Some Names You Need To Know

Nearing the trade deadline and the possibility of trades being made.  There are some names of players who could help your team down the stretch, given the chance to play full time.

Tim Lincecum SP Giants:  Signed today June 30th and will report to SS Single-A-Salem-Keiser.  Lincecum will be groomed to be a starter.  But if the Giants remain in the playoff hunt, look for him to be called on to help in relief.  A pitcher who could help rack in K’s and wins late.

Tom Gorzelanny SP Pirates:  With the Pirates always looking to dump players and bring up there young guns.  Gorzelanny is another pitcher in a long line of talented pitchers, the Pirates have been able to bring up a good deal of prospects with talent.  At Triple-A Indianapolis Gorzelanny has a 2.35 ERA and a 94/27 K/BB in 99 2/3 innings and seems poised to be the ace the Pirates need.

Andrew Miller SP Tigers:  If the Tigers continue to go as they have been Miller could be a help down the stretch.  He could like Lincecum find himself in the bullpen and in the playoff hunt.

Troy Tulowitzki SS Rockies:  This kid is a future star and with the Rockies not 100% in the race some changes could be on the way.  Tulowitzki is a monster bat who would help anyone who needs offensive help.

Ryan Shealy 1B Rockies:  The Rockies have had many offers for his services and to the Rockies credit they are holding onto him.  Look for Helton to be moves if can, the Rockies may have to eat some of his contract.  This is a similar situation to the Phillies last year with Thome and Howard.  Look for Shealy to be just as good as Howard as well.

Story By: James W. Foland

Dodgers Make A Trade

The deal that to many on the surface looks like nothing major to help the Dodgers.  Has some great value to there teams and to fantasy owners.

Hendrickson who is off to the best start of his major league career was over valued in the AL.  The Devil Rays traded Hendrickson at the perfect time. 

The Dodgers sent out highly regarded catching prospect Dioner Navarro and SP Jae Seo.

Navarro: Will be a solid everyday catcher and is a great upgrade over Toby Hall.  The best thing about this is Navarro has an everyday job.

Seo:  Is a back end of the rotation starter who will end up in long relief and not much else.

Now for the Dodgers, they had no need for Navarro and Seo needed to be out of the rotation for any kind of upgrade.  I value AL pitchers far more than I do NL pitchers when they are switching leagues, unless there major stars.

Hendrickson: Will follow guys like Chris Young and Bronson Arroyo and make his mark in the NL.  If you have the chance to pick Hendrickson up do it and you won’t be disappointed.

Hall: Is nothing more than a solid back up to starter Russell Martin.

I did not hear anything about this deal coming down the rumor wire, which is what happens in most true deals.  I like this deal for both teams and they will be happy for years to come.

Story By: James W. Foland

Carlos Lee Traded?

The Brewers scouts have been seen taking a good long look at Yankees Pitching phenom Phillip Hughes.  Hughes along with a guy like Eric Duncan who plays third but could be converted to the OF or firstbase.

The contract talks have been nothing more than courtesy to Lee and to the fans.  Lee's value is too much for the Brewers to be able to keep Lee around.  The Yankees could get an extension done with there deep pockest and guys like Sheffield most likely not returning next year.

Story By: James W. Foland

Nat’s Close To Making Deals

There are two deals close to being done by the Nat's in the next couple weeks.  As long as talks don't stall big names are headed out of Washington.

The Blue Jays are looking at Soriano and Armas.  To help put the finishing touches on a team who has had a great turn around this year.  But what do the Jays have to offer for 2 pieces that could make there club the team to beat down the stretch?

Ryan Klosterman:  A SS drafted out of Vanderbilt in the 5th round.  Klosterman has the stuff to be a solid big league player. 

Brandon League:  Drafted out of High school in 2000 league has made the change from starter to bull pen pitcher.  League projects to a future closer or at least set up man. 

Dustin McGowen: A top prospect starting pitcher who has the potential to be a number 2 starter.  Drafted in the 1st round 14th overall in the 2002 draft.  He needs another solid year in the minors, bringing him up and down like the Jays have done may have hurt his progress.

Yankees are looking at getting Jose Guillen.  However getting the Nat's to want anything but Phenom Phillip Hughes SP maybe what stalls this deal.  Also 3B Eric Duncan who could compete for 1st base with Larry Boradway next season has to be apart of any deal.  Of any deals being talked about the Yankees may just have to call it themselves and rebuild for next year.

Story By: James W. Foland

Jon Lester SP Red Sox

The Red Sox almost gave Lester a job out of spring training, but decided to go with the other John, John Paplebon.  Now Lester has his shot to show the AL who he is.

