I
magine Mark Tiexeira hitting ahead of Alex Rodriguez. Or Dontrelle Willis as a Met. If it's going to happen, this is the week. Welcome to Major League Baseball's trade deadline bazaar sale, where contenders buy high and savvy fantasy owners reap the rewards.
Baseball's July 31 trade deadline is usually a seminal moment in the fantasy season. It's the last best chance to buy low and change your team's fate. Owners who are the most vigilant this time of year are the ones who land the prize.
There are no shortage of trade partners floating around baseball. Any number of deals could materialize between now and the end of July.
It could be wise to act now and push for a player rumored to be on the trading block, especially if you're mired in the middle of the fantasy pack. Netting a guy early could mean saving big down the stretch.
Keep your eyes and ears open as the trade deadline is usually one of the more fun moments of the fantasy season. Snagging that one player on the move just may catapult you to the top. Here are our top picks to be dealt:
Comment: Dunn's .260 batting average may not be attractive, but fantasy owners that can afford to carry him should delight in playing Dunn, particularly if he ends up on a team that provides RBI opportunities. He is a 40 home run, 100 RBI candidate, who could also steal the occasional base.
Comment: Piazza has drawn plenty of interest from teams looking for a power-bat down the stretch. He could be a viable fantasy option when healthy, especially if he ends up starting for another ball club. Expect him to stay in the AL, where he can be used as a DH or a backup catcher.
Comment: The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are just a few teams that have been lusting after Teixeira, but so far the Rangers are asking for too much in return. As the deadline looms, however, do not be surprised if the Rangers lower their asking price in order to get a deal done. He would likely end up in a more potent offense, which could give him more RBI opportunities than his current team, and his fantasy value would see a nice uptick.
Comment: Despite fracturing his wrist, teams such as the Los Angeles Angels are inquiring about Tejada's services. He is a great buy-low candidate for fantasy owners. Injury and sub-par numbers have left much to be desired, but a move to a team like the Angels could reinvigorate the talented infielder.
Comment: Young has been the best offensive player on the Nationals, who have virtually no shot at the playoffs and are likely to remain in the rebuilding stage for at least a couple more years. If he gets moved to a team looking to slot him as the DH, he could easily pile on plenty more RBI to go along with his sparkling .340 batting average this season.
Comment: The Dodgers seem to have the most interest in Dotel at the moment. A move here would result in a loss of all fantasy value, as he will be used exclusively for seventh inning duty. Dotel's set-up man in Kansas City, Joakim Soria, would subsequently see a nice boost to his fantasy value. He has shown this season that he is capable of being a handy ninth-inning stopper.
Comment: A trade would probably hurt the former Cy Young winner. Gagne would likely move to a team with an already entrenched closer, but Akinori Otsuka would see a nice boost in value taking over ninth-inning duties for the Rangers (although he is currently on the DL with elbow issues).
Comment: Astros reliever Lidge is back in the closer's role, but how much longer will he remain in the Lone Star State? Teams in need of bullpen help have been scouting Lidge for some time now. And unless the Astros truly believe they can make another miraculous late season run, he could be shipped to a contender. The Red Sox, Dodgers and Yankees have been searching for bullpen help, but a move to a team that already has a proven closer will likely end Lidge's fantasy value.
Comment: Trade talk comes out of Florida every year, but this season may be the best time for the Marlins to strike a deal on Willis. The D-Train has been a disaster for fantasy owners and his best years may actually be behind him. Any type of change (scenery included) will be welcomed. Just don't expect him to return to his 2005 form as a result of a trade.
Starbonell is UPDATE! Major League Baseball Editor.
Baseball's July 31 trade deadline is usually a seminal moment in the fantasy season. It's the last best chance to buy low and change your team's fate. Owners who are the most vigilant this time of year are the ones who land the prize.
There are no shortage of trade partners floating around baseball. Any number of deals could materialize between now and the end of July.
It could be wise to act now and push for a player rumored to be on the trading block, especially if you're mired in the middle of the fantasy pack. Netting a guy early could mean saving big down the stretch.
Keep your eyes and ears open as the trade deadline is usually one of the more fun moments of the fantasy season. Snagging that one player on the move just may catapult you to the top. Here are our top picks to be dealt:
HITTERS
ADAM DUNN
Cincinnati Reds, OF
Comment: Dunn's .260 batting average may not be attractive, but fantasy owners that can afford to carry him should delight in playing Dunn, particularly if he ends up on a team that provides RBI opportunities. He is a 40 home run, 100 RBI candidate, who could also steal the occasional base.
MIKE PIAZZA
Oakland Athletics, C
Comment: Piazza has drawn plenty of interest from teams looking for a power-bat down the stretch. He could be a viable fantasy option when healthy, especially if he ends up starting for another ball club. Expect him to stay in the AL, where he can be used as a DH or a backup catcher.
MARK TEIXEIRA
Texas Rangers, 1B
Comment: The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers are just a few teams that have been lusting after Teixeira, but so far the Rangers are asking for too much in return. As the deadline looms, however, do not be surprised if the Rangers lower their asking price in order to get a deal done. He would likely end up in a more potent offense, which could give him more RBI opportunities than his current team, and his fantasy value would see a nice uptick.
MIGUEL TEJADA
Baltimore Orioles, SS
Comment: Despite fracturing his wrist, teams such as the Los Angeles Angels are inquiring about Tejada's services. He is a great buy-low candidate for fantasy owners. Injury and sub-par numbers have left much to be desired, but a move to a team like the Angels could reinvigorate the talented infielder.
DMITRI YOUNG
Washington Nationals, 1B
Comment: Young has been the best offensive player on the Nationals, who have virtually no shot at the playoffs and are likely to remain in the rebuilding stage for at least a couple more years. If he gets moved to a team looking to slot him as the DH, he could easily pile on plenty more RBI to go along with his sparkling .340 batting average this season.
PITCHERS
OCTAVIO DOTEL
Kansas City Royals, RP
Comment: The Dodgers seem to have the most interest in Dotel at the moment. A move here would result in a loss of all fantasy value, as he will be used exclusively for seventh inning duty. Dotel's set-up man in Kansas City, Joakim Soria, would subsequently see a nice boost to his fantasy value. He has shown this season that he is capable of being a handy ninth-inning stopper.
ERIC GAGNE
Texas Rangers, RP
Comment: A trade would probably hurt the former Cy Young winner. Gagne would likely move to a team with an already entrenched closer, but Akinori Otsuka would see a nice boost in value taking over ninth-inning duties for the Rangers (although he is currently on the DL with elbow issues).
BRAD LIDGE
Houston Astros, RP
Comment: Astros reliever Lidge is back in the closer's role, but how much longer will he remain in the Lone Star State? Teams in need of bullpen help have been scouting Lidge for some time now. And unless the Astros truly believe they can make another miraculous late season run, he could be shipped to a contender. The Red Sox, Dodgers and Yankees have been searching for bullpen help, but a move to a team that already has a proven closer will likely end Lidge's fantasy value.
DONTRELLE WILLIS
Florida Marlins, SP
Comment: Trade talk comes out of Florida every year, but this season may be the best time for the Marlins to strike a deal on Willis. The D-Train has been a disaster for fantasy owners and his best years may actually be behind him. Any type of change (scenery included) will be welcomed. Just don't expect him to return to his 2005 form as a result of a trade.
Starbonell is UPDATE! Major League Baseball Editor.
PHOTO BY Palm Beach Post / ZUMA Press / Icon SMI
Are the Marlins willing to part ways with lefty dynamo Dontrelle Willis?