Guaging the Deadline Rumor Mill

The Brewers have plugged their holes for the time being, so now, with the premier hurler off the block, what’s next for the other 29 teams in the league? No one is perfect, and by now everyone has pretty much decided if they are buying, selling, or standing pat. There’s some big names floating around out there in the rumor mill, like always, so what can you expect in the coming weeks?

Both the Phillies and Dodgers were reportedly pushing very hard for the left-hander, so it’s safe to assume that they are in the market for starting pitching. Both clubs reportedly had offers on the table that were very tempting to the Indians, but as we know now, they ultimately came up short. So now they are left to look elsewhere to fill their gaps.

With Philadelphia recently optioning Brett Myers to the minors, their need for another front-line starter to match up with Cole Hamels has never been more apparent. Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer, and Adam Eaton have all been serviceable, posting ERA’s in the 4.00 range, but at this point they can hardly be depended upon to win a game when it counts.

There have been reports of them having talks with the Mariners for Erik Bedard, but it now appears that they have shifted gears and are heavily pursuing AJ Burnett. In fact, according to Fox Sports, this would be a done deal if it weren’t for Burnett’s opt out clause. If he were to choose to stay with the club, the Phillies want some type of financial assurance that the Blue Jays will pick up part of $24 million tab over the next two years.

The Dodgers were also expected to be in the running for Burnett, or possibly even Bedard. But now with Rafeal Furcal likely out for the remainder of the season after being forced to the operating table with back injuries, they also have a pressing need at shortstop, and rumor has it they are heavily pursuing the Pirates’ Jack Wilson in favor of a hurler. The Pirates have no real desire to deal Wilson, but they are always looking to beef up their depleted minor league system, so they have been receptive to the Dodgers inquiries, but the asking price is expected to be very steep. Though, with Arizona floundering, and giving Los Angeles new life, they have plenty of motivation to get this deal done. Also, with Wilson under contract for next season, with club options for 2009 and ‘10, they can justify giving up a top tier prospect for a shot at glory.

Feeling the pressure from the Brewers latest acquisition, there might be a dark horse in all of this: the Chicago Cubs. There have been confirmed reports that the Cubs have been keeping the phone lines occupied in Billy Beane’s office these days in hopes of landing Rich Hardner, and they have also inquired about Burnett.

This puts Beane in a tough spot. Early on he was shopping Harden and Joe Blanton right alongside Nick Swisher and Dan Haren, and after dealing the latter two for nine prospects, it appeared this would certainly be a rebuilding year. Now that the club has blown the doors off the first half of the season and is currently within striking distance of the wild card, it might be a little harder to justify dropping another marquee name. I wouldn’t expect anything to happen here until the very last minute of the July 31^st trading deadline.

The Rays are still in the market for an outfield bat, and have all but released a statement announcing that they have pulled out of the arms race. Their new target: an outfield bat. The man they are pursuing: Matt Holliday. The likelihood of this happening: probably zero. The Rockies are driving a hard line and have apparently asked for top pitching prospect David Price in return, which means this thing probably is going nowhere. The Rockies have no real motivation to deal Holliday as he is under contract for another season, and Price is a big part of the Rays long term plans. Remember, they got in this position by being patient. But then again, we have seen Cameron Maybin, Elvis Andrus, Carlos Gonzalez, and Matt LaPorta all dealt in recent months.

Lastly, and most possibly the most bizarre rumor, is that the Orioles are heavily pursuing David Eckstein, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. The asking price probably wouldn’t be very high, but why would either club want to pursue this?

No one ever said the trade market made sense.