DISCUSSION OF THE WEEK: MLB TRADE DEADLINE

[TheGame]

The Diamondbacks evidently want the Yankees to take on the contracts of Chad Qualls and Chris Snyder in any deal for Dan Haren.
The Bronx Bombers have balked at that idea, as well as the idea of giving up Joba Chamberlain. They are willing to part with Ivan Nova, Zach McAllister and two other prospects, according to SI's Jon Heyman, and would be willing to pay all of Haren's salary in this scenario. Whether it's to the Yankees or someone else, it seems as if Haren is likely to be wearing a uniform other than Arizona's by July 31.

[TheGame]

Brandon Inge's injury could impact Tigers' interest in third basemen Mike Lowell, Ty Wigginton

DETROIT -- The four to six weeks Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge is expected to be out with a fractured left hand puts the club in an awkward position where trades are concerned.

Do the Tigers patch the position with Scott Sizemore and Don Kelly until Inge returns in mid- or late August? Or do they attempt to upgrade there with a proven major league third baseman, such as Boston's Mike Lowell or Baltimore's Ty Wigginton?

Detroit manager Jim Leyland was asked how the timing of Inge's return impacts moves being considered.

"I think that is part of the equation," Leyland said. "But a month to six weeks is a long way to go if you are fighting for a pennant. It doesn't mean I don't have confidence, but I don't expect Scott Sizemore to be Brandon Inge.

"That's a tough call, and that's a great question. So, you can read into that whatever you want."

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said he isn't ruling out anything in regard to the unique challenge of replacing a key player who should be ready for the final month.

"Sizemore and Kelly are going to get an opportunity," Dombrowski said, "and we think they are going to get the job done. And there will be an awareness of how Brandon's rehabilitation is going. And we will follow different clubs and players and know what the options are there."

The Tigers, according to WEEI-AM in Boston, had two scouts at this week's Toledo-Pawtucket series in Rhode Island. Lowell is on a rehabilitation assignment there while coming back from a hip injury that required a recent cortisone shot. He was batting .200 for Pawtucket after going 1-for-5 Thursday as a designated hitter.

Lowell, a four-time All-Star selected as recently as 2007, was a productive starter for 11 consecutive seasons until this year. He batted .290 with 17 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2009, but then Adrian Beltre was signed by Boston and flourished at third.

Lowell could play first base for the Red Sox, but Kevin Youkilis is locked in there. David Ortiz is set as the designated hitter.

So, with no place to play and hip problems, Lowell is batting .213 in 80 at-bats with two home runs and 12 RBIs. He's 36 and considering retiring after his contract ($12.5 million in 2010) is up after this season.

Is he healthy, and could he make an impact for the Tigers with Inge out? And what would it take to get him? How much of his salary would Boston be willing to pay?

Those questions -- along with the fact that Inge, Lowell and Beltre are free agents in 2011 -- make for a complicated set of circumstances to be examined by Dombrowski.

Leyland had this to say about a trade involving any player: "For us to do something and give up a pretty good player or players, it would have to be that we are getting a difference-maker -- whether it's a pitcher or a hitter. That's my opinion. If the help is just a tad better, that probably won't get you over the hump."

Detroit is in the market for starting pitching -- Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly and Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren are possibilities -- and relievers -- where commodities such as David Aardsma, Brandon League appear to be available.

According to FoxSports.com, Lilly does not have Detroit in his 10-team, no-trade clause, while Haren has the Tigers on his 12-team, no-trade list. However, those clauses can be voided if players receive satisfactory compensation.

Seattle shortstop Jack Wilson probably could be had for a song, and then Danny Worth could work into the mix at third until Inge returns. That would be a safe move.

Leyland said it is not realistic to expect Ramon Santiago, Sizemore and Worth to lead a team to the playoffs. That indicates adding an infielder is as likely as anything the Tigers might do in the days leading to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Dombrowski doesn't like to classify his team as a buyer or seller on the market, though.

"I never really liked those terminologies," Dombrowski said. "But it's apparent we are not looking to move players. We are trying to win and are using this time to make some improvements."

[TheGame]

Add OF to the Tigers wish list

As first reported by Jeff Blair of the Toronto Globe and Mail, Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez has been diagnosed with a fractured right ankle and will miss the next 6-8 weeks.

