NL Trading Report

[Super GM]

These are some possible deals according to http://www.mlb.com

What goes around, comes around. Last week, if you read this column, you read some gloating about how nice it is never to have to come up with a topic. This week, I have to come up with a topic.

Not that that's a back-breaking assignment. In fact, given that this is late July, there's a ready-made subject for discussion: the trade deadline. This week's NL report will take a look at players who may be shipped off or acquired between now and Saturday afternoon, and the fantasy implications of those potential moves.

Mmmmm... speculation.

As always, if you learn something valuable from reading this column, it's probably thanks to the knowledge of MLB.com's other 15 team reporters. They all help out, and they all know what's going on. If you come away from the upcoming treatise shaking your head and thinking, "man, that stunk," then it's my fault.

Arizona Diamondbacks

There seems to be a Steve Finley feeding frenzy. Unfortunately if you own Finley, most of the teams that are reportedly pursuing him play in pitchers' havens. Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami are all much worse places to hit than Phoenix. On the other hand, if he gets a shot in Philly, in that park and that lineup, look out. The main beneficiary in Arizona of such a move would be Luis Terrero, who appears to be in line for a nice spike in playing time. Oh, they also might dump this one old left-handed pitcher. Not sure about that, though.


Atlanta Braves

Those Andruw Jones rumors seem to have died, and it's starting to look like Los Bravos will be one of those teams that stays relatively quiet at the deadline, maybe flipping a B prospect for a middle reliever. The tip, then, is that you might want to pick up that middle reliever once the deal happens, given the Braves' magic touch with seemingly ordinary veteran pitchers.


Chicago Cubs

The Cubs seem to be sort of on the periphery of a lot of rumors, most notably Nomar Garciaparra. You'd figure they'd like to bring in a shortstop who could hit a little, but you'd also figure the Red Sox would be hesitant to move Nomar, who is hitting like Nomar again. Orlando Cabrera is a better possibility, though definitely not a better player. Either way, I wouldn't hesitate to throw in Alex Gonzalez in a trade.


Cincinnati Reds

The Redlegs are one of the hardest teams to figure as the deadline approaches. Any thought of Wild Card contention is pretty much a pipe dream, but it's tough for a .500 team to call itself a seller. If Paul Wilson is dealt, that would open up a rotation spot for another of Cincinnati's promising youngsters, perhaps Matt Belisle or Jung Bong.


Colorado Rockies

Larry Walker is another of those guys who seems to be very much in demand. He can hit, even if he leaves Coors. The interesting thing will be to watch who takes his place. Matt Holliday has been playing less since Walker was activated, but you'd imagine they'd find a way to get him in there almost every day if Walker were dealt.


Florida Marlins

A year after their World Series championship, things are starting to slip away from the Marlins, which might turn them into sellers if it keeps up. One guy they'd have to consider moving, if it comes to that, is Carl Pavano. The right-hander is a free agent after the season, and would look pretty good in somebody's postseason rotation.


Houston Astros

Like the Reds, the Astros have no serious hopes of making the postseason. But even more than the Reds, they can't sustain the public relations hit of a full-on fire sale. Nevertheless, Carlos Beltran might find himself at a new address by Saturday evening. If so, Jason Lane might finally get regular at-bats. Or he might not.


Los Angeles Dodgers
You think the Dodgers could use a bat? Yeah, I do too. Beltran would be the perfect guy, but whether they can get him is another matter. Anything that could get Juan Encarnacion's .236-hittin' self out of the lineup will help.


Milwaukee Brewers

If you're the Brewers, why would you make any big moves? They don't really have any old guys to sell, and they're too far out to be a serious buyer. So they'll look ahead to next year. The interesting deadline with the Brewers is Sept. 1 -- roster expansion time, when we might see guys like Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks.


Montreal Expos

The guy supposedly on the block is Orlando Cabrera, though don't be shocked by anything you see from this team between now and Saturday. If Cabrera does hit the road, the Expos would turn to Maicer Izturis (yes, Cesar's brother), who is hitting .361 with a decent walk total and some steals at Triple-A.


New York Mets

The Mets fall in that category of not really buyers but not really sellers either. They're not going to dismantle, and they're not going to bring in a stud. Just keep watching David Wright, and be glad you picked him up off waivers. You did, right?


Philadelphia Phillies

It seems the Phils wouldn't mind shipping out Placido Polanco, depending of course on what they could get. They don't just want to dump him, since they're, you know, in a pennant race and all. But if they could get value, it would be an interesting move. Especially since Chase Utley is ready to step in. Utley would suddenly become very valuable, since he's a middle infielder with some very nice pop. Actually Utley is valuable already, since he's a middle infielder with some very nice pop.


Pittsburgh Pirates

Let's just say that Kris Benson probably isn't buying Steelers season tickets this fall. Benson seems all but certain to be out the door, though the destination is still something of a mystery -- Minnesota, maybe? Once he's gone, Ryan Vogelsong would probably step back into the rotation. Stop cringing, Pirates fans. Three of Vogelsong's last four starts before he was bumped to the pen were very nice.


San Diego Padres

The Padres are definitely in the market for a legitimate center fielder, somebody who can cover ground and hopefully hit a little bit. Carlos Beltran certainly fits that description, as does more likely target Steve Finley. The loser would be Jay Payton, who's not exactly the kind of guy you should still be carrying at this point in the season anyway.


San Francisco Giants

The Giants are searching for relief help, but it's a question of what sort. If they can land Jose Mesa -- which, believe it or not, will not be easy -- then Mesa might very well step in and take the ninth-inning role. Mmmm... saves. If not, then they'll keep trying various other options.


St. Louis Cardinals

Don't expect any huge moves from the Redbirds before the deadline. If they bring in anyone, it will likely be an outfielder -- preferably one who hits right-handed -- or a righty reliever. Roger Cedeno and John Mabry have been nice part-time contributors, and useful in NL-only leagues, and they might see a dip in at-bats if the Cards could bring in another bat.

Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to approval by Major League Baseball or its clubs.

[shortsavage]

Damn, I feel really nerdy for being able to recognize that this article was a day old within seconds. I think I am going to take a bit of a break from the Cafe and my computer .

[Mookie4ever]

Terrero is a nutcase - I'm going to enjoy watching him.

What a waste Beltran would be in LA - he would steal a lot though.

Nomah ain't going nowhere.

Vogelsong starting again? scary.