Are Mark Teixeira's Texas days done?

So…it is July 24th and the deadline is a week away.  I’ll try to comment on those players who I feel may (or may not) get moved during the next week.  

Mark Teixeira (1B, TEX)  -- Normally in this column you will never read me write much, if at all, about Teixeira since I try to focus on the fringe players who will help you for a small investment.  Tex is certainly not one of those players.  If you have rostered him, you had to open up your wallet (like me).  At any rate, I just don’t think he is going to be traded.  If Texas really wants to compete next year, isn’t it in their best interest to have Teixeira on their team?  I mean, if they are going to trade him now for a collection of marginal players, why not just do something similar next July if they are out of the race?  Of course, if they can get a Phillip Hughes type player now, then you might think about it seriously. So…my prediction is that Teixeira stays in Texas.

Octavio Dotel (RP, KC) – The asking price on Dotel is high, apparently, but that shouldn’t discourage Dayton Moore, Kansas City’s General Manager.  It there are really that many suitors for Dotel, it is very likely that at least one of the offers has players that Moore values more than whoever is offering it.  I think this one is close to 100%.  So…my prediction is that Dotel is moved by the deadline.

Ty Wigginton (2B, TB) – The Devil Rays have a lot of offense and that looks pretty set into the future.  Trading away Ty Wigginton for a solid pitcher, either a starter or reliever, would benefit the Devil Rays much more than his bat would.  However, trading him for a middling prospect or a marginal pitcher would be a waste.  Wigginton is only 29 and still eligible for arbitration.  If the Twins want to pony up Kevin Slowey, I’d make that deal in a heartbeat.  However, I suspect the Yankees won’t want to move Scott Procter so the deal with New York doesn’t seem likely.  So…my prediction is that Wigginton stays in Tampa Bay.

Josh Towers (SP, TOR) – In the right deal, the Blue Jays would easily give up Josh Towers.  He is arbitration eligible next year and is a soft-tosser who gets by with good control (when he does get by).  I am sure Toronto would take back a mid-level prospect for Towers and, in fact, if several teams are interested, he could bring more.  So…my prediction is that Towers is moved by the deadline.

Jermaine Dye (OF, CWS) – Dye can be a difference-maker and the fact that he has played well since the All-Star Break will make him the biggest “name” player to be traded before the deadline.  His options are limited in the American League as his most likely destination would appear to be the Twins.  However, they have been reluctant in the past to make a trade to bring in offense, so I wouldn’t hold my breath.  Besides, they are seven games back in the wild card after dropping two straight.  If they lose a few more, they’ll be less inclined to make a move.  So…my prediction is that Dye is moved by the deadline…to the NL (which wouldn’t be the first time he’s been moved at the deadline).

Kenny Lofton (OF, TEX) – Not real sure why Cleveland wants Lofton, but I guess it is good to have a player with Lofton’s ability around during the stretch run.  He can play all of the outfield positions, he can still steal a base, he can draw a walk, and he is a veteran so he will not get tight in a big situation.  If he costs a low-level prospect, I am sure he will be with Cleveland by next week.  Perhaps Texas is waiting out teams to see how high they can drive his price.  So…my prediction is that Lofton is moved by the deadline.

Mike Piazza (DH, OAK) – Piazza getting traded has certainly been a rumor recently.  However, I suspect that the A’s will just take the draft picks when he signs with another team next year than move him now for a project.  Of course, if Billy Beane can get something valuable for Piazza now, he will certainly pull the trigger.  However, Piazza is only a DH so his options are quite limited.  Maybe if he is cheaper than Dye, Minnesota will kick the tires and see what they’ll have to give up.  But I see that as a long shot.  So…my prediction is that Piazza stays with Oakland.

Eric Gagne (RP, TEX) – On Monday night, Gagne entered into the game with the Rangers up 8 – 4.  He promptly gave up two hits and a homer to make the lead 8 – 7.  He retired three of the next four hitters to finish off the Texas win.  Certainly, he was not impressive in that outing but has been useful this season.  At any rate, the Rangers paid Gagne $6 million this year after the Dodgers declined his $12 million option.  I suspect Gagne will be looking for somewhere in the middle from Texas and to sign a multi-year deal.  That a rumor has been floated that Texas is negotiating with Gagne on an extension is, in my opinion, just rumor in order to speed up the decision-making process of Gagne’s suitors.  Considering the market for middle relievers, I fully expect Gagne to be pitching somewhere else come next week.  So…my prediction is that Gagne is moved by the deadline.

Bobby Kielty (OF, OAK) – This one isn’t that fair in that Kielty was DFA’ed on Monday.  He’d be a good fit in Boston since he can work a walk and has power.  He can sub for J.D. Drew against a tough lefty as well.  Expect Kielty to join the Red Sox Nation.  So…my prediction is that Kielty is moved by the deadline.

Wily Mo Pena (OF, BOS) – This whole “off the bench/fourth outfielder” life doesn’t fit Pena…it fits Kielty.  Thus, I suspect Pena to get moved out of town by the deadline to some team who sees him as a starter.  This doesn’t even need to be a contender, by the way.  The Sox could really just send him to some NL team for a middle reliever or a mid-level prospect.  So…my prediction is that Pena is moved by the deadline…especially if Kielty joins the fold.

Jose Contreras (SP, CWS) – The problem with Contreras, for most teams, is that he is signed through 2009.  So while a team might take him on this year in a deal and get his services in 2008, that 2009 year is a killer.   During the next two years, Contreras is owed $20 million and, right now, his ERA is near 6.  Even though the starting pitching market is thin, it isn’t that thin.   So…unless Chicago helps out with salary here in a big way, my prediction is that Contreras stays with the White Sox.

There are a few other guys who could move by the deadline…Joe Kennedy, Kyle Farnsworth, Sammy Sosa, Steve Trachsel, and Kevin Millar could also find themselves in a new uniform come August.

On another note, I really hope the Yankees do move Scott Proctor…if not at the trade deadline, then during the off-season.  Middle-relief types like Proctor tend to burn out fast, especially when they throw over 100 relief innings (like 2006).  That he has been serviceable this year (Proctor), is a benefit.  But it will only be a matter of time before it goes down hill, either with an injury or from a production stand point.  They should play the percentages here.

Have a question or comment for Don? Email him at donvisco@sportsgrumblings.com.