Jul

American League Central buyers and sellers

By Allan

Look at this article, now look at your computer, now back to the article. Okay… so I’m not the Old Spice Man, but at least you’re reading this. Get ready for the American League Central.

In case you missed it, you can see the American League West buyers and sellers and the Nationals League West buyers and sellers by following the link.

This is a three-team race as always with the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins leading the way, and the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians having their annual garage sale.

Buyers

Chicago White Sox

The team has resurrected itself from death and is leading the way in the ultra-competitive AL Central. Team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said the team could add payroll, and general manager Kenny Williams is swift and decisive, so he could make a move at any moment. The White Sox need a left-handed bat and have been long associated with Adam Dunn. Williams wants Dunn, and he wants him now.

A long-shot left-handed bat could be Prince Fielder, but the Sox will have to give up a king’s ransom in order to get the husky first baseman from Milwaukee. If the White Sox go after Fielder, it’s likely they will have include Daniel Hudson and Gordon Beckham in an offer.

The White Sox could also use a starting pitcher since Jake Peavy is out for the season. Daniel Hudson is taking Peavy’s place in the rotation, if he doesn’t work out, it’s possible the White Sox could get a starter from the waiver wire after July 31st.Detroit Tigers

The Tigers need bullpen help because Joel Zumaya is out for the year. They have dispatched their scouts to scour the nation for that extra late-inning arm. Last week the Tigers had scouts watching the Royals and Mariners. Relief pitcher trade candidates of the Seattle Mariners include David Aardsma and Brandon League. Candidates on the Kansas City Royals include Joakim Soria and Kyle Farnsworth.

If those relievers don’t work out, here’s a list of the Top 10 MLB relievers that could be traded by July 31. The Toronto Blue Jays have a trio of late inning guys that are for sale right now in Jason Frasor, Scott Downs and Kevin Gregg.

The Tigers could also use a veteran left-handed starter, and Ted Lilly of the Chicago Cubs is probably the best available lefty out there, but the Tigers will have to get in line since the Mets are leading the race for the pitcher.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins are in the same boat as the Tigers – they need top-end starting and relief pitching in addition to infield help. Pure speculation, but since the Twins have catching prospect Wilson Ramos available it wouldn’t be out of the question if they make a run for a big name like Dan Haren of the Arizona Diamondbacks or Roy Oswalt of the Houston Astros. Here’s a list of possible starters the Twins could go after.

The Twins could easily lose faith in Jon Rauch, so the Twins would want somebody with closing experience such as David Aardsma of the Seattle Mariners, Matt Capps of the Washington Nationals or Chad Qualls of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

One idea for infield help could be Jhonny Peralta of the Cleveland Indians, assuming the Indians would like to deal within the division.

Sellers

Kansas City Royals

The Royals have a couple of bats available in DH/OF Jose Guillen and OF David DeJesus.

The Royals have been actively shopping Guillen, who is a free-agent after 2010, and it’s believed that they’re willing to eat up a lot of his remaining contract in order to move him. While Guillen is primarily a designated hitter now, his arm was once considered the strongest among National League outfielders.

DeJesus is under contract for 2011 with a $6 million team option, so the Royals are in no hurry to move him. Teams that have been interested in the DeJesus include the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres.

The Royals have relief pitchers Kyle Farnsworth available who could be an option for the Red Sox. Farnsworth is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 29 appearances this year for the Royals.

Reliever Joakim Soria is coveted by the New York Yankees, but according to one GM, it would be a “surprise” if the Royals traded him.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians have several trading chips that they would like to move before the end of the season including Jake Westbrook, Kerry Wood, Jhonny Peralta and Austin Kearns.

Jake Westbrook is playoff tested and could get sharper in the second half, but his salary may stall a deal. He’s making $11 million this season so the Indians would have to pay a good portion of what’s left. He’s a free agent after this season, and it’s a possibility, albeit a far-fetched one that Westbrook is re-signed.

Closer Kerry Wood is in the same predicament. Many teams would like to add a closer-type pitcher for their playoff run, but he’s making $10.5 million this season and that could shy away many prospective employers. He’s also a little inconsistent.

“He’s got a power arm,” one scout said about Wood, “but I don’t like him closing. He walks too many people. But his experience is valuable.”

Infielder Jhonny Peralta could interest teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins who are in search of infield help. He will be a free agent after this season, but he has a $7 million club option for 2011.

Outfielder Austin Kearns could provide a contender an extra outfielder or bat off the bench.