The National League Central is a two-team race with the Cincinnati Reds surprisingly in first place. The St. Louis Cardinals, as always, will be competitive until the last day. Let’s take a look at what these two teams will need and what the other four teams are willing to sell off.
Buyers
Cincinnati Reds
Overall, the Reds are in pretty good shape. Cincinnati is looking for a top-end starter and right-handed bullpen help. These needs could change depending on the status of prospect Aroldis Chapman. Chapman, the future ace of the Reds, could be called up any day, and will likely be used out of the bullpen. Edinson Volquez, coming back from a 50 game drug suspension and Tommy John surgery, has finally returned to help out the team’s rotation.
If the Reds decide to go for a big name acquisition, they have first base prospect Yonder Alonso available as a trading chip. Alonso is blocked at first base by NL All Star Joey Votto. Alonso was mentioned in the Cliff Lee trades, but that obviously did not go through.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals need another starting pitcher. Dan Haren of the Arizona Diamondbacks would love to pitch in the place he started his career at, but the Cardinals may not want him. Haren is tied for the Major League lead with 21 home runs allowed and his ERA is 4.60.
The Cardinals have some payroll flexibility and could add another middle infielder. Yesterday, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak did not deny his interest in Dan Uggla and Kelly Johnson.
Sellers
Chicago Cubs
The big names available with the Cubs include left-handed starting pitcher Ted Lilly and first baseman Derrek Lee. Both Lilly and Lee will be free agents after the year, but they have no-trade clauses in their contracts, so moving them could be a little tricky.
The Mets seem to be the most interested in Lilly. The Cubs have dispatched scouts to the Mets’ farm system to scout three of their pitching prospects.
Lee has been rumored as a fit for the Los Angeles Angels and the San Francisco Giants. The Angels are the best fit for Lee since he live in California in the off-season and the Angels do not want to have him on their books for next year since Kendry Morales will be back.
Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers have been trying to deal right-fielder Corey Hart. The San Francisco Giants were thought to be the leading contender for Hart. There was a supposed deal for Hart and Giants’ left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez before the All-Star Break, but the trigger wasn’t pulled. The Atlanta Braves could also be another candidate to pursue Hart.
A long-shot to be traded is Prince Fielder. The problem with moving Fielder now versus the winter is the number of bidders. The number of bidders after the season would likely increase and therefore drive the price up on the first baseman, but it’s a double-edged sword. If the Brewers trade him now, they will likely get a better return since the team can use Fielder for two playoff runs versus one playoff run if traded this winter. Fielder is a free-agent after the 2011 season. A possible destination for Fielder would be the Chicago White Sox. If the White Sox go after Fielder, it’s likely they will have include Daniel Hudson and Gordon Beckham in an offer.
Houston Astros
Roy Oswalt has drawn interest from the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, and New York Mets, to name a few. The big problem is that the Astros want everything in exchange for the veteran right-hander. They want the team to pick up the $7 million that he’s due for the rest of this year, the $16 million due next year and the $2 million buyout for his 2012 team option, and that’s in addition to your team’s best prospects.
Lance Berkman has a no-trade clause, but he’s willing to waive it if he can find his way onto a contender. One of his earlier stipulations was that he would waive it if his new team picked up his 2011 team-option for $15 million. Berkman has been mentioned in trade rumors with the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox, but he’s likely their Plan B.
Brett Myers has drawn interest from the New York Mets lately – possibly as a plan B to the Cubs’ Lilly. The 29-year-old right-handed is 6-6 with a 3.41 ERA in his first season with the Houston Astros. His previous eight seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies could give him an advantage in the NL East and make him more appealing to the Mets.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are interested in dealing relief pitcher Octavio Dotel, despite Dotel having no desire to leave Pittsburgh. He is signed for $3.25 million for this season, and there’s a $4.5 million club option for 2011. Earlier this month, the Florida Marlins inquired about Dotel. The 36-year-old is 2-2 with a 4.89 ERA and has 19 saves this season.
Related posts:
- American League Central buyers and sellers
- Ken Rosenthal on the National League buyers and sellers
- National League West buyers and sellers
- Price’s MLB Trade Deadline Buyers and Sellers
- National League Winter Baseball Meetings Review in 60 seconds or less
