6/19/2018 0 Comments Playing GM: June editionThere are still 42 days left until the trade deadline, but you dont have to tell GMs. All 30 are taking calls, some a Whether your team is a “buyer” or “seller”, each team needs to figure out what moves they’re making (if any). I think it’s imperative to focus on the top half of the league, so that’s what we’re going to do today. I’ll play the role of GM, while you just act as a fan amazed by how good a GM I am. I’ll give you a position and a specific player each team needs. Sound good?
1. The Houston Astros Need: Closer Specific Player: Zach Britton I feel like every time I talk Houston Astros baseball this season it’s more or less the same; they lead the West (though this technically isn’t true rn but whatevs), they have arguably the best young core in the league, Justin Verlander is pitching well, and they really need a closer. It’s a safe assumption right now that the M’s aren’t going anywhere. Jerry Dipoto WILL make another move soon (and we’ll get to him I promise). The Astros can’t survive with this current bullpen. They need a solid guy to close things out and let the other dudes worry about innings 5-8. There aren’t too many relievers that can have a profound impact that the ‘Stros need on the market. Zach Britton is that guy. The problem is that he JUST came back from injury. No one knows if he’ll be the same pitcher just yet. It’s a gamble for the guys in Houston, but it’s one that can’t afford (not) to take. 2. The Boston Red Sox: Need: Thirdbaseman Player: Manny Machado Speaking of large gambles, Dave Dombrowski has one to ponder over himself. The Red Sox have a pretty steep payroll. You know they need another prolific hitter to keep pace with the Yankees. Third base seems like the likely place to look. With Josh Donaldson’s mess of a season, it looks like Manny Machado is the clear pick. But Machado is a free agent to be and wants to play Shortstop. Since Baltimore is going to expect a significant return for Machado, Dave Dombroski actually has to gamble both the farm that the Red Sox have left AND whether or not he’s a rental. If he is, you better pray he’s the missing piece to win it all. And if he’s not, how will your payroll look if you give him the contract he wants? Will you be able to keep a Mookie Betts or a Xander Bogarts? The answer is probably not. But this is a man or isn’t afraid to shell out his team’s checkbook, so watch out. 3. The New York Yankees: Need: Starting Pitcher Player: Jacob Degrom I’m mad at this for several reasons. First, I put my Yanks 3rd. Second, I really want another reliever, preferably Zach Britton. And third, I know that Cole Hamels is supposed to be the answer here. But that’s the issue! The Yankees cannot waste their time anymore. If you’re going to pull the trigger, then pull it! This type of trade is going to require Miguel Andujar and some prospects . And I hate it! But Andujar can be replaced and Jacob Degrom is under control for two more years. He strikes out a ton of people while eating up innings. That’s who the Yankees need. Aaron Boone needs someone not named Luis Severino to go more than 5 innings and hold teams to less runs, allowing the team to not rely on its power hitting. With Tanaka our for another month or so, you need someone to come in now and do this so you don’t subject yourself to Luis Cessa in two weeks. 4. The Chicago Cubs: Need: Starting Pitcher Player: Cole Hamels The Cubbies are in a bit of a pickle. On the one hand, they need a few different pieces. On the other, its not longer 2016 and they cant afford to drop too many more guys down in the farm. Cole Hamels seems like the best option. He’s a big game veteran pitcher who wont require top prospects to acquire (though he will certainly require some solid guys). The market for starter may be a bit thin, but I dont think teams will break the bank for him, forcing Texas to take a fair but solid package for him. I think all the talk of Machado to Chicago is just noise. I also think JA Happ could be an honorable mention for Theo during this next month as well. He could be the Plan B for the Cubs and a lot of other teams. Much like……. 5. The Seattle Mariners Need: Starting Pitcher Player: JA Happ Segways, am I right? Okay, so I sorta cheated on this one, as the M’s, along with the Yankees have been reportedly linked to the left hander in Toronto. Still, I told you Jerry Dipoto needs to make a move, and this one makes logical sense. The M’s dont have too much to offer for guys like Jacob Degrom or maybe even Hamels. But they may be able to piece together a nice package for Toronto, who should really do whatever they can to rebuild at a quick(er) pace. 6. The Milwaukee Brewers: Need: Starting Pitching Player: Danny Duffy Im so happy that I get to write about the Brew Crew on a regular basis. Im also happy I can use the term “Brew Crew” on a regular basis. The one reason I like Duffy to Milwaukee is that I think they have a few guys on their current roster that can be pieced with some mid level prospects to acquire him. Im not sure The M’s or Cubs can afford to do that. The only issue with this is that Duffy is not a number one guy, an issue I think will kill the Brewers run later this season.Jacob Degrom is really the only guy available that fits that bill, but the Mets are going to want to replenish their farm, which is all but dead at this point considering Tim Tebow is in Double A and their top prospect is in Rookie Ball. 7. The Atlanta Braves Need: 3rd Baseman Player: Josh Donaldson Of the teams on this list, I think the Braves are the hardest to pick. That is to say that its hard to tell you if they will even be buyers. Alex Anthopolis seems to be sticking to his Philadelphia 76ers-esque “process" here, but I think this is a solid opportunity. Look if you are going to go for it, Donaldson is at the very least a rental and has been put on the DL twice during a terrible season. There is only upside, and the Jays will be forced to sell him to you at a cheaper price. The Braves wont have to break the bank for Donaldson and can focus on competing with a solid star player. 