Injuries Will Affect the MLB Trade Market
As the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, there is a lot of talk between teams and the possibility for a lot of player movement. Given some recent key injuries, sources predict that there will actually be a greater amount of signings before the July 31 deadline than previously expected.
The Detroit Tigers were originally in the market just for a starting pitcher. Tigers management went as far as speaking with the Arizona Diamondbacks about acquiring Dan Haren and with the Chicago Cubs about Ted Lilly.
Now the Tigers are in a very different situation following a series of injuries. Right fielder Magglio Ordonez sustained an ankle injury sustained while sliding into home plate and is predicted as being out for six to eight weeks. In the same game, second baseman Carlos Guillen strained his calf.
Since the Tigers now have to revamp heavily to make up for their losses, they are top contenders for making a big splash on Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. Jeff Francouer is also available, but it does not seem that the New York Mets have any interest in giving him up to anyone.
The injury doesn’t just cost the Tigers, but Ordonez as well. Ordonez will now be unable to pick up enough plate appearances to qualify for his $15 million option. He needed 540 total plate appearances and will come up around 180 short.
The Oakland Athletics placed a heavy value on $10 million investment Ben Sheets. Sheets was to be a Matt Holliday type pitcher who would help the team if they were a contender, or be great trade to another contender needing a pitching boost.
Sheets’s pitching speed then dropped significantly as his arm became more fragile and he became more reliant on his changeup than his breaking ball, which was easier on his elbow. Finally, he was placed on the disabled list with elbow trouble and may miss the rest of the season. So now the Athletics are the ones in the market for a late season pitching boost to fill their newfound pitching void.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Corey Hart recently joined the ceremonial list of baseball players who have sustained bizarre non-sports related injuries when he hurt his head by banging into a wall.
Doctors and Brewers staff members say the injury is not serious and simply day-to-day but it still affects other teams’ interest in Hart. Hart was a strong trade for the Brewers but now teams are hesitant to pick up a player with uncertain health. As one general manager noted: "If they're going to get anything in a trade, he's got to play before the deadline and show he's healthy.”
Kansas City Royals outfielder David DeJesus was considered to be one of the MLB’s top available players going into this trade season. Now, DeJesus is off the trading block due to a year-ending injury. This only increases the value of Jayson Werth as the available number of outfielders has shrunk.
Not all trade injury news is entirely negative though. Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is expected to return from his concussion, though his health is still in question due to the severity of the stress fracture in his back suffered last season.
Injuries are always a part of baseball, but this season they're having a much bigger impact on the free agent market. The amount of available players was already considered to be small compared to most years, and these injuries further decrease it.
This benefits the healthy free agents. Expect some serious overpaying as contending teams fight for players to fill their rosters in preparation for the postseason.
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