to help Farnie and Villone out. Farnsworth has been used so much this season he just seems tired when he pitches.
Sofa you are right on man. They may try to get Tom Gorgon AGAIN but hey they need more that two guys coming out day in and day out. Pitching is the key to all teams success
no one noticed my Washington "Senators" reference either. I call them that because that is who got them there
The Mariners may be looking to acquire somebody, probably a reliable SP. They got Eduardo Perez from the Indians today, to platoon at DH with the horribly overrated Carl Everett.
If the Evil Empire ends up with another superstar on their team, I think I'm going to puke.
PF - this is a point I was making about the Cubbies and it actually happened to Seattle. If they hadnt traded Freddy Garcia for Jeremy Reed, Miguel Olivo, and Michael Morse.
This is why the Cubs should keep all of their starting pitching. If Seattle hadnt traded away Garcia they may have a better record and not in need of a starter at this point.
Flint Michigan -
Ask me a question about your team by email- bob260505@yah oo.com
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