As always, the trading deadline is July 31. Each year we are inundated with names of players who are going to be traded, causing many of us to sit by the computer on the 31st, and checking our favorite sites, only to be disappointed when the biggest move is the hometown team acquiring someone like Alex Ochoa. Year in and year out, we buy into the hype, i.e., “Bill Stoneman is going to make a huge trade this year. No, really.” Every year, the stone man ends up picking up a 9th inning defensive replacement.
Yet, like every other year, here I am eagerly anticipating July 31, and wondering what effect the trade(s) are going to have on my fantasy teams. For those of us in AL or NL only leagues where a player traded to the other league is lost for good, July 31 theoretically can be a make or break day in the season.
All that being written, let’s look at a few players who might actually move next week, and a bunch that don’t need to pack.
Mark Teixeira. Open up any newspaper or go to any baseball site, and you will read rumors about Teixeira’s new destination. The only place Teixeira is going is to first base for the Rangers for the rest of the year. Teixeira’s age, salary, status, and ability make him a wanted man. Texas can’t possibly get enough for him, and the Rangers aren’t about to trade their best player. It’s just not going to happen.
Jon Garland. Someone on the White Sox pitching staff (and perhaps more than one) is going to be moving. Mark Buehrle, having signed his new contract, isn’t going anywhere. Jose Contreras isn’t pitching well enough to pitch for the White Sox, no less a contender, and no one is going to gamble on him. Javier Vazquez may command too much in a deal, leaving Garland as the likely choice. Garland is signed through next season, at about $10 million per season. He won 18 games each of the last two seasons, so while he isn’t a great pitcher, he knows how to win. The White Sox would love to move his contract, and with the pitching market as bare as it is, Garland is actually an attractive option for teams in need of pitching (meaning every contending team).
Octavio Dotel. Dotel was once a solid closer. He’s still injury prone, but proven to be an effective pitcher, even still. Kansas City has no need for a closer, and a number of contending teams (can you say “Dodgers”) are in need of bullpen help. Dotel will be moved, but will find himself setting up instead of closing.
Chad Cordero. Every year, I look for Cordero to be moved, and every year, he stays put. This year, I don’t expect him to move. None of the contending teams (Yankees, Red Sox, Tigers, Indians, Angels, Mariners, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, Padres, Diamonbacks, Brewers or Cubs are likely to spend the money and prospects that it will take to get Cordero. As good as Cordero is, and he is good, he’s going to continue to get the few closing opportunities available in Washington.
Mike Piazza. I think that the A’s are probably the only team talking about how important Piazza will be for a contending team. Piazza can’t field, so he is limited to the American League. None of the contending teams really needs a new designated hitter, and that means that the A’s are stuck with him for the duration.
Sammy Sosa. See the discussion about Mike Piazza, above.
Dontrelle Willis. The Marlin’s ace? isn’t going anywhere, either. The Marlins can’t afford to give up someone as young and gifted as Willis, and can’t really afford to trade one of their only two recognizable players.
Adam Dunn. Rumors about Dunn are all over the place. Dunn could be moving to a contender, he could be moving to the Nationals, or he could be staying in Cincinnati. Dunn is among the top prizes potentially available in the trading pool, but my money is on him playing for the Reds come August 1.
Salomon Torres. Torres will be a very effective set up man for a contender, and the Pirates don’t need, (and after Torres’ grievance filed against the team), or want him. Torres will be moved, likely to a National League contender no later than July 31.
Troy Glaus. Glaus would be a great pick up for any team. His name is all over the papers, and like Dunn, he is not going to be moved.
Tad Iguchi was just moved, so perhaps this is a sign of increased activity. Don’t count on it, though.
Best of luck.
Buster