Closing in on the major league trading deadline on July 31, it doesn't appear to be a bear market this year.
"Nothing this quiet, in all my years," Milwaukee Brewers GM Doug Melvin told ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
You can partially blame Melvin, who built his division-leading club through the farm system. Teams are much more reluctant to give up young talent for a short-term solution.
That's not to say there won't be trades. There should be a handful, many probably involving middle relievers, where every team seemingly has a need.
Here are some of the most likely candidates to be moved in the meantime:
The
Yankees could make a big splash by landing the Texas slugger, who has averaged 38 homers the past three seasons. He makes more than $7 million per season, but when has that ever stopped the Yankees? The
Dodgers and
Angels are also in the mix.
He's been injured for almost the entire season, but if his hamstring issues are gone, he'd love to play for a contender again. He told the Boston Herald this week that he'd have no issues about going to the
Red Sox, who could use him as a spot starter in the outfield and a pinch hitter.
This would be a coup for the
Yankees. Wigginton can play several positions, is having a good season (.278, 14 homers as of July 21), and the New York Post is reporting that all it will take to put him in pinstripes is scuffling reliever Scott Proctor. It would almost have to be a precursor to a bigger deal to boost the Yankees' middle relievers. UPDATE: Wigginton was traded to Houston on July 28 for relief pitcher Dan Wheeler.
He's been a closer and a setup guy, and he's pitching well for Kansas City. The
Dodgers appear to have the most interest, but have balked at the asking price so far for the 33-year-old right-hander. The
Tigers and
Indians have bullpen needs as well, but it's tough to get a deal like this done between teams in the same division, with ramifications that could stretch far beyond this season.
How about a third term with the
Indians? That's one rumor going around, and the Indians could use a left-handed outfielder with David Delucci injured and Trot Nixon scuffling, although rookies Franklin Gutierrez and Ben Francisco are playing well in spot duty. The
Brewers are also reportedly interested in the 40-year-old Lofton. UPDATE: Lofton was traded to Cleveland on July 27.
Sosa revitalized his career in Texas earlier this season, but has scuffled a bit since then. Putting him back in a big market in the National League in a pennant race would be interesting. The
Mets need a big bat in the outfield. If the price is right...
There have been reports that the
Braves are interested in adding the left-handed veteran, but have balked at the price of top prospect Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Arroyo is 4-10 on the season, but with plenty of postseason experience.
He just came back from injury, and Oakland will be tempted to deal the 12-time All-Star, who will be a free agent after the season. Oakland also wants to give their starting catcher gig to Kurt Suzuki. Piazza is not healthy enough to catch everyday, but the
Twins need a bat, and he'd be a fairly good fit at designated hitter. The
Angels could use him as well.
Johnson is pretty much in the same boat as Piazza, with Triple-A first baseman Daric Barton waiting in the wings for Oakland. There have been reports that this deal was practically done with the
Yankees, who could use the serviceable first baseman with Jason Giambi still sidelined. The
Twins have also been in the mix.
There are rumblings that the
Mets and
Red Sox are interested in the 25-year-old closer, who wouldn't close for either. They have all-star closers in Billy Wagner and Jonathan Papelbon, respectively. They could cause considerable friction toward getting this done. Cordero is signed through 2009. "They should ask for a closer's value for him," one National League executive told the Washington Post. "But I'm not sure other teams will be willing to pay that price for him."
He can be a free agent after this season, and the
Reds slugger has attracted plenty of attention. According to a radio report in Milwaukee, a deal was imminent that would bring the slugger to the
Brewers. He has 26 homers this season, and putting another big left-handed bat in that lineup with Prince Fielder could make teams wish they had more left-handed pitchers.
He hit .315 with 44 homers with 120 RBI in 2006, but is at .225 with 16 homers so far a year later. Teams could take a flier hoping that his bat comes around. He's a free agent after the season.