The 36-year-old Ordonez had been battling ankle soreness for over a week, but he did major damage on Saturday when he was thrown out at the plate in the third inning.  It's obviously a serious blow to the Tigers, who are chasing the White Sox in the American League Central while also trying to fight off a talented third-place Twins team. 

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski will almost certainly ramp up his efforts to find a middle-of-the-order bat and the deadline to make such a deal is July 31.

There's another element to this story.  Ordonez signed a five-year, $75 million contract back in 2005 that included a hefty $15 million club option for 2011.  But that option is no longer guaranteed if he fails to reach 540 plate appearances this season, and it certainly appears that he won't.  He's sitting on 365 PAs right now.

[TheGame]

Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston reports that the Tigers have begun making a push for Red Sox infielder Mike Lowell.

The Tigers lost starting third baseman Brandon Inge to a fractured left hand on Tuesday and Magglio Ordonez to a fractured ankle on Saturday night.  Lowell, despite his fair share of injury concerns, will bring some much-needed pop to the Detroit lineup.  The 36-year-old hit .290/.337/.474 with 17 home runs last season and has collected two home runs in limited action this year.

Detroit is trying to keep pace with the White Sox and Twins in the American League Central.  As of Sunday morning, Chicago has a 2.5 game lead and the Twins are a half-game up on the Tigers.

For now, Lowell remains on the disabled list.  He will need to be activated before a deal can be struck, but the Red Sox were probably close to bringing him back anyway.  After all, he went 4-for-4 with two RBI in a rehab game Saturday at Triple-A Pawtucket.  Sunday may be his last day in the minor leagues.

[HOVA]

Tigers being forced into making moves now. 

Crazy how the injury bug works like that.

Same kinda thing happened to the Red Sox few weeks back too.

[TheGame]

Tigers being forced into making moves now.  

Crazy how the injury bug works like that.

Same kinda thing happened to the Red Sox few weeks back too.

They had big holes at catcher and SS even before the last two injuries.
So this really hurts their line up even more.

The Lowell move makes sense. Since Boston should not want much and will probably pay most of his salary.
If Lowell is playing well when Inge comes back. Then you have the option of having Inge catch again.
IMO he has more value as a catcher on the free agent market next year than at 3B

Sad part is if they stand pat with their current OF's
Then that means Damon will play more out there. That weakens the defense for sure.

[TheGame]

Houston needs new bong water 

The Astros have asked the Dodgers for either Matt Kemp or James Loney in a deal for Roy Oswalt, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Loney is a reasonable request, but the 'Stros would be setting their sights too high with Kemp. The Dodgers are apparently unwilling to part with either player. Meanwhile, Houston is not enamored with St. Louis' young talent, but the Cardinals remain skeptical that the Astros are willing to deal Oswalt within the division, even if they could come up with the right package. Philadelphia might make the most sense, but it's not clear if Oswalt would even be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go there. Stay tuned.

[HOVA]

Houston needs new bong water 

The Astros have asked the Dodgers for either Matt Kemp or James Loney in a deal for Roy Oswalt, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Loney is a reasonable request, but the 'Stros would be setting their sights too high with Kemp. The Dodgers are apparently unwilling to part with either player. Meanwhile, Houston is not enamored with St. Louis' young talent, but the Cardinals remain skeptical that the Astros are willing to deal Oswalt within the division, even if they could come up with the right package. Philadelphia might make the most sense, but it's not clear if Oswalt would even be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go there. Stay tuned.

Jesus.

He's a good pitcher, but Roy Oswalt is not Roy Halladay.

I think all these teams are asking so much for their trade chips because it is a weak market. 

Someone will undoubtedly end up overpaying for a second tier player, but teams need to start getting real about their returning prices on players. 

[HOVA]

Angels acquire Haren in deal for Saunders

The Diamondbacks have traded RHP Dan Haren to the Angels for LHP Joe Saunders, LHP Patrick Corbin, RHP Rafael Rodriguez and a player to be named.

It seems like the Angels always come out of nowhere to make a trade or sign a free agent. 

