These 5 deals need to be done by July 31st.
With the Nate McLouth trade still fresh on our minds, what other deals appear to be necessary, if not imminent? Atlanta was able to fill perhaps the single biggest hole of any team, in its lack of outfield production. Here are the five trades that need to be made sooner than later.
5.) Nick Johnson traded to the Boston Red Sox.
This doesn't seem like a blockbuster of a deal, but the Red Sox do not need any kind of overhaul, just a slight tinkering to really rev their engine. Ortiz appears to be in a funk that he may not get out of. At least not this year. In the American League you must get production out of your DH spot. Johnson would be a nice upgrade and could spell Kevin Youkilis occasionally at first base.
4.) Jose Valverde traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Scott Downs has filled in admirably as the Jays closer so far this season. However, if Toronto wants to make a serious run at a playoff birth this year, they need a dominant ninth inning option to rival Mariano Rivera and Jonathan Papelbon in the AL East. Scott Downs would be a much better option in the eighth and take even less pressure off of B.J. Ryan. In return, the Jays have a few nice, young bats in their farm system that Houston might consider.
3.) Miguel Tejada traded to the St. Louis Cardinals.
I realize that the Astros and Cardinals are in the same division, which makes them unlikely trade partners. But the Astros must see the writing on the wall. They have been very bad this year and have great trade chips in Valverde and Tejada that they must cash in. Troy Glaus could miss the rest of the year and Khalil Greene just landed on the DL a few days ago, leaving a weakened left side of the infield. Tejada has actually been a bright spot for Houston this year, hitting .355 while driving in 33, and could play either SS or 3B for the Red Birds.
2.) Matt Holliday traded to the Mets.
Everybody knows that the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets are almost always buyers at the deadline. With division rival Atlanta making the first big splash, the Mets could certainly trounce them by acquiring the biggest available bat. Holliday would give the Mets the scariest 3,4,5 of any team in the Majors. Beltran, Wright, and Holliday in the middle of the order would make pitchers tremble. It would also allow them to keep Sheffield on the bench and have his bat in crucial pinch hitting situations late in the game.
1.) Erik Bedard to the Philadelphia Phillies.
This is the most important deal that needs to be made for several reasons. The Phillies have a 3.5 game lead as of today and have done so with a rather mediocre rotation. Here are the ERA's of the four starters who have logged the most innings for the Phils.
Cole Hamels- 4.62
Brett Myers- 4.66
Joe Blanton- 5.46
Jamie Moyer- 6.27
Bedard would give the Phillies one of the toughest lefty duos in the Bigs with Hamels. His presence alone would take pressure off of guys like Blanton and Moyer. Philadelphia clearly has a shot at repeating, but they cannot sit on what they currently have. By solidifying their rotation, a return trip to the World Series would look much more likely.
