Looking Toward July: Possible Trade Targets

Yeah, I know it's earlier, but it's never too early to start thinking about who the Cubs could add in a trade this July. This is a purely speculative endeavor. While it's clear that some teams are out of the running such as San Francisco and San Diego, other teams are harder to pin. The Brewers are struggling but would likely have to lose a lot more before having a fire sale. The Reds are on the fence as well. The Marlins are surprising people and right in the thick of it. So, I'm just guessing on the teams who would unload and players that could be had.

The Cubs biggest need in my opinion is another starting pitcher. While a key injury could change this, I could easily see the Cubs targeting a starter. So, who might we look at?

1. A.J. Burnett. A.J. is injury prone, is making a lot of money, and so far has struggled with a 86 ERA+ so far this year. Toronto is floating at 500, so they would likely have to continue to fall before thinking about trading Burnett. Burnett likely would be one of the top starters on the market, so the price could be high. He likely tops my list of obtainable players.

2. Rich Harden. Harden is good when healthy, but he's already made one trip to the DL. At the moment, I doubt the A's move him, as they are right in the thick of the AL West race despite Billy Beane selling off more assets this offseason. Also, Harden is signed to an affordable 9 million option for 2009. Beane might seek to deal him, but it's going to take a load of prospects to get him. If he's available, he makes the perfect 1b ace to slot behind Zambrano. I'm not worried about his durability so much as the cost to get him.

3. Ben Sheets. Yeah, I know. Not likely. But if the Brewers continue to slide, I think they would have to consider trading Sheets. He has injury concerns just like Harden and Burnett, but imagine a rotation of Zambrano, Sheets, Lilly, and Dempster for the post season and tell me you wouldn't like to have him. It would hurt to send valuable prospects to the rivals to our north, but Sheets would be a tempting player if he's put on the market.

4. Vicente Padilla. Risky, risky, risky. The Rangers are bad, and they might be willing to trade Padilla if they got a young starter in return. Padilla is also owed 12 million for 2009 and has a 12 million option for 2010 (1.5 million buy out.) He has decent stuff and has a 129 ERA+ so far this year. Of course, he also had 78 ERA+ last season. He's inconsistent and up and down. He's probably an improvement over Marquis, but I'm not convinced he would do much to help solidify the playoff rotation.

5. Kevin Millwood. Millwood is a lot like Padilla. The Rangers could move him, but they may choose not to. He's expensive in that he's owed 11 million for 2009 and 12 million for 2010. He's been less successful than Padilla the past two seasons as well. I'm not sure he's better than the options we currently have, and I'd pass.

If the Cubs look to add a bat, I think we would look at CF. There aren't a lot of options there. Milton Bradley could become available. But in reality, there's not much there.

The Cubs could look toward Brian Roberts again or maybe another second basemen, but somehow I don't see that as a priority.

If a deal is made, I look for it to be in the rotation.