[Lloyd]

Angels acquire Haren in deal for Saunders

The Diamondbacks have traded RHP Dan Haren to the Angels for LHP Joe Saunders, LHP Patrick Corbin, RHP Rafael Rodriguez and a player to be named.

It seems like the Angels always come out of nowhere to make a trade or sign a free agent. 

If he can return to form and be dominate like he was in Oakland... that is a great deal.

[TheGame]

Angels acquire Haren in deal for Saunders

The Diamondbacks have traded RHP Dan Haren to the Angels for LHP Joe Saunders, LHP Patrick Corbin, RHP Rafael Rodriguez and a player to be named.

It seems like the Angels always come out of nowhere to make a trade or sign a free agent. 

Saunders would have got a lot on the trade markets.
As much as we need a LH I hope the Tigers swing a deal for Drew and him now.

[eddieh8823]

Horrible deal for the DBacks.  Saunders = Garbage and the prospects included are middle relief guys at best IF they reach the majors.  Saunders had 1 monster fluke year and has been bad since, with the potential at best to be a 4/5 starter.  What were the D'Backs thinking?  This was pure crap.  Kudos to the Angels for one of the largest heists in the history of trading.

[HOVA]

Horrible deal for the DBacks.  Saunders = Garbage and the prospects included are middle relief guys at best IF they reach the majors.  Saunders had 1 monster fluke year and has been bad since, with the potential at best to be a 4/5 starter.  What were the D'Backs thinking?  This was pure crap.  Kudos to the Angels for one of the largest heists in the history of trading.

This was a pure salary dump move, ala San Diego trading Peavy last year. 

Which is working out well for the Pads this year, to say the least.   

I think its a good move.  It gives D'Backs a lot more flexibility to use money elsewhere.

[eddieh8823]

Horrible deal for the DBacks.  Saunders = Garbage and the prospects included are middle relief guys at best IF they reach the majors.  Saunders had 1 monster fluke year and has been bad since, with the potential at best to be a 4/5 starter.  What were the D'Backs thinking?  This was pure crap.  Kudos to the Angels for one of the largest heists in the history of trading.

This was a pure salary dump move, ala San Diego trading Peavy last year. 

Which is working out well for the Pads this year, to say the least.   

I think its a good move.  It gives D'Backs a lot more flexibility to use money elsewhere.

Sure it was a salary dump move for flexibility and sure it is working for the Pads but it was one of the worst moves in the history of Major League Baseball.  Pads are smoke and mirrors and if you go to baseball reference, they are having one of the flukies seasons ever.  Not to mention, Jake Peavy was always on my list of overrated pitchers with history of injuries.  He was a hang nail away from "out for the season" and oh looky now...

Haren is a work horse.  Innings and quality.  He is having one of the worst luck seasons a guy can have and now that he is out of Arizona and into a park that does not allow a lot of HR's, I expect him to be a monster.  I do not believe the D'Backs will have the same flukey luck that the Pads had this season next season with or without this payroll flexibility.  What we also do not know is if they plan on using this salary flexibility.  Heck, they may have done it to save a few pennies.  D'Backs management and ownership is not instilling a lot of confidence from me in their competence.  Not that I care much, I am a Yankees fan. 

The D'Backs got NOTHING out of this deal.  IF and this is a BIG IF they use this money to shore up the bullpen and improve in a few areas, well than we can revisit this but still... there was not much on the market, Haren is a true ace.  He is under control for 3 more years at a very very very reasonable contract.  Cliff Lee was a few month rental and the Mariners got back a MUCH better package.  This was lunacy.  The D'Backs could have dumped the salary and received some organizations top prospects.  Having those guys would have been much better.  Worst.Trade.Ever.   in my opinion...

[eddieh8823]

Perfect take to illustrate my point, the very well respected Joe Sheehan has his take on the trade and pretty much says what I expected, only he correctly points out the D'Backs didn't even really save any money!

Code: [Select]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_sheehan/07/25/haren.dbacks.angels/index.html

[HOVA]

Horrible deal for the DBacks.  Saunders = Garbage and the prospects included are middle relief guys at best IF they reach the majors.  Saunders had 1 monster fluke year and has been bad since, with the potential at best to be a 4/5 starter.  What were the D'Backs thinking?  This was pure crap.  Kudos to the Angels for one of the largest heists in the history of trading.

