Every year it seems like there is at least one trade that the media does not hype/see coming. I was wondering if any of you guys gave any opinions on what that deal might be.
Here are some I think could occur:
Boston getting 1B Mientkiewicz- Boston badly needs a defensive presence at 1B. Actually, their defense could be decent if Pokey played 2B and Mientkiewicz was their 1B. Also, he fits into Theo Epstien's "Moneyball" model with his high OBP. I do not see what Mientikiewicz's role would be in Minnesota ($4 million seems like a lot for the Twins to pay a defensive replacement). Therefore, I think the Twins want to give up Mientkiewicz for whatever they can get. One of Boston's better minor leaguers could be a good deal for Mientkiewicz.
Phillies getting CF Preston Wilson from Rockies- Phillies won't get Steve Finley (he wants to stay on the West Coast), it looks like they won't get Benson (they just seem to be getting outbid by the Twins). They refuse to give up Floyd, Hamels, Madson, or Utley, who are their main trading chips. I don't see the Astors giving up Beltran, because they are an old theam and need to go for it now, not later. The Rockies have a lot of excess outfielders (Holliday, etc.), and I believe that the Rockies have spent a lot of money on Wilson. The Phillies could give up Marlon Byrd and maybe a decent pitching prospect (Elizardo Ramirez?). Wilson would solve a lot of Phillies' problems in CF.
I'll probably get destroyed because these trades may not make any sense to anyone else except me. Does anybody else have any possible specualtive trades that may not have been uncovered by the media but could occur?