Most of Major League Baseball’s best players were on hand as Yoenis Cespedes won the 2014 Home Run Derby, but team executives likely spent the night working the phones and trying to work whatever deals they’re pursuing before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
David Price is the biggest name on the market this year, and there remains a strong chance that the Tampa Bay Rays deal him by the end of the month.
Along with that potential trade are other smaller, but no less inconsequential, moves that could help teams bracing for postseason runs.
Chase Headley
Teams looking to add offense before the trade deadline don’t have too many options. As a result, you’re seeing guys like Chase Headley at the top of some teams’ shopping lists. According to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, “four or five” teams are registering early interest in the San Diego Padres star.
One of the biggest roadblocks for potential suitors is Headley‘s performance. He’s hitting .226 this year with seven home runs and 29 RBI.
As Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times pointed out, though, it’s as if Headley knows he’s on the trade block and is reacting accordingly:
In 12 July games, the third baseman boasts a slash line of .327/.327/.462 with one homer and six RBI.
Headley is a free agent at the end of the year, so time is running out if the Padres want to unload the veteran and still get something in return.
Bartolo Colon
It’s 2014, and Bartolo Colon may be an in-demand trade target for MLB teams. That’s insane, right?
The 41-year-old is having a solid season, posting an 8-8 record with an ERA of 3.99 and a FIP of 3.66. Those numbers aren’t as good as what he was doing with the Oakland Athletics last season but still impressive nonetheless.
The New York Mets aren’t going anywhere, and with another year left on Colon’s deal, they’d be smart to see if they can get anything for him before the trade deadline.
According to ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin, the Mets aren’t desperate for a deal, but they’re willing to listen:
The New York Mets have made right-hander Bartolo Colon available as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears, industry sources told ESPNNewYork.com.
[…]
The Mets are not yet believed to be engaged in serious talks about Colon, and it is not a foregone conclusion that he will be dealt, but a major league source predicted dialogue would increase in the next week. An August trade remains possible, too, via a team making a waiver claim.
Colon would be a good back-end starter for some team competing for the playoffs. Neither the cost nor the risk would be very high.
Huston Street
Heyman also reported on another Padre who could be on the move: Huston Street. The veteran closer is garnering interest from a few different teams:
Street looks like the most desirable closing candidate on the market and the ninth inning has been the Angels’ one question during a strong first half. They’ve also scouted Jonathan Papelbon of the Phillies, but his salary is much higher, his contract is longer and it includes a dicey vesting option for a third year. Street is desirable not only because he has pitched brilliantly this year, but he also because he makes just $7 million this year and has a team friendly $7 million club option for next year.
The Pirates are said to be among other teams to check in on Street, with the Orioles and Giants mentioned in a speculative sense as possibilities. Both those teams seem more focused on starting pitchers, however. The Tigers have not indiucated an interest in acquiring a new closer and seem content with veteran Joe Nathan at the moment.
The 30-year-old isn’t operating under any pretense that he’ll be back in San Diego for next season, as per ESPN’s Jim Bowden and MLB.com’s Jane Lee:
Street is having a great season, recording 24 saves with an ERA of 1.09 and a FIP of 2.90. You’re not going to find a better closer in this year’s trade market. And with that $7 million option for 2015, he’ll come at a relatively cheap price next year.
Some team will likely meet San Diego’s asking price and grab Street before the deadline.
Advanced stats via Fangraphs unless otherwise noted.
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