Buster Olney had an idea today worth discussing. With the Diamondbacks in the thick of a pennant race and Carlos Quentin pressing, how about acquiring Jermaine Dye from the White Sox as a rental?
GMs Josh Byrnes and Kenny Williams seem to get along, matching up on the Javier Vazquez/Chris Young deal in December of ’05 and the smaller Alex Cintron trade in spring 2006. Olney believes Williams is ready to trade Dye now. So far the Padres and Dodgers seem to be the main contenders, so keeping Dye away from those clubs would provide an additional benefit.
Earlier this month Williams said he wouldn’t be trading for prospects, but I don’t think that rules out good young players. The Diamondbacks won’t be returning Chris Young, but they do have expendable quality guys like Alberto Callaspo, Mark Reynolds, and Scott Hairston. However, I have a feeling KW would ask for Micah Owings given the demand for Dye. 25 year-old reliever Tony Pena could be a target as well. Dustin Nippert is another intriguing arm for the White Sox, even if the results haven’t been there recently.
Owings may be off limits or simply too much for an impending free agent. But two of the other players mentioned above would make a nice package for Dye.
