Here’s a brief reminder of some the 2007 action:

• Mark Teixeira was one of the big names who was involved in a big move last year.  Photo Credit: IconSMI

  First baseman Mark Teixeira switched leagues, being traded from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves. In return, the Braves sent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, one of baseball’s best prospects, to Texas.
• The Braves also acquired reliever Octavio Dotel, which cemented Jokim Soria's role as closer for the Kansas City Royals.
• Closer Eric Gagne was traded to the Boston Red Sox, and C.J. Wilson became the new closer for the Texas Rangers. Gagne became an atrocious set-up man.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo became an oft-injured New York Met, which allowed infield prospect Alexi Casilla to grab consistent major league at-bats with the Twins.
• Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi became a Philadelphia Phillie and was excellent filling in for the injured Chase Utley. The Iguchi trade gave the athletic Danny Richar an opportunity to man second base for the White Sox.
• Outfielder Scott Hairston went to the Padres and finally proved he could play in the majors.
• Outfielder Kenny Lofton was traded to the Cleveland Indians, again.
• Rajai Davis was part of the horrible trade that sent starting pitcher Matt Morris to Pittsburgh. Davis played frequently for the San Francisco Giants and provided valuable steals down the stretch.
• The Houston Astros weren’t a contender, but they picked up infielder Ty Wigginton from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays anyway (they still had the Devil in them at that point).

Hopefully, the recounting above will impress on you just how much potential gain the trade deadline can bring to your fantasy team. Whatever your fantasy team might need--power hitters, speedsters, closers, infielders, outfielders or catchers--the trade deadline deals can provide it.

Last week we examined some of the big name players that could be on the move. This week Moving Up, Moving Down looks at the prospects and bench players from the teams most likely to be involved. These are the players whose value should be Moving Up in the aftermath of expected trades.

BURIED TREASURE (AMERICAN LEAGUE)

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles are still thinking like contenders and aren’t likely to trade second baseman Brian Roberts. However, they would trade catcher Ramon Hernandez in seven seconds if their price is met. A Hernandez trade would provide catcher Matt Wieters with the chance to play in the majors. After batting .345 with 15 homers and 40 RBI in just 69 games for Single-A Frederick, Wieters was promoted to Double-A Bowie on Friday. He has a very realistic chance of being the Orioles’ starting catcher in 2009.

Boston Red Sox – The Red Sox aren’t desperate for anything in particular, but they are loaded with nice options. The Red Sox would love to trade shortstop Julio Lugo so that they can promote Jed Lowrie. Lowrie would be an improvement at the plate and in the field. The Red Sox have two great pitching prospects in Justin Masterson and Clay Buchholz, either of which could net them just about anything they would like--Masterson and Buchholz are both potential ace starters. If David Ortiz doesn’t encounter any setbacks with his rehab, the Red Sox could move Coco Crisp. Trading Crisp would open a permanent spot for Brandon Moss on the major league roster. Moss won’t be a superstar, but he has nice on-base ability and 20 HR power.

Cleveland Indians – The Indians still consider themselves contenders, but the team will trade C.C. Sabathia if they are offered a Santana-type package. If they do trade him, Jeremy Sowers will be given a chance to stay in the rotation when Fausto Carmona returns from the disabled list.

Los Angeles (of Anaheim) Angels – The Angels could deal outfielder Juan Rivera, who is an underrated power hitter wasting away on their bench. They believe you can never have enough pitching, but the team isn't nearly as adamant about keeping extra outfielders.
 
New York Yankees – The Yanks have many needs but have become very stingy with their young players. The one young player they would love to deal is outfielder Melky Cabrera. Cabrera still has plenty of untapped potential, but he will probably have to reach it with another team. The Yankees will call up Brett Gardner in an instant if they include Cabrera in a deal. Gardner is a virtual clone of Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury and should be the Yankees’ next home grown star. In 215 at-bats for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Gardner has hit .293/.410/.442 with three home runs and 25 stolen bases.
BONUS TIP: David Robertson is the latest call-up of the New York Yankees and just might be the setup man the Yankees have been searching for. He has incredible stuff, including a high 90’s fastball with excellent movement and an above average slider. He walks too many people (3.53 BB/9 as a minor leaguer) but is almost untouchable (4.90 H/9, 0.00 HR/9) and has a fantastic strikeout rate (12.17 K/9) with a minor league career 0.94 WHIP.

Seattle Mariners – The Mariners have tons of guys in addition to Erik Bedard that they would love to trade. Unfortunately, that list of available players includes guys like Jose Vidro, Richie Sexson, and Carlos Silva, all of whom have very little value (unless you count their bloated contracts). The Mariners will be giving as much playing time as possible to catcher Jeff Clement, even if that comes at the expense of the newly re-signed Kenji Johjima. You can also expect to see Wladimir Balentien back in the majors and playing everyday, as soon as the Mariners see him swinging with confidence again.

Tampa Bay Rays – There isn’t a single team in Major League Baseball that has more to offer in a trade than the contending Tampa Bay Rays. Left-handed starter David Price is an ace-in-waiting and isn’t going anywhere. RHPs Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson and LHP Jake McGee are also projected to be top of the rotation starters, and the Rays would part with one of them in a package including some second tier prospects to add the right player to their roster.

