The Bought and Sold

The Bought and Sold

            While it is a bit early to say who is the buyers and the sellers as of right now since were only 2 months into the season.  That doesn’t mean we can’t speculate on who could be traded and what teams really seem like the buyers and sellers.  This is just a list of players I could see being traded before or at the deadline based on rankings, stats and prospects.

Tampa Bay Rays: David Price and Ben Zobrist

            Both of these guys have contracts that end at the end of the season and this is a team that doesn’t seem to have it this year.  In reality they would really like to keep both guys and sign to long term deals but, in Price’s case, this just doesn’t seem possible for his price tag is going to be Kershaw levels.  Zobrist has a chance to resign him but he may be more valuable on another team at this point.  He’s on the older side and isn’t getting better so it may be worth trading him to a team that can use him and get a haul of prospects.

Cleveland Indians: Daniel Murphy and Mike Aviles

            Cleveland was so close last year but just fell off at the end of the season.  This isn’t helping the team much either but the fact is they’re not in bad shape just unlucky.  The division they’re in pretty much seals the coffin on them however so that’s why I see them sellers.  More importantly they have players that are not in the future and can score some good prospects.  Daniel Murphy isn’t a free agent next year or anything but being 32 and playing at his best since his days in TX gives him some value that he hasn’t had in a while, perfect trade bait.  Aviles is more or less in the same boat but his contract is up at the end of this season so a team looking for a push could end up being interested.  The one thing about Aviles is he hasn’t been playing all season so if he falters then his value goes down fast.

Minnesota Twins: Jason Kubel or Josh Willingham

            While not up at the end of the year I don’t see Kubel being in the teams future.  The Twins are very close to becoming a competitive team in the near future and with such a bright future with some of baseballs best prospects.  Kubel is probably safer to stay on the team than Willingham since he is up at the end of the season.  Willingham won’t bring in a huge prospect haul but he may get a few B ranked prospects if he gets healthy and hits in the limited time.

Houston Astros: Chad Qualls, Matt Albers, Jason Castro, Max Stassi and Chris Carter

            This is an odd team to gauge since there are so many guys that could be traded.  Qualls and Albers are good bets to be traded as long as he can actually play well, if not there’s always the next season.  At some point either Castro or Stassi will be traded from what I’m seeing.  Many teams are looking for catchers and the Astros have some good young guys, which get traded is going to depend on which one the team sees as their catcher for the future.  Chris Carter is going to be out of a job with Jonathan Singleton coming up sooner rather than later so a trade seems in his future.

New York Mets: Relief pitchers

            While there doesn’t seem to be any clear-cut trade bait players in the bullpen it’s where they have the most likely trade options.  This doesn’t mean they will trade anyone but with names like Valverde and Dice-K trying to rebuild a career they could be attractive to a team if they do well.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Wandy Rodriguez, Edison Volquez, Francisco Liriano, Jason Grilli, Travis Snider and Jose Tabata

            This is a team that could just have a fire sell if they need to.  Liriano is up at the end of the season and with the strong showing from last season and the decent season so far it could be a good trade for him, Jason Grilli falls into this category.  Rodriguez and Volquez just don’t look like they have a future with the team if the team doesn’t get back into the playoffs.  Snider and Tabata have the same reason, one will stay and one will be traded to make room for Gregor Planco.

San Diego Padres: Joaquin Benoit, Ian Kennedy, Seth Smith and Chase Headly

            All players don’t really fit into future plans and since Headly is up at the end of the season he’s got a good chance to be traded, that is of course if he plays well.  Benoit is a strong RP and many teams in the hunt come use him to sure up their weaknesses.  Ian Kennedy has been throwing well and since many teams need SP this year with all the injuries he comes at a premium price for many teams.  Smith is a good back up OF but he’s showing that he can hit even in regular playing time, could be worth something to someone.

            Chicago Cubs: Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel, Edwin Jackson, Darwin Barney, Emilio Bonifacio

            It will take a while to get everyone listed that could be traded on this team.  All the pitchers I have listed are on here for the same reason all have enough value and little to do with the future of the team.  Samardzija could sign an extension and the team would be happy to keep him but the odds are very bad he does this since the Cubs will ask for a major discount, one that is far beneath his value.  Hammel is having a strong season and is increasing his value to the team just by making him a more attractive trade option.  Bonifacio and Barney are blocking better players and need to move to make room.  Barney doesn’t have much value but Bonifacio could bring in a decent prospect.

            It’s a bit too early to actually say if anyone of these guys will be traded or not.  There are a few players that will likely traded but when is always going to be the big question.  The deadline gets ever closer and teams at some point have to decide if they’re buyers, sellers or neither.  The teams that make the decision first could reap the benefits of being faster to the draw and getting players that will win them a division or wild card.