Best Available on This Year’s Trading Block

As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, teams in contention will look to increase their chances in reaching the playoffs with blockbuster trades sending players across the country. Over the years, trade deadline acquisitions have made a noticeable difference such as the Texas Rangers acquiring Cliff Lee before their trip to the World Series in 2010. Some, like the Dodgers’ audacious trades in 2012 to add Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Shane Victorino, and Hanley Ramirez, were a waste of money, time, and media.

As of June 14, fifteen teams are above .500 and can be considered “in the hunt.” There are five playoff spots in each league. What happens between now and July 31 might have some impact on what happens between now and the last game of the season on September 29.

I have gathered the best available players at each position, along with which teams could use them.

Pitchers

Teams: Orioles, Athletics, Braves, Yankees, Dbacks, Reds, Rays, Boston, Rangers, Cardinals, Rockies, Giants

Any team could upgrade their pitching staff. If a manager other than Jim Leyland says he does not, he is lying. The best pitching options available are White Sox southpaw Chris Sale (5-4, 2.68 ERA, .192 AVG, .92 WHIP), and right-handers, Angels’ Jerome Williams (5-2, 3.15 ERA, .235 AVG, 1.17 WHIP), Astros’ Bud Norris (5-6, 3.47 ERA, .280 AVG, 1.42 WHIP), Cubs’ Jefff Samardzjia (3-7, 3.46 ERA, .225 AVG, 1.21 WHIP) and Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick (6-4, 3.22 ERA, .247 ERA, 1.21 ERA).

Pretty much every team could use another arm in their rotation. Kendrick will likely stay in the National League if he is traded, as he is not an AL pitcher and has experience with the likely NL East champion Atlanta Braves. Teams like the Yankees, playing in bandbox stadiums, will likely pass on Norris because of his higher ERA and opponent’s batting average. If Oakland was not in the Astros’ division, the cavernous Oakland Coliseum might have been a possible destination for Norris. Oakland will need another starter with the remainder of Bartolo Colon’s season in jeopardy due to his alleged involvement in Anthony Boesch’s biogenesis clinic.

Sale and Williams probably will be the prized possessions of this year’s trade deadline, with their success on poor teams. The Yankees and Red Sox will likely come away as winners, but do not be surprised if Texas comes into the question for these two.

Catchers

Teams: Pirates, Dbacks

There are not really any catchers on the market, and it would be hard to bring in a first string catcher from outside the season during a playoff race. Teams like Pittsburgh and Arizona could use depth behind the dish. Mets pitch caller John Buck might be the best option, but he is likely not for sale.

First basemen

Teams: Giants, Rockies

The Dodgers and Blue Jays could both use some youth in their systems after unloading most of their minor leagues in unsuccessful trades this past year. Both teams could acquire farm players by trading their veteran first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez (.312 AVG, 8 HR, 44 RBI) and Edwin Encarnacion (.267 AVG, 18 HR, 55 RBI). Justin Morneau (.294, 2 HR, 38 RBI) could also be potentially on the trading block. All three could provide a veteran personality to the clubhouse, along with a strong bat to the lineup, to teams in need at first like the Giants and Rockies.

Second basemen

Teams: Orioles, Dbacks, Rockies

The top second baseman on the trading block could include Astros’ Jose Altuve (.294, 3 HR, 26 RBI), Angels’ Howie Kendrick (.324 AVG, 8 HR, 33 RBI), and Mets’ Daniel Murphy (.283 AVG, 5 HR, 29 RBI). The Orioles could utilize Kendrick’s offense the most to keep up with the high scoring and high spending Red Sox and Yankees. Murphy is not the best defensive second baseman, but could still provide a valuable bat and complete a Rockies lineup with Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzalez, and Wilin Rosario. Arizona could use any of these three second baseman but might find their guy in Altuve who has a play style fitting to the Dbacks.

Third basemen

Teams: Red Sox, St. Louis

Philadelphia’s Michael Young (.278 AVG, 2 HR, 13 RBI) may be the most valuable at the hot corner, from his playoff experience and versatility in the field. Young has only appeared in 60 games but could be useful to a team like Boston. Another temporary asset at third base could be Cleveland’s Mark Reynolds (.235 AVG, 13 HR, 42 RBI).

Shortstops

Teams: Cardinals, Pirates, Red Sox, Dbacks

Young also plays shortstop, however another Phillies infielder, Jimmy Rollins (.262 AVG, 4 HR, 22 RBI), may be part of a possible trade. Rollins also has experience in the playoffs, this experience could complete a young Pirates team that has fallen apart down the stretch in the past two seasons. The White Sox’s Alexei Ramirez (.265 AVG, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 13 SB) can draw interest and could use a way out of the Windy City. Possible destinations for Ramirez could include Boston, Arizona, and St. Louis.

Outfield

Teams: Braves, Yankees, Pirates, Dbacks, Red Sox, Tigers, Giants, Reds, Rangers, Rockies, Athletics

Just like any team could upgrade their pitching, any team could add to their outfield. Alex Gordon (.302 AVG. 6 HR, 33 RBI) of the Kansas City Royals is the best left fielder on my prospective trading block. The lefty batting Gordon is a strong and consistent player that could benefit from the short right field fences of Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Toronto’s Colby Rasmus (.249 AVG, 10 HR, 30 RBI) is the top centerfielder, as the Jays are looking to replenish their farm system. The White Sox’s Alex Rios (.293 AVG, 11 HR, 33 RBI) is atop the list of right fielders.

Top 5 on the Trading Block

1.     Edwin Encarnacion 1B/TOR

2.     Howie Kendrick 2B/LAA

3.     Chris Sale P/ CWS

4.      Jerome Williams P/LAA

5.     Adrian Gonzalez 1B/LAD