Baseball Thoughts

With the trading deadline coming up on Friday afternoon at 4 pm EST, 1PST, I have some thoughts on what certain contenders should do.

1) The Washington Nationals need to add one of the three closers that are available on sub-.500 teams, Craig Kimbrel of the Padres, Aroldis Chapman of the Reds and Jonathan Papelbon of the Phillies. Given how the Nats feel about Storen, I think that it would be easiest to call A.J. Preller of the Padres and go after Kimbrel. Also Preller is a new GM so the Nats may be able to deal with him a little more easily than either Jocketty of the Reds or Amaro of the Phillies. Jocketty has been a GM for a long time, so you can't fool him so easily.

2) Chicago's "Lovable Losers" who play at the "Friendly Confines" probably don't need a closer, though I think that Papelbon would be a PERFECT fit for Chicago as he knows Theo Epstein from his time in Boston. If Papelbon is unattainable, then Theo should call up Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers and make a deal for David Price. Price knows Joe Maddon from their time in Tampa together.

3) Other than getting an outfielder, I can't see the Mets doing anything else. A good few days for Sandy Alderson, promoting Conforto, dealing for two professional hitters in Uribe and Kelly Johnson and dealing for Clippard to improve the bullpen.

4) I think that Cole Hamels will go to either the Yankees or the Dodgers or stay put. No one else will get him.