T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com has the latest – the trade market for Rangers is bustling.
- Mark Teixeira is back and hitting well, and interest is picking up according to Sullivan. He names the Red Sox, Angels, Braves, and Yankees as the top suitors, with the Dodgers and Giants on the fringes. There is a growing sentiment that teams are now overvaluing their prospects and ignoring the high attrition rate (especially for pitchers). Ken Rosenthal feels this way, and notes that the Braves are exceptional in that they are not afraid to trade youngsters. Evan Grant agrees, and doesn’t understand why the Mariners aren’t in on Tex.
- Interestingly, Joaquin Benoit might be the most compelling reliever in trade talks. The 30 year-old has a fine 3.33 K/BB. Most publications are listing him as a free agent after 2008, but by my count this is his sixth year of service time. I’ll have to get some clarification on that.
- Benoit has moved past Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka on some teams’ lists because of Gagne’s desire to stay at closer and Otsuka’s recent injury.
- Sullivan also reports marginal interest in Ron Mahay, Jamey Wright, Brad Wilkerson, and Kenny Lofton – much not much for Sammy Sosa.
