Several contenders might be looking for help at first base, including the Rockies, Angels, Giants, and Rangers. Potentially available players:
- Prince Fielder, Brewers. The Brewers are listening on Fielder, though we haven't heard much about interested parties. Fielder is under team control through 2011, after which point he'll pursue an extension worth well over $100MM.
- Adam Dunn, Nationals. Dunn is losing patience with the Nationals due to their lack of urgency about an extension, reports ESPN's Buster Olney. The White Sox have interest in Dunn, who might be forced to fill a designated hitter role for them. Dunn profiles as a Type A free agent, at least in the National League.
- Lance Berkman, Astros. Like Dunn, Berkman could technically play outfield for a few months. Berkman has a full no-trade clause and $8.46MM left on his contract. He's up to .255/.369/.459 on the season.
- Derrek Lee, Cubs. The Cubs should probably consider trying to clear some of the $5.79MM still owed to Lee. The problem: he's yet to slug .400 in any month this season, and his strikeout rate is his highest in a long time.
- Adam LaRoche, Diamondbacks. LaRoche is more affordable than those listed before him ($3.51MM remaining), but he hasn't hit much since May. He's consistently posted big second halves.
- Jorge Cantu, Marlins. Aside from the 52 RBIs, Cantu isn't having an impressive season. Even if ownership doesn't require it, clearing his $2.67MM salary is a solid baseball move.
- Ty Wigginton, Orioles. Wiggy made the All-Star team with a strong April and May, and he'll be a useful piece for a contender.
- Mike Lowell, Red Sox. As we wrote yesterday, Lowell hasn't played the field much and the Red Sox would have to pay his entire salary.
- Xavier Nady, Cubs. The Rangers have strong interest in Nady, reported Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago a few days ago. Nady hasn't done anything offensively this year, but he hasn't played regularly either. He's got $1.47MM remaining plus performance bonuses.
- Kila Ka'aihue, Royals. Ka'aihue, 26, already has 77 walks for the Royals' Triple A club (and a .463 OBP). Certainly there are teams out there that would like to see how much of that skill translates to the Majors.
- Russell Branyan, Mariners. It was an odd acquisition, but maybe Jack Zduriencik feels that he can trade Branyan again for more than he gave up.
- Casey Kotchman, Mariners. The Mariners would have to eat most of his remaining $1.57MM to move him now, as Kotchman is a probable non-tender after the season.
- Lyle Overbay, Blue Jays. If you like Derrek Lee, you should like Overbay more. Overbay is having a better year, especially lately, and has $3.12MM remaining.
- Recently MLBTR also profiled the market for catchers, second basemen, shortstops, and third basemen.
It looks like there are a lot more available 1B than there is a market for them. I don’t see anyone paying the hefty price that Fielder would bring back when they could just grab Lee or Berkman for pennies on the dollar.
Is there any evidence to suggest kila kaaihue is available? I would imagine he’d be a terrific pickup considering the numbers he’s putting down in AAA, and the fact that he’s going to be cost-controlled for the foreseeable future.
With Guillen coming off the books after this season, one rumor around KC has been that Kila will be brought up to take over as DH next season. Kila would finally get his shot and it would allow the team to spend some of the Guillen money somewhere else, so it sounds possible.
What some fans in KC don’t realize is that even with Guillen, Farnsworth, and others ‘coming off the books’ there isn’t much room left for FAs with all of the pay raises due. Between arbitration, Greinke, and others there will only be about $6 million left. Unless there is a substantial payroll increase there won’t be much to talk about this fall. Besides, this team won’t be ready to compete for at least 2 – 3 more years so why spend big anyway?
First, I want to say that I wish the Royals were one of the teams who want to see what Hawaiian Punch can do in the show. Second, I have to agree about the payroll next year. Besides the arb guys, we’ll be having the same conversation about Betancourt, Kendall and Meche that we’re having about Guillen, Farnsworth and DDJ now, but only a healthy Meche would be remotely attractive out of that bunch. I really hope the system can produce the position players the team needs by 2012-13, because GMDM’s record on FAs in that area has been a disaster.
With Guillen coming off the books after this season, one rumor around KC has been that Kila will be brought up to take over as DH next season. Kila would finally get his shot and it would allow the team to spend some of the Guillen money somewhere else, so it sounds possible.
Overbay is probably the best cost-effective rental available. Dunn would be a great fit for the ChiSox as pointed out above, but the Nats probably want a boatload for him.
The Royals are fools if they give up on Kila already, but I wouldn’t put anything past them.
Agreed. You never know with Moore at all. He might be asking for the moon for Ka’aihue, or give him away for pennies on the dollar.
Agreed. You never know with Moore at all. He might be asking for the moon for Ka’aihue, or give him away for pennies on the dollar.
Agreed about Overbay. He’s gotten more consistent of late, and The Jays have Brett Wallace waiting to take over at 1B.
Agreed about Overbay. He’s gotten more consistent of late, and The Jays have Brett Wallace waiting to take over at 1B.
Personally I think there’s way too much hype on Kila and believe he’ll be a bust at the ML level.
On the other hand to trade him would be stupid because you won’t get much for him.
Only one way to find out if he’s a bust… LET HIM PLAY!
The Royals haven’t given up on Kila, he’s just jammed at first because of Billy Butler and there really isn’t a guy in the lineup that can be sent down for Billy or Kila to DH due to one reason or another. He’s a blocked prospect, but he can hit like a sumbitch. You know how the ball sounds different off some guys’ bats? He’s got that power-hitter’s bat-crack. He’s called Hawaiian Punch for a reason.
Typical typical. Yes they can be moved, but the team currently owning them would have to eat salary. You owners are so dumb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Typical typical. Yes they can be moved, but the team currently owning them would have to eat salary. You owners are so dumb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Like Dunn, Berkman could technically play outfield for a few months”
I would love to see Lance Berkman and Adam Dunn in the same OF, so long as it’s not for my team.
Aubrey Huff is having a better year then any of these. Why isn’t he even on this list? An argument can be made that he should be at the top of this list.
do you seriously want to trade Huff? he’s our best hitter you should be happy he’s not on this list otherwise he’d be available for trade.
do you seriously want to trade Huff? he’s our best hitter you should be happy he’s not on this list otherwise he’d be available for trade.