Diamondbacks Bullpen

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Top 10 most popular trade names
Thus, it is time to look at the 10 names most often mentioned as trade fodder.

1. Alex Rodriguez
He has been blamed for everything but the John Kerry joke since the beginning of the postseason, but he and Scott Boras have stated that he will not run away from the heat. Brian Cashman will explore the market and certainly will get substantial offers, but he has made it clear he isn't trying to run Rodriguez out of town. This may go on for a long time, but with all Boras has at stake in his relationahip with the Yankees and A-Rod's concern about public perception, it makes more sense to stay in New York than go play shortstop for what would be his fourth team. STAYS

2. Dontrelle Willis
There may never come a time when the Marlins could get as much for their flamboyant left-hander, and they could fill their needs in center field and the bullpen by putting him on the market. But the feeling in the Marlins' organization is that they need Willis as a safety net for all their other young starters and as a reason for their fan base to hold on while Jeffrey Loria tries to work out a ballpark deal. This could change, but right now the Marlins plan to hold onto Willis and make a run next season at their third championship in 11 years. STAYS

3. Gary Sheffield
Cashman already has at least one valid offer, and while Sheff has threatened to raise Cain if he is traded without a big extension, several GMs ask, "What's he going to do -- not play and collect his money?" Any transaction will be complicated, given Sheff's threats and the likelihood the Yankees will have to eat some money, but he is still a very dangerous corner bat. He gets TRADED

4. Manny Ramirez
The Red Sox don't believe they can get enough to deal L'Enfant terrible. They scored the fourth fewest runs in the league in the second half, and want another bat for the fifth hole behind Ramirez (Jim Edmonds would be perfect, but the feeling is that the Cardinals will pick up his option since it's essentially for $7M-$10M with a $3M buyout. Manny may want to leave, but unless the Mets get very creative, he STAYS.

5. Andruw Jones
Nearly half the Braves' payroll is wrapped up in Andruw, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz. Andruw is a free agent at the end of the 2007 season. But the cost of what the Braves would need in a trade and what Boras would need to not go into next fall's free agent market makes him extremely expensive. STAYS

6. Carl CrawfordThe Rays have to sort out all their outfielders, and part of that decision is whether or B.J. Upton is an outfielder. They have Evan Longoria to play third down the road, and likely will stick with Ben Zobrist and, eventually, Reid Brignac at short. So unless they can get half a pitching staff, they will keep Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Delmon Young and let the other pieces await placement. Upton is very important. Crawford STAYS. Upton may get another chance at third. In time, one of them will go.

7. Vernon Wells
Make no mistake: The Jays don't want to trade a center fielder with an .899 OPS, 32 homers, a Gold Glove and a character that is responsible and accountable, not when he doesn't turn 28 until Dec. 8. But J.P. Ricciardi has said that the Jays cannot pay Beltran money ($16.4M AAV), and indicates that if he cannot make headway on a contract extension after 2007, he will explore deals at the winter meetings rather than sit and wait for draft picks. Toronto is looking to keep Aaron Hill at short if Boston blows them out on Julio Lugo and will look at second basemen, a starting pitcher and bullpen help, and act decisively on Wells. It's hard to imagine him taking the Toronto discount and accepting less-than-Beltran money, so don't be surprised if one of the game's best players is TRADED.

8. Miguel Tejada
The Orioles would have moved him at the end of July had the Angels been more aggressive, but now the Angels can sign free agents and not have to give up Santana, Erick Aybar and others. The O's don't see any other home for Tejada, so they will go into the GM meetings looking for another starter, a right fielder and youth with the belief that Tejada STAYS.

9. Todd Helton
Healthy, he is still a great player and better person. But the back is an issue, and look at the OBP/SLG numbers the last three years: .469/.620, .445/.534, .404/.476. "The Rockies had a deal for him at the trading deadline but couldn't work out the contract," says one GM. Helton is owed more than $90M over the next five years, and the Rocks would love to move much of that despite the fact that Helton has been a leader in their rebuilding process. Robinson Cano's OPS was 10 points higher. STAYS

10. Pat Burrell
He just turned 30, and he's averaged 28 homers and 99 RBI the last three years. If the Phillies really want Alfonso Soriano, they will eat some of Burrell's contract, which adds up to $27.5M the next two years. His problems with right-handed pitchers-- .244, .837 OPS this last year, .256, .837 the three previous seasons -- scares teams, and there is debate about where he plays. "He's nowhere near as bad as he's made out to be," says an AL GM. He'll help someone, with the Giants being the early rumor. TRADED
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[levski]

For once, I agree with Gammo
_________________
Old school Hollywood baseball,
Joe Girardi is ten feet tall,
Old school Hollywood baseball,
Me and Frenchy walk a ton.

And Tony Pena cuts in line...