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Bargains unlikely at trade deadline

'Sellers' not desperate to unload big salaries

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 24, 2008 at 9:54 p.m.

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Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes are on the market, but the Rockies do not plan to give them away for nothing.

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Matt Holliday is coveted by other teams, but the Rockies aren't desperate to deal him, so they'll demand a high price if they do so.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky

Matt Holliday is coveted by other teams, but the Rockies aren't desperate to deal him, so they'll demand a high price if they do so.

Brian Fuentes also is sought by other teams as the trade deadline approaches.

Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

Brian Fuentes also is sought by other teams as the trade deadline approaches.

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The baseball trade scene has taken a turn that has caught contenders off-guard.

It will be interesting to see whether the teams in need, such as the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies, or the teams with available talent, such as the Rockies and Pirates, blink before the Thursday deadline for trading players without having to put them through waivers.

In the past couple of years, teams have done a solid job of getting their payrolls in order. As a result, there are no salary dumps of premium players on deck this July.

That has led to complaints from contenders that teams such as the Rockies and Pirates are asking too much in trade talks.

In reality, the Rockies and Pirates are asking for a quality return if they are going to give up a quality player because they don't feel financial pressure to make the move.

The Rockies could fill a late-inning bullpen need for a contender by giving up left-hander Brian Fuentes, a three- time All-Star the past four years.

Because Fuentes is a potential free agent, teams have balked at giving up a young starting pitcher ready to step into the Rockies rotation.

The Rockies, though, know they can get two top draft picks as compensation for Fuentes if they lose him as a free agent, so there is no urgency to accept lesser value.

A team that would acquire Fuentes also would have the draft choice compensation if it didn't sign him to a long- term deal, so it has a chance to quickly replenish minor league talent that is dealt.

Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday, an All-Star the past three seasons, has drawn attention from teams needing an impact bat. With Holliday signed for next year at $13.5 million, the Rockies are in no hurry to move him unless they can get a legitimate outfield replacement, a young pitcher who could step into the rotation and a high-level, legitimate top prospect in return.

How teams look at the Thursday deadline for making a trade without having to put a player through waivers:

BRING THE CHECKBOOK

Teams that have quality players and want a quality return:

* Rockies: LH closer Brian Fuentes and LF Matt Holliday can be had, but these are payroll deals, so teams will have to give up big-league-ready talent.

* Pirates: Riding the coattails of Rockies. Don't want Fuentes? How about LHP Damaso Marte? Holliday too steep? What about Xavier Nady? Pirates, though, aren't giving anybody away, either.

* Rangers: OF Milton Bradley and 3B Hank Blalock could fill run-producing needs of a contender, but the Rangers want ready-for-prime-time prospects in return.

* Royals: CF David DeJesus has a club-friendly contract, which adds to what the Royals want in return. More likely to go are LHP Ron Mahay and 2B Mark Grudzielanek.

DONE DEALS

Teams that already have made significant moves:

* Brewers: Acquired LHP CC Sabathia to fill major need in rotation from Cleveland for four prospects, including OF Matt LaPorta, and acquired 2B Ray Durham from San Francisco for two minor leaguers. Still looking for bullpen help.

* Cubs: Acquired RHPs Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to fill spot in rotation and bullpen from Oakland for OF Matt Murton, INF Eric Patterson and two prospects.

* Phillies: Acquired RHP Joe Blanton to fill rotation void from Oakland for top 2B prospect Adrian Cardenas and two other minor league players.

* Diamondbacks: Acquired RHP Jon Rauch for bullpen depth from Washington but gave up prime prospect Emilio Bonifacio, who was billed as 2B Orlando Hudson's replacement in 2009.

* Athletics: Billy Beane continues to beef up farm system that a year ago was fallow. He dealt Dan Haren in the winter, and Rich Harden and Joe Blanton this month. Closer Huston Street could be next.

CRUISE CONTROL

Teams that seem content with what they have:

* Angels: They could use a run producer, but even with new GM Tony Reagins, franchise shows a desire to be a wallflower at the in-season dance.

* Yankees: They want to be active but don't want to part with their young arms, which makes it difficult to see them picking up a significant player for final two months.

* Rays: They need a quality starter and a late-inning reliever, but they refuse to part with any of their top prospects, which makes an impact deal unlikely.