This was a pure salary dump move, ala San Diego trading Peavy last year. 

Which is working out well for the Pads this year, to say the least.   

I think its a good move.  It gives D'Backs a lot more flexibility to use money elsewhere.

Sure it was a salary dump move for flexibility and sure it is working for the Pads but it was one of the worst moves in the history of Major League Baseball.  Pads are smoke and mirrors and if you go to baseball reference, they are having one of the flukies seasons ever.  Not to mention, Jake Peavy was always on my list of overrated pitchers with history of injuries.  He was a hang nail away from "out for the season" and oh looky now...

Haren is a work horse.  Innings and quality.  He is having one of the worst luck seasons a guy can have and now that he is out of Arizona and into a park that does not allow a lot of HR's, I expect him to be a monster.  I do not believe the D'Backs will have the same flukey luck that the Pads had this season next season with or without this payroll flexibility.  What we also do not know is if they plan on using this salary flexibility.  Heck, they may have done it to save a few pennies.  D'Backs management and ownership is not instilling a lot of confidence from me in their competence.  Not that I care much, I am a Yankees fan. 

The D'Backs got NOTHING out of this deal.  IF and this is a BIG IF they use this money to shore up the bullpen and improve in a few areas, well than we can revisit this but still... there was not much on the market, Haren is a true ace.  He is under control for 3 more years at a very very very reasonable contract.  Cliff Lee was a few month rental and the Mariners got back a MUCH better package.  This was lunacy.  The D'Backs could have dumped the salary and received some organizations top prospects.  Having those guys would have been much better.  Worst.Trade.Ever.   in my opinion...

You make some valid points.

But, I think Cliff Lee is a much better pitcher than Dan Haren.  Lee has a Cy Young to prove it. 

And I wouldn't call the Padres season a fluke.  They have held their oppenents to 338 runs this season, leading the MLB.  A 3.48 per game average.  And have the best record in the NL, there is nothing 'flukey" about that.

As much as people think baseball is still a home run hitting sport, pitching and defense will always be the keys to a ball club. 

[eddieh8823]

Horrible deal for the DBacks.  Saunders = Garbage and the prospects included are middle relief guys at best IF they reach the majors.  Saunders had 1 monster fluke year and has been bad since, with the potential at best to be a 4/5 starter.  What were the D'Backs thinking?  This was pure crap.  Kudos to the Angels for one of the largest heists in the history of trading.

This was a pure salary dump move, ala San Diego trading Peavy last year. 

Which is working out well for the Pads this year, to say the least.   

I think its a good move.  It gives D'Backs a lot more flexibility to use money elsewhere.

Sure it was a salary dump move for flexibility and sure it is working for the Pads but it was one of the worst moves in the history of Major League Baseball.  Pads are smoke and mirrors and if you go to baseball reference, they are having one of the flukies seasons ever.  Not to mention, Jake Peavy was always on my list of overrated pitchers with history of injuries.  He was a hang nail away from "out for the season" and oh looky now...

Haren is a work horse.  Innings and quality.  He is having one of the worst luck seasons a guy can have and now that he is out of Arizona and into a park that does not allow a lot of HR's, I expect him to be a monster.  I do not believe the D'Backs will have the same flukey luck that the Pads had this season next season with or without this payroll flexibility.  What we also do not know is if they plan on using this salary flexibility.  Heck, they may have done it to save a few pennies.  D'Backs management and ownership is not instilling a lot of confidence from me in their competence.  Not that I care much, I am a Yankees fan. 

The D'Backs got NOTHING out of this deal.  IF and this is a BIG IF they use this money to shore up the bullpen and improve in a few areas, well than we can revisit this but still... there was not much on the market, Haren is a true ace.  He is under control for 3 more years at a very very very reasonable contract.  Cliff Lee was a few month rental and the Mariners got back a MUCH better package.  This was lunacy.  The D'Backs could have dumped the salary and received some organizations top prospects.  Having those guys would have been much better.  Worst.Trade.Ever.   in my opinion...

You make some valid points.

But, I think Cliff Lee is a much better pitcher than Dan Haren.  Lee has a Cy Young to prove it. 

