Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
We finish this series out in the National League West, which is my favorite division. Of course that's only because of the Dodgers. This is in interesting division because I will include two teams in the discussion who are 7 and 8 games out of first respectively. I include the Giants and Rockies because they are still in the Wild Card Race.
1. LA Dodgers - The Dodgers, despite the Manny fiasco, still have the best record in the bigs at the halfway point of the season. They have a very deep lineup with a perfect mix of youngsters and veterans. They should have no trouble wrapping up the division, but Ned Colletti needs to position his deep for a World Series run.
Needs - They need one more quality starting pitcher. I love Chad Billinsgley, Hiroki Kuroda is a very nice pitcher, but isn't anything more than a 3, and Randy Wolf has been pitching far better than I ever thought. Clayton Kershaw has been what a 21 year old pitcher should be at this level: Inconsistent. At time he's looked the like best young left handed pitcher in baseball, but needs to trust his stuff and throw more strikes. Keep in mind that Jason Schmidt has looked very good the past two weeks in rehab starts and may be able to contribute down the stretch. After another starter, there really isn't much else they need. If they keep Juan Pierre, they have a deep bench with him, Mark Loretta, Blake Dewitt and Brad Ausmus.
Potential Targets - Roy Halladay. I want the Dodgers to go get him, but they need to refrain from trading either Billingsley or Kershaw. The Dodgers farm system is not as good as it was 2-3 years ago, because those players are now on the big league team, but they have enough bargaining chips to make the deal. If they don't get Halladay, there has been a lot of talk about Jarrod Washburn. He's pitched well this year, and would take a lot less, hello Blake DeWitt, to get him. Two other names, which are severe long shots, are Roy Oswalt and Jake Peavy. There's no way the Padres trade Peavy in the division, and I'm not sure the Astros are ready to trade their mainstay at the top of the rotation.
Trade Strength - The Dodgers still have a pretty good farm system. I hope they don't part with Kershaw because they still have other young arms they can deal. James McDonald & Scott Elbert are just two potential pitchers that attract other teams. I would suggest packaging both pitchers, along with Chin Lung Hu and seeing what else the Blue Jays would like. On the big league club, they can always deal Blake Dewitt and Juan Pierre
2. San Francisco Giants - The hated Giants will be active at the deadline as they look to take the Wild Card. They currently hold a 1 game lead over the Rockies for the NL Wild Card. I said this before the start of the season, the Giants have the best rotation in the National League. Randy Johnson just went on the DL, but should be back soon. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain form the best 1-2 tandem in the NL and maybe the entire Major Leagues.
Needs - The Giants really need a power bat in the outfield and/or first base and there have been rumors abound of the many potential targets. They also seem interested in picking up a middle infielder as well.
Potential Targets - There have been so many names rumored to be headed to the Giants that it might be easier to just list them. Aubrey Huff, Nick Johnson, Adam LaRoche and Adam Dunn are a few among first baseman. They've also been linked to outfielders like Matt Holiday and Jermaine Dye. Let's keep this going. The Giants are also interested in the Freddy Sanchez, and even the Indians' Victor Martinez. If they could pull of a trade for one of the larger names, it would put them into position to do some postseason damage.
Trade Strengths - It seems they are motivated to move Jonathon Sanchez. They also have some good depth at the lower levels of their farm system. There is no way they move Buster Posey though.
3. Colorado Rockies - Watch out for the Rockies. They're only 1 game out of the Wild Card and have played fantastic since Jim Tracy took over as manager. They have a ton of good, young players who are finally putting it together.
Needs - I doubt they'll trade for one, but they could use another starting pitcher. It seems they're obsessed with adding a bullpen arm or two, but who isn't right now. They have pretty good depth in the outfield and infield, so I doubt they'll trade for another bat.
Potential Targets - The Rockies would love to get LaTroy Hawkins back. He's pitched extremely well down in Houston. The Astros would most likely ask for Garrett Atkins, but I don't see the Rox doing that one straight up. The Orioles have two relievers that are on the Rockies radar as well. Danys Baez and George Sherrill are on the block and either could help out Colorado.
Trade Strengths - Garrett Atkins for one. Todd Helton is having a good year, Ian Stewart is the 3rd baseman of the future and Clint Barmes has made a good transition to 2nd base. If they stay in the race I don't see them trading Huston Street, but nothing would surprise me. They also have a pretty good backup catcher in Yorvit Torrealba they could move.
Well, I hope you've had as much fun reading this as I had writing it. The only thing we can do now is see what happens!
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