Thursday, July 29, 2004

Players on the Move - Part 1

With the MLB trade deadline approaching - I thought I would start my own personal rumor central.

Toronto

- Kerry Ligtenberg: he's been pretty bad this year (5.97 ERA) but he has a career ERA of 3.37 and someone like Atlanta may be willing to shore up their bullpen with a guy who had mucho success in Atlanta. The Jays would probably be just happy to move his $2.5 million 2005 salary and would accept flotsam and jetsam in return.

- Carlos Delgado: he has a no-trade clause but the Jays would like to move him and save $7.5 million for the rest of the season (maybe the difference between finishing in the black vs. the red financially). LA or Atlanta may be landing spots for Carlos. If Delgado is traded - he could have the biggest impact of any player moved by the trade deadline.

Tampa Bay

- Tino Martinez: would anyone be shocked to see Tino back with the Yankees? Tony Clark has done a very good job subbing for Jason Giambi but Tino holds a special place for Yankee fans (plus he still has some pop in the bat - hitting .276 with 14 HR). The Devil Rays would save about $3.5 million by trading Tino.

Kansas City

- Tony Graffinino: a contender may decide to shore up their bench with Graffinino. My guess is that the Royals would fire sale him to the first bidder.

- Joe Randa: are you as surprised as I am that he hasn't been moved yet? Maybe the delay is that the Royals always viewed Randa as a better player than he actually is.

- Benito Santiago: what is he now? 62? 63? Signed through 2005 - which will probably cause any potential buyer to balk. (Always thought that Santiago would be great in a remake of Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea.)

- Scott Sullivan: maybe the most likely Royal to find themself with a new address. His 3.88 ERA is decent enough for someone to take a chance.

(Mike Sweeney isn't going anywhere. His contract is a millstone.)

Seattle

- Brett Boone: only the Yankees could afford to take on his $9 million 2005 salary. I think Seattle is stuck with Boone. The Mariners may decide to cut Boone and risk the grievance.

- Randy Winn: I bet the Mariners would desperately love to move Winn. The Yankees could use a centerfield back-up but even the Yankees have a limit of stupid moves they can make. Speaking of stupid moves - maybe the Mets will take a flier on Winn.

I don't Baltimore will make any trades. By all rights they should be a seller but I think management is committed to finishing in third place in the AL East (in front of Tampa Bay). The Orioles live in a bizzarro world.

No comments:

Post a Comment