Toronto Blue Jays – The Jays are taking a step toward get their team back on track. But this isn’t a rebuilding situation, and fantasy owners shouldn’t look at that way. The Blue Jays would love to trade A.J. Burnett and give their farm system a jump start. Cito Gaston is determined to instill confidence in his younger players. Outfielder Adam Lind will play full time for the rest of the season. My hunch is that you’ll see Brad Wilkerson and Matt Stairs traded. This will give players such as Joe Inglett, Rod Barajas, and Marco Scutaro more at-bats.

BURIED TREASURE (NATIONAL LEAGUE)

Atlanta Braves – The Braves are one of those teams that often stun you with the moves they make. They’ll trade a guy right out of their starting lineup and replace him with a rookie. If the Braves trade Mark Teixeira, then you could see any number of things. But the idea I like best is Brett Lillibridge becoming the third baseman, with Chipper Jones making a much anticipated move across the diamond to first base. The Braves could also use pinch-hitter Greg Norton as a platoon fill-in at either corner infield spot.

Lately, there have been lots of complaints in Atlanta about the Brave's weak outfield options. The Braves could make a deal to strengthen this area and hold on to Teixeira. The one player I don’t see going anywhere is left fielder Brandon Jones, who the Braves seem to really like.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubs will trade just about anyone to ensure their return to the playoffs. Rich Hill has fantastic stuff and, with the proper coaching, could be an ace starter for a rebuilding team. Outfielder Matt Murton has very nice power potential that has been squandered by the Cubs. LHP Sean Marshall and RHP Sean Gallagher could both be had in a deal for a veteran starter. Josh Vitters is the only prospect I can’t see the Cubs moving.

Cincinnati Reds – The Reds are definitely open for business. They have stated that, with the exceptions of first baseman Joey Votto, third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, outfielder Jay Bruce, and RHP Edison Volquez, everyone on the roster is available. The Reds would particularly like to move either Ken Griffey Jr. or Adam Dunn to make room for outfield prospect Drew Stubbs. Stubbs could eventually be an annual 20 HR, 30 SB threat for the Reds and fantasy owners.

Los Angeles Dodgers – For some strange reason, the Dodgers keep talking about trading outfielder Matt Kemp. Kemp is going to be one of the best players in baseball very soon, and trading him for a rental player is nuts. I see Kemp hitting 35 homers and stealing 15 bases as soon as next season. Still, including Kemp in a package would give any team in baseball a reason to take pause, and to even consider parting with a veteran starter. More logically, the Dodgers could use their depth of top prospects to make a deal. RHP Jonathan Meloan is a future closer who could be successful in a major league bullpen right now.  I’ll let you in on a little secret: the Dodgers’ James McDonald is my favorite among all RHP prospects. I expect him to be a major league ace very soon.

Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers have a number of nice pieces they would trade for a top starter. Matt LaPorta is a fantastic hitting prospect, and he is blocked at first base by Prince Fielder and in left field by Ryan Braun. Some writers have even speculated that Fielder himself could be traded, since we expect signing him to a long term deal would be very expensive, based on his agent Scott Boras' track record. The Brewers also have third base prospect Mat Gamel, who is very nearly a clone of Braun both offensively and defensively. As of Sunday, Gamel was batting .376/.443/.654 with 14 homers and five stolen bases in just 263 AB for Double-A Huntsville.

New York Mets – The Mets minor league system is in rebuilding mode, after selling off assets in the deal to acquire Johan Santana. But the Mets would love to add a solid veteran starter and an outfield bat, and they would part with disappointing top prospect, outfielder Fernando Martinez.

Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies don’t have any minor leaguers quite ready to contribute to their playoff roster, but they do have a nice collection of prospects. Left-hander Josh Outman and right-hander Carlos Carrasco both project very well as starters and would be nice additions for any rebuilding team.

Pittsburgh Pirates – Outfielder Andrew McCutchen and outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce need to be on the Pirates active roster as soon as possible, meaning a trade involving Adam LaRoche and either Jason Bay or Xavier Nady is very likely. McCutchen is a five-tool outfielder, who could be the Pirates best player since a guy named Barry Bonds left town. Steve Pearce is a potential 35 HR hitter, who could be Bobby Bonilla to McCutchen’s Bonds.

Washington Nationals – The Nationals have tons of talent to trade, and they have a lot of holes to fill. The problem is that Jim Bowden is like a fantasy league owner who wants to rip everybody off, asking for far too much in return. Christian Guzman is tradable for the first time in years. Moving Guzman would give Felipe Lopez a chance to return to the starting lineup. Kory Casto is a nice player who could be moved, since he’s blocked at third by Ryan Zimmerman. As usual, Bowden’s outfield is jam-packed, which is another area of concern.

NEXT WEEK: Moving Up, Moving Down will review the best and worse performers of the first half of the 2008 season, and we’ll predict which players you’ll want to own after the All-Star Break.

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