Time for a Trade?

by surferfromSD619 on Jul 29, 2010 4:05 AM EDT

So there's about 2 months left in the regular season, and at this point it has become fairly clear to me what my needs are. I have put together a near ridiculous pitching staff (or it was up until the past few weeks or so) but my offense definitely needs a boost, as I have seriously fallen behind in HRs and RBIs, yet still staying competitive in Runs. There are a few other teams in my league in need of starting pitching and I feel like I hold most of the cards in this particular situation. So, short of seriously depleting what I already have, I'd like a few thoughts from you guys on potential trade options/targets?

The first team proposed a B.J. Upton for Matt Cain trade that I couldn't click 'Reject' fast enough... however he seems to value Cain quite a bit so perhaps he might accept a trade for someone else. I have considered Cain for Morneau (just spitballing here) thinking that he might give him up because of the injury and uncertainty regarding his return. However if he did return it would pay huge dividends for me if he regained his pre-injury form.

The second team in my league seems to be a tad stronger offensively and might be more willing to part with a piece or to in order to add some starting pitching.

Any thoughts or comments you guys have would be greatly appreciated! (This league is a single-season format btw)

My Team:

C: John Buck, 1B: Carlos Pena, 2B: Aaron Hill, 3B: Evan Longoria, SS: Elvis Andrus, OF: Nick Swisher, Ichiro Suzuki, Carlos Gonzalez, Util: Vladimir Guerrero, Bench: Michael Cuddyer, DL: Victor Martinez

Pitchers:

Jaime Garcia, Edinson Volquez, Matt Cain, Roy Halladay, David Price, Roy Oswalt, Mat Latos, Ubaldo Jimenez, DL: Andy Pettitte

Closers:

Heath Bell, Rafael Soriano, Bobby Jenks

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Team 1:

C: Joe Mauer, 1B: Mark Teixeira, 2B: Brian Roberts, 3B: Aramis Ramirez, SS: Yunel Escobar, OF: Matt Holliday, Nelson Cruz, BJ Upton, Util: Buster Posey, Bench: Delmon Young, DL: Justin Morneau

Team 2:

C: Brian McCann, 1B: Albert Pujols, 2B: Ian Stewart, 3B: Scott Rolen, SS: Ben Zobrist, OF: Corey Hart, Jason Heyward, Andre Ethier, Util: Paul Konerko, Bench: Michael Bourn, DL: Manny Ramirez

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Comments

Focus on Runs, most likely

My advice is to make sure you are investing in things where you can improve. It may be a lost cause to try and make up ground at this point in HRs and RBIs. So runs is probably the spot you most likely want to look to gain.

If I were you, I would try and trade Latos—the inning-capping scares me a bit. Other than him, Cain and Garcia would be the guys I would try and unload. Maybe try and get Zobrist to play 2B instead of Hill? Or aim for McCann (big upgrade over Buck)?

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by Seth Walder on Jul 29, 2010 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

I'm guessing you're right

At most, I could realistically gain 2 points in HR and maybe a few in RBIs if I’m lucky. However, only 10 runs behind the leader and could gain 4-5 points if I can over take him, so that’s probably the better strategy.

Latos seems to be a sell high chip, although with the Padres being in the middle of a pennant race, I’m not sure they’ll limit him as much as a lot of people seem to think. I keep thinking that Garcia can’t possibly keep his ERA at the level that it is, but he seems to still be holding strong. I’m much more apt to trade Cain since his ERA has been mostly average, he doesn’t strike out a lot of people, and mostly just helps me in WHIP, which I seem to be doing pretty well in.

I definitely need a replacement for Hill… I’ve about had enough of his .200 hitting for one year.

I’ve been riding out Buck’s hot streak as long as possible, but since it seems to be coming to an end and Martinez is back off the DL, I’ll probably just drop him.

"I don't think about the things I say. You guys are the ones who think about it."

by surferfromSD619 on Jul 29, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions