645
06-30-2004, 09:45 AM
With the weekend trades of the two biggest names on this season's rumor mill, Carlos Beltran (to Houston) and Freddy Garcia (to the Chicago White Sox), the 2004 midseason swap shop officially is open for business. The trade market has a way of spurning additional movement once things get started, so here's a look at 12 names that should grace the rumor mill in the 32 days remaining before the non-waiver trade deadline:
Roberto Alomar, 2B, Arizona: He's on the list more because the Diamondbacks are committed to Scott Hairston as their second baseman than there being a high level of interest in the 12-time All-Star on the trade market. Alomar probably will be unloaded essentially for peanuts, and the Arizona Republic reports the Astros, White Sox and Yankees are believed to have interest. Of course, the Yankees are more focused on dealing for pitching, the White Sox were burned by "renting" Alomar last year and the Astros have some guy named Jeff Kent at second base, so none of those three proposed destinations is a guarantee. Alomar is unlikely to revert to his old elite Fantasy form even if he does get moved in the coming weeks, but at least he would have a better chance at starting status on another team.
Rich Aurilia, SS, Seattle: He's on a one-year contract and as such told the Tacoma News Tribune that he wouldn't be surprised if he gets traded. Speculation has it Aurilia might head back to the National League, where he might be a useful stopgap for the Cubs, Dodgers or Giants, three teams that could stand to upgrade at shortstop. Getting out of pitching-friendly Safeco Field would surely help Aurilia, a .210-1-12-0 hitter in 34 games there in 2004.
Kris Benson, SP, Pittsburgh: He might be the most readily available right-handed starter now that Garcia has been traded, as Benson reportedly has been on the trading block since spring training. Benson could be a good fit for the Angels, Mets, Rangers or Yankees, and he has shown signs of being a decent starter this month, with a 3.31 ERA and .203 opposing batting average in five June starts. Unfortunately, the American League might not be the best destination for Benson, who's 4-7 with a 6.56 ERA in 14 career interleague starts. The Mets wouldn't be a bad fit -- he's 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four career starts at Shea Stadium.
Bret Boone, 2B, Seattle: Entering the season, it seemed unlikely the Mariners would ever consider trading Boone, but then it also seemed farfetched the team wouldn't contend for the division title. With Seattle officially closing the book on the 2004 season -- regardless of general manager Bill Bavasi's insistence otherwise -- Boone seems likely to be shopped since his contract is set to expire after the season. Getting out of Seattle should help Boone, who is in the midst of his worst year as a Mariner, and rumors he could join the potent Yankees offense helps boost his value, especially since he historically heats up in the midst of a pennant race.
Jeromy Burnitz, OF, Colorado: Several reports suggest the Yankees might consider trading for fellow Rockies outfielder Preston Wilson, but Burnitz seems the more logical trade chip based on his contract status. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rockies have offered Burnitz to the Rangers, who could use another bat in the lineup. A trade to the American League would be devastating to Burnitz's NL-only owners who don't retain players dealt across leagues, but it also would seriously lower his value in any Fantasy format. Take a look at Burnitz's Coors Field numbers: .336-10-31-0 in 31 games this season, compared to .223-6-17-3 in 38 road games. He'll be in for a steep decline if he gets traded.
Shawn Estes, SP, Colorado: Conversely, a trade out of Colorado would help Estes, where it would hurt the Fantasy value of hitters like Burnitz or Wilson. Estes probably is viewed as more of a fallback option to teams that miss out on the bigger names among starting pitchers, but wherever he lands, he might be in for an improvement. His home/road splits aren't that different (5.50 ERA vs. 5.18), but it stands to reason he'll struggle to maintain an 18-win pace as a member of the Rockies. It would sure be nice to see him return to Shea Stadium, where he has a 4.16 career ERA, or SBC Park, where his lifetime mark is 3.09.
Steve Finley, OF, Arizona: The Arizona Republic reports the Cubs and Red Sox had scouts at the Diamondbacks' game on Monday, and Finley has been oft-rumored as the fallback option for teams that had been interested in Beltran. Finley has the right to reject any trade as a 10-and-5 player (10 years' major-league experience, five with his current team), and it's possible he'd approve a move elsewhere and then consider returning to Arizona during the winter. Finley probably wouldn't play every day as a member of the Cubs and Red Sox, unfortunately, but one interesting potential destination is the Phillies, who need a center fielder after Marlon Byrd got off to a slow start. Citizens Bank Park could help improve Finley's power numbers, and he did go deep once in a three-game stop in Philadelphia earlier this season.
