The trade deadline is less than two weeks away, so the hot stove action is about to really start heating up. But before the trades start flying, let’s take a stroll through the AL West to see what each of the teams figures to be up to at the deadline.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers are definitely the AL West team to watch leading up until the deadline. They showed last year that they had the huevos to go out and make big deals to bolster their playoff chances and that was when the team was in the middle of filing for bankruptcy. Imagine what Jon Daniels and his rich farm system will do this year now that their ownership situation is settled (translation, they gots them some money to spend now).
The most glaring need they are sure to address is shoring up their middle relief, specifically from the right side. They’ve been kicking the tires on all the top bullpen arms since May, so you know they won’t let the deadline pass without doing something, but they really have their sights set on the elite arms on the market, so don’t be shocked if they go hard after Heath Bell to be their new setup man. Heck, they might even go after multiple arms just to make sure they are fully covered.
After the Rangers swung for the fences with their trade for Cliff Lee last season, it is possible they’ll try and add a top-notch arm to their rotation too, but that would require there to actually such an arm available. That could make them a dark horse to pry Ubaldo Jimenez loose from the Rockies, assuming Colorado is serious about moving him. After that, the Rangers have enough back end of the rotation types, so if all the trade market has to offer is Jason Marquis types, expect Texas to shore up other holes first.
One such hole, and probably the only hole in their offense, is in center field. Endy Chavez has played well in center this season, but Texas knows he is playing over his head right now, and getting a more reliable full-time player in center is a luxury they could consider. Guys like Michael Bourn, BJ Upton and Coco Crisp make a lot of sense for Texas if the price is right.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Angels GM Tony Reagins wants you to believe that the team has no financial limitations, but they are already carrying a payroll north of $140 million, so almost everyone outside of Anaheim is assuming their budget is maxed out. Having little money to spend won’t slow Reagins down though as he has a history of being active at the deadline.
Like the Rangers, the Halos biggest deficiency is bridging the gap from their strong rotation to their excellent closer. Scott Downs has the lefty side of the setup equation locked down, but the Angels have little to offer from the right-side. Heath Bell is probably too expensive for the Angels, so figure them to pursue the mid-tier relief talent like Koji Uehara and Grant Balfour.
The Angels have also been linked to some of the lefty power bats on the market, like Carlos Pena, to help boost their muddling lineup, but cost constraints could prevent them from going down that road. However, if there is a bat they could open up their wallet for, it would be a slugging third baseman. Aramis Ramirez is somebody they would love to add, but his refusal to waive his no-trade clause stands in the way of a deal and there isn’t much else available at the hot corner that would be a surefire upgrade over Alberto Callaspo. Actually, there is one player, David Wright. His back problems are a huge red flag, but Reagins has been willing to take gambles via trade before.
Of course, that could be the problem for the Angels the rest of this month. The Halos got burned badly when they traded for Scott Kazmir, who they have since released, and then publically ridiculed after they took on Vernon Wells’ onerous contract this winter. Those recent failures have edged Reagins close to the hot seat in Anaheim, so he could be a little gunshy this deadline in hopes of not making any other blunders that will cost him his job.
Seattle Mariners
Having now lost 12 games in a row, the Mariners quickly went from potential buyers to definite sellers this month. The only problem is that they may not have much to sell. There are Triple-A teams with better lineups that the Mariners have, so anybody hoping to pick up an extra bat at the deadline would be wise to just ignore Seattle altogether.
Seattle is a solid pitching team, but once again, their trade inventory is pretty thin. Their rotation is largely composed of young, cheap talent that they would like to hold onto, but they could try and see if someone would be willing to give something up for Erik Bedard if/when he gets healthy again. Bedard is supposed to be back soon, and he has pitched well this year, but he is a constant threat to get re-injured at any given moment. He’d be a nice gamble for playoff-bound team, but his fragility isn’t likely to net Seattle much in return.
If the Mariners are going to move someone, closer Brandon League is probably the guy. He’d make for a solid a setup man on a contender, but the fact that he has an arbitration year left, Seattle won’t be in a hurry to send him packing. However, since League is closing now, he could be due a big raise via arbitration and it may be more than Seattle is willing to pay an average closer, so they might just cut their losses now and trade League before he gets expensive.
Oakland Athletics
In what some believe could be Billy Beane’s last year as the Oakland GM, he is poised to be an extremely busy man. The A’s loaded up on veteran talent this off-season in hopes of making a playoff run, but those plans blew up in their face, so it would make sense for them to now divest themselves of all those veteran assets. With a vast array of slightly above average spread all over their roster, the A’s could turn into a one-stop shop for all your trade deadline needs.
Need a righty power bat? How about Josh Willingham. Act now because supplies are limited!
Not sure you can afford him? Can we interest you in an economy model like this nice Conor Jackson we have over here?
How about a speedy, defensive-minded outfielder? Try some Coco Crisp.
Perhaps you just need trusty veteran bat for depth purposes? Well, have I got the Hideki Matsui for you.
OK, so hitting isn’t your thing, surely you need some bullpen arms? Everybody could us another bullpen arm, right? We’ve got your standard issue lefty in Brian Fuentes and plenty of righty power arm inventory with Grant Balfour and Michael Wuertz. If you are looking for something a little more unique, we do have a rare and unique submariner named Brad Ziegler. Finally, and I saved this last one for you because I like you so much, but I think if you made me a good offer, I could talk my supervisor into letting you drive out of here with All-Star closer Andrew Bailey. Just make your best offer and I’ll take it back into the sales office and see what my boss says. Do we have a deal?
