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“A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PENNANT RACE”
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Look at the Baseball Standings right now.

There are 21-of-30 teams still within a stone’s throw of either winning a divisional race or within reach of one of the six wildcard playoff spots.

But there is a different pennant race going on, this off the field.  It’s about the baseball trading deadline.

There are some sellers out there, moving the contracts of players, whom they don’t think they can re-sign.

There are teams willing to move some big money contracts off the books, and willing to pay some of the salary to move those players.

There are teams in races, with deep minor league systems, willing to send top prospects to short term two month rentals of established players.

So the big question, who fires the first shot, with just two weeks to go before the trading deadline arrives, and who are the best players out there to bid on?

A quick snapshot of the rumors out there at this hour?

TIGERS…A shocking development, they are taking offers on their top pitching staff winner Tarik Skuba, who could have 15-wins by the deadline.  He has two years of arbitration rights too which means you trade for him and the team that gets him could own him for two more years.  Detroit is also shopping second starter Jack Flaherty.  The price tag on Skubal could be high.

WHITE SOX…Awful season, and awful roster, and now they want to pull off a 4-1 deal to deal away ace pitcher Garrett Crochet, and a big deal too for OF-Luis Robert.  Who is going to pay the price for a 1-year wonder starting pitcher?

TAMPA BAY…With a history of moving players in deals, are shopping Zach Eflin, a veteran righthander.  There have been some injury issues with him, that mean he might be more affordable.

COLORADO…Is shopping righthander Cal Quantrill, a young veteran, who has had good seasons and bad seasons.  He is healthy and has pitched well at Coors Field.  Would the Rockies deal him in the NL West.

TEXAS..Injuries have wreck this Rangers pitching staff this year.  Nathan Eovaldi is well respected after what he did in Texas and Boston.  Someone will have to overpay for him.

METS…Sean Manaea becomes available but there are limitations on what you might get from him.  He’s been moved a couple of years in a row at the deadline.  You know what you get, innings and starts at the back of your rotation.

CUBS..Their season has gone down the drain with injuries, but they may be willing to move pitching like Jameson Taillon, he is coming off injuries too, but if healthy, a trustworthy 33-year old arm.

MIAMI..Jesus Luzardo can be had if you can get him healthy, and he has pitched well in bad situations, with the Marlins and before that with the A;’s.

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And there are buyers out there, and there are questions too, how steep a price are you willing to pay?

YANKEES..They need pitching and it seems they are willing to now include minor league slugger Spencer Jones in the right deal.

DODGERS..Neve afraid to take on salary and years, and with assets, never afraid to trade younger players.  Names to watch, 2nd baseman Gavis Lux, catcher Diego Cartaya, pitcher Michel Grove, outfielder James Outland.

ORIOLES…They have become great by virtue of their drafts and signings and how they seem poised to be a player at the deadline, and they have a farm system to use as trade bait.

PADRES…With a GM with a history of dealing, the big question is not whether AJ Preller will do a trade, but rather what does he have left to trade?  Ha Seong Kim, Luis Campusano, or the gems in the lower farm system?

ARIZONA..The D-back spent alot of free agent money on pitching and they have all been hurt.  Big issue, can they take on any more salary and who would they give up to take on that money?

It is interesting to see how these deals fall, and more interesting to see who is willing to pay the steep price to get to play deep into October.  It happens at the end of each July, and it’s about to happen again.

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