Beltran traded to Giants

Carlos Beltran traded to SF
Zack Wheeler traded to NYM

I love this trade in favor of the San Francisco Giants. In an effort to defend their World Series championship last season, they had to add another bat after Buster Posey went down for the season in May, and the bats from last year disappeared. The Giants have scored the least amount of runs in the National League besides the lowly San Diego Padres.

The only prominent bats in the Giants lineup this year were Aubrey Huff and Pablo Sandoval. If they wanted to score runs off of the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves in the playoffs, they needed a bat that could wake up this offense. Beltran is the man to do that, bringing a bat that can hit .300 with 25 HR and 100 RBI. He would lead the Giants in all of those categories if he played with them for an entire season, and with pitchers attempting to go around him, it will only benefit Sandoval and Huff.

Also, the Giants will need Beltran to perform well on the big stage in the playoffs. He is a regular customer, hitting .366 with 11 HR and 19 RBI in 22 postseason games. Although Beltran is a free agent after the season, this rental is through October and if they can’t resign him, they will get a Type A free-agent compensation in the draft that could offset the loss of Zack Wheeler.

Wheeler is a major gain for the New York Mets farm system. Having said that, the Giants should be thrilled that they get to hold on to their center fielder for the future in Gary Brown. Brown possesses game-changing speeds, and with his ability to get on base, he will be the perfect leadoff man for the next 10-15 years once he reaches the Majors in the next two to three years. Wheeler was the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, but he has shown some command problems in high-A ball. This season he has struck out 98 in 88 innings with his 94-97 mph fastball and strong changeup and curveballs, but he has also walked 47. Albeit he should develop into a strong #2 or #3 pitcher, the Giants are loaded with pitching and they were able to hold onto my projection the better prospect.


Other Trades:

Kosuke Fukudome traded to CLE
2 prospects traded to CHI

I think the Chicago Cubs got away with a fast one on this deal. As they are out of a playoff chase this season, they need to start building for the future and no better way to start than making regular playing time for Tyler Colvin. Although the Cubs only got two mid-level prospects, Fukudome is an impending free agent and I don’t think the Cubs were going to even make an offer to retain him. Thus, instead of getting possible Type-B compensation in next year’s draft, they make room for Colvin’s future.

The Cleveland Indians are in a free-fall after their hot start, but they still have a chance in the weak AL Central division. With Grady Sizemore landing on the disabled list again, Fukudome should be a decent bat at the top of the order to provide a spark and he should be an upgrade to Ezequiel Carrera. Although this is only a two-month rental, the Indians have a shot at the playoffs and credit to their front office for not giving up too much while still aiming for a shot to return to the top of the AL Central.


Colby Rasmus to TOR
Trever Miller to TOR
Brian Tallet to TOR
P.J. Walters to TOR
Mark Teahen to TOR
Edwin Jackson to STL
Marc Rzepcynski to STL
Octavio Dotel to STL
Corey Patterson to STL
3 players TBD/cash to STL from TOR
Jason Frasor to CWS
Zach Stewart to CWS

I paired all of these players as a part of a three-team deal after Toronto used both teams to improve upon its future. Chicago traded Teahen’s bad contract and a decent starter in Edwin Jackson but it doesn’t help them this season and has to make people question whether they believe they have a real shot at the playoffs. Frasor has been a decent reliever for the Blue Jays this season, but I’m not sure whether he is good enough to provide a significant upgrade to the White Sox bullpen. Zach Stewart has been traded to his third organization although he is graded as a top prospect. He strikes out a lot of hitters with his low-90s fastball, mid-80s slider, and a developing changeup. I think he projects to be more of a setup man or closer, but he is still a year away from contributing in the Majors.

Toronto has been regarded as the big winners in this three-team deal, and I must agree. Colby Rasmus has to potential to be a 20/20 outfielder and if they are going to compete with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees every season, they had to grab talent for the future. Trever Miller and Brian Tallet are not going to be a part of the Blue Jays in the future, but I like how they acquired P.J. Walters. Walters is going to be a great reliever for years to come with his ability to strikeout hitters with his 77-79 mph changeup that sinks and he forces a strong number of groundouts. Overall, Toronto did a great job to improve for their future without giving up much more than one prospect.

The St. Louis Cardinals are in it to win right now, and with no regards towards their future. Although if they lose Albert Pujols they won’t be at the top of the NL Central every season, they improved their bullpen with Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepcynski. Rzepcynski has been pitching well this season with his ability to force groundouts and has held opposing hitters to a .201 batting average. Dotel will never be the reliever and closer that he use to be but if the Cardinals can acquire Heath Bell, this will be a strong enough bullpen that should give them a strong chance to compete with the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers for the division title.


Other hot targets:

B.J. Upton

A player that I though would command better offers but Upton has a strong possibility of staying with the Rays through the deadline. The Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies have expressed interest. The problem with Upton is that Hunter Pence is a cheaper alternative that some teams like more. Upton would bring a impact bat to the Atlanta Braves who will need more offense after Brian McCann went to the DL, but their front office doesn’t seem likely to part ways with a top prospect.

Heath Bell

There are numerous rumors stating that the Padres are frustrated that Bell hasn’t received better offers, and now may actually hold onto him and Mike Adams. The Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals are in the mix to trade for him, with Bell preferring to go to the Cardinals to remain as the closer. The Cardinals also have the better farm system compared to the Rangers, but I will be surprised if the Padres hold onto Bell by the deadline.

Ubaldo Jimenez

Several teams are interested in the disappointing Jimenez, which makes you wonder how much interest he would have commanded last season. Although he isn’t having the greatest season, the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians are in favorites to make the trade. If the Yankees offer Jesus Montero, who would crush the ball at Coors Field, I think Jimenez is theirs, however, the Indians are the team that needs him the most if they want to compete for the AL Central.

Denard Span

Span has been the target by the Washington Nationals, and it would allow the Minnesota Twins to give more playing time to Ben Revere and open up a possible future for Aaron Hicks. However, the question is how much the Nationals would have to give up to acquire Span. With the prototypical leadoff man for the Nationals, the Twins want Drew Storen. According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals will not part ways with Storen, increasing the probability that Span will stay in a Twins’ uniform.