And I wouldn't call the Padres season a fluke.  They have held their oppenents to 338 runs this season, leading the MLB.  A 3.48 per game average.  And have the best record in the NL, there is nothing 'flukey" about that.

As much as people think baseball is still a home run hitting sport, pitching and defense will always be the keys to a ball club. 

Pads are doing it with the pitching and defense you mention but how are they doing it?  The pitchers outside 2 of their middle relievers have abysmal K/BB rates and do not miss bats.  Do we ignore Jon Garlands first 13 years in baseball and think he learned how to pitch in the offseason?  How about Wade LeBlanc who has never been mentioned by ANYONE as a true prospect but is pitching well.  Latos is a stud.  I concede that and think he will be an absolute ace for years to come.  The rest of it is flukey.  Middle releivers fluctuations are inevitable as even the best ones for one year have terrible or much worse subsequent years since their profiles are always built on small sample sizes.  Remember, a middle reliever is who he is because hes not good enough to start and/or close (don't get me started on "closers" though.)  Clayton has an ERA+ of 101, a career year!!  that means he is exactly league average when you take out luck.  His career ERA+ is 94.  He has a 2.06 K/BB rate.  Blech.  Mr Garland has a K/BB rate that makes Clayton look like Roger Clemens sitting at 1.58 K/BB and an ERA+ of exactly 100.  Kevin Correia has an ERA+ of 71 and a K/BB rate of 1.78.  He should not even be on a major league roster.  LeBlanc has an ERA+ of 108, a K/BB rate of 1.79 and a strand rate that is completely unsustainable. 

Not taking anything away from those guys, but all of their ERA's should be much higher and as the season turns to the 2nd half, that is precisely what is going to happen.  It's ashame because I am rooting for the Pads out in the West and hope they sign Gonzalez long term. 

The fact Lee is a better pitcher than Haren is mostly irrelevant because the difference between the 2 is a lot less than you think.  Haren leads the NL in K's and has a 5 to 1 K to BB rate which is sick.  Haren is more valuable overall than Lee this year because not only are they very close in talent, but Haren has one of the most reasonable contracts in baseball over the next 3 years.  This is why in a position like this, you should get back a very impressive haul, a la Texas with the Braves when Teixiera had 2 years of control.

[TheGame]

Horrible deal for the DBacks.  Saunders = Garbage and the prospects included are middle relief guys at best IF they reach the majors.  Saunders had 1 monster fluke year and has been bad since, with the potential at best to be a 4/5 starter.  What were the D'Backs thinking?  This was pure crap.  Kudos to the Angels for one of the largest heists in the history of trading.

This was a pure salary dump move, ala San Diego trading Peavy last year. 

Which is working out well for the Pads this year, to say the least.   

I think its a good move.  It gives D'Backs a lot more flexibility to use money elsewhere.

Sure it was a salary dump move for flexibility and sure it is working for the Pads but it was one of the worst moves in the history of Major League Baseball.  Pads are smoke and mirrors and if you go to baseball reference, they are having one of the flukies seasons ever.  Not to mention, Jake Peavy was always on my list of overrated pitchers with history of injuries.  He was a hang nail away from "out for the season" and oh looky now...

Haren is a work horse.  Innings and quality.  He is having one of the worst luck seasons a guy can have and now that he is out of Arizona and into a park that does not allow a lot of HR's, I expect him to be a monster.  I do not believe the D'Backs will have the same flukey luck that the Pads had this season next season with or without this payroll flexibility.  What we also do not know is if they plan on using this salary flexibility.  Heck, they may have done it to save a few pennies.  D'Backs management and ownership is not instilling a lot of confidence from me in their competence.  Not that I care much, I am a Yankees fan. 

The D'Backs got NOTHING out of this deal.  IF and this is a BIG IF they use this money to shore up the bullpen and improve in a few areas, well than we can revisit this but still... there was not much on the market, Haren is a true ace.  He is under control for 3 more years at a very very very reasonable contract.  Cliff Lee was a few month rental and the Mariners got back a MUCH better package.  This was lunacy.  The D'Backs could have dumped the salary and received some organizations top prospects.  Having those guys would have been much better.  Worst.Trade.Ever.   in my opinion...

You make some valid points.

