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.
