The July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is less than a month away and there are always a million rumors swirling this time of year. For fans loyal to one team, it can be heartbreaking to see a player traded, especially if that player is going to a rival. Though sometimes a player leaving their current club and changing scenery is for the best.
Trades are typically done to improve each organization involved. Occasionally improvements are made by subtraction, but most often additions are needed. Team chemistry is an important part of the season and when the team is winning, it is difficult to interrupt that chemistry. Introducing a new member of the team is not always an easy task for a manager, but when the new player has been a friendly enemy, the team can make it more fun.
With all the rumors out there, players have to be careful who and what they listen to, especially now. Even minor league players are plagued with rumors.
MLB Trade Deadline Preview
Here at LastWordOnSports, we have ranked 15 possible trade scenarios that could be completed before the non-waiver trade deadline. Disclaimer: The scenarios in this article have not been reported by any league sources, and to our knowledge, are not in the works. These trades are what we best believe will most benefit the organizations involved.
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RHP Jeff Samardzija from Chicago Cubs to Atlanta Braves for RHP Williams Perez, OF Cedric Hunter, OF/1B/DH Joey Meneses, and a player to be named later. The Braves have been to the postseason the last two years, only to fall short of the ultimate goal. They started the 2014 campaign with several injuries to the pitching staff, but have managed to stay atop the National League East, though bouncing between first and second place often. Samardzija could be the guy to hold off the Washington Nationals long enough to guarantee the Braves another division championship, but at a very high price. The Cubs, on the other hand, could decide to hold on to Samardzija as a building block, though that would get costly.
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RHP Jonathan Papelbon and Cash Considerations from Philadelphia Phillies to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for RHP Ryan Brasier. LHP Joe Thatcher from Arizona Diamondbacks to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for RHP R.J. Alvarez and RHP Drew Rucinski. RHP Yacksel Rios and Cash Considerations from Philadelphia Phillies to Arizona Diamondbacks for OF Justin Williams and SS Sean Jamieson. This three-way deal brings the Angels the extra bullpen help they desire without having to spend too much because the Phillies will have to “eat” much of Papelbon’s remaining salary. Meanwhile the Phillies get much needed outfield depth in Justin Williams as well as a backup shortstop in Sean Jamieson, and a relief pitcher, Ryan Brasier. The Diamondbacks swap a veteran left-handed reliever for three young pitchers. Given the Angels’ recent devastating seasons, the lift in the bullpen could be another answer they are looking for.
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RHP Ian Kennedy and Cash Considerations from San Diego Padres to Miami Marlins for RHP Casey McCarthy, LHP Sean Townsley, and a player to be named later. If the Marlins feel they are in contention for at least a Wild Card in the National League, they will need to compete with more than just four starters. The Padres have discussed trading Kennedy, even thought about moving Andrew Cashner if he can prove he is healthy before the deadline (Andrew Cashner, Sports Injury Alert Profile), but the Friars would need an extra arm themselves to carry them the rest of the way. Casey McCarthy looks close to MLB ready.
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RHP Brandon McCarthy, 2B Aaron Hill and Cash Considerations from Arizona Diamondbacks to Kansas City Royals for LHP Chris Dwyer, 2B Johnny Giavotella, and RHP Glenn Sparkman. The Royals are making a big push in the American League Central race and they do not seem to be letting up anytime soon. Omar Infante has been injured multiple times this season, and Aaron Hill could provide extra support at second base (Omar Infante, Sports Injury Alert Profile). Infante could also get some playing time at shortstop and third base to allow Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas days off. By acquiring McCarthy, the Royals could move Danny Duffy to the bullpen, further strengthening their already lethal relief.
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LHP David Price from Tampa Bay Rays to San Francisco Giants for LHP Adalberto Mejia, OF Gary Brown, LHP Matt Lujan, and player to be named later. The Rays will be gaining a talented center fielder in Gary Brown and pitchers in Adalberto Mejia and Matt Lujan. Meanwhile, the Giants will be getting baseball’s most coveted ace lefty that should help them surge over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and back into the playoffs.
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SS Alexei Ramirez from the Chicago White Sox to the New York Mets for C/1B Kevin Plawecki, LHP Jack Leathersich, and RHP Luis Carreno. Though the Mets are in fourth place in the National League East, Sandy Alderson may feel like his team can get right back in the race if only his team had a better starting shortstop. Ramirez is enjoying a career year and in any year that Derek Jeter is not retiring, would be an All-Star. He is the ideal candidate for the Mets lineup as he provides speed, power, and he hits to all fields. The White Sox would likely shift Gordon Beckham over to shortstop soon as Micah Johnson is near MLB ready. In the meantime, Leury Garcia would see time at short or second depending where Beckham plays.
