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November 8, 2009

On the Beat

Fire Up the Hot Stove

by John Perrotto

Well, so much for the theory that the groundwork for trades is made at the general manager’s meetings and consummated at the Winter Meetings. Four significant trades were made this week, and we’re only entering our fourth day of the offseason. The GM meetings start tomorrow in Chicago, and there is better-than-even chance at least one deal will be made there. Heck, by the time the winter meetings get underway December 7 in Indianapolis, there might not be anybody left to trade. Thus, it behooves us to take a look at the trade market before it dries up.

Baseball’s two new general managers have some of the more intriguing trade chips on the market. The Blue Jays’ Alex Anthopolous will try to deal right-hander Roy Halladay, who becomes a free agent at the end of the 2010, after predecessor J.P. Ricciardi’s much-publicized bid to move the staff ace failed at the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline. Meanwhile, new Padres GM Jed Hoyer has two All-Stars he can dangle in first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and closer Heath Bell if he wants to continue the youth movement that started this year. Right-hander Kevin Correia and third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff would also draw interest.

Starting pitching is always at a premium, and while Halladay will be hotly pursued again, a number of younger starters are also available, including the Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley, the Brewers’ Dave Bush, the Orioles’ Jeremy Guthrie, the Phillies’ Kyle Kendrick, and the Twins’ Glen Perkins. Billingsley is the most intriguing of the group, as he is just 25 and pitched in the All-Star Game this season. However, he struggled so badly down the stretch that he was taken out of the rotation and left the Dodgers wondering if he might need a new start in another organization.

Beyond that group, there are bigger names who could be in the mix. After re-signing Tim Hudson to a three-year, $27 million contract, the Braves are willing to trade one of three starting pitchers—Kenshin Kawakami, Derek Lowe, or Javier Vazquez—for an outfield bat. The Cubs might listen on ace Carlos Zambrano, but would need to be overwhelmed to deal him.

Meanwhile, teams looking for a closer may be able to fill their void via trade, as the Pirates’ Matt Capps, the White Sox’ Bobby Jenks, and the Indians’ Kerry Wood are all said to be available. Marlins left-hander Renyel Pinto is one of the many quality set-up relievers who can be had, while the Rays’ Dan Wheeler and the Athletics’ Michael Wuertz are others.