Bullpen: You know things are bad when they pick up a journeyman like Al Reyes. Steve Karsay is out for the season, and injuries have also sidelined Jose Contreras, Antonio Osuna and Mariano Rivera at various points.
Outfield: The Ruben Sierra and Karim Garcia deals notwithstanding, they could use another bat to strengthen the bench. Rumors have the Bombers looking at Rickey Henderson, Jeromy Burnitz and Carlos Beltran among others.
Kevin Youkilis, INF. Class AA: .305, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 55 BB, 31 SO
Oakland Athletics
Needs
Outfield: For all the talk about Billy Beane's sabermetric wonderboys, this club is 10th in the AL in runs scored and OBP. Jermaine Dye (.238 OBP) and Terrence Long (.293) are big reasons why.
Third base: Can they find anybody to keep Jeff Cirillo out of the lineup? Even if it isn't a third baseman, they need insurance in case Edgar Martinez breaks down at the wrong time.
Trade Bait
Player
Contract Status
Jeff Cirillo, 3B
2003: $6.425M; 2004: $6.725M; 2005: $7.025M; 2006: Team option $7.625M or $1.25M buyout
Joel Pineiro, RHP
2003: $440,000
John Mabry, UT
2003: $600,000
Down on the farm
Chris Snelling, OF. Class AA: .298, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 3 BB, 17 K
Jose Lopez, SS. Class AA: .268, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 15 BB, 28 SO
Texas Rangers
Needs
Pitching: The Rangers' system is hurting for pitching, and that was the case before they lost LHP prospect Ben Kozlowski to elbow surgery. They took pitchers with six of their top 10 picks in the June draft, and will look to add more young arms by trading veteran hitters like Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro.
Outfield/Third base: Until Vladimir Guerrero proves his back is OK, the team will continue to look for deals like the one for Juan Gonzalez, which is pending the slugger's approval. Fernando Tatis has been a nonfactor at the hot corner.
Trade Bait
Player
Contract Status
Fernando Tatis, 3B
2003: $6.5M
Michael Barrett, C
2003: $2.6M
Livan Hernandez, RHP
2003: $3.825; 2004: Team option $6.0M
Down on the farm
Josh Karp, RHP. Class AA: 3-2, 4.50, 38 K, 28 BB
Seung Song, RHP. Class AA: 5-2, 2.35, 44 K, 24 BB
Chicago Cubs
Needs
Third base: They traded for Jose Hernandez, but there could be bigger Fish in the sea.
Trade Bait
Player
Contract Status
Jose Hernandez, SS-3B.
2003: $1.0M
Shawn Estes, LHP
2003: $3.0M
Antonio Alfonseca, RHP
2003: $4.0M
Down on the farm
Bobby Hill, INF. Class AAA: .255, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 26 BB, 48 SO
David Kelton, INF. Class AAA: .291, 9 HR, 32 RBI, 28 BB, 60 SO
Joey Thurston, INF. Class AAA: .271, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 18 BB, 32 K
St. Louis Cardinals
Needs
Pitching: They've had six different pitchers save games this season, including immortal closers like Cal Eldred and Kiki Calero. Their relief ERA of 5.10 is dead last in the NL, and only Woody Williams and Matt Morris are prospering as starters.
Trade Bait
Player
Contract Status
J.D. Drew, OF
2003: $3.6M
Down on the farm
Jimmy Journell, RHP. Class AAA: 4-5, 3.73, 52 K, 22 BB
Dan Haren, RHP. Class AAA: 2-1, 4.93, 35 K, 8 BB
Chris Narveson, LHP. Class A: 6-7, 2.93, 63 K, 16 BB
Cincinnati Reds
Needs
Starting Pitching: Paul Wilson is the only starter with an ERA below 5.00.
Trade Bait
Player
Contract Status
Jose Guillen, OF
2003: $500,000
Wily Mo Pena, OF
2003: $300,000
Kelly Stinnett, C
2003: $1.3M
Ruben Mateo, OF
2003: $340,000
Down on the farm
Brandon Larson, 3B. Class AAA: .341, 11 HR, 40 RBI, 15 BB, 45 SO
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B. Class A: .285, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 16 BB, 21 SO
New York Mets
Needs
Players: They are the NL version of the Rangers, hoping to get anything for the high-priced veterans they are peddling.
