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The First Baseman Market Revisited

By Tim Dierkes [July 9, 2008 at 4:10pm CST]

Next up in our second pass through the Trade Market, first basemen.

Mark Teixeira, Braves. As Mark Bowman wrote yesterday, the Braves may need a few weeks to decide whether to sell or buy. Teixeira is hitting .275/.381/.492. Frank Wren might have a hard time finding a match for Teixeira. He's an upgrade on guys like Casey Kotchman, Carlos Delgado, and Chad Tracy, but is the improvement worth it?
Rich Aurilia, Giants. Aurilia could make sense as a platoon partner for Tracy in Arizona, if Brian Sabean doesn't mind helping a team in his division. Aurilia hit well in May and June.
Dmitri Young, Nationals. He's hitting well, but keep in mind Jim Bowden couldn't find a deal he liked last year when Young had a .900 OPS and wasn't a contractual burden.
Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays. Overbay is owed $14MM over 2009-10, and he is slugging under .400. Not a hot commodity.
Kevin Millar, Orioles. The O's are 7.5 games out of the wild card, so their strategy is unknown. Millar's value seems to be mostly intangible.
Adam LaRoche, Pirates. Like clockwork, LaRoche is having a big July after a slow start. Selling high on him might make sense, but the Bucs haven't given any indication of that. Extension talks fizzled in April.
Frank Catalanotto, Rangers. Useful player who can also handle left field. However, he carries a commitment of $4MM for '09 plus a $2MM buyout on his '10 option.
Aaron Boone, Nationals. Respectable role player, but the Nationals might prefer to keep him around as a clubhouse leader.
Richie Sexson, Mariners. Looking for a silver lining...he's having a nice year against lefties?
Wes Helms, Marlins. One positive: the Phillies are paying his salary.
Kendry Morales, Angels. The 25 year-old was hitting .324/.365/.505 in Triple A until hitting the DL with an oblique strain.
Chris Duncan, Cardinals. He is fairly expendable, though he's had a rough year and has never hit lefties.
Casey Blake, Indians. He's a versatile player with a decent chance of being moved. Anthony Castrovince makes a good point - the Tribe might want to re-sign him to play third base next year.
Matt Stairs, Blue Jays. Last year's power and respectable work against southpaws has disappeared.
Scott Hatteberg. He seems to have disappeared since being designated for assignment by the Reds in May.