5 Trades that Need to be Made (New)
Written by Daniel Doyle, Thursday July 09 2009
With all the trade speculation surrounding Roy Halladay, I felt it was best to update my five trades that need to be made by July 31st.
It has now been a substantial amount of time since Nate McLouth was dealt to the Atlanta Braves, and the St. Louis Cardinals acquired Mark DeRosa. So, what other trades can we look to see before the July 31st deadline? Let's take a look at which pieces seem to fit the best with certain teams.
5) Miguel Tejada to the Boston Red Sox
Even with Nick Green's serviceable bat filling in at shortstop this year, the Red Sox have had feelers everywhere looking for an elite player to partner with Dustin Pedroia up the middle. Tejada would certainly bring a stable force offensively at the position and make Boston's lineup that much scarier. Houston could hold on to Tejada and try to overtake several teams in front of them for the Central title. However, with his impending free agency, and Houston's mediocre play this year, it is much more likely that the Astros deem it best to get a couple prospects for the aging shortstop.
4) Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants
I know Sanchez isn't exactly the big bopper Giants fans are begging for, but he could be a solid piece that can push San Fran to the wildcard. With the Giants incredible pitching staff, an extra run or two a game would be huge. Sanchez plays a premium position at 2B, and carries a very solid stick. He currently is hitting at a .316 clip with 6 homeruns and 42 runs scored. Freddy could adequately set the table in front of Randy Winn, Pablo Sandoval, Bengie Molina, and an emerging Nate Schierholtz. Sanchez would be a nice boost in manufactoring runs which is exactly what the Giants need. Plus, the Pirates are reportedly "desperate" to move him. Looks like a match to me.
3) Matt Holliday to the New York Mets
I had this trade in the last article I wrote, and I still feel like it should be made. I know it looks as if the Mets are in shambles right now, and for the most part, they are. With the prologned absences of players such as Carlos Delgado, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, John Maine, and J.J Putz, the boys from Citi Field actually have a solid excuse. Somehow, they are only 4.5 games out of the awful N.L. East, and if they can get a couple of their hosses healthy, a playoff appearance is not out of the question. Especially if they can add Holliday. The A's are 12 games back already and I just cannot see how they will not move him before the deadline. I am not sure, but with his statistical decline this year, Holliday may slip to a Type B free agent, giving Oakland even less compensation when he walks in the offseason. Let's face it. Oakland should get rid of him and in New York you are always in a "win now" mode. Pack your bags for the Big Apple Matt.
2) Alex Rios to the Detroit Tigers
This one might be a little more complicated. The main issue would be a contractual problem since Rios is owed $60 million through the year 2014. I have no idea what Detroit's financial situation looks like, but this would certainly bolster their outfield. Rios could play left or right, with Granderson in center. If Magglio Ordonez could ever find his old form, those three would form one of the most formidable outfield trios in the game. The Tigers hold a 2 game lead in the A.L. Central and an upgrade offensively in Rios could be the piece to hold them together over the last couple months of the regular season and into the playoffs.
1) Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies
I'll be honest. A week ago, if somebody would have asked me if Roy Halladay would be traded before this July 31st, I probably would have laughed. However, with J.P. Ricciardi announcing he will at the very least listen to offers for his club's ace, it seems like Halladay could end up pitching elsewhere this year. And the most likely destination is clearly Philadelphia. The Phillies have managed to hold on to a 2 game lead in the very bad N.L. East, despite a weak rotation. Far too much pressure has been placed on Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer too perform like top-to-middle of the rotation pitchers with the less than stellar year from Cole Hamels, and the injury to Brett Myers. Halladay can take pressure off the entire Philadelphia rotation and provide them with perhaps the most dominant one-two punch of any rotation in the Majors in Hamels and Halladay. Not only does Roy fit well in Philly, but there are some nice prospects in their farm system that the Blue Jays would love to get in return. I can't see Halladay wearing a Phillies uniform, without the Blue Jays acquiring Kyle Drabek. Drabek, son of former MLB pitcher Doug, has drawn rave reviews from scouts all over the league. While I do not know a lot about the rest of the Phillies farm, I have read that one of Jason Knapp or Dominic Brown would be included as well. Apparently that would be a huge haul of prospects for the Jays, but you have to give something to get something. And for Philadelphia, now is not the time to be cheap.
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4 comments
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As far as the Giants go, I have to admit, I'm pretty happy with the way Uribe has held down 2B for the last week or two that he has been there. He's no defensive genius, but I like his bat. As much as I like F. Sanchez, unless they can get him for Alderson and another second teir minor-leaguer, I don't want to give up much. I definately want to keep Bumgarner. Do the Phills have enough prospects to give up for Halladay? I hear Toronto is asking for 5 full minor league rosters and the rights to the stadiums they play in, in return for Halladay...
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Holliday to the Mets will not happen. Omar and Beane do not seem to match up often. I'd like to see them try for Rios. I think Nick Green is doing a great job filling in for the Red Sox as well. Not sure they need to make move for Tejada. Doesn't seem like a Theo move.
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Maybe the Sox dont make a move for Tejada. I certainly have no "inside info", just felt there was a possible match. And about the Jays wanting 5 top prospects.... Being a Braves fan, I can remember a certain trade for Mark Teixeira that cost us 4 top prospects. So I would say that 5 is certainly not unattainable.
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On #1: The Boston Globe suggested these trades for the Red Sox: Nick Johnson Aubrey Huff Victor Martinez Hank Blalock Nomar Garciaparra I don't think they are looking at shortstops because they will go with Green and hope Jed Lowrie returns. On #5: I heard the Jays want 5 top prospects, that's too much for any team