* Braves: Team is in unfamiliar territory - a nonfactor. Pending free-agent 1B Mark Teixeira could go but won't be given away.

BARGAIN HUNTING

Teams that need help but don't have much to offer in return:

* White Sox: They started season over budget, and the farm system is among weakest in baseball. 3B Josh Fields is the future, which makes it hard to deal him. But the White Sox need bench and bullpen help.

* Tigers: They need pitching help, both a starter and reliever, but deals in past two years have stripped prospects from system.

* Marlins: A power bat and late-inning reliever are vital, but Marlins refuse to trade away any player with a future, which leaves them dangling the likes of 1B Mike Jacobs, CF Cody Ross and RHP Kevin Gregg.

BUYERS

Teams ready to make an impact addition:

* Cardinals: Need a left-handed reliever and could add a starter to answer the Brewers and Cubs, but that's not going to happen when the best St. Louis can offer are RHPs Anthony Reyes and Brad Thompson and OF Chris Duncan. Farm system has few prospects, and management wants to hang on to Colby Rasmus and Co.

* Dodgers: With uncertainty about SS Rafael Furcal's return from back problems and worn- out arms in rotation, Los Angeles needs to make significant deal or two, and have prospects to package.

* Twins: System has quality prospects, putting Twins in position to swing a deal. Talks have been off and on with Seattle for 3B Adrian Beltre.

* Red Sox: They need help in the bullpen and could use insurance on bench in case David Ortiz's wrist flares up again, but GM Theo Epstein doesn't want to give up prospects.

* Mets: They want a late-inning reliever and need a middle-of-the-lineup bat. They have prospects but not enough to fill both needs.

BELIEVE IT

Teams that have caught others off-guard with their approach:

* Nationals: They actually are looking to add but don't have much to offer in return. Signed SS Cristian Guzman to a two-year extension this week and want to add run-producing OF such as Matt Holliday or Adam Dunn.

* Astros: They think they still are a contender. GM Ed Wade acquired San Diego LHP Randy Wolf, and the roughly $3.5 million he still will earn this year, giving up RHP Chad Reinke, 26, who was 2-1 in his past seven starts at Triple-A Round Rock (Texas) but had a 1.84 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 44 innings.

HOUSECLEANING

Teams looking to clean out their rosters:

* Blue Jays: RHP A.J. Burnett is available, but a high-priced contract that allows him to opt out after the season means limited, if any, return.

* Padres: LHP Randy Wolf already is gone, and Padres could move RHP Greg Maddux, but he has a no-trade clause. Only untouchables are RHPs Jake Peavy and Chris Young and 1B Adrian Gonzalez.

* Giants: 2B Ray Durham was shipped to Milwaukee. Now, if Giants can find someone to take OF Randy Winn, SS Omar Vizquel, 1B/3B Rich Aurilia and OF Dave Roberts, they can start to clear out roster.

* Mariners: GM Billy Bavasi and manager John McLaren have been fired. 1B Richie Sexson was released. Now comes some roster cleanup with LHP Jarrod Washburn and RHP Miguel Batista being shopped along with OF Raul Ibanez and 3B Adrian Beltre.

* Indians: LHP CC Sabathia is gone, but the Indians still have more to offer, including INF Casey Blake, RHP Paul Byrd, OF David Dellucci and INF Jamey Carroll.

* Reds: New GM Walt Jocketty wants to start over, which means moving LF Adam Dunn, oft-injured OF Ryan Freel and RHPs Josh Fogg and Bronson Arroyo, whose $25 million guarantee the next two years lessens potential return.

* Orioles: Teams needing role players could find interest in potential free agents Kevin Millar and Jay Payton or reliever Chad Bradford.

Comments

  • July 25, 2008

    4:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bigbadthor writes:

    Rockies should go for Burnett, trade them one of our lesser prospects, maybe Jason Nix, and see if he can help stabilize the rotation, Could be a good rotation with Cook, Jimenez, Burnett, Francis, and whoever else they want for a fifth. That gives them a chance to make a real run again.

  • July 26, 2008

    8 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    Bronson Arroyo is the way to go, assuming the Reds picks up about half his remaining salary and the Rockies can trade for him without giving up Morales, Reynolds, Fuentes and current starting roster. Players such as Jason Hirsh would be about right. Hirsh has plenty of upside in exchange for Arroyo.