MLB Week in Review
by Jordan Adams - 07/30/2006
Teams have until 4 p.m. EST on Monday to make any last second trades that will help make the push towards the postseason. This week's MLB review examines the trades already completed and how those players impact their new clubs, as well as the potential moves that could go down within the next 24+ hours as the trade deadlines concludes tomorrow.
Carlos Lee | Traded from Milwaukee Brewers to Texas Rangers
Lee's bat will boost an already solid offensive lineup. Coming into Sunday, the left fielder is hitting .293 with 28 home runs and 93 RBI and should find a nice spot in the middle of the order alongside Michael Young, Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock. This move could be enough to leapfrog both the A's and the Angels, however Texas lacks the pitching necessary to make the push into and beyond the ALDS. With not much pitching out there, the Rangers will find it very difficult to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs at the most.
Wilson Betemit | Traded from Atlanta Braves to Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers looked like a team ready for October about a month ago, but ever since the break ended, they have been horrendous. Los Angeles started the second half of the season 1-13 and currently sit at 49-55 and six games back of the first place Padres. On Friday Los Angeles pulled the trigger and acquired young Wilson Betemit to play third base. In the first of what could be several key moves to get them back to the top of the division, the Dodgers needed to get a bat. Whether Betemit can be the answer is unknown, but it seemed kind of silly that Atlanta would unload a prospect with the talent that he has when they seem destined to focus on next year right now.
Shea Hillenbrand | Traded from Toronto Blue Jays to San Francisco Giants
Mike Stanton | Traded from Washington Nationals to San Francisco Giants
The Giants appear to be making it clear they are focused on 2006. Adding Hillenbrand to the offense and Stanton as a set-up man, San Francisco doesn't need much to get into the playoffs. Only four games behind the Padres and four behind Cincinnati for the wild card, the Giants will have their chances mainly for the division with so many games left against the rest of the NL West.
The remaining Big 5
Bobby Abreu | Philadelphia Phillies
Sought after by many, but the New York Yankees have expressed serious interest and could possibly pull the trigger. Abreu will help any lineup, even the Bombers' deadly offense. Abreu would most likely play right field and allow Sheffield to play DH when he returns. Sad to say though, Abreu's addition will not get the Yankees into the playoffs. If they make the postseason, its because they already have enough offense. Abreu is simply overkill and his price is too large.
Alfonso Soriano | Washington Nationals
Simply a toss-up whether he will be moved. One would think he would have been gone if he was indeed going to be shipped out, however GM Jim Bowden appears disinterested in moving him without getting something valuable, particularly a pitching prospect. The Tigers, Twins and Angels have all been courting the leadoff slugger, and any team that lands him will have a leg up on the competition.
Greg Maddux | Chicago Cubs
Willing to do what's best for the Cubbies, Maddux has made it clear he would stay if they chose not to move him or he would be willing to go to a contender if Chicago could land some young talent. The Padres and Dodgers have both expressed interest, but from what experts have mentioned, if Maddux is traded for a lousy single A pitcher then the Cubs would have disrespected the future hall-of-famer and gotten nothing in return.
Miguel Tejada | Baltimore Orioles
Most recently linked with a move to Texas, the Angels or Houston, Tejada has already rejected the thought of moving to third base. If that is the case, he might be forced to suffer the rest of the season in Baltimore, rather than ride out a shot at the playoffs with a contender.
Barry Zito | Oakland A's
Only mentioned in a move to Queens -- that is if the Mets will include its top young bat Lastings Milledge in the deal. Considering his overall value to this year's team as a talented yet unproven everyday player, New York would be silly not to say yes to this deal. The Mets need starting pitching and seeing how Oakland has agreed to move their ace, Zito would fit the bill. New York can pick up a corner outfielder any time they want, but they might not ever be as close to the World Series as they are in '06.