The NFL Lockout is still in place, there isn’t much chance there will be an NBA season this year, and the US Women lost the World Cup on penalty kicks…at least we still have baseball.
With the trade deadline only nine days away, I am analyzing the top prospects on the trade block. MY Top five prospects on the trade block are:
1. Carlos Beltran OF-Mets
2. Ubaldo Jimenez SP-Rockies
3. Tyler Clippard RP-Nationals
4. Hiroki Kuroda SP-Dodgers
5. Hunter Pence OF-Astros
My sleeper picks are:
1. Josh Willingham OF-Athletics
2. Mike Adams RP-Padres
3. Michael Bourn OF-Astros
One constant is obvious here regarding my list, only one of these players is in the AL. That fact can cement a lot of doubt in the minds of the scouts for AL teams looking to add to their roster.
Breaking down my choices:
1. Carlos Beltran– Five teams are rumored to be in serious discussions for the slugger: Braves, Giants, Phillies, Rangers, and Red Sox. The 34 year old, six time all-star has been wasting away on the Mets. After, signing with the Mets before the 2005 season, Beltran spent some time on the DL, but still found time to earn his keep offensively and defensively. Beltran is by far the top prospect on the trade block, especially since the Jose Reyes trade rumors are officially dead. My money is on the Giants for snatching up this three-time gold glove winner trying to pull for a repeat. But, of course, I wouldn’t count out the Red Sox for staying in the mix until the last second.
2. Ubaldo Jimenez– This vivacious, 27 year old righty who threw the first no-hitter in Rockies history is heavily on the radar. Jimenez has six pitches, his four seam fastball registers between 95-99 mph., but has been known to hit 100 frequently. He also mixes in a two-seam, slider, changeup, curveball and splitter. Rumors about a trade to the Yankees has been discussed, especially after Jimenez said he would like to play in a big city like New York. The Yankees would love to add Jimenez to their team of all-stars, especially after all of their injuries and pitching woes. The Tigers and Reds are also rumored to be in the mix. And of course, we can’t leave out the Red Sox. Whenever the Yankees are in the mix, the Sox are sure to be close behind (and vice versa.)
3. Tyler Clippard– Clippard has come a long way since his time with the Yankees. Clipper not only picked up the win in the All-Star game, but he is easily cementing himself as a solid force out of the bullpen. Clippard is boasting a 1.82 ERA with 68 SO this season, not too shabby. According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, Clippard’s name has been mentioned in a possible trade to Tampa to grab the center fielder the Nats have been looking for. Any team in search of bullpen help, should be taking a look at the twenty-six year old. I wouldn’t be surprised if a few teams show interest in making him there eight inning guy.
4. Hiroki Kuroda– Aaahh, pitching. You can never have too much of it. Let’s face it, Kuroda is wasting away on the lowly Dodgers. His solid outings are going to waste on McCourt’s bad business decisions. Kuroda is 6-11 this season, but don’t let that fool you, he is boasting a 3.13 ERA with 90 SO. He can’t help it that other than Matt Kemp the Dodgers offense is non-existent. Kuroda could be the puzzle piece for a team teetering on the line to a championship. Kuroda has been rumored to say that he won’t accept a trade to the East Coast. That revelation I’m sure, doesn’t sit well with potential East Coast suitors. But, it hasn’t slowed the Tigers from feigning interest.
5. Hunter Pence– Twenty-eight year old hunter Pence was named an all-star in his third season with the Houston Astros. He is currently batting .321, with 11 HR and 61 RBI. Pence is a ball-player, there is no doubt. The Red Sox are rumored to be highly touting him, hoping to make him a long replacement to Drew in right field. Pence may not be a power hitter, but his batting average ranks him second in the NL.
1. Josh Willingham– He is not an all-star, or the most glamorous hitter in the game. But, Willingham has the ability to be the missing piece for a team that is well on their way to a championship. There is something Dustin Pedroia- like in Willingham. He has heart and the grit of a true ball player. Contenders in the majors that are interested think that the asking price is too high, they may be right. But, it could be worth the risk.
2. Mike Adams– Pitching wins championships, we here it time and time again. We know it is true, but teams that don’t have the pitching try to convince themselves otherwise. Regardless, it never hurts to have too much. Mike Adams has a 1.26 ERA with 42 SO. The 6’5 Texas boy has been consistent throughout his short career boasting a 2.13 ERA. Any team needing bullpen help can’t get their eyes off Adams. Padres owner has been rumored to tell Adams that he is not on the trading block. It may take heaven and earth to provide what it takes to get the deal for Adams done. But, if it happens, the team on the receiving end will be the lucky one. It’s hard to find good bullpen help these days.
3. Michael Bourn– Bourn’s speed and defense make him a desirable commodity at the trade deadline. Bourn has 35 stolen bases already this season with a batting average of .290. He has 24 doubles this season and 7 triples. He is wasting away on the Astros, imagine if he was on a contender the damage he could do. Bourn doesn’t seem to be a top name being brought up in trade discussions. Teams would be foolish not to take a look.
Nine days away, plenty can happen. August is the best month in baseball. It is the month when all of the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place. The time when the posers fall into oblivion and the contenders step up. Does your team have what it takes?
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