Randy Johnson, SP, Arizona: Despite Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo's insistence he won't trade the Big Unit, you can count on any team in need of starting pitching help to make its best case for him to reconsider. The Yankees are the most logical destination, taking into account owner George Steinbrenner's affinity for the big names. Johnson is 4-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) at Yankee Stadium, but don't let those numbers fool you. The last time the Big Unit was traded, he went 10-1 with a 1.28 ERA in his final 11 starts for Houston in 1998, so it's hard to bet against him fading from his current elite Fantasy starter status.
John Olerud, 1B, Seattle: He's no longer an elite Fantasy first baseman, and Olerud could be in danger of being traded to a team more interested in him for his leadership qualities than as an everyday player. The Seattle Times names the Red Sox as a potential destination, meaning he would probably wind up in a first base platoon with Kevin Millar. Olerud might be in for a serious decline in value, so keep an eye on his situation.
Ramon Ortiz, SP, Anaheim: He makes the list because he has filed nearly as many requests for a trade than starts he has made this season. The Angels simply have better starters -- at least in their minds -- on their roster, so Ortiz has become more of an afterthought. Unfortunately, the right-hander's persistence in his requests has done nothing but decrease the likelihood he'll be moved, as the Los Angeles Times reports the White Sox offered Jose Valentin and the Orioles offered Buddy Groom in exchange, proposals the team felt were of the low-ball variety. Ortiz only will warrant Fantasy consideration if he moves to a team that will grant him a permanent rotation spot.
Russ Ortiz, SP, Atlanta: The "other" Ortiz has attracted much more interest on the trade front, but any deals involving him might not come for a few more weeks since they would surely signal the Braves packing things in this season. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that before the Garcia trade was completed, the Braves and White Sox had been discussing a swap for Ortiz that would have had Andruw Jones moving to Chicago and Magglio Ordonez landing in Atlanta. Ortiz also has caught the Yankees' eye, a move that would help boost his run support (he's currently at 4.63). Incidentally, those worried about how Ortiz would fare in the American League should take into account that in 20 career games (19 starts) during interleague play, he's 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA.
Jamie Moyer, SP, Seattle: He's one of three Mariners -- Edgar Martinez and Dan Wilson are the others -- whom Bavasi told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer he would not deal. How many times have we heard that before? Bavasi's comments have some merit and Moyer's status as a 10-and-5 player means he has the right to reject any trade, but the veteran left-hander has been linked to trade rumors with the rival Red Sox and Yankees. Moyer's run support would increase if he left Seattle, but his ERA would certainly climb at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium, where he has a combined 5.98 mark since the start of the 2001 season.
Roberto Alomar, 2B, Arizona: He's on the list more because the Diamondbacks are committed to Scott Hairston as their second baseman than there being a high level of interest in the 12-time All-Star on the trade market. Alomar probably will be unloaded essentially for peanuts, and the Arizona Republic reports the Astros, White Sox and Yankees are believed to have interest. Of course, the Yankees are more focused on dealing for pitching, the White Sox were burned by "renting" Alomar last year and the Astros have some guy named Jeff Kent at second base, so none of those three proposed destinations is a guarantee. Alomar is unlikely to revert to his old elite Fantasy form even if he does get moved in the coming weeks, but at least he would have a better chance at starting status on another team.
Rich Aurilia, SS, Seattle: He's on a one-year contract and as such told the Tacoma News Tribune that he wouldn't be surprised if he gets traded. Speculation has it Aurilia might head back to the National League, where he might be a useful stopgap for the Cubs, Dodgers or Giants, three teams that could stand to upgrade at shortstop. Getting out of pitching-friendly Safeco Field would surely help Aurilia, a .210-1-12-0 hitter in 34 games there in 2004.
Kris Benson, SP, Pittsburgh: He might be the most readily available right-handed starter now that Garcia has been traded, as Benson reportedly has been on the trading block since spring training. Benson could be a good fit for the Angels, Mets, Rangers or Yankees, and he has shown signs of being a decent starter this month, with a 3.31 ERA and .203 opposing batting average in five June starts. Unfortunately, the American League might not be the best destination for Benson, who's 4-7 with a 6.56 ERA in 14 career interleague starts. The Mets wouldn't be a bad fit -- he's 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four career starts at Shea Stadium.
Bret Boone, 2B, Seattle: Entering the season, it seemed unlikely the Mariners would ever consider trading Boone, but then it also seemed farfetched the team wouldn't contend for the division title. With Seattle officially closing the book on the 2004 season -- regardless of general manager Bill Bavasi's insistence otherwise -- Boone seems likely to be shopped since his contract is set to expire after the season. Getting out of Seattle should help Boone, who is in the midst of his worst year as a Mariner, and rumors he could join the potent Yankees offense helps boost his value, especially since he historically heats up in the midst of a pennant race.
