Trading Deadline Preview: A.L. Buyers, Sellers and Needs

Baseball News - Stan McNeal - SportingNews.com

There are seven weeks until Major League Baseball's non-waiver trading deadline. Do you know what your team needs? If not, you've come to the right place. We'll analyze the American League today and the National League on Saturday.

Just remember two things everyone tells me: Anyone (just about, anyway) can be traded, and the best trades are the ones that don't get tested in media speculation.

A.L. East

Red Sox: The best team in baseball does have a weak link: shortstop. Jed Lowrie, who could return from wrist surgery by the end of the month, could help. Still, Boston might want an upgrade. And don't be shocked if the Red Sox also pull off a deal for an impact bat. Their patience with DH David Ortiz won't last forever.

Prediction: Shortstop Jack Wilson would give Boston a solid glove and is a potential free agent after the season. The Red Sox's last trade with the Pirates -- they acquired outfielder Jason Bay in the Manny Ramirez deal last July -- has worked out pretty well.

Yankees: The main difference between the Yankees and the Red Sox is relief pitching. The Yankees' bullpen needs help.

Prediction: Someone such as Houston reliever LaTroy Hawkins would help close the gap.

Blue Jays: Considering all of the injuries to its rotation, Toronto has done a great job to stay this close to the division lead. Still, the Jays would be wiser to sell than to think a trade or two will allow them to catch the Yankees or the Red Sox.

Prediction: After underachieving outfielder Alex Rios' repeated use of a certain four-letter word directed at a fan was exposed on You Tube, his days in Toronto became numbered.

Rays: The defending A.L. champs need what the Yankees need: bullpen help. Unlike the Yankees, the Rays will not be inclined to overpay for it.

Prediction: Tampa Bay will write off this season as a learning experience. Lesson No. 1: You can't get by without a closer for too long.

Orioles: As usual, Baltimore has no chance at contending, though its list of players it needs to keep has grown. That list now includes catcher Matt Wieters, righthander Jeremy Guthrie, outfielders Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, and second baseman Brian Roberts.

Prediction: First baseman Aubrey Huff is a professional hitter who should bring a good prospect.

A.L. Central

Tigers: If the biggest surprise of the season isn't seeing the Tigers in first place, it is the fact that their pitching and improved defense have led them there. They could use help on offense, with outfielder Magglio Ordonez supplying only two homers so far.

Prediction: They are more likely to stay with the hitters they have than to make much of a splash.

Twins: They're two games under .500, but that's more a result of a dismal road record than any shortcomings. Minnesota would like to acquire bullpen help, but typically relies on its in-house options.

Prediction: Another quiet deadline in Minnesota.

White Sox: Although senior vice president/general manager Kenny Williams recently said he is almost ready for a roster overhaul, don't believe him. That doesn't mean he won't shake up the Sox, but this was his way of sending some kind of message to someone. Williams is a G.M. who typically keeps his true motives close to his vest, and his comments might have been an attempt to motivate his troops.

Prediction: Williams won't overhaul his roster, but he will make a big move by dealing first baseman Paul Konerko (if Konerko agrees to a deal) or outfielder Jermaine Dye (who can't be traded to the Northeast with his approval).

Indians: Despite beginning the weekend third in the majors in runs scored, the Indians have not been able to overcome their slow start. With attendance reflecting the club's poor record, the Indians will be busy trying to move salary. After giving closer Kerry Wood $20 million for two years, finding a taker for him would be a good start.

Prediction: On the list of top-five players most likely to be traded, third baseman Mark DeRosa has been No. 1 for the past month. The Cardinals, Brewers and Braves are sensible destinations.

Royals: Senior vice president of baseball operations/general manager Dayton Moore went all out this past offseason, but the results haven't been what Kansas City expected. After a solid start, the Royals are in last place. Moore now would be better off selling any high-salaried veterans he can.

Prediction: Anyone want to pay outfielder Jose Guillen $12 million next year? Didn't think so.

A.L. West

Rangers: Texas is in an unusual spot: first place. What's not unusual: It needs pitching. Free agent Ben Sheets could be the answer, eventually. He has been rehabbing from elbow surgery with the Rangers' physician, but Sheets isn't expected to be ready until later in the season.

Prediction: The Rangers will dangle prospects to upgrade their bullpen. They have plenty. Their farm system is ranked No. 1 by Baseball America.

Angels: They could use help in their normally reliable bullpen and on offense. By landing first baseman Mark Teixeira last season, the Angels showed they are willing to pay for a rental.

Prediction: Los Angeles won't make as big a splash as last year.

Mariners: Seattle has plenty of expiring contracts it would like to unload. Among them: lefthander Jarrod Washburn, third baseman Adrian Beltre, reliever Miguel Batista, first baseman/DH Mike Sweeney and maybe even DH/ outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. (the club already received its bump in ticket sales).

Prediction: The Mariners will find a taker for Washburn, though he would provide an upgrade on only a couple of contenders' rotations. The Mets and Brewers both can accommodate fly-ball pitchers.

A's: Want to rent a veteran? Call vice president/general manager Billy Beane. Slugging outfielder Matt Holliday isn't the only veteran Beane is looking to deal, though Holliday will be the most talked about. Beane has a roster stocked with potential free agents, including first baseman/DH Jason Giambi, shortstop Orlando Cabrera, second baseman Adam Kennedy, reliever Russ Springer and infielders Bobby Crosby and Nomar Garciaparra. However, it would help if they were playing better. Kennedy is the only one of the bunch enjoying a strong season.

Prediction: Holliday will be gone by the deadline. That's easy. Figuring out where he will go is tougher. The Red Sox have the resources, but trading for Holliday essentially would mean they're choosing him over Bay for the future. The Cardinals have the greatest need but have been reluctant to take on that kind of commitment. The Yankees don't particularly need Holliday, but outfielders Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui will come off the books after the season. Long shot: the Angels. Outfielder/DH Vladimir Guerrero is in the final year of his deal.

Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.

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