Sunday, July 07, 2013

Buster Olney Predicts Dodgers Will Be Busy At The Trade Deadline

With the July 31 deadline less than a month away, here's how Buster Olney predicts the trade market will light up, for key NL West teams (link insider only):

The perception in some corners around baseball is that the Chicago Cubs fared well in their trade of Scott Feldman to the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday. "They turned a one-year rental into pieces that can help [going forward]," said an AL evaluator. "They signed him knowing that they could get something for him if he bounced back, and it paid off."

No one doubts that Jake Arrieta is talented, and as the Orioles know from their experience with Chris Davis, sometimes it just takes longer for some players to blossom than others. Maybe that will happen with Arrieta now that he is with the Cubs, a team that continues to collect as much volume as possible, in the same way the Astros have.

There are more deals to come from the Cubs in the days ahead, with Kevin Gregg and Matt Garza replacing Feldman on their front burner. When David DeJesus returns from the disabled list later this month, the Cubs probably will assess the interest for him and Nate Schierholtz and trade one, but not both.

Beyond the Cubs, here is how the trade market is shaping up for the rest of the teams in the National League.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Aaron Hill just came back, and they remain hopeful that Adam Eaton will return sometime soon to the everyday lineup. Their trade-market focus is pitching: They have been among the teams talking about Gregg for bullpen help, and about Yovani Gallardo and others for their rotation.

The perception among rival officials is that they are open to moving left-hander Tyler Skaggs in a significant deal, but not Archie Bradley.

J.J. Putz has not looked good since returning from the disabled list.

Colorado Rockies

They have hung in the Ricky Nolasco conversations, which may be resolved as soon as today, and rival executives say Colorado has been seeking relief help as well. No matter what they do, the Rockies’ moves figure to be measured: They won’t take on much money, and they won’t give up top prospects.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Even though a strong argument could be made that the first 14 months of the Guggenheim ownership might represent the most inefficient period of player personnel decisions in baseball history -- from the already outdated contract of Andre Ethier to the extraordinary overpayment in the trade with the Red Sox -- the Dodgers remain aggressive, prepared to make the biggest, boldest moves.

They’ll get another starting pitcher, whether it’s Nolasco later today or Cliff Lee if he becomes available, and if Carlos Marmol doesn’t work out, they’ll jump at somebody else. They’ll look for an infielder, perhaps someone like Michael Young. Yasiel Puig has helped to give them hope.

3 comments:

Scott said...

Cliff Lee please...

Dusty Baker said...

Chase Utley and Cliff Lee, please. ANd I want my coffee hot.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson please.