Here’s the second division in a series of six where we look at the buyers and sellers. In case you missed it, yesterday we had the Nationals League West buyers and sellers.
The Rangers and the Angels are two teams still in the race, so expect them to add to their rosters. Texas has already shown signs of buying and the last-place Mariners have already sold off the biggest trading piece of the summer in Cliff Lee. The A’s could go against the expected and do absolutely nothing.
Buyers
Texas Rangers
The Rangers already have made the largest impact during this month with the acquisition of Cliff Lee. They had to pay price in the form of Justin Smoak and a few other prospects, but they’re in a good position to capture the AL West and be competitive in the postseason. The team could use a right-handed hitting first baseman and could go after Ty Wigginton (Baltimore Orioles), Xavier Nady (Chicago Cubs) Wes Helms (Florida Marlins).
The Rangers have also reignited interest in Boston Red Sox infielder Mike Lowell. Lowell could play first base, but the Rangers will need to hope the Sox pick up most of his salary. Lowell is due a little less than $6 million for the remainder of the season, and given the Rangers’ bankruptcy situation, they cannot take on too much payroll if any.Los Angeles Angels
As of this writing, the team is 4 1/2 games behind the Rangers and would love to acquire a first baseman. The Angels need to replace the injured Kendry Morales, and they want somebody that won’t be on the books for next year because they plan to have Morales back, and they plan to pursue Carl Crawford as a free agent after the season. Adam Dunn (Washington Nationals) and Derrek Lee (Chicago Cubs) are prime candidates. Since both the Rangers and Angels are seeking first basemen, it’s possible the Angels could claim one via the waiver wire after July 31.
The Angels had scouts watching the Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks recently, so other candidates could include Adam LaRoche (Diamondbacks), Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla (Marlins) or an outfielder like Josh Willingham (Nationals).
Neutral:
Oakland Athletics
It’s hard to believe, but the Oakland A’s may not be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. The only trading chip the A’s are willing to trade is starting pitcher Ben Sheets, and Beane has previously said that he likes the influence that the veteran Sheets is having on his younger players. By keeping Sheets, whose contract expires after this season, the A’s potentially are leaving some prospects from another team on the table.
Sellers:
Seattle Mariners
Relief pitcher David Aardsma’s name has come up in rumors involving the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers. The Mariners are already preparing for the 2011 season and beyond, so there’s no reason they won’t move Aardsma as soon as possible. It was expected that Aardsma would be moved as soon as Cliff Lee was dealt. Aardsma is 0-6 with 16 saves and a 5.40 ERA this season. He is signed through this season on a one-year, $2.75 million contract.
Other potential sales could be third baseman Jose Lopez. The Philadelphia Phillies “looked hard” at the third baseman before the break.
Ed Price of AOL FanHouse also has shortstop Jack Wilson on his “sell” list, so teams that need infield depth such as the Phillies or Colorado Rockies could be interested
Related posts:
- Price’s MLB Trade Deadline Buyers and Sellers
- National League West buyers and sellers
- Ken Rosenthal on the National League buyers and sellers
- American League Winter Baseball Meetings Summary in 60 seconds
- Update – Los Angeles Angels plan to pursue Carl Crawford after the season
