The GM's Office by Jim Bowden: Houston Astros


With MLB's trade deadline just six weeks away, there are presently 22 teams within eight games of making the playoffs. This means just eight teams can be considered "sellers" at this juncture. Many of the contenders are looking for elite starting pitching, but the reality is probably only one or two will be traded and contending teams will have to settle for middle- or back-end rotation types.

I'm hearing teams that already have been in trade talks for potential available starters include the San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. Here is a list of the top 20 starting pitchers who could be traded between now and the July 31 trade deadline:


No. 1 starters

Cliff Lee | LHP | Age: 34
Contract status: $25M per year through '15 with vesting option of $27.5M

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In their heyday during the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Houston Astros boasted a pack of “Killer B’s” and routinely sat atop the National League Central.

A lot has changed.

Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman are long gone, the Astros have been transplanted into the American League West under new ownership, and the team, which finished last or second-to-last in four of the past five seasons, is mired in last place again. They are in full rebuilding mode, working diligently since last season to restock a weak farm system.

Of course, the upside to that failure is the Astros own the first overall pick in Thursday's draft. All season, two college pitchers -- Stanford’s Mark Appel and Oklahoma’s Jonathan Gray -- flip-flopped as the projected top pick. While conventional wisdom dictates the Astros select one of them, to me the wiser choice would be to pass on both and select the next Killer B -- San Diego slugger Kris Bryant.

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How to fix the L.A. teams 

May, 8, 2013
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No, it isn’t a very happy time in Southern California.

SoCal fans just watched as the Lakers and Clippers got bounced out of the NBA playoffs in the first round, while the Dodgers and Angels have looked like they might not even make the playoffs.

Coming into 2013, both Los Angeles baseball teams boasted the largest payrolls in their respective divisions, hoping big offseason spending meant getting to the postseason. And on paper, their rosters are good enough to make the playoffs. However, both teams have been beset by injury and ineffectiveness, and as a result, postseason appearances are hardly assured. However, it’s not too late for the L.A. teams to save their seasons, although both clubs will have to make some major adjustments between now and the July 31 trade deadline.

Here’s why both the Angels and Dodgers are struggling and how they can turn their seasons around:


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Baseball is witnessing the most competitive balance in more than two decades. As a result, general managers of contending teams already are preparing and targeting potential trade partners for the July 31 trade deadline. All the same, non-contenders are scouting the top prospects in the contenders’ farm system and noting their own trade targets.

For that reason, even 120 days out from the July 31 trade deadline, it isn’t at all too early to be thinking about possible trades.

Thus, here are 10 players I think will most likely be traded by July 31. Early on, GMs have identified the Miami Marlins, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins as the four teams most likely to be quickly out of the race, which is why this list has eight players from those teams.

1. Chase Headley | 3B
After Headley’s breakout 2012 season, the Padres and Headley engaged in a few conversations about a long-term contract. However, when Headley’s representatives compared him to Ryan Zimmerman, Evan Longoria and David Wright, the conversation quickly died. The Padres felt Headley needed to show the same production for a longer period of time than just a single season to be paid in the range of Zimmerman, Wright and Longoria. And they were right. However, Headley fractured his left thumb in spring training and is out until at least mid-April. If Padres are in the pennant race in July, they’ll keep Headley and try to sign him in the offseason. However, if they’re out of it by the end of July, then a deal is a real possibility.

Trade partners: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs


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It was an active offseason that witnessed the trade of a Cy Young Award winner, several large, multiteam trades and an inflated free-agent market. So to evaluate and rank the offseason of all 30 teams, I took into account the following factors:

• How it improved the team for 2013, as well as the next five years.
• How it affected payroll and budgets -- both short and long term.
• How it affected team chemistry and clubhouse culture.
• How effectively needs were filled -- through free agency, trade or farm system.
• The amount of money committed compared with the value received.
• Aggressiveness.

With spring camp upon us, we'll see whose offseason produces the best results. Here are the rankings of all 30 teams’ offseason campaigns.

