Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline is quickly approaching. Potential playoff teams are looking to add a solid bat or starting pitcher for the playoff push.
The biggest name on the market is Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roy Halladay. The American League’s All-Star Game starter is 11-3 this season with a 2.62 ERA and 123 strikeouts.
Halladay becomes a free agent after next season, and the Blue Jays placed him on the market knowing they cannot afford to re-sign him. Toronto is entertaining offers, primarily from the Philadelphia Phillies, in hopes of acquiring high-end prospects.
Phillies not done dealing
The Phillies already made a small-splash by signing pitcher Pedro Martinez, who is currently on rehab assignments.
With starting pitcher Brett Myers injured and Jamie Moyer on the decline at age 46, the defending World Series champions have a glaring need for a pitcher of Halladay’s pedigree.
Phillies ace Cole Hamels has also battled injuries, but has pitched well lately. He is only 6-5 with a steep ERA of 4.66 and only 96 strikeouts.
Blue Jays General Manager J.P Ricciardi and Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. have had serious talks, but Amaro has yet to agree on several of the Blue Jays’ offers.
Halladay may be the best pitcher in baseball, but the Phillies can’t give up their top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek and starter J.A. Happ. Single-A outfielder Dominic Brown, a 6-5 left-hander with pop in his bat has also been discussed as possible trade bait.
In the end, it makes too much sense for Toronto to not make a deal, and they will find a willing partner.
As the hours pass and the deadline draws near, teams will compromise.
Best of the rest
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez of the Indians, White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Mariners pitcher Jarrod Washburn, and Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir are all high profile players who may be shipped before Friday’s deadline.
Lee would be a top-of-the-rotation starter for any team and would cost less than Halladay. Still, any team that acquires him would receive a proven starter with the potential to regain the dominant form he had in 2008.
A few trades have already gone through, including Ryan Garko to the Giants, Mark Kotsay to the White Sox, Brian Anderson and Adam Laroche to the Red Sox, and Julio Lugo and Matt Holliday to the Cardinals.
Aside from the Holliday deal, these are all minor moves and would be all but forgotten if either Lee or Halladay changes teams.
The Astros will be quiet during this trade deadline, despite Lance Berkman’s injury on the disabled list and thier weak pitching rotation.
The Cardinals have made the biggest moves, acquiring Mark DeRosa, Lugo and Holliday, so there is some pressure on Astros GM Ed Wade to make a move.
The Astros simply don’t have the prospects or payroll flexibility to do so, meaning Wade will have to sit out during this trading.