But, I think Cliff Lee is a much better pitcher than Dan Haren.  Lee has a Cy Young to prove it. 

And I wouldn't call the Padres season a fluke.  They have held their oppenents to 338 runs this season, leading the MLB.  A 3.48 per game average.  And have the best record in the NL, there is nothing 'flukey" about that.

As much as people think baseball is still a home run hitting sport, pitching and defense will always be the keys to a ball club. 

Pads are doing it with the pitching and defense you mention but how are they doing it?  The pitchers outside 2 of their middle relievers have abysmal K/BB rates and do not miss bats.  Do we ignore Jon Garlands first 13 years in baseball and think he learned how to pitch in the offseason?  How about Wade LeBlanc who has never been mentioned by ANYONE as a true prospect but is pitching well.  Latos is a stud.  I concede that and think he will be an absolute ace for years to come.  The rest of it is flukey.  Middle releivers fluctuations are inevitable as even the best ones for one year have terrible or much worse subsequent years since their profiles are always built on small sample sizes.  Remember, a middle reliever is who he is because hes not good enough to start and/or close (don't get me started on "closers" though.)  Clayton has an ERA+ of 101, a career year!!  that means he is exactly league average when you take out luck.  His career ERA+ is 94.  He has a 2.06 K/BB rate.  Blech.  Mr Garland has a K/BB rate that makes Clayton look like Roger Clemens sitting at 1.58 K/BB and an ERA+ of exactly 100.  Kevin Correia has an ERA+ of 71 and a K/BB rate of 1.78.  He should not even be on a major league roster.  LeBlanc has an ERA+ of 108, a K/BB rate of 1.79 and a strand rate that is completely unsustainable. 

Not taking anything away from those guys, but all of their ERA's should be much higher and as the season turns to the 2nd half, that is precisely what is going to happen.  It's ashame because I am rooting for the Pads out in the West and hope they sign Gonzalez long term. 

The fact Lee is a better pitcher than Haren is mostly irrelevant because the difference between the 2 is a lot less than you think.  Haren leads the NL in K's and has a 5 to 1 K to BB rate which is sick.  Haren is more valuable overall than Lee this year because not only are they very close in talent, but Haren has one of the most reasonable contracts in baseball over the next 3 years.  This is why in a position like this, you should get back a very impressive haul, a la Texas with the Braves when Teixiera had 2 years of control.

Padres home park Petco is a big help to those pitchers. Much easier to pitch to contact there.

I don't think anything Arizona does makes sense. Angels came out of nowhere to get Haren.
As much as I want the Tigers to get Drew from them. I think they would be nuts to trade him.
He is only 27 and under control for a couple of more years.
Before the Haren trade I did not think they were that far away from contending.
Better manager and coaches may have added some extra wins. Who knows.

[TheGame]

From PBT

According to the Diamondbacks' official Twitter page the team has traded Dan Haren to the Angels for Joe Saunders, Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez, and a player to be named later.
While the Yankees, Twins, Tigers, and Cardinals were all repeatedly linked to Haren over the past couple weeks, the Angels kind of came out of nowhere to snag the ace right-hander.
Most reports said the Diamondbacks were focused on getting back some MLB-ready pitching help in a Haren deal and certainly Saunders fits that bill, but as a 29-year-old who has posted an ERA under 4.40 just once in his career he's hardly a long-term building block.
He's little more than a soon-to-be 30-year-old mid-rotation starter and neither Corbin nor Rodriguez were ranked among the Angels' top 10 prospects by Baseball America heading into the season, so the identity of the player to be named later is key.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the PTBL "is a top prospect" but is "not going to be Mike Trout," who ranks as one of the elite prospects in all of baseball. No other Angels were included in Baseball America's midseason update of the top 25 prospects in baseball, so while the PTBNL may prove to be someone very good it won't be an elite prospect. And because of that, I really like this deal for the Angels.
Saunders is generally overrated because his career win-loss record is much better than his ERA, secondary numbers, or raw stuff, and to get Haren by packaging him with three non-elite prospects is a no-brainer for the Angels. Haren is signed for reasonable money through 2013 and is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation ace who ranks among the top 12-15 starters in baseball.
I'm shocked that the Diamondbacks were willing to sell so low on Haren and just as surprised that no other teams stepped up to beat the Angels' underwhelming offer.