1. Toronto Blue Jays | GM: Alex Anthopoulos
Acquired: RHPs R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, LHPs Mark Buehrle, Darren Oliver, SS Jose Reyes, C's Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas, IFs Emilio Bonifacio, Maicer Izturis, OF Melky Cabrera
Analysis: Anthopoulos had a tremendous offseason, making two of the biggest offseason trades in baseball history. It cost him some prospects, and when the dust settled the Blue Jays added three top-of-the-rotation starters to complement Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow to give the Jays the best five-man rotation in the division -- on paper. They now have the veteran leadership, speed, energy and enthusiasm to be a legitimate World Series contender.


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Trade candidates for all 30 teams 

December, 2, 2012
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Not every team will make a trade at this week’s winter meetings in Nashville, but every team could. With that in mind, let’s take a look at one player (or more) who could be on the trade block this week from each of the 30 teams.

American League




Baltimore Orioles
Player: Brian Matusz, LHP
Reason: There are several teams that believe what Matusz did in relief for the Orioles down the stretch he can also do in the starting rotation if given another opportunity. The Orioles want a corner guy/DH, and they might have to use Matusz to fill that hole.
Possible trade partners: Mets, Padres, Indians, Cubs


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Five undervalued free agents

November, 26, 2012
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A'sEzra Shaw/Getty ImagesStephen Drew (left) got his groove back after being traded to Oakland last season.

The Toronto Blue Jays might have signed the most undervalued free agent position player from this year’s class when they inked outfielder Melky Cabrera to a two-year, $16 million deal. Melky was in line for a four-year deal in the $50 million range before he failed a PED test over the summer, but could still prove to be a great signing if he shows that his performance over the last two seasons was not a PED mirage.

Likewise, the Chicago Cubs’ signing of right-hander Scott Baker to a one-year, $5.5 million deal might be the most undervalued starting pitching signing of the offseason so far. Baker was undervalued because he’s coming back from Tommy John surgery. However, he should be able to give the Cubs some solid innings and, perhaps more importantly, a trade chip come next July.

Here are five other potential undervalued free agents who are still available on the open market:

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1. Stephen Drew | SS | AGE: 29

Why he’s undervalued: Drew is the best shortstop on the free agent market. Period. He has the offensive capability for a .330 OBP with 30 doubles and 15 home runs annually. Defensively, he possesses above-average range to both sides with a strong arm. But he’s had to overcome numerous injuries in his career, the worst being a severely broken ankle back in July 2011 that took more than a year to heal. Drew didn’t come back from injury as quick as the Diamondbacks hoped and was sent to Oakland at midseason, where he played an integral part in helping the A’s leapfrog the Texas Rangers for the AL West title. Drew’s offense and defense looked like it was all coming back by late September, and a big 2013 could be in store. Drew is quiet and thus seen by many as aloof and selfish. But watch him play day in and day out, and it’s easy to see why he’s one of the most underrated shortstops in the majors.
Best fits: Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox


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2. Joakim Soria | RHR | AGE: 28

Why he’s undervalued: He missed all of the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The Royals declined his $8 million club option for 2013, making Soria a free agent. Soria was one of the AL’s best closers from 2008-11, when he averaged close to 36 saves per season. Soria has a career 2.40 ERA and 1.043 WHIP, and he’s saved 40 games and had an ERA under 1.80 twice in his career, all with the Royals. His rehabilitation is going well, and there is a good chance that by July or August he could be back being a dominant closer and difference maker in a pennant race.
Best fits: Los Angeles Angels, Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Red Sox


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3. Delmon Young | DH |AGE: 27

Why he’s undervalued: Young has two strikes against him: He is a very poor defender, and he has had some off-field problems. Young pleaded guilty earlier this month to aggravated harassment for yelling an anti-Semitic slur and wrestling a man to the ground outside of the New York Hilton last spring. He handled this incident as well as he could, sincerely apologizing to all parties involved, and he will perform some community service and attend a tolerance seminar as part of his punishment.

The Tigers moved him to full-time DH during the season, which seemed to help his bat, and I think he could have value as a full-time DH. The market isn't big for that kind of player, so he'll probably come cheap, but his impressive postseason success the past four years -- including winning the ALCS MVP award last month -- will be enough for someone to take a chance on him.
Best fits: Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros


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4. Koji Uehara |RHR | AGE: 37

Why he’s undervalued: Uehara was so bad down the stretch in 2011 that the Rangers left him off their postseason roster. And his subpar performance left a bad taste with many scouts who had a hard time adjusting to his incredible turnaround this past year. Uehara’s 43 strikeouts and three walks for Texas gave him an incredible 14.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 88-89 mph fastball with command and control and unhittable splitter were so impressive that anyone who evaluated him in 2012 had to just completely forget about 2011. Uehara should be a lockdown setup man for someone in 2013.
Best fits: Philadelphia Phillies, Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.


