Coming out of the All-Star Break is a great chance to evaluate your team and your goals for the season. It’s also a great chance to take action on that evaluation, and try to get a player (or a future asset) to drive you forward. Here’s one trade every team should consider:
Game of Throws – Getting something for Carl Yastrzemski
It seems inconceivable that Yaz finds himself not even on the active roster in Boston. But, here we are. Perhaps it’s just that Jon Snow knows nothing, or maybe he just wants to see what he has elsewhere. In any case, if Yaz isn’t going to play, he’s an immense trade chip, and something that should be able to pull back value – either something to help a late, improbable surge up the standings, or draft picks to help next season.
Let’s Play Two – Carl Yastrzemski
Not just because Hank Aaron is injured, but also because Aaron is injured, the Doubleheaders seem like a great fit for Yaz. Once Aaron is back, sliding that bat into the lineup would be scary for anyone needing to face them down the stretch, or in the playoffs. Imagine trying to match-up to face Aaron, Clemente, and Yaz, with Guerrero, Dawson, and Snider available to mix things up. Talk about a nightmare for the opposing pitchers. Oh, and they should see if the Kings of the North would throw in Mike, too – why the hell not.
stone temple seattle pilots – relief pitching
It’s not a secret that the bullpen the pilots they drafted hasn’t turned out the way they hoped. But a 7.44 ERA from relievers on the season? That’s simply dreadful. The problem is there might not be a top-notch reliever available, unless they want to try to swap underwhelming/disappointing relievers with someone else. The path forward might be to see what the Demon Bags are doing, and try to get a starting pitcher they could use in relief. If I were them, I’d call Amazings about Satchel Paige and Shane Bieber.
Planescape Tormentors – A Starting Pitcher
I get the feeling that in a seven-game series, Planescape would be happy to go to a three-man rotation and just pitch Johnson/Mathewson/Kershaw. The issue is they have to win enough games to qualify for that series, and they probably want an upgrade over Anibal Sanchez as their fourth starter (or maybe a fifth starter to help ease the burden on the front of the staff). A flyer on someone not currently on an active roster might be worthwhile – R A Dickey, Barry Zito, or Charlie Bender, perhaps – or maybe try to see what it would take to get Mike Scott out of Scranton … err, Reseda.
Performance Enhancers – Value Back for Pete Alexander
The two most disappointing seasons might belong to teammates Alexander and Alex Rodriguez. While selling low on ARod probably doesn’t make sense – he’s good enough to keep for next season and try to do better – trying to get value out of Alexander probably makes sense. There are enough teams that need a starter that you might be able to get into a bidding war … or at least extract some value.
Newport Beach Motherboys – Bullpen Depth
The Motherboys probably feel good about the back end of their bullpen … or at least their closer. But, they probably don’t feel great about anyone else in the pen. Getting some depth to add solid innings and take pressure off of Chapman would go a long way. Might have to be a reclamation project, but I’m sure the pilots and Tormentors would be willing to listen.
Northern Shores Gales of November – Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols is possibly the most luxurious backup in the league right now. And, you can’t really justify taking away at-bats from Lou Gehrig. As a result, with the Gales of November having first basemen currently hitting somewhere near the Mendoza line, why not see if you can pry away that depth piece from the Bandwagoners and solve your biggest lineup issue in the process?
Every City Bandwagoners – Ichiro
Did you know that ECB’s team batting average drops a full eight points after the sixth inning? That might not seem like a lot, but it’s something that could prove huge in a close playoff game. So, go out and get a sparkplug who can get on base … and then make something happen once on base. Ichiro is not on an active roster, but seems a perfect target as a late game / situational pinch hitter.
Amazings – Swap Quantity for Quality
We’ve covered the bad luck for Amazings already, but one thing that might help explain it (as best as luck can be explained, that is) would be the strategy Amazings deployed in the draft to get a lot of very good players. And now, maybe they need to pay 2-3 of those very good players for one kinda great player? While a playoff push is still possible, now seems the right time to target a team that needs depth, and try to get such a swap done.
Reseda Free Fallers – Draft Pick
Don’t overthink it. Anyone not named “Ruth” or “Koufax” should be available. Even if it means keep Valenzuela as manager, but trading him as a pitcher. This should be the biggest sale in FODEUSS history, and getting draft picks, Intybucks, and whatever else to help you build for the future … just do it.
San Francisco Six Demon Bags of Chinatown – Al Rosen
Ken Caminiti is batting .178. David Wright is batting .218. The Demonbags need some offense to help win games their starting pitchers should be winning, and third base seems the most obvious upgrade. Rosen is sitting on the inactive roster for the Enhancers. Seems a perfect match.
A Shaq of Their Own – Joey Votto
Let’s be clear. This team doesn’t need to trade for anything. They are making the playoffs, and only the curse of being from/associated with Ohio is going to stop them in the playoffs (which, mind you, is no small factor). So why trade for Votto? Because Votto should be a part of Bryce winning a title, dammit!
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