MLB Rumors - MLB Trade Rumors
Subscribe to MLB Trade Rumors using RSS
Home     Contact     About     Advertise     Archives     Widget     Twitter      RSS Usage

« Odds and Ends: Griffey, Baek, German, Wells | Main | Stark's Latest: Young Players, Giles, DeJesus »

The First Baseman Market

Next up in the Trade Market series, first basemen.  Which ones might be available in the coming months?  Let me know in the comments if you have anyone to add.

  • Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young, Nationals.  Johnson will be out for roughly a month with a torn wrist tendon, while Young just returned from the DL after a lower back strain.  It'll be tough for Jim Bowden to move either of them.
  • Rich Aurilia, Giants.  He's heating up this month.  He's being paid $4.5MM this year, and it wouldn't take much.
  • Kevin Millar, Orioles.  Millar seems to enjoy playing in Baltimore, and the O's are only two games out of the wild card.  He's not hitting much yet anyway.
  • Richie Sexson, Mariners and Carlos Delgado, Mets.  Both seem more likely to be designated for assignment than traded.  Their salaries have kept them afloat so far.
  • Paul Konerko, White Sox.  Logic says Konerko stays put.  A sore wrist has contributed to a slow start, he has 10 and 5 rights, and he earns $12MM annually through 2010.
  • Adam LaRoche, Pirates.  Seems to have shaken off his typical slow start.  Extension talks fizzled.
  • Scott Hatteberg, Reds.  He seems likely to go, and would probably prefer it.  Hatteberg may be the first order of business for Walt Jocketty. 
  • Chris Duncan, Cardinals.  The Cards can probably get by in the outfield without him.  The 27 year-old has a career line of .271/.359/.512.
  • Kendry Morales, Angels.  Morales, 25 in June, is hitting .298/.341/.470 in Triple A (nothing special).
  • Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks.  With Mark Reynolds and Conor Jackson manning the corners in Arizona, Tracy isn't needed.  He could return within a week, finishing a long recovery from microfracture knee surgery.


Full Story |  Comments (34) | Categories: Trade Market

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b9a69e200e5526d780e8833

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference The First Baseman Market:

Comments

don't forget the sheer power of Royals 1st baseman Ross Gload.

I am sure it will destroy the nucleus of the Royals to lose him and his devestating power bat..but we have to make sacrifices, don't we?

yankees trade giambi to mets for delgado. maybe a change of address, change of leagues, sparks a fire for both of them which would be great for NYY and NYM. something needs to be done. Both should probably be released anyway so why not take a flyer. Yanks would have to make up difference in salary. why not?

Chris Duncan, OF/1B Cardinals. With Ludwick, Schumaker and Ankiel playing well and Rasums lurking at AAA, Duncan is very expendable.

i was going to say duncan as well. listing him as an outfielder is generous, haha. perhaps an anthony reyes/chris duncan package would get stl a decent middle infield prospect. hard to say w/ both of their values being down.

Giambi for Delgado? The Yanks would never do that... Giambi gets on base, and has been severely unlucky so far... Delgado on the other hand is complete garbage...

A 1st baseman the Mets need to get ASAP is Xavier Nady....

I would add Kendry Morales to the list as well.

As long as Kotchman continues to play well and the Angels sport a 15 man outfield/DH rotation Morales will struggle for playing time.

He is young, cheap, and has performed very well in Cuba and in the minors. Now he just needs his shot in the bigs. Going to the Mets make a ton of sense to me.

Michael Aubrey is finally healthy, Martinez and Blake play a credible first base, Garko is struggling but who isn't and there are more (Jordan Brown, etc.) on the way. CLE has a glut of young, cheap 1B and will need to move one or more of them.

"yankees trade giambi to mets for delgado. maybe a change of address, change of leagues, sparks a fire for both of them which would be great for NYY and NYM."

I actually also love this idea. Giambi still has some pop in his bat, and can atleast hit a pitch out that is there for him on a tee. He would do fine batting 7th for the Mets. But like Hyro said, I dont see why the Yankees do it. All I want from Delgado is to hit the mistakes hard, and I dont care if he strikes out every other atbat. But he cant even do that. Also, he doesnt even try to field the ball, he wont even dive to the ground to stop it.

My number 1 wish for this season for the Mets is too somehow acquire Kendry Morales from the Angels and kick Delgado to the curb. This would also save you from the gigantic mistake of giving Tex a huge contract, or even considering it. I am not sure what sort of return the Halos would want though. Any idea what they would look for in return BJ?

I'd love to see Scott Hatteberg get traded to a team where he can start.

"A 1st baseman the Mets need to get ASAP is Xavier Nady...."

Nah, the Pirates still think they are contending and I think they also consider Nady a type of player that should bring back a big package, instead of a couple b or c prospects. I would like Nady back too, but I will take Kendry first anyday, pricetag should be cheaper and results should be better.

You might add Hank Blalock and Frank Catalanotto from the Rangers. If they think Chris Davis is ready by the trade deadline they might deal one or both.

Hatteberg is another I wouldnt mint seeing in queens. A smart, veteran, good contact, and good situational hitter could go a long way for the Mets. Whether there are men on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs bottom 9 down by 2, or bases empty, winning 8-0 in the top of the 7th, the Mets batters dont even change up their approach to fit the situation they are in. Which is why they constantly get guys to 3rd with 0 or 1 outs and then strand them there. Because they are stupid.

