Rumor mill: Beltran, Delgado and more
The All-Star break is rapidly approaching. Close on its trail is the trade deadline. It's that fun time of year, particularly in fantasy leagues using only AL or NL player pools, where an infusion of useful players enter the league. You don't have to pray for the latest hotshot from the minors to save your squad; you get proven players.
Let's take a look at some of the players rumored to be changing addresses. I'll warn you in advance. The common denominator remains George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees.
Carlos Beltran, Kansas City Royals
Beltran has been streaky with both his power and speed outbursts this season, but you can't argue with the results – 14 HR, 50 RBI, 14 Steals. Earlier this week a proposed trade was nixed that would have sent Beltran to the Houston Astros as part of a three-way deal with the A's. Then, a second deal that had Beltran on to Los Angeles was defeated when the Dodgers refused to deal the marvelous setup man Guillermo Mota.
A move to Los Angeles would impact his power numbers negatively, but a trip to Houston could propel Beltran to new heights. Either way, an entry into the National League has auction league owners counting their duckets and others praying to hit the top of the waiver priority list.
That leaves the two big sharks to swim into the picture: Boston and the New York Yankees. The downside of a trade to either of these teams is that they don't run much. With the massive power production of both lineups, the stolen base component of Beltran's value will be minimized. With that said, the short porches in right field at both Fenway and Yankee Stadium are mighty enticing.
Carlos Delgado, Toronto Blue Jays
Delgado remains on the disabled list, but his name continues to swirl in the trade winds. As a 10/5 guy, he's got the right to veto any deal that comes down the pike. At the top of the list of suitors sit the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are looking for some added pop to the lineup. He would reunite with Shawn Green, whom fantasy owners would love to see any type of spark from. This move would also allow Green to move back to the outfield where he's more comfortable.
The Toronto Blue Jays have been a disappointment to date, languishing 14 games behind the division-leading Yankees in the standing and need to make a move. Naturally, they don't want to see Delgado coming back to haunt him every other series, so a move to the NL seems likely.
Jose Mesa, Pittsburgh Pirates
As Pittsburgh begins its annual decline, Mesa has risen to the top of several teams' wish lists. The top two possible destinations for Mesa are Florida (not exactly sold on the acquisition of Billy Koch) and Oakland (the Arthur Rhodes era appears to be over already).
Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and the boys would be excited to see any reliever actually hold a lead. You'd have to look back to 1999 for Mesa's last year as a closer in the AL, but he got the job done, albeit with a huge ERA and WHIP. Pitching in the spacious Network Associates Coliseum should help to mitigate the damage.
The next players may be temporarily off the market, as the Mariners are deluding themselves into believing they are back in the race following a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. A shellacking at the hands of the Rangers might change that in a hurry.
Freddy Garcia, Seattle Mariners
Garcia sits atop the New York Yankees wish list this trading season. They're attempting to dangle several top prospects, including lefty Alex Graman, to get Seattle to pull the trigger. Also in the mix are the Chicago White Sox, who are desperate for another starter, and the Mets, who are still in the hunt in the NL East.
Imagine this guy with a team that scores runs in bunches as they do in New York or Chicago. His 3.21 ERA would have him approaching double-digit victories. Given the soft offense of Seattle to date and the stories of Garcia being off the market, the arguments that will allow you to steal him from his owner in your league are already made.
Jamie Moyer, Seattle Mariners
Like Garcia, Moyer is allegedly off the block. Don't believe it. The Yankees are making a hard pitch to acquire him, and Moyer himself has wondered aloud of the glory of pitching in the Big Apple. Pitching in the AL East could be hazardous to Moyer's ERA and WHIP totals, even though his win total would multiply in a hurry.
Another bidder for Moyer is the Los Angeles Dodgers. This would be a boon for fantasy owners in NL-only leagues, as the big ballpark in Los Angeles would see a number of flyballs die at the track.
Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks
D-backs owner Jerry Colangelo vehemently denies any truth to this rumor, and I highly doubt that it will occur. Even with the Diamondbacks firmly entrenched at the bottom of the NL West with the Colorado Rockies, Johnson remains the face of this team. With that said, Big Stein normally gets what he wants, and there's no doubt that having Johnson ending his career in pinstripes stands high on his wish list.
There are a number of other stars potentially on the move, including Magglio Ordonez of the White Sox, Alfonso Soriano back to New York in a Mets uniform and Barry Zito of the A's. I'll keep watch over the activity and report back on any new names dredged to the surface.
Until then, enjoy rivalry week.
