Trade targets: the day after

Yesterday, I finished up the three part series on second basemen, shortstops, and relievers. Also yesterday, Matt Leach wrote this post entry describing what the Cardinals might do at the trade deadline:

More likely they will pursue smaller fixes and/or moves that help in 2008 and down the road. With Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter both expected to take a good while longer before they can return to action, reinforcements in the starting rotation would certainly be welcome. St. Louis could also benefit from bolstering the left side of the bullpen and picking up an offensive improvement in the middle infield.

A C.C. Sabathia trade is probably the least thing we would want to go for at this point in time. He would cost an arm and a leg, command big dollars after this season, and close every buffet in town. We should be thinking smaller fixes that don't strap the team for next season or the year after.

The Pirates are thought to be looking for pitching, so why not trade relief pitching for starting pitching? Anthony Reyes for Damaso Marte and someone like Shelby Ford comes to mind, but it depends on how much the Pirates like Anthony. Ford would be a good haul in itself, as he has a big body (6'3", 190lbs.) at a prime position, second base. He is a 23-year-old switch-hitter in Double-A with doubles power. The Pirates, who have Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson, and Brian Bixler on contract beyond 2009 if you count team options, don't really have a place to play him. We do in a couple of years. Damaso Marte becomes our primary lefthanded reliever, and we could extend him beyond 2009 and replace his $6 million option with something more feasible.

My second move would be to upgrade second base. Mike Aviles is a strong option here, but the Royals will probably keep their shortstop/second baseman unless they get blown away with an offer. Ray Durham is the easy fix here and wouldn't command much to get. Acquiring Durham would be similar to when we acquired Ronnie Belliard in 2006 for Hector Luna. Only thing is, Belliard was known for his outstanding defense and was putting up big numbers, batting .291/.337/.420 with 8 home runs and 44 RBIs, at the time of the trade. Durham's defense has deteriorated and he's due the pro-rated portion of $7.5 million, so the amount needed to give up will be small, no more than Mark Hamilton. He would be an upgrade over Adam Kennedy and gives Tony another switch-hitter to make matchups with. Mark Grudzielanek would be an option here as well.

So with two moves I get Ray Durham and Damaso Marte for minimal talent. Those shooting for a more win-now mode would give up more for Brian Fuentes and Brian Roberts, but I don't know if it's truly necessary to do so. We have been winning so far with what we have, and making such drastic moves might be changing things up too much, not to mention sacrificing the future to get them. No, I'll stay with the second-tier guys and hope Ryan Ludwick still continues to produce, our righthanded bullpen stays solid, and Adam Wainwright can provide a boost around July.

Have any other ideas? Let's hear 'em!