8. The Washington Nationals: Need: Reliever Player: Mark Melancon Yes, bring the man back. Kelvin Herrera? Not enough! I don’t think the Nats will acquire Zach Britton from Baltimore. Much like the Astros, the Nats need a big time reliever, and cant afford to take a gamble. Better to go with a veteran who knows how to shut the door in the 9th inning (if necessary) and re-acquire Melancon. The Giants (should) sell him at an affordable price, especially now that the Nats know they dont need him. Take it while you can and keep the ball rolling, Mike Rizzo 9. The Arizona Diamondbacks Need: Power hitting Outfield Player: Khris Davis Who knew that the Dbacks, a team that seemed to have about 100 outfielders before Spring Training started, would be looking for yet another outfielder. And a power hitting one at that! David Peralta has 14 homers so far, but AJ Pollock is hurt and Chris Owings AND Jarrod Dyson are both hitting under .200. Not to mention Jake Lamb is hitting .219, Nick Ahmed is at .221, and John Ryan Murphy has cooled down. The Dbacks are 14th in Home Runs (6th in the NL) with 82, but will need a bit more to fight some of the top dogs in the league come October. Davis is that guy, even if he is hitting .238. I mean, welcome to MLB in 2018….right? 10. The Los Angeles Dodgers: Need: Setup man Player: Jeurys Familia Unlike the Braves, the Dodgers are definitely buyers. But much like Atlanta, the Dodgers are a very tough call. I think more than anything the need a guy to go in front of Kenley Jensen. That guy is Jeurys Familia. He would’ve been my pick for the Nats but theres no way the Mets let another guy go to DC. In which case, I think Jeurys is a solid option. Its been reported that the Mets are at least listening to offers for everyone on the roster. You want a dominate power pitcher to go along with your dominate power closer. Plus, the Dodgers dont look scary anymore. Add Jeurys with a healthy Kershaw and BOOM you’re scary af, brooooooo 11. The Cleveland Indians: Need: Someone Player: Josh Harrison Yes, I said “someone” and didn’t pick a position. Why? Because its my fucking blog! Any idiot can sit here and tell you they need Brad Hand. His ERA is under 3 and has 21 saves for a pretty crappy Padres team. But I think the indians need a spark plug. They need a go to jolt their team again. Ever since the deflating loss to the Yankees in Game 5 of the ALDS, they haven’t been the same. They barely maintain an above .500 record in the easiest division in baseball. Thats not good! Josh Harrison can play 2nd, 3rd, and the outfield. He seems like the type of guy that would embrace a pennant race, so a change of scenery could be perfect for him.With Jason Kipnis hitting .198 and Bradley Zimmer at .221, this could be it. The Pirates will get a few offers for him, but I think the Indians can piece something together for him. 12. The Colorado Rockies: Need: Starting Pitcher Player: Noah Syndergaard I get tired of writing about the Rockies’ need for a starter. By now you should know this is the case. Just like you know that a Bald Eagle is a symbol for America, or that Jay-Z and Beyonce own at life (seriously, new album is pretty good….Ape Shit and the vid is amazing….). I wont bore you again, but I think Syndergaard is controllable and they can give up some pieces that the Mets would enjoy. The main one being Brendan Rodgers, their top prospect who is not ready for MLB just yet but will be. The Mets have plenty of time to wait, so why not do this now? Hey, maybe you can even keep Degrom! 13. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Need: Reliever Player: Brad Hand Okay, heres your Brad Hand blurb. The Angels need a bullpen. Brad Hand is a relief pitcher. Not much else to say here. I think the Ohtani thing was deflating. Better to give the team a fighting chance at the Wild Card, but not break the bank until the offseason. This is a solid option. 14. The Philadelphia Phillies: Need: Outfielder Player: Adam Jones If the Phillies are for real, they better make a move now. They seem to be falling, and have the Yankees and Nats coming up soon. They also play 3 vs LA and 3 u p in Boston by the deadline. They seem to be running out of time, and the Nats and Braves dont seem like they are going away anytime soon. The Orioles need to sell more than just Machado and Britton. Better to rip the bandaid off and get rid of everyone now. In the offseason, Adam Jones wont be as much of a commodity. He’s had an abysmal season thus far, and is only getting older. His stock will only go down from here. If you buy low, you could have a huge upside. Maybe Adam Jones shines in a pennant race, much like he did for Team USA. Just a thought. 15. The St Louis Cardinals: Need: Starter Player: Michael Fulmer This one is a bit of a stretch, but I think the Cards are going to want someone they can depend on for the next few years. They may not be able to compete by the end of the year, and this is a good starting point. You know Fulmer’s value will be overblown in the offseason (again). Better to pick him up now and see if you can compete with him. If you cant, there really is always next year. I think I did okay on this. Feel free to reach out and tell me what ya think! Later Skaters ~J~
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