Larry Rooney
It's hard to remember, but think back to a couple of days ago when Johnny Cueto was moved to Kansas City. The trade deadline moves and rumors were just starting to heat up. Now we are staring today's MLB trade deadline at 4 PM ET in the face. After a long week or rumors and trades, it is all coming to a close today. So, what teams NEED to make a move prior to the deadline?
5. The San Francisco Giants:
If the Giants are looking to break their World Series pattern and become repeat World Champions, they will need to make an additional move to be able to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite an awful start to their season, they currently find themselves a half game out of first in their division, the Giants will need to add some additional firepower if they wish to be able to take on the Dodgers this year.
The team has lacked major production from their outfield this year. As a result, they could target someone like Justin Upton or Carlos Gonzalez. Gonzalez holds a much greater price tag, and I don't imagine San Francisco would look to give up the players necessary to acquire Cargo. With this being said, the team did address the need for a fifth starter by acquiring Mike Leake from the Cincinnatti Reds, which pushes Tim Hudson into the bullpen.
4. The Baltimore Orioles:
The AL East has been pretty tight all year, with the New York Yankees getting the better of the entire division. Unfortunately for the Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays have only gotten better with the acquisitions of P David Price and SS Troy Tulowitzki. The Yankees have remained silent up til now at this year's deadline, with the exception acquiring LF Dustin Ackley last night. The Orioles need to respond to Toronto's huge moves, and I imagine the Yankees will deal before the clock strikes 4 PM. Some possible trade acquisitions could OF Justin Upton, OF Will Venable, P Yovanni Gallardo, and 2B/SS Javier Baez. Upton and Venable, however, seem less and less likely since the Orioles have recently agreed to deal for OF Gerrardo Parra.
3. The Minnesota Twins:
The Twins, a team known to have a small market, are somehow still right in the mix of things. A rejuvenated Torii Hunter and occasional shades of the old Joe Mauer have carried this team to midsession success. As the deadline approaches, the Teins should seriously consider making a couple of moves to bolster their team, which they likely won't make due to financial restraints. The team should look to target teams looking to deal corner outfielder and third basemen. The perfect trade partner emerges, the Oakland Athletics. The Twins would be able to ask A's GM Billy Beane for 3B Brett Lawrie and OF Josh Reddick. A trade for these two could easily make this team a playoff contender. Also, the Twins should look to acquire another starting, think Andrew Cashner from San Diego. Whether or not the Twins make any moves, the team needs to if they want to make the playoffs.
2. The New York Yankees:
The Yankees have somehow managed to secure first place in a rather tight AL East. However, the teams around them in their division have since gotten better, the Blue Jays especially. In order to maintain their lead and hold on first place, the team needs to make a move. They need to deal for both a starting pitcher or two and a corner outfielder. The Yankees should target Yasiel Puig or Justin Upton to handle right field this season. To address their starting rotation, the New York Yankees should look to acquire Yovanni Gallardo as his ground ball inducing pitching style would mesh well with Yankees Stadium. If not Gallardo from Texas, the Yankees should check in on Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross of San Diego. The Yankees desperately need to make a move to maintain there hold on the AL East. The team has also, reportedly, been attached to potential deals for Craig Kimbrel and Aroldys Chapman.
1. The New York Mets:
The Mets are perhaps the team with the most need for a trade. The team finds itself two games back of the NL East crown after blowing a 6 run lead yesterday afternoon. The 7 runs scored was an anomaly for a team that sports one of the worst offenses in the league. The Mets desperately need to deal for an impact bat by way of corner outfielder or shortstop. Ultimately with Tulowitzki off the market, the Mets will probably stand pat with their current shortstop situation. The Mets should pursue OF Yoenis Cespedes as he is arguably the best bat and defender combination on the trading block this year. Cespedes brings an electric arm to the table, as well as a very powerful bat which hits for a decent average. Realistically, the Mets are more likely to trade for Cincinatti's OF Jay Bruce who also brings tremendous power to the table. The Mets are willing to part ways with P Zach Wheeler who is recovering from Tommy John surgery in order to acquire a big name bat. Also, GM Sandy Alderson finds Bruce more attractive due another year left on his contract and an option for the next year.
Regardless of what the teams actually do, these teams need to make moves prior to today's deadline if they intend to be in the playoffs come October.
*Jonathan Broxton to St. Louis Cardinals
** Gerrardo Parra to Baltimore Orioles
No comments :
Post a Comment