Volume 2, Number 6 -- June, 1997
  
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Wheelin' and Dealin' By Dave Lind
There are three things that you cannot begin too soon:
Today, we're going to tackle
the last two of these items (The first can always wait). So sit
right back, pour yourself a cold, frosty one, and let's see if
we can't find some new homes for a few of the more high-profile
names in the game who might find themselves on the move this summer.
TRADE #1 - John Smiley (CIN) to Colorado
Smiley will have to be healthy
for this trade to happen, but the Reds need to unload his contract
and the Rockies can always use another arm, especially one with
playoff experience. Of the five starters currently in the Rockies
rotation, none (ZERO, that is) has any playoff experience whatsoever.
That will have to change if they hope to contend through September.
Cincinnati would doubtless
ask for little in return, settling for a prospect or two in order
to lighten their salary burden. Third baseman Pedro Castellano
might be a nice fit as the Reds grow more and more weary of the
annual disappointment that is Willie Greene.
TRADE #2 - Rickey Henderson (SD) to Houston
In a year in which the NL
Central belongs to whomever is willing to bid on it, even a minor
trade could be all it takes to swing the "balance o' power"
in what has degenerated into the worst division in the majors.
It is not an exaggeration to say that a .500 record could well
prove sufficient to win the Central this year.
Never one to win games with
his glove anyway, Henderson will at least occupy the vacancy in
left field while allowing current leadoff man Craig Biggio to
drop to the number two slot where he is more comfortable.
In return, the Padres could
either ask for minor league prospects or help for their sometimes
shaky bullpen, depending on how they feel about their chances
to contend this season. At the very least, the Padres would be
unloading a sizable contract and an even more sizable ego.
TRADE #3 - Mark McGwire (OAK) to St Louis
All right, so I'm not the
first sportswriter to come up with the novel suggestion to reunite
a player with his manager in a new city, but just bear with me
for a minute.
Despite the A's contention
that McGwire is not on the block, trading him, though painful,
would be good baseball business. As their neighbors across the
bay found out when they traded Matt Williams, short term pain
can often produce long term payoffs.
Now, since McGwire is a 10-5
man (10 years in the majors, 5 with the same team), any trade
will require his approval. This means any team acquiring him
must meet the following criteria:
As you can see, St. Louis
appears to be the perfect fit. It return, McGwire can promise not
to beat the crap out of Sandy Alderson.
TRADE #4 - Pedro Martinez (MON) to Cleveland
Really, adding Pedro Martinez to
any contending team in the league would make sense. There is
not a rotation in baseball that would not be improved by this
guy. He currently leads the NL in ERA and is second in wins with
an 8-2 record (with both losses coming, interestingly enough,
on consecutive starts to the same pitcher: Bobby Jones of the
Mets. But that's another paragraph.).
Why would Montreal want to
unload such a prize? For the same reason they bade farewell to
Larry Walker, Moises Alou, Jeff Fassero, Delino Deshields, Dennis
Martinez, etc., etc., ad nauseum. They do not have the money
to keep him.
Cleveland, on the other hand,
saved a bundle by not resigning Albert (The Finger) Belle and
can both afford and use a pitcher of Martinez' stature. In fact,
Martinez would instantly transform what is arguably the Indians'
only weakness into an actual strength. He is THAT good.
What would the Indians part
with to get him? Oh, how about anyone who is not currently in
the Indians' starting lineup. Second Baseman Enrique Wilson and
pitcher Bartolo Colon would certainly not be too high of a price
to pay, assuming the Expos ask for that much, which they probably
won't.
TRADE #5 - Barry Larkin (CIN) to Atlanta
I know, I know. It will
never happen, but some trades just make so much sense you can't
help but wonder why they haven't already happened.
Larkin is the best player
on the team and possibly the best player to wear a Reds uniform
in the past twenty years (no exaggeration). Unfortunately, like
Martinez, he is currently toiling for a team that is going nowhere
and looking to cut costs. His $5 million+ salary might be tough
even for the Braves to swallow, but finances aside, what a perfect
fit!
Imagine the following lineup
of Kenny Lofton, Larkin, Chipper Jones, Fred McGriff, Ryan Klesko,
Javy Lopez, etc. It would be expensive, for sure, but also as
close to unbeatable as you will ever see. Moreover, the move
to grass would do nothing but extend Larkin's career.
In return the Reds could
crack open the Braves' minor league vault to help replenish their
own long-neglected minor league system. Pitcher Brad Woodall,
shortstop Tony Graffanino, and first baseman Ron Wright would
all be a big boost the Reds' future plans.
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