As the big guns in baseball stock up for potential playoff runs, the Jays wait 'til next year.
If early indications are correct, it appears that the 2008 non-waiver trade deadline will be prosperous for sellers looking to move contracts and stock farm systems with prospects.
To date, there have been three deals of significance: the Brewers trading top prospect Matt LaPorta to the Indians for reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia; division-rival Cubs sending a parcel of four prospects to the Athletics for pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin; and the Phillies adding to their rotation by adding Joe Blanton from Oakland at a cost of three minor leaguers, including two of their top four prospects. So it seems that we are poised to see several old faces in new places when the calendar flips over to August.
RED SOX: With slugger David Ortiz finally back swinging the bat on a rehab assignment, the Red Sox best move might be no move at all. But they are likely to fine tune heading down the stretch with a set-up reliever (Colorado's Brian Fuentes) to get the ball to Jonathan Papelbon, and perhaps a veteran shortstop (Pittsburgh's Jack Wilson or Toronto's David Eckstein). With several prospects in waiting at the top levels of their farm system, the Red Sox have whatever it takes to bring in what they want and not have to touch anyone on their current active roster.
RAYS: It's hard to say which way the upstart Rays will go heading into the deadline. Despite leading the A.L. East for a good chunk of games in the first half, they suffered their first real adversity this season and lost seven-straight heading into the break. Personally, like everyone else I'd be shocked to see the Rays making the playoffs, and they might be better off to stay the course and not find a quick fix to stay in the hunt. Where they may want to upgrade is in the bullpen and Nationals interim closer Jon Rauch might be a good fit.
YANKEES: With Joba Chamberlain now in the rotation a large chasm still remains in the bullpen between the starters and closer Mariano Rivera. And after years of having several left-handers in the 'pen, they now only have Billy Traber. Fuentes, the Royals' Ron Mahay or Pittsbugh's Damaso Marte would more than fill that void. With the signing of one-dimensional slugger Richie Sexson and Johnny Damon now days away from returning from the D.L., finding more offence is no longer a priority for the Yankees.
WHITE SOX: This is a tough team to read as it appears that the Pale Hose have more than enough to take the flagging A.L. Central -- if manager Ozzie Guillen can keep it together. The White Sox lead the A.L. in home runs, so offense is not the problem, nor is a bullpen with an ERA of 2.82 (2nd-best in the majors). But adding left-hander Randy Wolf from the Padres or A.J. Burnett from the Jays might be just what Chicago's "other team" needs to be a serious contender.
ANGELS: Of all the teams not in the A.L. East, the Angels appear be positioned to challenge the Red Sox. While there's nothing wrong with Justin Speier and Scot Shields as set-up men, adding a left-hander like Fuentes or Marte might go a long way in the playoffs, especially when the likes of David Ortiz or J.D. Drew step to the plate late with the game on the line in October.
METS: Despite a managerial change and several disappointments over the first three-and-a-half months of the season, the Mets entered the break just a half game back of the Phillies in the N.L. East. And with left-fielder Moises Alou out for the rest of season - with his career hanging in the balance - the Mets have to be looking for a full-time replacement. Knowing how the Mets like to make a big splash, perhaps they might be sizing up Colorado's Matt Holliday, the Pirates' Xavier Nady or Seattle's Raul Ibanez. The big fish would be Holliday which could be expanded into a larger deal if that's what it takes.
MARLINS: Who would have thought that that the Fish would be considered buyers after the gutted their roster - yet again - last off-season and sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for prospects? Well, as the second half began the Marlins had joined the Phillies and Mets in a three-way struggle for the N.L. East, despite the Majors lowest payroll of just $21.8 million - or less than half of the 29th-ranked Rays or 12 percent of what the Yankees pay their stars - they still could add for the stretch run. With that in mind, left-hander Fuentes or Rockies' outfielder Willy Taveras could be added for little.
CARDINALS: With the moves already made by the Brewers and Cubs, the Cardinals are the logical next team to step up to the trade desk. Manager Tony LaRussa has already implored his front office to give him the resources to stay in the race. The problem is their lack of front line prospects keep up with the other two teams. With the Twins dangling workhorse right-hander Livan Hernandez and right-fielder Michael Cuddyer, LaRussa has to hope that they can come up with a deal to bring in this type of quality that will keep his team in the post-season race.
So where does this leave the Blue Jays? Leaving the break, the Jays have finally broke free of the basement and aren't likely to be caught be the Orioles for the rest of the season unless they fall back into sleep-walk mode, which has plagued this team since J.P. Ricciardi took over the reins prior to 2002. Any thoughts of the post-season in 2008 dissipated weeks ago, and the only players left which may bring back something in return are the aforementioned Burnett and Eckstein, unless some teams start kicking the tires of Alex Rios, a big disappointment with 67 games remaining. With Dustin McGowan for at least a month, and likely the rest of the season, a chance to look at others moving forward towards 2009 is now upon us. If anyone can be moved for prospects, within reason of course, I'd certainly embrace that.
