The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow Part 6

The Winds of Change Are Starting to Blow Part 6

 

 

We’re back once again with Part 6 of our Trade Deadline Preview for 2014. Today we will be taking a look at the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both teams have played well in the first half and will not need to make major improvements but the rosters could use some slight tweaking to give them that extra push towards the postseason. 

Baltimore Orioles

Positives- Nelson Cruz. Being in first place despite horrible first halves from Manny Machado, J.J. Hardy and Chris “Crush” Davis. Emergence of Zach Britton in the closer role. Bullpen.

Negatives- Starting pitching. Matt Wieters season ending injury. 2nd base production.

The Baltimore Orioles signed Nelson Cruz to a 1 year $8 million deal, and all he’s done is lead the American League in HRs and RBIs. Cruz is on the short list of guys likely to finish 2nd behind Mike Trout in the MVP vote and the Orioles have already gotten enough of a return on their investment and then some. Thanks to Cruz’s monster first half the Orioles have been able to overcome the poor starts, injuries, and suspensions of Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, and Manny Machado. If two of those guys can rebound in the second half, even with a Cruz slide which could be likely, the Orioles will find themselves in the playoff hunt until the very end. A division win would not be out of the question. As of right now without even making a move they would have to be considered the favorite in the East.

The Orioles need to focus on starting pitching. They have Kevin Gausman who has been shuffled back and forth between Triple-A and the Majors so often it’s not even funny. He hasn’t done poor enough to warrant it though which is the most confusing part. Sure he’s not an ace or pitching like one but he’s no worse than what they already have. Plus, Dylan Bundy could be ready for the Majors sometime in August so he could provide a boost. They shouldn’t be looking at a guy like David Price, they don’t need him. I would look at a guy like A.J. Burnett if I was the Orioles. He’s a veteran on a team friendly deal who has plenty of experience in the AL East. That would be the name that would make the most sense for the team.

Other options to consider: Bartolo Colon (NYM), Ian Kennedy (SD), Kevin Correia (MIN).

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

Positives- Dee Gordon at 2nd base. Clayton Kershaw proving he’s not in fact human. Yasiel Puig proving he is not a one year wonder.

Negatives- Hanley Ramirez defense at short. 3rd base production. Depth of starting pitching.

I don’t see the Dodgers going after David Price or possibly Jon Lester, even though they do have the pieces to acquire such talent. If they pick up an arm at the deadline I could see it being a lefty out of the pen. Someone like a Tony Sipp of Houston or Brian Duensing of Minnesota would be perfect. The more pressing move the Dodgers would need to make is acquiring a shortstop so they can move Hanley Ramirez back to third where he is better suited to play at this point. Someone like Stephen Drew in Boston would be a good fit for this team. If they can get a better defensive shortstop and move Hanley to third the lineup will be set. They have a good starting five but would be in trouble if one of those guys got hurt. Possibly adding a marginal pitcher for depth would be a move I could see them making. Someone in the mold of a Brandon McCarthy who just recently was shipped to the Yankees is the type of pitcher they should be looking for. No need to give up prized prospects for a big name.

Other names to consider: Marwin  Gonzalez/Jonathan Villar (HOU), Cesar Ramos (SD), Josh Edgin (NYM), Eduardo Nunez (MIN).

That will do it for Part 6, join us tomorrow as we take a look at the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals. Only two more days left of our trade preview, which will take us into the last weekend of the season before the Mid-Summer Classic. Enjoy the games folks.