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5. Jason Grilli |RHR | AGE: 36

Why he’s undervalued: Grilli’s age and inconsistent career make some wonder if his 2012 season was a fluke. While Grilli has had longevity in the major leagues -- pitching 10 years with an ERA of 4.34 – he’s also had an unimpressive 1.413 career WHIP. So what’s there to undervalue?

Grilli has been dominant out of the bullpen in each of the past two years for the Pirates. His success started in 2011 when he finished with a 2.48 ERA and a WHIP of 1.19 in 28 games after not even pitching in the major leagues in 2010. There weren’t any clubs buying his success as he signed a $1.1 million deal to go back to Pittsburgh. This season he not only proved 2011 was no fluke but also showed he could take his arm to an even higher level. In 2012 he pitched 58 2/3 innings and punched out a whopping 90 hitters. His 92-94 mph fastball and nasty slider are good enough to help any team’s bullpen.
Best fits: Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Brewers, Rangers, Miami Marlins, New York Mets

10 hot managerial candidates 

September, 20, 2012
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With the season winding down, we're starting to get a sense of which teams might have managerial openings. But who might fill those holes? Here are the names that will be discussed most frequently this winter.

Ryne Sandberg, manager, Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (Phillies)
Sandberg has more than paid his dues in the minor leagues, and the Phillies are so high on him that he has become the heir apparent for their big league managerial job. However, he’ll probably get that opportunity somewhere else before Charlie Manuel retires. He would be an excellent choice to replace Bobby Valentine should he not survive in Boston.

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Clemens right on course for MLB return 

September, 7, 2012
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Roger Clemens made his second outing for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League on Friday night, and he shut out the Long Island Ducks for 4 2/3 innings. In the process, he showed me enough to think he could successfully pitch a few innings for the Houston Astros -- who have expressed some interest in signing him -- later this month.

His fastball tonight was mostly 86-88 mph with command on both sides of the plate. He was able to get good downward plane and was able to elevate his fastball, throw it at the knees and hit his spots on the black and up and down. He didn’t throw his fastball in as much as he used to, but with the drop in velocity that should have been expected.

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10 top prospects I would call up now 

August, 28, 2012
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Even with the minor league season ending, the education of some top prospects will continue. Whether their big league clubs are in the pennant race or looking toward next year, the opportunity to learn at the big league level exists -- if they get called up. Of course, because of concerns about roster limits, service time and starting arbitration and free-agent clocks, some of these clubs won't promote the players even though they deserve it. But considering the success these 10 players have had this season as well as the impact they could have on their teams, it's time to bring them up.

Billy Hamilton, SS
Hamilton broke Vince Coleman’s pro baseball record of 145 stolen bases in a single season last week. He’s got 149 and counting between high Class A and Double-A. Despite that, the Reds are leaning away from bringing up Hamilton due to roster and service-time issues. And even if he is brought up, he probably won’t get a chance to play much in the final month of the season with the Reds in the heat of a pennant race. However, a call-up before Aug. 31 is important so that he is postseason-eligible.

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Grading the trade deadline 

August, 1, 2012
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Now that baseball’s July 31 trade deadline has come and gone, it’s time to assess the aftermath. The flurry of activity up until the very end underscores just how many teams still feel they are in the hunt for postseason play, as well as some very shrewd moves (and non-moves) by both contenders and rebuilders.

Note: Teams that made no notable moves did not receive grades.

Los Angeles Angels

Notable additions: RHP Zack Greinke
Notable losses: RHP John Hellweg, RHP Ariel Pena, IF Jean Segura

Analysis: The Angels clearly won the trade deadline with the acquisition of former American League Cy Young Award winner Greinke. Segura was expendable because of the long-term deals shelled out to Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar. The Angels now have the best top four starters in the American League.


