The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow Part 2

The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow Part 2

 

 

Welcome back to Part 2 of our trade deadline preview where we will be taking a look at contending teams and what and who they should be looking for come the deadline at the end of the month. Yesterday we took a look at the Detroit Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers and how they can improve their chances to be the team lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy come October. Today we will take a look at the Cincinnati Reds and the Oakland Athletics.

 

Cincinnati Reds

Positives- Emergence of Devin Mesoraco. Todd Frazier home run power. Late inning relief. Getting rid of Dusty Baker.

Negatives- Health. Middle Relief. Infield Depth.

 

Getting rid of Dusty Baker and the emergence of Devin Mesoraco go hand in hand because Dusty refused to give him playing time every day last season because well, Mesoraco isn’t a hardened veteran who should always take precedence over potential. Todd Frazier has emerged as well, becoming a right handed power threat this lineup sorely needed to balance out Votto and Bruce. Jonathan Broxton and Aroldis Chapman have formed a great one-two punch at the back end of the bullpen and make Reds fans feel very confident when they have a lead going into the 8th inning. 

Middle relief and health were the two biggest concerns of the first half for the team. The health is better and the Reds have gone on a run to climb right into the thick of the wild card race. Middle relief is still a concern, especially from the left side. If the Reds can pick up a southpaw before the deadline they will be in very good shape. If they can also pick up an infielder to shore up their depth they will surely take it but it is not as big of a need as a lefty reliever.

The first guy the Reds should look into is Tony Sipp of the Houston Astros. The Astros are willing to part with any player who they don’t see as a valuable part of their future and Sipp certainly fits that bill being both 30 years old and a reliever. Another target I would look to if I were Cincinnati would be Neal Cotts of the Texas Rangers. The Rangers may not see the need to blow everything up with their lost season this year but Cotts is certainly an expendable piece. If the Reds can keep their key contributors healthy and acquire one of these guys they could certainly find themselves playing in the Wild Card game.

Other options to consider: Cesar Ramos (TB), Brian Duensing (MIN), Alex Torres (SD).

 

Oakland A’s

Positives- Depth.  Best run differential in baseball by far.

Negatives- Production from 2^nd basemen.

 

Oakland lost their top two starters before the year began in Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin but they haven’t looked back thanks to the signing of Scott Kazmir and the emergence of Jesse Chavez as a middle of the rotation starter. They’ve jumped out to the best record in baseball and the best run differential as well. They’ve gotten great production from almost every spot in the lineup except 2^nd base and have gotten spectacular pitching. If I’m Oakland and my focus is on a 2^nd baseman I want one of the bigger names and wouldn’t settle for anything less if I couldn’t acquire one. Those names are Chase Utley, Ben Zobrist, and Daniel Murphy. Utley would be the absolute perfect fit but it is unknown if Philly would even trade him, or even better yet, if he would veto the trade. Zobrist fits the Billy Beane mold of a good, patient hitter who can play multiple positions but again it is unknown if Tampa would consider trading him if they feel they can contend next season. Lastly is Daniel Murphy who the Mets could probably be persuaded to trade, but they would certainly have to brace themselves for a fan revolt as next to Harvey and Wright he is the most beloved player on the team. If I can’t get one of these guys then I go to war with the platoon of Sogard and Punto. A second tier type player like Gordon Beckham is not that much of an upgrade over those two guys so I would not give anything up to acquire him. I would instead shift my focus to a back end starter for the purpose of depth. Sonny Gray and Jesse Chavez have never thrown the amount of innings they will throw this year and Scott Kazmir hasn’t done it in years so it would be nice to have some insurance around just in case any of these guys were to break down. Someone like former Athletic and current Diamondback Brandon McCarthy would be a nice pickup. He’s having a horrible year in Arizona but could benefit from a move back to the Bay Area.

Other options to consider: Roberto Hernandez (PHI).

There you have it folks part two is in the books. We will back again tomorrow with a look at two more contenders. Until then, enjoy the games.