I would add Adam Dunn to this list come July. He could would be a better fit at first for a contending team. Lyle Overbay could possibly be on this list.

Here's a longshot- Prince Fielder?

How about Chad Tracy. I know he is a 3B, but I am sure he could play 1st and with Reynolds and Jackson at the corners he looks expendable (though I guess that could change if Reynolds keeps hitting .220 for the next 2 months).

He's a not a proven, impact player, but Justin Huber could do well, given some consistency at 1B.

Ryan Garko - The Indians have Michael Aubrey on his way and also can use Victor Martinez at first giving Shoppach more playing time. Anyone else think the Mets, Yankee's and Giants would not all make a push for Garko? He is struggling now and Eric Wedge has burried him low in the lineup when he plays, which is less and less. The Indians have made moves like this before such as when they traded Coco Crisp at a young age because they knew his ceiling and wanted the best value for him, and they may now do the same with Garko now. Garko to the Mets for Heilman (who would close in Cleveland) and a prospect?

If the whitesox do what they should and give crede an extension, then they could put josh fields on the market as a 1B if they are looking for a 2B to bat leadoff...

Yes, extend the scrub (Crede), and instead of selling high, keep him around, and sell low on a guy struggling in the minors who actually has some upside.

Crede hasn't exactly been a scrub, he's picked up where he left off in 06 and then some. He gives the White Sox a much better chance to win right now than Josh Fields, and the White Sox are winning so I don't see why they would trade Crede at all. He's a much more capable third baseman than Fields regardless, despite his careless errors this year. But I don't think they'll extend him.

Crede isnt a scrub by any means, he plays great defense, is clutch in big games and past the 7th inning, is a fan favorite, and a quiet leader in their organization.

And trading credeing wouldnt be selling high either bc no one will take him bc its a half year rental and they alredy tried moving him before the year began.

nrmax - not sure what the Angels would want in return for Morales.

I will say this though - they are set at almost every position for years to come. I would think bullpen help and low minor league talent would be enough. That might be a nice match because it allows the Mets to stay competitive now by not trading away any pieces on their ML club.

There's been some discussion in Atlanta that Texiera could be traded to a big market team late in the season rather than a complete loss to free agency. The team would then be able to sign him to a long term contract.

I'd think Huff would also be on the block along with Millar. Huff seems to be a much better hitter once the weather gets warm. So he might be a nice pick up mid season for a lot of teams.

Matty Stairs anyone?...someone would want a power lefty off the bench and he can play some decent 1b

I was thinking Teixeira too. But two things would have to happen: first, Atlanta would have to fall out of the race, and second, Tex would have to start hitting. I don't see that $20 mil per year deal coming the way he's going right now. Not bad, just not $20 mil worth.

If you're looking for a lefty bat on the cheap (n terms of what you'd have to give up for him), Frank Catalanotto is probably going to be peddled when Chris Davis comes up. He can also play LF (marginally). If you're looking for someone who can hit the odd HR but is otherwise useless, Chris Shelton is probably going to be dumped as well when Davis comes up.

Teixeira is on a 12/22 7 R 6 RBI streak. Now he needs some homeruns.

The cardinals also have Josh Phelps at AAA, whose MLB career .820 OPS is better than 8 AL 1B's and all but 3 AL DH's (how did that happen?)

They also have Joe Mather tearing AAA apart, putting up ludwick-like (1.100+ OPS) numbers in a pitchers park as a 26yo 1B/3B/OF.

Another longshot: Ryan Howard. Blogs popping up all over Philly have him as the #1 guy to trade out of the city. He's a stud, and his numbers are starting to come around (finally), and it's no secret the Phils are looking for relative cheap, quality arms in their rotation. Package Howard and that waste Adam Eaton for some good young arms.
I know I'm going to catch some flack for this, but it needs to be done. I love the big guy, but there is no way the Phillies are going to sign this guy long term. They have said they're going to let him go to arbitration every year until he's a free agent and he walks. Why not trade him to a team with the means to sign him to a multi-year deal with a decent farm system? Philly has an explosive offense with or without him, but they lack the rotation depth to go anywhere in the playoffs. If there is no chance to keep him in red pinstripes for the rest of his career, at least get something for him before his big body wears down and he's worthless.

I think the Phillies might do that Tilbrouck, probably after the season though. They need his explosive bat right now, attitude and rising weight regardless.

Hatteberg is a 38 year old hitting .170 right now. Maybe he's a fan fave, but other than that, not seeing what the attraction is.

jjyankeefan2

hatteberg is a career .275 hitter who has only gotten back over his recent seasons. in 06 and 07 he hit .289 and .310 as a regular contributor. the low average is not unusual in his past with pinch hitting, if he is moved, it will be so he can see some starts at 1B, where he is a very solid defender.

Would the Padres dare to dangle Adrian Gonzalez? Don't get me wrong--I don't want to see him go--but San Diego doesn't have much to trade and they need to rebuild.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment


Top Stories



Search MLBTR

Lijit Search

MLBTR Features



Recent Posts


MLBTR Mailing List

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner


Rumors By Team



Monthly Archives


Live Chats


Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST



Site Map     Contact     About     Advertise     Privacy Policy     Widget     Twitter     Rss Feed


MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com.