Yesterday, I took a look at the N.L. contenders and the key pieces they might or might not move. Today, I'll tackle the A.L.
Tampa Bay Rays
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Evan Longoria, 3B, David Price LHP, Jake McGee LHP, Wade Davis RHP, Reid Brignac SS.
The Rays system is embarrassingly deep; they had two other B+ players and three B players (based on John Sickels' mid-winter rankings) besides these five as well. The Rays had been linked to Ken Griffey Jr. for some time, but that sounded more like a pipe dream than any real possibility. The two rumors floating around out there right now involve Brian Fuentes and Jason Bay. The asking prices for both the Rockies and the Pirates seem to be very high, and I'd guess Price is untouchable. However, the depth of the Rays system means that they could move someone like Davis, Brignac, or Jeremy Hellickson or Desmond Jennings if the price is right. One name that hasn't been mentioned who would be an incredible fit is Mark Teixeira. He's a free agent this winter, and he'd be an upgrade at DH over the Cliff Floyd/Eric Hinske/Jonny Gomes merry-go-round that has been manning two OF slots and DH all year. Of course, the Braves are still undecided on whether or not they're selling or not, so this is me pipe dreaming more than anything else. I do suspect, though, that the Rays won't move any really big minor league names unless someone like a Teixeira comes back in return.
Chicago White Sox
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Aaron Poreda, LHP, Jack Egbert, RHP, Lance Broadway, RHP, Nevin Griffith RHP, John Ely, RHP.
The Sox used three of their Top 5 to grab Nick Swisher from the A's, so their system is quite thin at the moment. The only trade rumor floating around involves them moving Juan Uribe. Their bullpen is the best performing bullpen in the A.L. by far, their rotation has been solid if not spectacular (outside of John Danks), and their line-up has been solid as well. I think the White Sox will stand pat even though they're in the hunt.
New York Yankees
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Joba Chamberlain, RHP, Jose Tabata, OF, Ian Kennedy, RHP, Alan Horne, RHP, Austin Jackson, OF.
The only significant name the Yankees have been linked to is Brian Fuentes. They apparently inquired about CC Sabathia, but didn't get very far with that. The Yanks have been tied to a number of hitters, but it's hard to see where they would need a big offensive upgrade unless Hideki Matsui's injury worsens and he'd miss significant time. The Yankees are also caught in that position of wanting to win now (Hank Steinbrenner) versus wanting to rebuild the system (Brian Cashman, which explains why some of the aging vets like Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada were signed to multi-year deals). I could see the Yanks trading a lesser prospect for Fuentes, but if the asking price is really equivalent to Wade Davis, I don't see the Yankees biting. They'll make a smaller deal for either a second-tier starter like Vicente Padilla or a nominal middle reliever.
Boston Red Sox
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Clay Buchholz RHP, Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Jed Lowrie, SS, Lars Anderson, Michael Bowden, RHP.
Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal put together a comprehensive column of the pieces the Sox might use to grab talent at the deadline. And Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald writes about what the Sox are looking for this month. The Boston media does baseball coverage right. In any event, it sounds like the Sox might be in a similar position that the Yankees are. They certainly have their wish list, but finding an in-season upgrade for Jason Varitek or Julio Lugo in-season is going to be much easier said than done. Those are the kind of trades that won't fetch an Anderson or a Bowden. Look for something like the Red Sox did last year with Eric Gagne. They'll move 2-3 mid level or lower level prospects, but have had success letting guys like Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury fill major league holes, and I think they'll continue to do that.
Detroit Tigers
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Rick Porcello, RHP, Jeff Larish, 1B, Danny Worth, SS, Yorman Bazardo, Michael Hollimon, INF.
I'm sure the Tigers would love to upgrade on Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers, whoever it is they're going to drag in there to replace Eddie Bonine, or much of the bullpen. But unless they move Porcello, I don't see a lot here that's going to do more than net a Matt Herges-type player. The Tigers are also payroll heavy and don't have the luxury of a New York or Chicago-sized market to keep spending and spending. I think they'll do something really small if they do anything at all. They might be neither sellers or buyers, standing pat while they hope the White Sox and Twins also do nothing and the line-up bashes them into the play-offs.
Los Angeles Angels
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Brandon Wood, 3B, Nick Adenhart, RHP, Hank Conger, C, Jordan Walden, RHP, Sean O'Sullivan, RHP.
The Angels are yet another team falls into the likely standing pat category. Their pitching is deep, and they don't seem to have an incredibly pressing need in their line-up. Some bench depth would help, but that would be a minor trade where they'd probably give up a live, low level arm that needs much more seasoning.
Minnesota Twins
Top 5 Prospects Pre-Season: Tyler Robertson, LHP, Deolis Guerra, RHP, Carlos Gomez, OF, Kevin Mulvey, RHP, Anthony Swarzak, RHP.
The Twins would be looking for bullpen help and some upgrades on offense, but the Twins M.O. isn't to add big salaries for a pennant push. Once again, look for smaller deals involving far more minor chips than the guys listed here. Brian Roberts has been floated as a possible chip, but he's signed through 2009, and the Orioles no longer seem interested in trading him unless they get 3 major prospects back. That won't happen, particularly not with the Twins.
I didn't list the Texas Rangers because all rumors right now point to them being sellers. However, that could change if they creep close enough to the Angels.
A lot of thanks to Tim Dierkes' excellent MLB Trade Rumors blog, which provided most of the research for yesterday's and today's posts.
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