Los Angeles Dodgers

Notable additions: 3B Hanley Ramirez, OF Shane Victorino, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Brandon League
Notable losses: RHPs Ethan Martin, Nathan Eovaldi, Josh Lindblom

Analysis: The acquisition of Ramirez was a steal for the Dodgers, especially considering they will control him for two more years. Ramirez, 28, should benefit from the change of scenery and help protect Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier in the lineup. Victorino gives the Dodgers a table setter and a stolen base threat while improving their defense in left field. League and Choate improve their sixth- and seventh-inning relief corps.



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Shane Victorino headed to Dodgers? 

July, 10, 2012
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Shane Victorino might not be attending or playing in the 2012 All-Star Game, but lots of buzz around Kauffman Stadium has centered on him.

Most baseball executives believe that Victorino will be dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers or Cincinnati Reds before the July 31 trade deadline regardless of how the Phillies do after the break. On the other hand, those same general managers get the distinct feeling that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro will hold on to left-hander Cole Hamels.

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With increased parity and two wild-card berths available, there are fewer sellers this season than ever just before MLB's July 31 trade deadline. Because of that, conventional wisdom dictates it could be a slow go for teams in search of help.

However, I think it could be a very active period with more top-of-the-rotation starters moved than in any previous season. And even though Cole Hamels is not included on this list (I believe the Philadelphia Phillies could still make a run), he also could be traded.

Here are 10 players who are most likely to be traded, based on my conversations with multiple general managers.

1. Zack Greinke, RHP
The Texas Rangers won’t move prospect Jurickson Profar and will try everything in their power to exclude Martin Perez and Mike Olt from any deal. However, with a deep major league club and farm system, the Rangers have enough to make the Milwaukee Brewers an offer they can’t refuse and allow them to place Greinke at the top of their rotation.



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Five busiest GMs this July 

June, 29, 2012
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When Detroit Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski acquired right-hander Doug Fister nearly a year ago, the trade came with mixed reviews.

When Dombrowski acquired outfielder Delmon Young a couple of weeks later, some thought Young’s history of unfulfilled potential would come to haunt the Tigers.

Dombrowski, however, simply saw two players who could help his team get to the postseason. Fister subsequently went 8-1 with a 1.70 ERA and minuscule 0.84 WHIP the rest of the 2011 season. Young also flourished, hitting .274 with eight homers. Without both of them, it’s unlikely the Tigers would reach the American League Championship Series.

Point is, a GM can't be afraid to make a decision this time of year that might be deemed unpopular. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, you need to be able to make bold deals that you think are best for your franchises, even if that might mean giving up a top prospect or trading a star as part of a rebuilding strategy.

With that in mind, here's a look at five GMs whose phone will be ringing off the hook this July and will have the most on the line.

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Evaluating trade deadline sellers 

June, 12, 2012
6/12/12
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With just more than six weeks before the July 31 trade deadline, the difference between buyers and sellers remains blurred. Parity and the addition of two wild-card berths has many teams on the fence about being a buyer or seller. For now, there are more buyers than sellers, so here's a look at the teams that will be selling, what they have to market and possible destinations for some of those players.

Definite sellers


Players to market:

Matt Garza, RHP: He’s a top-of-the-rotation starter who’s proven he can pitch in the AL East. Best fits: New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Ryan Dempster, RHP: He’ll waive his no-trade rights and should be pitching for a contender. The Tigers could use another veteran arm.

Bryan LaHair, OF/1B: His stock is high and most baseball scouts believe he’s legit late-bloomer like Nelson Cruz and Jose Bautista.

James Russell, LHP: Every contending team needs a dominating left-handed reliever like Russell.

Alfonso Soriano, OF/DH: He has more home runs than any major leaguer in the past two weeks. Yankees, Rays and Indians could use him at DH.

David DeJesus, OF: The Braves could use a fourth outfielder to protect them when Chipper Jones has to go on the DL again, which would allow them to move Martin Prado to third.


Players to market:

Rafael Betancourt, RHP: Giving him the closer’s role in the offseason allowed them to trade Huston Street to the San Diego Padres. The move has paid off and with the shortage of closers Betancourt’s trade value is at an all-time high.

Michael Cuddyer, OF/1B: Even though they just signed him in the offseason, the Rockies need to keep getting younger and right-handed power like Cuddyer’s is hard to come by.

Matt Belisle, RHP: Who’s not looking to improve bullpen depth?


Players to market:


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