[HOVA]

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

I THINK THE TRADE WILL HAVE A LARGER IMPACT ON THE 2011 SEASONS OF BOTH TEAMS, SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.   

[jumperjack]

This is my first time in this thread and really don't feel like reading all of it, so I hope nobody has posted this   My personal take on rumors about the White Sox trading for Fielder is that it will never happen. Brewers don't want Beckham, have no need for him even. Brewers want pitching and Sox got none to give up.

[HOVA]

Edwin Jackson-Adam Dunn Three-Team Rumor

It wouldn't be late July without rumors of intriguing three-team deals.  ESPN's Jayson Stark:

Rumblings continue to surface about a possible three-team deal involving the Nationals, White Sox and Diamondbacks that would send Edwin Jackson to Washington, Adam Dunn to Chicago and a bunch of young pitchers to Arizona.

We know the Nationals like Jackson and the White Sox like Dunn, so perhaps the D'Backs can facilitate a deal and further stock up on prospects.  Jackson, who is no stranger to three-team deals, has a 5.01 ERA, 7.0 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9 in 20 starts for Arizona.  On the plus side, he turns 27 in September, averages 94 mph on his fastball, and is signed for next year.  As he was with Dan Haren, D'Backs interim GM Jerry Dipoto might be forced to sell low on Jackson.

IN MY OPINION A THREE TEAM DEAL IS PROBABLY THE ONLY WAY THE SOX GET DUNN BECAUSE HIS PRICE IS SO HIGH AND THE NATS WANT BECKHAM. 

BUT I HATE JAYSON STARK AND I THINK HE'S A HACK. SO I'M NOT BUYING INTO THIS JUST YET.

[TheGame]

Edwin Jackson-Adam Dunn Three-Team Rumor

It wouldn't be late July without rumors of intriguing three-team deals.  ESPN's Jayson Stark:

Rumblings continue to surface about a possible three-team deal involving the Nationals, White Sox and Diamondbacks that would send Edwin Jackson to Washington, Adam Dunn to Chicago and a bunch of young pitchers to Arizona.

We know the Nationals like Jackson and the White Sox like Dunn, so perhaps the D'Backs can facilitate a deal and further stock up on prospects.  Jackson, who is no stranger to three-team deals, has a 5.01 ERA, 7.0 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9 in 20 starts for Arizona.  On the plus side, he turns 27 in September, averages 94 mph on his fastball, and is signed for next year.  As he was with Dan Haren, D'Backs interim GM Jerry Dipoto might be forced to sell low on Jackson.

IN MY OPINION A THREE TEAM DEAL IS PROBABLY THE ONLY WAY THE SOX GET DUNN BECAUSE HIS PRICE IS SO HIGH AND THE NATS WANT BECKHAM. 

BUT I HATE JAYSON STARK AND I THINK HE'S A HACK. SO I'M NOT BUYING INTO THIS JUST YET.

That trade makes sense for all involved. If they get Beckham in that deal. The Nats have another young infielder to go with Desmond and Zimmerman.
If they get Jackson that shores up a suspect rotation that follows Strasburg.
The Sox get a big left handed bat in their line up

Like you said Stark is a hack and may have heard this at the pub 

[jumperjack]

I don't know why everyone is so in love with Beckham anyway, he lacks power and is no better than an average fielder from what I have seen. He may end up being a consistent .280-.300 hitter, but all these comparisons to Ryne Sandberg I keep hearing on Chicago sports radio are more than a bit hopeful.

[HOVA]

I don't know why everyone is so in love with Beckham anyway, he lacks power and is no better than an average fielder from what I have seen. He may end up being a consistent .280-.300 hitter, but all these comparisons to Ryne Sandberg I keep hearing on Chicago sports radio are more than a bit hopeful.

I don't expect him to be that good.  People talking like that are crazy.

However, I do feel he will be a very solid player for the Sox for years to come. 

He is still young, with upside, but the BIGGEST thing is, the Sox have no one to replace him at second if they were to get rid of him.  Brent Lillebridge would probably be starting at 2B. 

That is the main reason I wouldn't deal him.  Sox are probably thinking the same way