AT ISSUE
Time quickly approaching for teams to “sell”
What: With the economy still suffering, attendance declining and the deficit in the standings growing, teams must soon decide whether it’s time to hold yard sales.
When: The nonwaiver trading deadline looms July 31. Most executives say they believe that moves will happen sooner this year as noncontenders look to shed salary.
Background: This is always a delicate balance, with most teams loath to admit they are open for business because it will, in most cases, draw the fans’ wrath. Two weeks ago, the Rockies were considered a clearance rack for shoppers. At this point, they could be buyers, though everything is written lightly in pencil.
Renck’s take: The wild card is great. The wild card stinks. Here’s the problem with adding two more playoff berths: It rewards mediocrity and becomes a clot for trade movement. That’s why the only obvious sellers at this point are the Washington Nationals — yes, they do actually have major- league players like Adam Dunn and Cristian Guzman — and the Baltimore Orioles. Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes acknowledged that he’s not going to stand pat if his team doesn’t execute a U-turn, meaning guys like Jon Garland, Chad Tracy, Chad Qualls, Jon Rauch and Eric Byrnes (if anyone would take them) are available. The best moves are made with leverage. If a team is five games out of the wild card but knows in its gut it isn’t legit, it makes sense to swallow hard and trade a few parts. It could happen with the Rockies, if they are overwhelmed with offers for Jason Marquis and Huston Street. But my suspicion, given the parity in the NL, is that the Rockies will add a reliever rather than trade any significant players.
