The trade deadline is the day the truth comes out. The teams that are seven, eight, nine, etc., games out of their division decide to trade their best players and let go of their dream of the World Series. But for the teams that are in striking distance from a playoff spot, it is time to go for gold and make your fan base believe that this could be the year.
Already we have seen the Houston Astros trade for Scott Kazmir from the Oakland Athletics (the As get a minor league pitcher and a catcher) to up their rotation. Now, they have two of the best pitchers at limiting hard contact with Kazmir and Dallas Keuchel. It wouldn't be a trade deadline without Billy Beane making a move or two.
The Kansas City Royals were the underdog, last year in the postseason, when they lost to the San Francisco Giants in the seventh game, which was at their home diamond. That bitter taste must be still in their mouth since they have traded for one of the biggest prizes in this year's trade deadline -- Johnny Cueto. After looking at their rotation this isn't a shock. Cueto can slide right into the number two starter behind Edinson Volquez.
It seems like the New York Yankees are always buzzing around the trade deadline. Even with their GM Brian Cashman saying there is a “strong possibility” doesn’t make a deal during the trade deadline, I see that as a smokescreen. The most Yankee move would be trading for San Diego Padre left fielder Justin Upton to play right field over the 38 year-old Carlos Beltran. Going out every day of a lineup of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, Justin Upton, Mark Teixeria, and then Alex Rodriguez, the Yanks would increase their runs per game.
The Reds pull in prospects with a trade that sends Jay Bruce to the Los Angeles Angels. This will not be the most talked about of trades, but for the Reds it will be one of the ones they look back on. Reds get some prospects that might turn into big leaguers. Angels hope they get the 2011/2012 all star Bruce. With the power Bruce has, put him in front or behind of Albert Pujols and let those two have a home run derby.
How about the Washington Nationals? Hair flipping, home run hitting Bryce Hyper has been tearing up any type of pitching this year, and with arguably the best pitcher in baseball this year Max Scherzer, the Nationals are a team that could win it all. The Nationals have many starters on the DL, including Jason Werth who has been there with a fractured wrist since May 16th Imagine a spark like Carlos Gomez in that clubhouse. Gomez on the struggling Milwaukee Brewers would love to go out everyday with a team that is on the top of the division and not on the bottom.
Jeff Samardzija made his pro debut with the Chicago Cubs. The free agent to-be gets sent back to the north side to boost their rotation. Cubbies trade for Samardzija for two reasons: to make the post season this year as the number three starter, and to give a sample to Samardzija that after his losing seasons in the Cubbie blue when he was on the club, he should re-sign with the club in the offseason.
Cole Hamles is the last big prize of the trade deadline market, and after his no-hitter against the Chicago Cubs his stock just flew up. Personally, I like him better than Cueto because of the club control contract for another three years. It seems like everyone and their mother wants Hamels on their team, but he ends up in Dodger blue. With Zach Greinke having one of the finest years for a pitcher in recent memory during his last year on his current contract, the Dodgers trade for Hamels to basically replace Grienke when he leaves as a free agent. Good luck to the playoff team that faces the Dodgers with the 1-1-2-3 punch of Greinke, Hamels, and Clayton Kershaw.
