As we make our way across the National League, it’s time to look at the trade deadline needs of the buyers in the National League West.
The NL West might be the most competitive division in baseball top to bottom, as four out of the five teams are over .500.
Here are the deadline needs for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, and San Francisco Giants.
San Diego Padres
Record: 49-34, first place in NL West
Needs: OF
We all know what the Padres need—offense, offense, and some more offense. In particular, the Padres need help in the outfield.
Will Venable and Kyle Blanks are on the DL, and Tony Gwynn is batting .227 (I guess that apple falls very far from the tree). The Padres could especially use a left fielder. Their LFs have combined to hit .193/.289/.279 this season. That is pathetic.
Despite not having a true “ace” in the rotation, I think their pitching is good enough to get by. Mat Latos, Clayton Richard, and Jon Garland are a good threesome in the playoffs if the Padres get there.
Nobody is worried about their bullpen, as it is the best in baseball.
Potential Targets: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Josh Willingham, Cody Ross, Jose Bautista, Jose Guillen.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 46-37, second in NL West, second in Wild Card
Needs: Starting Pitching
We know the Dodgers need another starter, but do they have the financial flexibility to pull off the move? That is the question. In a Buster Olney piece last week, he mentioned that people in the Dodgers organization say there is “little or no hope” that money will be available for the team to make moves. I am going to say that is never a good sign.
While they might be able to afford the likes of Cliff Lee or Dan Haren, there are a couple of more cost-effective options on the market. How about Shaun Marcum at $850K? Or how about Brett Myers at $5.1 million?
Potential Targets: Shaun Marcum, Brett Myers, Livan Hernandez, Doug Davis
Colorado Rockies
Record: 45-38, third in NL West, fourth in Wild Card
Needs: Second Base, Starting Rotation
With Clint Barmes sporting a .314 OBP and being a less than average fielder, the Rockies have been in the market for a second baseman for quite some time. Luckily for them, there are some quality two-baggers on the market.
Acquiring a second baseman would allow the Rockies to move Barmes into a super utility role, which he is more suited for.
While staff ace Ubaldo Jimenez is having a Cy Young-caliber year, the rest of the rotation is really struggling. Jason Hammel has been really good at times this year, but he is more of a No. 3 or 4 than a No. 2. Usual steady hands, Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis, have been inconsistent this year.
The Rockies should get some help when Jorge De La Rosa returns from the DL, but I still think they need another pitcher.
Of course, in Colorado you need groundball pitchers. Some groundball pitchers that are available—Jake Westbrook (52.8 percent), Brett Myers (48.5 percent), and Ben Sheets (45.3 percent).
Potential Targets: Dan Uggla, Kelly Johnson, Ty Wigginton, Willie Bloomquist, Jose Lopez, Jake Westbrook, Brett Myers, Ben Sheets.
San Francisco Giants
Record: 43-40, fourth in NL West, sixth in Wild Card
Needs: OF
The Giants have gotten some pretty good production from guys like Aubrey Huff (.294/.380/.536 with 15 HRs), Buster Posey, and Andres Torres. However, the same problem that is plaguing the Giants this year is the same problem that has plagued them since Barry Bonds retired—they just don’t have the ability to score runs in bunches.
Where the Giants need help the most is in the outfield. Giant outfielders rank 11th in the NL with a .257 average and eighth in OPS.
It will be interesting to see what the Giants do at the trading deadline. They could just as easily be sellers if they have a mediocre July.
Potential Targets: Josh Willingham, Corey Hart, Jose Bautista
Tomorrow, we will look at the American League and the big three in the East.
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