Lester was drafted in 2002 out of Washington high school, taken with the 57th overall pick in the second round.  The strong left handed pitcher quickly became one of the best pitchers in the Red Sox orginization.

His starts have gotten better aswell, take a look for yourself.

1. In his major league debut, Lester gave up three runs and walked four in 4 1/3 innings against the Rangers. Lester was removed from a tie game in the fifth. Lester's command was off and needed to improve.
2. Jon Lester allowed a run over six innings too earn his first major league win against the Braves. Lester again remained wild, but he has two strong pitches capable of generating plenty of swings and misses.
3. Jon Lester struck out a career-high 10 and allowed just one run in six innings versus the Nationals. Lester keeps improving he gave up just three hits and a pair of walks. His command may come and go, but he's got the goods to stay around for a long time.

Lester is a must own in all formats.

STory By: James W. Foland

Indians Call Up Edward Mujica RP

The calling up of Edward Mujica maybe a bit rushed.  I would liked to have seen him stay at Triple-A-Buffalo for the rest of the year.  However, now that he is up Mujica projects to be the Indians future closer.   Also with teams looking to deal for closers, Wickman maybe on the way out if Mujica can hold his own.

From Double-A Akron to Triple-A Buffalo Mujica has not allowed an earned run in 38 2/3 innings.  During this time Mujica won 4 games and had 8 saves 33/12 K/BB.  If he can keep it up and just throws strikes your looking at a keeper.

Story By: James W. Foland

Smoltz Wants To Play For A Winner

After all the years of the Braves making the playoffs, it is surreal to hear someone wanting out to play for a winner.  But that is what maybe happening with John Smoltz.

Smoltz who was acquired in a trade from the Tigers oh-so many years ago to help a pirates team get to the playoffs.  Now Smoltz may be that man headed out to the Tigers for Joel Zumaya and Jack Hannahan.  Hannahan would be nothing more than a role player. 

Zumaya however could be the closer the Braves have been looking for.  After trying a one year wonder in Danny Kolb and a journeymen set up man in Chris Reitsma.  The Braves may have a chance to get a top flight phenom in Zumaya and solidify there closer role for years to come.

However I think this trade won't happen no matter how much John Kruk from ESPN's Baseball Tonight wants it too.  Even tho some of it makes sense, it doesn't from the Tigers perspective. 

Zumaya is a star in the making as a closer and there is no reason for them to sell out anything they have on the main roster right now.  They have players in the minors they can deal out to add a starter. 

Player who could be dealt instead of Zumaya? 

Here is a short list:

Tony Giarratano SS Tigers(Future 5 Tool Star)

Humberto Sanchez LHP Tigers(Poss. Closer)

Zach Miner RHP(Solid Future Starter, Maybe With The Parent Club To Show Him Off)

However I like all these guys to stick around to help the club for years to come.  You also add number one draft pick Andrew Miller who maybe in the rotation in a year.  Your looking at a team that has no reason to blow up what took years to build up.

Story By: James W. Foland

Indians Recalled Outfielder Franklin Gutierrez

Franklin Gutierrez originally aquired from the Dodogers in the deal that sent the troubled Milton Bradley out of Cleveland.  Gutierrez was highly regarded as the furture star center fielder in L.A.  When the trade was done people had him being promoted fast to the center field job until a man named Grady Sizemore jumped onto the seen.

Sence then Gutierrez has been learning to play the corners and should get some regular playing time.  With Blake and Micheal's both hurting this is his chance to show he belongs with the big league club.  While in Triple-A-Buffalo Gutierrez was hitting .288/.374/.415 with ten home runs and ten of fourteen for steals.

Story By: James W. Foland

Langerhans Being Delt For Closer

The Braves know that Ken Ray is a temp fix as the closer.  They are looking for a solid upgrade.  With guys like Joe Borowski Fla., Eddie Guardado Sea. available to be traded for the right player.  The Braves are willing to offer Ryan Langerhans outfield in a deal for eitehr bat.  Problem here is both teams have enough outfielders, the Braves need to offer up some pitching like Kyle Davies or Chuck James to make a deal happen.

Story By: James W. Foland

Mariners Meche Headed Out?

With Gil Meche’s great start today and him on pace to match his best year.  Reports out of Boston have a deal being close to done.  The Red Sox are hurting for starting pitching once thought a streangth of the club.

After trading Bronson Arroyo to the Reds, allong with having pitchers Matt Clement, David Wells, Lenny DiNardo and Kieth Foulke on the DL.  The Red Sox need pitching and maybe willing to trade top pitching prospects Criag Hansen or Jon Lester in a deal.

Update:  With Lester going strong the Red SOx may shelve any idea of trading him.  Add the M’s back at .500 and both teams maybe standing pat on trade deadline.

Story By: James W. Foland