Trade Talks

As the July 31 trade deadline approaches, there has been many talks between teams about possible trades. A couple of teams have already traded including the Rangers/Giants, Rangers/Mariners, Braves/Blue Jays, and now the Angels/Royals. The Texas Rangers made a move acquire catcher Bengie Monlina from the Giants. Molina brings experience behind the plate to control the Rangers pitching staff but has been struggling on offense. The Rangers also acquired ace pitcher Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. The Rangers had to give up first base prospect Justin Smoak but definitely got a true ace pitcher to lead their staff. There were rumors that the Yankees were close to a deal to acquire Cliff Lee but the Rangers ended up getting him. Right after the All Star break, the Atalanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays swapped shortstops sending Yunel Escobar to Toronto and Alex Gonzalez to Atlanta to try to help the first place Braves. Today, the Los Angeles Angels acquired third baseman Alberto Callaspo from the Kansas City Royals. Callaspo brings his solid defense and good contact hitting to LA. Now, everyone is talking about Roy Oswalt. Where will he end up? There have been many talks between teams including the Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, and Twins to try to trade for Oswalt. Right now it looks as if the Cardinals are the front runner for Oswalt and he said himself that he would like to pitch in St. Louis. There are many other pitchers out there that have been involved in trade talks including Dan Haren, Ted Lilly, and Brett Myers. There are also some hitters out there that could be moved before the deadline. Prince Fielder has been involved in trade talks with teams like the White Sox and the Angels. The Giants tried to make a push for Fielder and also Corey Hart but the Brewers wanted pitchers Johnathon Sanchez or Madison Bumgarner but the Giants said no so that trade will not happen. If Fielder is traded, he will bring a lot of power and RBIs, but it is unlikely he will be traded. Adam Dunn is on many teams lists but the Nationals said it is very unlikely he will be traded. Lastly, the San Francisco Giants have become serious in trade talks to try to acquire Jose Bautista from the Blue Jays. Bautista is leading the Major Leagues inn Home Runs with 26 and even though San Fran has a way bigger park the Toronto, Jose Bautista could bring much needed homerun power to the Giants. As the trade talks continue, keep reading Keegans Kickoff to stay updated until the trade deadline on July 31st.