The July 31st, non-waiver trading deadline is quickly approaching so I thought I would take a look at some of the players who are being mentioned in rumors.
B.J. Upton, OF, Rays: Upton was once a highly touted prospect, showing that he possessed five tools. Now, his power is kind of there, his speed is still there, but his ability to hit for average has vanished. Earlier in the year I labeled Upton as one of the most overrated players in the game. So far this season he has only proven me correct by hitting .229 with 15 homers and 52 RBI's. He also has 13 doubles and no triples while stealing 23 bags. Upton has regressed almost every year after his stellar 2007 campaign where he hit .300 with 24 homers and 82 RBI's. He plays a decent centerfield, though not quite gold-glove caliber. The Washington Nationals are said to be lusting after Upton and, according to reports, would offer up the moon for him. To me that is just silly. Washington's best chance for success if further development of their young players, not trading them. Sure, Upton is only 26 but he has been in the league since he was 19 and has had seven years to prove something. The NAtionals would be wise to stay their course. They have a progressing Danny Espinosa who is being mentioned for NL Rookie of the Year, a rehabbing Stephen Strasburg who could return in September, the top prospect in all of baseball in Bryce Harper at AA, and a wealth of other prospects including Anthony Rendon, Tyler Moore, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone, and a wealth of others. In the next five years this team should develop into a power in the NL. Why risk that by trading for a player who has only regressed every year since 2007-08? All Upton is is a strikeout waiting to happen. If they can get him without giving up major prospects or anyone on their current roster then I would give it a try. Maybe a change of scenery would help. More likely it won't. the only thing that will help Upton is Upton and I don't think he cares enough to do that.
Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets: Beltran is enjoying a resurgence this season. He leads the NL in doubles and has shown he can still hit the home run and his knees are holding up. The Mets are in limbo right now, not fully committed to a rebuild but not exactly stocking up for a stretch run. The Mets are stuck in a limbo of uncertainty. Injuries have derailed what could have been a surprise season for them. Maybe not a playoff berth but a winning record wasn't out of the question. Still isn't. However, Beltran is 34 and entering free agency this offseason. The Mets need to get something in return for him since he doesn't fit into their long-term plans. Teams like the Giants, Phillies, Braves, Pirates, Indians, and Rangers all could use Beltran's pop. The Mets are trying to pry a top prospect out of the deal since Beltran really is the best bat on the market right now. Getting a key player in return for Beltran is imperative for the Mets. They need someone who will be able to step in in a year or two, whether its a pitcher or position player, and contribute.
Mike Adams, RP, Padres: Adams is viewed as the best relief option on the market and the Padres are asking a lot in return for him. Yankees GM Brian Cashman has maintained that he won't go crazy for relief pitching this year, especially with Rafael Soriano coming off the DL this week. There are a lot of teams that could use Adams as either a set-up man or closer who might overpay for him. Personally, I'm not a big fan of giving out huge contracts or offering up big-time prospects for relievers. Look at the Yankees history with big name relievers to find out why. Relievers are probably the most volatile commodity in baseball, dominating for a year or a few and then flaming out. Rare is the Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, or Dennis Eckersley. With that being said, there are still team who have a real shot at making the playoffs this year who could use someone like Adams. The Pirates could always use someone to set-up for Joel Hanrahan who is enjoying a fine season. The Cardinals bullpen has been something of a spectacle this season as well and they could use him. Both the Cardinals and Pirates are tied with the Brewers for first place with the Reds breathing down all their necks and the Brewers now have Francisco Rodriguez and John Axford to close out games for them. Adams in St. Louis could mean the difference between playoffs or golf.
Tyler Clippard, RP, Nationals: Clippard is a wins vulture, somehow escaping even bad outings with a "W." A new baseball term has even come into fashion in his honor, "Clip" as in clip the win. He isn't dominating but gets the job done by keeping hitters off balance with a variety of breaking stuff and a decent enough fastball. Clippard is still young and is coming off his first All-Star Game appearance so he could bring in a decent prospect or two. The Braves, Yankees, Rangers, Red Sox, and a slew of other teams have shown an interest. I personally like Clippard having seen him pitch at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and meeting him a few times. However, being a nice guy and good pitcher in the minors are on the opposite pole of reality. Clippard is still a good set-up man but, like with Adams, I think the Nationals will have to be very pleased with the package they take away from the deal which would prohibit me from trying to acquire him, especially when combined with his mediocre performance level in high leverage situations.
Heath Bell, RP, Padres: Bell is the closer in San Diego but is not their best reliever (that would be the aforementioned Mike Adams). Bell would like to stay in the NL but you can't always get what you want. All the teams previously mentioned in the Adams and Clippard paragraphs would be in play for Bell as well. Since he would cost less in terms of prospects than Adams, I would target him instead if I'm the Cardinals GM. He has shown he can close and the cost is lower. In a bad economy, like this one for available players of all positions, you sometimes have to clip coupons and use them wisely. With Adams overshadowing Bell in drool factor among teams someone like the Cardinals just might be able to swoop in and grab Bell with their coupons.
The trade market this year is not as cut and dry as in years past. There are a ton of teams that are hovering around respectability that will prohibit them from becoming sellers. Hell, even the Pittsburgh Pirates are in first place in a tight race in the NL Central where three teams share the lead and the Reds are only 3 games out in 2nd. Not even the Twins, with their 47-54 record are conceding defeat. There is a complete lack of depth right now in the market. That's not to say trades won't develop. Hell, the Marlins could trade Hanley Ramirez tomorrow, you just can't predict it. Either way, this is among the best periods in all of sports and we should all sit back and enjoy the ride. Hopefully our favorite teams don't become stupid and trade their best prospects for spare parts.
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