With the MLB Trade Deadline just a week away, every team in the league is assessing their rosters, their player performance, and their position in the standings to decide which direction they will go this year. There will be buyers looking to add that extra piece for a playoff push, sellers looking to shed salary and assets for future players, and teams who are content with their situation and will stand pat.
This year, Heat and I will be trying something new. It is based off of the Trade Wars that Richard Cloutier and Travis Yost play on Hockeybuzz.com, and involves us playing GM for the MLB teams this deadline. The rules are simple: Heat will be the GM for all AL teams and I will cover the NL teams. Each team must be complete a trade with another team from the other league. Every team must make one, and only one, trade.
We've spent time assessing our teams and identifying each as a buyer or seller. Our offers to each other, rejected, accepted, and counter-offered until 15 trades are made.
Here is the analysis of the National League teams:
NL East
Atlanta Braves: BUYER
First in their division by 7 games, this team is in good shape to make the playoffs. Their outfield looks good on paper with J. Upton, BJ Upton and Heyward... until you see that they're hitting .255, .177, and .224 respectively. I would want an upgrade in the outfield to force these three to compete with each other for playing time.
Philadelphia Phillies: BUYER
I'm very torn here. This team is drastically underperforming especially in the starting pitcher category, but I still have them as buyers and I'll tell you why. This window of opportunity is shrinking drastically for a roster that contains Utley, Young, Howard, and Rollins. Guys like Halladay and Hamels may be terrible so far this year, but they have so much playoff success that I would give them the benefit of the doubt. One last chance.
Washington Nationals: BUYER
This is a young and well-balanced team, and guys like Zimmerman and Laroche are known to have strong second halves. An upgrade at second base would be helpful, and I'd also be looking for some depth in starting pitching behind Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Zimmermann.
New York Mets: SELLERS
I'm going to do what the Mets haven't had the guts to do: complete rebuild. This roster needs an overhaul and to shed some salary. Yes, that means David Wright is available. I know what he means to the franchise but this team has been bad for too long. The only untouchables I see are Harvey and Wheeler. Marlon Byrd would be a good asset for teams as well seeking some OF pop. I would be seeking some young bats to build for the future.
Miami Marlins: SELLERS
Guess how many players they have hitting over .270? Two. What a terrible team. They did a good job shedding salary in their big trade with the Blue Jays in the offseason, so I would really be seeking some young pitchers and hitters. Qualls, Slowey, Coghlan, Polanco and Pierre might all draw interest at the deadline.
NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals: BUYERS
This team might fit into the "stay put" category, but for the sake of the game I will entertain trade ideas. The team needs a good shortstop who can produce this year as well as a center fielder to play between Holliday and Beltran.
Pittsburgh Pirates: BUYERS
Who saw this coming? They have quietly built a young and talented team with a strong pitching staff. If I were to make an improvement, it would be on the right side of the infield. A good first and second baseman might put this team over the top. Ideally, someone with some experience and leadership to be a go-to guy on this youthful team.
Cincinnati Reds: BUYERS
The Reds have strong pitching and always seem to be one of these teams that surprised people in the playoff. A better hitting catcher would be an asset to this offence, as well as a good left fielder to play with Choo and Bruce. Like many other teams, they will depend on the health of their key guys in order to contend.
Chicago Cubs: SELLERS
Another team in rebuild mode, they're still looking for that franchise player. Starlin Castro has been disappointing since his stellar rookie year and Rizzo is talented but I would be seeking that ace pitcher as well as more young bats. Alfonso Soriano will be a top target for teams this deadline as well as Kevin Gregg for those seeking bullpen help.
Milwaukee Brewers: SELLERS
If they were in last place before the Braun suspension, they're definitely sellers now. I would be looking for a stud young starting pitcher because as far as I can see they don't have that guy. A good first baseman would also be a valuable asset to this building team. Hopefully I could get someone to bite on Aramis Ramirez or Yovanni Gallardo, and I would also be willing to deal Carlos Gomez for the right offer.
AL West
Los Angeles Dodgers: BUYERS
This is the other team I would probably have stand pat, but this ownership has plenty of money to spend and they have a very real shot at a championship this year. There are no weakness in their lineup and their starting pitchers are great, so I would be looking for bullpen help here. They don't have a go-to closer; League and Jansen are better off as set-up guys.
Arizona Diamondbacks: BUYERS
This team is not built for a long playoff run, but they're in a good position standings-wise and have enough talent to take a shot. They need starting pitching as they only have one starter with an ERA under 4.00. I might also look at improvements at outfield and shortstop, but this team will likely not be making any major deals.
Colorado Rockies: BUYERS
The only real needs I see on this team are at third base and relief pitching. I would also consider getting a solid backup shortstop for the oft-injured Troy Tulowitski, but if he gets hurt then this team doesn't have a chance anyway.
San Francisco Giants: BUYERS
I have them as buyers because if they're able to surge and push their way into the playoffs, then they have the roster experience and success history to make a long run. Their biggest need is at starting pitching depth. They don't need a stud starter, but a good 4/5 guy who can eat innings.
San Diego Padres: SELLERS
This team is a while away from contending. Like the trend is with a lot of teams, they would love some young pitching. Carlos Quentin offers a veteran bat, Pedro Ciriaco is versatile player, and guys like Marquis and Volquez might draw interest for teams seeking some SP depth.
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