Here are a couple updates on trades that have happened since the Doug Fister trade, and other that are in the works right now.
-Rafael Furcal appears to be going to the Cardinals. All that’s really left is Furcal approving the trade. Since he has 10 and 5 rights, he has veto power on any trade. Even though Furcal is having an awful, terrible year (.520 OPS in only 37 games), he’s a year removed from an .826 OPS with the Dodgers in 97 games. 2009 is his only fully healthy season since 2008, so there’s reason to be concerned there. But when you consider that the Cardinals are currently running the diastrously bad Ryan Theriot out at shortstop every day (.644 OPS with awful defense), Furcal would be an upgrade if he’s able to stay healthy. Trading Furcal would allow the Dodgers to give Dee Gordon the every day shortstop job.
-Jerry Hairston Jr has been traded from the Nationals to the Brewers in exchange for minor league OF Erik Komatsu. You pretty much know what you’re getting at this point in Hairston’s career: a good bench bat who can play anywhere. Hairston has played every position but catcher and pitcher over his career, and has played five positions this season for the Nationals. Komatsu is a 23 year old in AA who has fantastic plate discipline and good speed, but below average power for a corner OF. He could be a useful piece.
-There is still a ton of interest in Ubaldo Jimenez. The Reds, Indians, Red Sox and Yankees all have interest, but I don’t think he’ll get moved unless the Rockies drastically lower their asking price. I’m not sure why the Reds have a lot of interest, as they’re now four games under .500. The team should look to build around their young arms like Homer Bailey and Travis Wood as opposed to trading them for Jimenez.
-The Red Sox apparently have interest in a lot of players aside from Jimenez, and are looking to make a splash. They’ve got interest in Rich Harden and Josh Willingham from the A’s, as well as Carlos Quentin and Matt Thornton from the White Sox. There is nothing wrong with acquiring another reliever, especially with as awful as Dan Wheeler has been this season. Harden is an odd guy for the team to be interested in, but when you consider that the team has given starts to Andrew Miller this year, it makes a lot more sense. Trading for a corner outfielder would be a good move, assuming that Josh Reddick can’t keep up his hot streak since being called up.
-The Rangers appear to be destined to get Heath Bell. They’ve been linked to him since day one, and are the odds on favorite to get him. Speaking of Padres relievers, the Phillies are big on Mike Adams in addition to Bell. Adams is probably a better fit for a lot of teams than Bell, but who knows if the Padres would be willing to trade him after Adams was reportedly told earlier this month that he wouldn’t be traded.
-The Braves struck out on Carlos Beltran and Hunter Pence, and are apparently looking at Michael Bourn and BJ Upton right now. The team is also involved in talks for Quentin, but Quentin would be a much worse fit for the team than either of the two center fielders. The team desperately needs a leadoff hitter that can play CF, and should focus less on handedness and more on overall ability.
-The bidding of Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers appears to be down to just the Yankees and Red Sox, but he has a no trade clause, and it’s unsure of whether or not he’d accept a deal anywhere. Kuroda would be a great fit for any team in need of a starter.
-Ryan Ludwick is a near certainty to be moved. The Indians appear to be the front runner, but the Braves have some interest too.
-The Royals don’t want to move Jeff Francouer or Melky Cabrera. Of course they don’t. When you’ve got a chance to keep guys like that on your team, you’ve gotta do it.
-BREAKING NEWS: Mike Aviles to the Red Sox. Kansas City gets AAA 3B Yamaico Navarro and A+ RHP Kendall Volz. Volz is a 23 year old who’s struck out a batter per inning in 51 1/3 innings while walking 12, and was a ninth round pick in 2009. Navarro has an .831 OPS in Pawtucket, and has spent cups of coffee in the majors over the past two seasons. He’s also 23.
More updates as they come….if a big trade happens in the next couple hours, I’ll do a writeup. Otherwise, I’ll keep compiling the minor moves and rumors for a post later tonight.