Jeromy Burnitz, OF, Colorado: Several reports suggest the Yankees might consider trading for fellow Rockies outfielder Preston Wilson, but Burnitz seems the more logical trade chip based on his contract status. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rockies have offered Burnitz to the Rangers, who could use another bat in the lineup. A trade to the American League would be devastating to Burnitz's NL-only owners who don't retain players dealt across leagues, but it also would seriously lower his value in any Fantasy format. Take a look at Burnitz's Coors Field numbers: .336-10-31-0 in 31 games this season, compared to .223-6-17-3 in 38 road games. He'll be in for a steep decline if he gets traded.
Shawn Estes, SP, Colorado: Conversely, a trade out of Colorado would help Estes, where it would hurt the Fantasy value of hitters like Burnitz or Wilson. Estes probably is viewed as more of a fallback option to teams that miss out on the bigger names among starting pitchers, but wherever he lands, he might be in for an improvement. His home/road splits aren't that different (5.50 ERA vs. 5.18), but it stands to reason he'll struggle to maintain an 18-win pace as a member of the Rockies. It would sure be nice to see him return to Shea Stadium, where he has a 4.16 career ERA, or SBC Park, where his lifetime mark is 3.09.
Steve Finley, OF, Arizona: The Arizona Republic reports the Cubs and Red Sox had scouts at the Diamondbacks' game on Monday, and Finley has been oft-rumored as the fallback option for teams that had been interested in Beltran. Finley has the right to reject any trade as a 10-and-5 player (10 years' major-league experience, five with his current team), and it's possible he'd approve a move elsewhere and then consider returning to Arizona during the winter. Finley probably wouldn't play every day as a member of the Cubs and Red Sox, unfortunately, but one interesting potential destination is the Phillies, who need a center fielder after Marlon Byrd got off to a slow start. Citizens Bank Park could help improve Finley's power numbers, and he did go deep once in a three-game stop in Philadelphia earlier this season.
Randy Johnson, SP, Arizona: Despite Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo's insistence he won't trade the Big Unit, you can count on any team in need of starting pitching help to make its best case for him to reconsider. The Yankees are the most logical destination, taking into account owner George Steinbrenner's affinity for the big names. Johnson is 4-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 13 career games (12 starts) at Yankee Stadium, but don't let those numbers fool you. The last time the Big Unit was traded, he went 10-1 with a 1.28 ERA in his final 11 starts for Houston in 1998, so it's hard to bet against him fading from his current elite Fantasy starter status.
John Olerud, 1B, Seattle: He's no longer an elite Fantasy first baseman, and Olerud could be in danger of being traded to a team more interested in him for his leadership qualities than as an everyday player. The Seattle Times names the Red Sox as a potential destination, meaning he would probably wind up in a first base platoon with Kevin Millar. Olerud might be in for a serious decline in value, so keep an eye on his situation.
Ramon Ortiz, SP, Anaheim: He makes the list because he has filed nearly as many requests for a trade than starts he has made this season. The Angels simply have better starters -- at least in their minds -- on their roster, so Ortiz has become more of an afterthought. Unfortunately, the right-hander's persistence in his requests has done nothing but decrease the likelihood he'll be moved, as the Los Angeles Times reports the White Sox offered Jose Valentin and the Orioles offered Buddy Groom in exchange, proposals the team felt were of the low-ball variety. Ortiz only will warrant Fantasy consideration if he moves to a team that will grant him a permanent rotation spot.
Russ Ortiz, SP, Atlanta: The "other" Ortiz has attracted much more interest on the trade front, but any deals involving him might not come for a few more weeks since they would surely signal the Braves packing things in this season. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that before the Garcia trade was completed, the Braves and White Sox had been discussing a swap for Ortiz that would have had Andruw Jones moving to Chicago and Magglio Ordonez landing in Atlanta. Ortiz also has caught the Yankees' eye, a move that would help boost his run support (he's currently at 4.63). Incidentally, those worried about how Ortiz would fare in the American League should take into account that in 20 career games (19 starts) during interleague play, he's 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA.
Jamie Moyer, SP, Seattle: He's one of three Mariners -- Edgar Martinez and Dan Wilson are the others -- whom Bavasi told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer he would not deal. How many times have we heard that before? Bavasi's comments have some merit and Moyer's status as a 10-and-5 player means he has the right to reject any trade, but the veteran left-hander has been linked to trade rumors with the rival Red Sox and Yankees. Moyer's run support would increase if he left Seattle, but his ERA would certainly climb at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium, where he has a combined 5.98 mark since the start of the 2001 season.