Fathead Blog

With the MLB trade deadline approaching, several teams are going to have big decisions to make. Some teams are looking for the one piece to the puzzle that will get them into the playoffs (like San Fransico’s pending acquisition of Carlos Beltran). Others will try to cut payroll. And for a few teams, the next couple days will determine whether they will be buyers or sellers. Teams who need to make a deadline deal:

Cleveland Indians

Just four years ago the Indians were a win away from the World Series. They never got that win and Indian fans haven’t had much to cheer about since. Until now. Cleveland has been at the top of the AL Central for most of the season but now trail Detroit. The Central is up for grabs and the Indians should be in contention all season if they can add a quality hitter to replace the injured Shin-Soo Choo and Grady Sizemore. Hunter Pence is a name in the rumor mill but he likely comes with too high an asking price for Cleveland. A guy they could make a deal for is Melky Cabrera. He is hitting .295 with 12 home runs and 57 RBI this year. He would strengthen the lineup but would having three Cabrera’s in Cleveland be too many?

Inside Progressive Field Mural

Chicago Cubs

At 42-60, the Cubs are the most overpaid team in baseball. The roster is full of veteran players with monster contracts. They need to unload some of those contracts to speed up the rebuilding process. Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Pena, Alfonsio Soriano and Carlos Zambrano all need to go at some point. The sooner the better for Chicago but because of their contracts, the Cubs will probably have to give up some cash to make a deal. They would do well to unload one of these guys this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates are the biggest surprise in baseball. Normally, when the MLB trade deadline rolls around, the Pirates have assumed their position at the bottom of the NL Central. Not this time. The team that hasn’t had a winning record in 18 year is at the top of the standings but need to get some help if they are going to win the four team race in the Central. Pittsburgh could use another bat in the outfield and some relief help.

Los Angeles Angels

They have their work cut out for them if they hope to catch the Rangers in the AL West. The Angels always seem to be in talks for the big-name free agents but never make the big splash. Maybe they pull the trigger here and land Hunter Pence. They rank 24^th in runs scored so adding Pence would be a big boost to the lineup. They are also rumored to be after Padres closer Heath Bell which would give them a tremendous bullpen.