By Butters in D.C.
League 14
League 16
The anticipation is building. You can almost taste it. You see, it’s Christmas Eve - Eve here at the Hit List. The coming anticipation of what shiny new toys will be under the tree Christmas morning is almost unbearable.
The rumors swirl, the talks continue, possibilities abound. No, I’m not talking about some time warp of the calendar. Obviously, I’m talking about one of my favorite days of the year - the non-waiver trading deadline.
The hours building up to this day can simultaneously change the face of a contender and give new realistic meaning to the phrase “wait ‘till next year.” Let’s take a look at some of the players for whom a change could have the biggest impact on both their Major League teams and our fantasy clubs.
Mark Teixeira - rumors were: AZ, NYY, BOS, LAD, LAA. The former Atlanta slugger was maybe the biggest impact bat on the trade market this year. The Braves gave up so much to get him last year that they would need a strong package to move him this year. Wouldn’t they? They stood to receive both a first round and a sandwich pick if they lost him in free agency, so whatever he is traded for must equal or exceed that value.
Prediction: I had figured that the combination of his steep price with no major contender desperate for a 1B/DH type would mean that Tex would stay put. But, Casey Kotchman? Did the Braves get enough?
Brian Fuentes - rumors to: Just about everyone. Like Teixeira, Fuentes is probably the best reliever on the trade market. As such, the Rockies want a steep price in return. The other potential monkey wrench in the situation is that, while Colorado is woefully below .500, they are certainly not out of the race for the NL West title. Memories of last year’s miraculous run may cause the Rockies to be buyers instead of sellers.
Prediction: Fuentes may not fetch the top prospect that Colorado is looking for, but he will certainly bring some value when he is traded to the Boston Red Sox and becomes a set-up man … killing his fantasy value. Manny Corpas is the favorite to close after a Fuentes trade, but look for Taylor Bucholtz to grab the job if given the opportunity.
George Sherrill - rumors to: STL, BOS, LAA, LAD. It’s always a big deal in fantasy when any closer loses his job, especially one that is near the top of the leaderboard in saves. Sherrill was a throw-in in the Erik Bedard trade but has wound up being the key piece in that deal. Now Baltimore can flip him for more prospects in their continuous rebuilding effort.
Prediction: Unfortunately, when Sherrill goes to the Dodgers, he, too, will most likely be a set-up man. Fortunately, Joe Torre will use him to give Jonathan Broxton a rest here and there. Jim Johnson gets the first crack at being closer in the Baltimore ‘merry-go-round’, but I wouldn’t get too attached.
Manny Ramirez - rumors to: PHI. Manny is, once again, being Manny and has said that he is willing to waive his no-trade clause in his contract. But the price that the Red Sox can reasonably be expected to ask is going to be astronomical given the balky body and off-kilter mind of this superstar slugger. Still, what fantasy GM with Ramirez wouldn’t want to see him make the move to the bandbox of Philly?
Prediction: As much as I enjoy seeing the Red Sox in turmoil, this Manny thing is, once again, just a lot of smoke and no fire. This happens just about every year, and while this year it certainly sounds more real than it has before, Manny finishes out his career in Boston. Then again, don’t be too surprised to see him someplace like Texas on August 1st … where Manny can still be Manny.
Matt Holliday - rumors to: NYM, NYY, BOS, LAA, WAS. Take a look at that list of teams very carefully. You have all of the major players and … the Nationals? That’s right folks; Washington is seriously considering making a move for the slugger, as he is under contract through next season. Don’t worry; it’s not likely, although it could very well be the worst place for Holliday. Imagine a stat line of .330/15HR/77RBI and 288 walks - with 178 intentional walks. There would be no reason for Colorado to move their best player if they are still in the hunt for the division anyway.
Prediction: Holliday IS the Rockies. There isn’t a package out there that could make up for the attitude he brings to that team. There is NO WAY he gets traded. He’ll still be a first rounder, no worries.
Huston Street - rumors to LAD, NYM, CIN. The Oakland A’s are in full blown rebuilding mode. Billy Beane is trading anyone with any value and since last offseason has netted 24 prospects in return. Street may be the one exception. There isn’t a contender with a glaring need at closer, and that’s what this guy is. The price may be too steep, and Beane probably won’t just take what he can get.
Prediction: Beane works his magic again and somehow nets a princely sum. Street goes to the New York Mets who have a history of overpaying for talent. Street works mostly as a set-up guy, but with the fragile health of the aging Billy Wagner, Street gets a bunch of save chances.
There are, of course, other players around whom rumors continue to swirl. Think A.J. Burnett, Jason Bay, and Barry Bonds. I say that they all stay exactly where they are. The trade deadline is always so full of promise and never seems to deliver. I suspect that this year will be much better than many lately, but I know that almost no matter what happens, I’ll be left wanting more. Remember, July 31st is only the non-waiver deadline. There can, and will, still be deals made in August.
I know you think I’m nuts. Email me and say so! mike@fantasybaseballmafia.com