Big Game James Shields Leads Trade Deadline Rumors A to Z

By Schruender On July 22, 2011 · Leave a Comment

The gossip and rumors at this time of year can get nastier than Mean Girls and more overwhelming than the NFL CBA. I thought it might make things slightly easier if it was all sorted alphabetically. Here is an A to Z list of all things trade deadline:

Astros outfielder Hunter Pence will stay put according to Jim Bowden. He is only arbitration eligible next year. Buster Olney, who works for the same company as Bowden, has heard that the Astros are coming around on the prospect of dealing Pence.

Big Game James Shields has been the subject of trade rumors to the Cardinals, Rockies, and Reds. The Rays don’t have to trade him. Shields helped move the Rays one game closer to the Wild Card last night (5.5 back) and more importantly he’s under contract through options at a relatively affordable rate through 2014.

Carlos Beltran has five teams looking at him. The Red Sox, Giants, Braves, Phillies, and Rangers are those teams. The Mets had scouts in the Red Sox Double-A affiliate Portland earlier this week which prompts me to speculate they looked at Will Middlebrooks. According to this report, Beltran might resign with the Mets this offseason even if he were traded.

Diamondback fans might have a team that is buying for a change at the trade deadline. Don’t get too excited though they are shopping at the dollar store. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi believe they will get a back end starter such as Jason Marquis. If Kerry Wood would waive his no trade clause, the Diamondbacks would like to add him as well.

Even if the Astros are able to move Wandy Rodriguez, Jon Heyman reports they might have to eat half of the remaining $39 million on his contract. Perhaps the Red Sox would eat more and perhaps he is the best starter that the Red Sox could acquire.

Grant Balfour won’t be available. Michael Wuertz, Brian Fuentes, and Craig Breslow will be available.

Hiroki Kuroda hasn’t told the Dodgers if he’d waive his no trade clause unconditionally. Peter Gammons tweeted earlier this month that Kuroda doesn’t want to play for an east coast team. Pop the question already Dodgers!

Indians outfielders Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo are on the DL. They called up Jason Kipnis to play outfield, but are also reportedly looking at Coco Crisp and Ryan Ludwick. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports going after Rich Harden and Crisp is a possibility.

Jonny Gomes has drawn interest from Atlanta.

Koji Uehara has a case that he has been a more dominant 8th inning arm than Daniel Bard, Mike Adams, David Robertson, and Jonny Venters. That explains why the Rangers, Pirates, and Tigers are among the teams that are pursuing him. Assuming Uehara gets in 15 more games this year, he will make $4 million next year, so the Orioles won’t force a deal.

Leaving the door open in Tampa Bay. Buster Olney reports that the Rays won’t be shy about any of their players including B.J. Upton.

Michael Cuddyer won’t be moved even if the Twins don’t think they can contend in the AL Central.

No team would benefit more from getting a bat than the Giants who have gotten nothing from Aubrey Huff and others this season. The Giants are interested in Carlos Quentin (as well as the Braves and Phillies), but the White Sox are likely looking for a starter in return. Is it time to give up on on Jonathan Sanchez?

Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie is available, but speculation has indicated they will likely need a Major League ready starter in return because they don’t have any innings-eaters on their staff.

Philadelphia might not be done adding bullpen help after grabbing Aaron Heilman yesterday. Mike Adams for Jonathan Singleton has been rumored and it would also fit in the payroll.

Quoting one baseball executive, “Boston is fine just the way they are. They may not do anything, and the same may be true of the Yankees.”

Ryan Lavarnway is slugging for the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate Pawtucket and knows that he could be the subject of trade rumors as a result.

Stephen Drew was lost for the season and you wonder if the Diamondbacks chances went down with his loss. If they still like their chances, Clint Barmes is having a comparable season and certainly available.

The Tigers would like to add a starting pitcher after adding Wilson Betemit.

USA Today and FantasyPros911 writer Patrick DiCaprio is worried about the dip in Mike Adams‘ strikeout rate and the increase in the percentage of cutters that he’s thrown this season.

Vance Worley and a couple other players for Hunter Pence? The Phillies are already the favorite – they can’t get the best piece at the deadline too!

What the Reds will do is a bit of a mystery. Chone Figgins‘ name has been mentioned. The Reds would likely get Seattle to pay for that deal given that they have Scott Rolen and Brandon Phillips at the two positions Figgins is most familiar with. Ken Rosenthal reports that they are most interested in a big bat.

Xecutives for the Cubs might be enjoying their last trade deadline. Jim Hendry hasn’t had a whole lot (Milton Bradley, Casey McGehee, Kosuke Fukudome) work lately as the Cubs continue to own the lovable loser label. He may be fired.

You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you might just find you get what you need. Cody Ross (2010), Matt Stairs (2008), Bobby Kielty (2007). Just three players that sound like absolute garbage who were added after July 31 to help teams do what every team is trying to do in some form right now – win a championship.

Zack Greinke hasn’t pitched well, but the Brewers are in first place anyway. They have reached out to the Dodgers to check on Jamey Carroll’s availability. And will the Brewers do anything to replace Carlos Gomez in the outfield?