Trade Talk

With 6 days left til the trade deadline no blockbuster moves have been made, but the rumors continue to swirl. A.J. Burnett remains this summer's hottest commodity and the White Sox appear to be in the frontrunning for him. But I don't like this trade for the Chisox. Chicago would reportedly give up top pitching prospect Brandon McCarthy and reliever Damaso Marte and possibly Jose Contreras for Burnett. Burnett has had his share of arm more specifically elbow problems and and White Sox already have a solid postseason rotation. Not to mention Marte gives the Sox a lefty out of the bullpen who throws gas. Contreras and Orlando Hernandez can together give the White Sox a very solid #4 starter come playoff time. With Mark Buerhle, Jon Garland, and Freddy Garcia 1,2,3 the White Sox will have a rotation as good as any the AL postseason. Burnett is a very attractive option to have as a #4, but its not worth the price Chicago will have to pay. The Red Sox are also in the running for Burnett and that would probably be a better fit. The BoSox rotation is much shakier than their Chicago counterparts and would likely give up Bronson Arroyo and top prospect Anibal Sanchez. One thing for sure - Burnett if he goes will not come cheap. The kicker in this deal is Mike Lowell who the Marlins are insisting on attaching to any Burnett trade. That makes the deal even more unattractive for the White Sox who already have a 3rd baseman trying to work through his struggles in Joe Crede.

The Phillies will not likely trade closer Billy Wagner at the deadline now that they are within 3 games of both the top of the NL East and Wild Card. Jim Thome and his enormous salary aren't going anywhere either although he is a born DH and if healthy could help a team that struggles scoring runs such as the Twins. Philly fans would love it if Thome hit the road and Ryan Howard was the full time starter cuz this kid has already shown signs he can be a David Ortiz protege. But chances are the morons who run the Philly organization will continue to start Jim Thome and his .207 average when he returns from the DL. Howard and Chase Utley are the only reason this team still has a pulse. Be prepared for Ed Wade to get absolutely ripped by the Philly faithful if he trades Howard for a medicore pitcher like Kip Wells.

The Yanks have been relatively quiet as the trade deadline approaches but this team needs pitching. The offense is finally clicking with Giambi killing the ball the way he used to but good pitching beats good hitting. Names mentioned include Eric Byrnes to solve the centerfield problem but it looks like the Yanks are trying to solve that problem from within using Bubba Crosby along with old man Bernie Williams.

One more week of trade rumors to go....