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July 16, 2009

On the Beat

Buyers Rush Nearly Empty Shelves?

by John Perrotto

The grumbling among most general managers is that it is too hard to make a trade in the current climate. Just 15 days remain until the July 31 deadline for making trades without securing waivers on players. However, 18 of the 30 major league clubs are still within five games of a playoff spot as the teams begin returning to action from the All-Star break tonight. Just nine teams can be considered definite sellers with the deadline approaching, leaving 21 clubs either looking to buy or at least stand pat. Thus, it is truly a sellers’ market.

"If you want to trade for a difference-maker, you’re going to pay through the nose right now," said the general manager of contender team who attended the All-Star festivities in St. Louis earlier this week. "There are too many teams trying to trade for too few players. The bad teams are trying to get better in a hurry by making some lopsided deals."

Here are the sellers and what they have to offer:

Athletics: Left fielder Matt Holliday is very much available but the asking price is two premium prospects and a third youngster. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera could interest a contender, but won’t fetch a major return. Right-handed reliever Russ Springer might also have a market, but the Athletics will have a hard time giving first baseman Jason Giambi and shortstop Bobby Crosby away.

Blue Jays: The auction for right-hander Roy Halladay is in progress, and he is clearly the most attractive player available for trade. Once the Blue Jays move Halladay, they will look to trade outfielders Alex Rios and Vernon Wells as well but it will be difficult as both carry unwieldy contracts. The Blue Jays are also willing to part with left-hander David Purcey.

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18 comments have been left for this article.

BP Comment Quick Links

code of conduct

perrotto

BP staff

(9143)

My mistake in the last paragraph of the Bud Selig note. It should read that Selig had no advice to give writers on how to consider the candidacies of those players who have been found to have used steroids or been implicated as users. Sorry about that.

Jul 16, 2009 10:30 AM

Evan

(47)

Selig's disappointed in fan reaction to Ramirez? What?

He's not supposed to be some moralistic paragon making normative claims about how fans ought to appreciate the game. He's supposed to be catering to the fans while growing MLB's business.

If the fans reacted positively to the return of Manny, then maybe the fans just don't care that much about steroids. I certainly don't, and I'm still annoyed with the MLBPA for backing down so easily on the issue.

Jul 16, 2009 10:38 AM

rating: 10

eighteen

(1432)

Ahhh, but if the fans don't care about PED's, the owners can't use that as leverage against the players - and that's much more important to Selig & Co. than the game.

Jul 16, 2009 10:54 AM

rating: 9

Drew Miller

(22526)

Well, fans don't really care about Selig at this point. As far as they're concerned, the game thrives in spite of him.

Jul 17, 2009 06:57 AM

rating: 2

hyprvypr

(11082)

Can Seattle move enough to get a nice right bat before the deadline? Alexis Rios?

If you look at the team, they need a SS, and LF in roughly that order. Given their pitching and defense has been so strong, one more bat might push them right into the big picture.

Jul 16, 2009 11:05 AM

rating: 1

Joe D.

(3692)

Superb all-around "On the Beat" and extra thanks for the beefed-up helping of Scout's Views.

Jul 16, 2009 13:11 PM

rating: 8

suchit13

(44091)

+1

Jul 16, 2009 13:32 PM

rating: -1

nfkrueger

(2433)

Wait a minute.. the Reds aren't sellers? They should be, especially given your premise.

So... could you appraise who they could/should move?

TIA!

Jul 16, 2009 13:44 PM

rating: -1

Scartore

(4542)

I'll chime in as a rabid reds fan. I do think we should be buyers considering the quality of our young SP's. But if we do decide to pull the plug, I'd shop Arthur Rhodes, Coco Cordero, and Ramon Hernandez. I'd also be looking to flip Jerry Hairston to a team that feels it needs a super sub.

Jul 16, 2009 14:23 PM

rating: 1

birkem3

(21752)

"If right-handers Jake Peavy and Chris Young get healthy, they could go by the August 31 deadline for setting post-season rosters."

How would either of those guys clear waivers to a playoff contender?

Jul 16, 2009 14:08 PM

rating: 2

chrishobson

(8926)

With his contract he might slip through...

Jul 16, 2009 19:11 PM

rating: 0

Mithrophon

(260)

I've really liked the "Scouts Views" section, but I wonder, it seems like players doing well get scout comments about how those players have really turned it around, while players not doing well get scout comments about how they're unlikely to ever succeed the way we originally thought. Kind of like stock analyst who like rising stocks and dislike falling ones.

I'd love to see "contrary" scouts views, where the scout completely dismisses the current performance and predicts much better or worse in the future.

Jul 16, 2009 14:54 PM

rating: 6

djg2111

(34437)

Kind of like how an Ian Stewart will likely start hitting for average soon? I've seen a few contrary opinions in this column, but for the most part, you are right, and I would like to see more.

Jul 17, 2009 09:31 AM

rating: 0

James Martin Cole

(31941)

How badly do the Jays want to move Wells, though?

They'd give him away for nothing, presumably. If a team was willing to take Wells, how much would they have to give up in exchange for Halladay?

Jul 16, 2009 19:20 PM

rating: 0

R.A.Wagman

(32721)

Trading Halladay to get rid of Wells would be a classic example of throwing good money after bad by the Jays.

Jul 17, 2009 06:50 AM

rating: -1

judyblum

(5990)

Taking Wells to get Halladay would almost be like giving Halladay a 1.5 year/$90M contract and signing a pretty good 4th OFer to a cheap LTC at the same time.

Jul 17, 2009 06:05 AM

rating: 1

Lopecci

(29915)

Very nice piece of work. One of the best articles on BP. Way to go John.

Jul 17, 2009 08:21 AM

rating: -1

tradeatape

(41616)

John--Any talk going on about the Rockies unloading Garrett Atkins? Do you or others think he's a spent commodity, or is he someone who'll perk up in a new park? Thanks!

Jul 17, 2009 11:38 AM

rating: 0

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<< Previous Article

Prospectus Today: The ... (07/16)

<< Previous Column

On the Beat: All-Star ... (07/15)

Next Column >>

On the Beat: The Weeke... (07/19)

Next Article >>
Future Shock: Signing ... (07/17)

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