The trade deadline is rapidly approaching and teams at the top of the standings need to decide just how much of their future are they willing to sacrifice by going for the gusto this year. The American League can be divided up into three categories: teams that are looking to add a piece to improve, teams that are ready to sell and have players of interest and the Houston Astros.
SELLERS
Minnesota Twins: The Twins already traded away a few key players over last winter in Ben Revere and Denard Span so they don't really have much else to get rid of. Joe Mauer is probably a Twin for life and Justin Morneau has been injury prone. The most likely players to leave town are closer Glen Perkins, who is having a fantastic year and will be in high demand, and Josh Willingham, who is having a pretty miserable season, according to Grantland.
Chicago White Sox: Even when the Sox were doing poorly former GM Kenny Williams used to be a buyer at the trade deadline, don't expect that this year. Rick Hahn is in charge and is stuck with a very weak farm system that needs to be rebuilt. Look for Alex Rios and Jake Peavy to leave town. Jesse Crain is secretly having a fantastic year and a team looking for a reliever would love to have him, according to Grantland.
Seattle Mariners: A youth movement has taken root in the Pacific Northwest and the Mariners are looking to unload many of their veteran players. Raul Ibanez is definitely on the market but it remains to be seen if anyone wants a 41 year old DH. Mike Morse and Kendrys Morales could also be on their way out of town, according to Grantland.
BUYERS
Texas Rangers: Coming off of back to back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011 the Rangers fizzled out in the playoffs last year, an unacceptable outcome. The Rangers have money and a slew of prospects so they should be pretty active. They could use some pitching and are thought to be front runners for Matt Garza, who they almost traded for last year. The Rangers may attempt to get Yovani Gallardo, Jake Peavy or Kyle Lohse. On the hitting side the team might consider bringing in a veteran to get some ABs at DH with Berkman on the DL, possibly Michael Morse or Alfonso Soriano, according to Bleacher Report.
Cleveland Indians: Believe it or not the Indians are contenders now. While they may not be able to bring in Pedro Cerrano or Ricky Vaughn they could be looking to bolster the roster a bit. The Tribe will need some pitching if they are to seriously contend. The team is probably still a year or two off so don't expect them to make deals for rent-a-players, they will probably try to find some pitchers with some years left on their contracts, according to Grantland.
Detroit Tigers: The Tigers are pretty stacked in their lineup with solid starting pitching. The problem is the back end of the bullpen. Their expected closer has spent most of his time in the minors, Jose Valverde was a train wreck and is also back in the minors. Joaquin Benoit has been serviceable but if there are closers available, Jonathan Papelbon perhaps, the Tigers will be very interested, according to Grantland.
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox have been hitting the cover off of the ball so they don't need another hitter, they could use some pitching though. Jon Lester, the supposed ace of the staff, has put up a 7.30 ERA in his last seven starts and Clay Buchholz is still on the DL. The Sox have a ton of young prospects that they could unload without doing too much harm to their farm system so look for them to be major players vying for Garza, Peavy, Gallardo or even Cliff Lee, according to Grantland.
Most of the American League seems to still be in contention so that may lead to a lot of crazy deals being made by teams like the Baltimore Orioles or, as usual, the Yankees. Or it could lead to the majority of teams standing pat, we'll have to wait until the end of July to find out.