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RHP LaTroy Hawkins from Colorado Rockies to Detroit Tigers for LHP Robbie Ray and player to be named later. The Tigers’ bullpen has struggled mightily this season and Joe Nathan has not been able to close games like he has in years past. The Rockies have fallen out of the playoff race in the National League West, yet LaTroy Hawkins has had a near perfect year in save opportunities (14/15). Hawkins has an option for 2015, which the Tigers would likely pick up if the rest of 2014 pans out.
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OF Marlon Byrd from Philadelphia Phillies to Boston Red Sox for LHP Tommy Layne and RHP Keith Couch. With the many injuries to Shane Victorino this season, the Red Sox have been left short-handed in the outfield (Shane Victorino, SIA Profile). And though the Phillies are in desperate need for good outfielders themselves, the Red Sox have a better chance at making a run for the postseason. In return for the power of Marlon Byrd, the Phillies will get the limited Major League pitching experience of Tommy Layne and a young AA pitcher in Keith Couch.
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RHP Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs to the New York Yankees for RHP Taylor Garrison and RHP Dillon McNamara. Even with CC Sabathia on a rehab assignment, the Yankees need starting pitchers (CC Sabathia, SIA Profile). Ivan Nova is out with inflammation in the rotator cuff (Ivan Nova, SIA Profile), Michael Pineda is out until August (Michael Pineda, SIA Profile), and Masahiro Tanaka has been needing extra days rest whenever possible. The Yankees have all but ruled out trading for Samardzija and Price because of cost, and they have noted that they have begun to eye Hammel.
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OF Alex Rios from Texas Rangers to New York Yankees for OF Zoilo Almonte and LHP Conner Kendrick. The Yankees have been looking for a steady and consistent offense this season. Alex Rios provides that consistent bat in the lineup from the right side of the plate. He has plenty of power to all fields and speed around the basepaths. In return, the Rangers receive an outfielder with limited MLB experience and a young left-handed pitcher.
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LHP Darin Downs from Houston Astros to Milwaukee Brewers for OF Jeremy Hermida. The Brewers need some extra help in their bullpen this season if they want to stay atop the National League Central. With Jim Henderson and Tyler Thornburg both on the disabled list, Doug Melvin has to make a decision about his club (Jim Henderson, Tyler Thornburg, Sports Injury Alert Profile). Darin Downs is a young, aggressive lefty with a lot of upside. The Astros have been playing shorthanded in the outfield lately, and during a rebuilding period, that may be fine. However, all spots still need to be filled and Jeremy Hermida has Major League experience, though he has spent most of his career in the minors. He could help guide and teach the younger outfielders while Dexter Fowler is recovering from an intercostal strain (Dexter Fowler, Sports Injury Alert Profile).
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OF Dayan Viciedo from Chicago White Sox to Seattle Mariners for INF Zach Shank and RHP Emilio Pagan. Though Seattle’s pitching is spectacular year in and year out, the team has had a difficult time offensively for a couple years. This past offseason, the front office tried to rectify that issue by signing Robinson Cano, Corey Hart, John Buck, and traded for Logan Morrison. Still, the team has an On Base Percentage below .300 just over halfway through the season. Dayan Viciedo, “The Tank,” may not help much immediately as his own OBP has been on a decline, but a change of scenery might jump start him.
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LHP Jorge De La Rosa from Colorado Rockies to New York Yankees for RHP Joel De La Cruz, LHP Nik Turley, and player to be named later. Though the Rockies have a list of injuries to their pitching staff, they can sacrifice another this year for the sake of growing stronger in the future. The Yankees still have a chance of saving their 2014 season if they can gather the right pitchers. Jorge De La Rosa has been a staple in the Rockies rotation, but he is a free agent this coming offseason. In return, the Rockies will receive AAA pitchers Joel De La Cruz and Nik Turley.
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LHP Oliver Perez from Arizona Diamondbacks to Baltimore Orioles for LHP Jason Gurka. The Orioles are sitting in second place in the American League East, but could use a boost in the bullpen. Veteran left-handed pitcher Oliver Perez has experience as both a starter and as a reliever, the latter most recently and most successfully. Currently, the Orioles are using youngster Zach Britton as a closer, but having a veteran like Perez could only benefit more.
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RHP Huston Street from San Diego Padres to Milwaukee Brewers for RHP Andy Moye and RHP Martin Viramontes. Should the Brewers continue to the postseason, they will need to have a proven closer with postseason experience. Huston Street provides exactly what the Brewers need. He is perfect in save opportunities (22/22) so far in 2014 and can be the perfect mentor for Jim Henderson who is still learning the closer role. Street has a team option for the 2015 season, and should the Brewers decide not to pick it up, he would become a free agent.
Do these trade scenarios make sense? Purely speculation.
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