1. Will the San Diego Padres have a trade explosion?
Besides Justin Upton, their entire rotation -- James Shields, Tyson Ross, Ian Kennedy, Andrew Cashner -- may be up for grabs. It wouldn't necessarily be a fire sale in the traditional sense, as general manager A.J. Preller is probably looking to rearrange some parts, like acquiring a shortstop and third baseman. As the day unfolds, Padres trade announcements could come rapid fire: It's possible one trade would be contingent on another happening first. One obvious match: Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro in a deal involving Ross or Cashner.
2. Where does Upton land?
The Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox or New York Mets seem the most likely destination. The Orioles have received terrible production from their outfield corners and while they're just a game over .500, they're only two back of the Minnesota Twins for the second wild-card spot. The White Sox climbed back into the wild-card race with a seven-game winning streak, although that was snapped Thursday as the Boston Red Sox pounded Chris Sale in one of the worst outings of his career. The White Sox spent a lot of money in the offseason (Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche, David Robertson) so they may fancy themselves contenders even if the minus-52 run differential suggests otherwise. Their next six series are against the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs and Angels again, so that tough slate may drop them back down in the standings. The Mets? The question there is whether ownership is willing to spend the money on Upton's contract, or if they'd give up a better prospect if the Padres included cash. Prediction: White Sox.
3. What about Yoenis Cespedes?
He's in the same boat as Upton, an impending free agent, on a team going nowhere. The trade of Price seems to ensure the Detroit Tigers will trade Cespedes. He's also red hot right now, hitting .291 with eight home runs in July, whereas Upton has hit .196 in June and .167 in July (although he did bash a big ninth-inning home run in the rain to beat the Mets on Thursday afternoon). Crazy idea: How about the Toronto Blue Jays? I mean, if you're going to go all in ... and considering the Jays have used Chris Colabello (more of a first baseman than an outfielder), Danny Valencia (a converted infielder) and Ezequiel Carrera in the outfield, Cespedes would be an upgrade.
4. Do the New York Yankees get a starter?
CC Sabathia started Thursday and had another rough outing. He's blown 12 leads this season, the most of any MLB starter. And Michael Pineda landed on the DL with a forearm strain earlier in the day. The Yankees are saying that's not a major issue, but maybe it pushes GM Brian Cashman to go after one of the Padres' starters, especially now that Mike Leake was traded late Thursday night to the San Francisco Giants. There have also been rumors that the Yankees may look to add strength to strength and acquire Craig Kimbrel to go along with Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. Prediction: They get a starting pitcher.
5. Who's the best starter available?
With Leake now off the table, probably Yovani Gallardo of the Texas Rangers. Hisashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners is a long shot, since reports have indicated ownership (Nintendo) didn't want to trade him. After that, things get slim unless the Padres start selling. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Twins and maybe even the Mets are possibilities (Bartolo Colon has struggled big time of late). Prediction: How about Gallardo to the Dodgers?
6. Wait, didn't the Dodgers just get Mat Latos and Alex Wood?
Sure, but their lead over the Giants is down to half a game. So why not? Money is no object for the Dodgers and they've already used 15 starting pitchers this season. Why not 16, 17 and 18? Must. Avoid. Wild. Card. Game.
7. What's the craziest rumor out there?
I mean, if the Cincinnati Reds trade Chapman, couldn't he at least go to a contender?
8. Are the Houston Astros done?
After picking up Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers, the Astros look pretty set, although I could see them going after another reliever for the bullpen, particularly a second lefty reliever. Hmm ...
9. Best player not mentioned so far ...
Outfielder Gerardo Parra of the Milwaukee Brewers. Prediction: Orioles.
10. What did we miss?
I think we got everything. Friday really hinges on how crazy A.J. Preller decides to get and whether the Chapman trade rumors are legit. Prediction: I'm done with predictions. I had the Seattle Mariners in the World Series.
Besides Justin Upton, their entire rotation -- James Shields, Tyson Ross, Ian Kennedy, Andrew Cashner -- may be up for grabs. It wouldn't necessarily be a fire sale in the traditional sense, as general manager A.J. Preller is probably looking to rearrange some parts, like acquiring a shortstop and third baseman. As the day unfolds, Padres trade announcements could come rapid fire: It's possible one trade would be contingent on another happening first. One obvious match: Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro in a deal involving Ross or Cashner.
2. Where does Upton land?
The Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox or New York Mets seem the most likely destination. The Orioles have received terrible production from their outfield corners and while they're just a game over .500, they're only two back of the Minnesota Twins for the second wild-card spot. The White Sox climbed back into the wild-card race with a seven-game winning streak, although that was snapped Thursday as the Boston Red Sox pounded Chris Sale in one of the worst outings of his career. The White Sox spent a lot of money in the offseason (Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche, David Robertson) so they may fancy themselves contenders even if the minus-52 run differential suggests otherwise. Their next six series are against the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs and Angels again, so that tough slate may drop them back down in the standings. The Mets? The question there is whether ownership is willing to spend the money on Upton's contract, or if they'd give up a better prospect if the Padres included cash. Prediction: White Sox.
3. What about Yoenis Cespedes?
He's in the same boat as Upton, an impending free agent, on a team going nowhere. The trade of Price seems to ensure the Detroit Tigers will trade Cespedes. He's also red hot right now, hitting .291 with eight home runs in July, whereas Upton has hit .196 in June and .167 in July (although he did bash a big ninth-inning home run in the rain to beat the Mets on Thursday afternoon). Crazy idea: How about the Toronto Blue Jays? I mean, if you're going to go all in ... and considering the Jays have used Chris Colabello (more of a first baseman than an outfielder), Danny Valencia (a converted infielder) and Ezequiel Carrera in the outfield, Cespedes would be an upgrade.
4. Do the New York Yankees get a starter?
CC Sabathia started Thursday and had another rough outing. He's blown 12 leads this season, the most of any MLB starter. And Michael Pineda landed on the DL with a forearm strain earlier in the day. The Yankees are saying that's not a major issue, but maybe it pushes GM Brian Cashman to go after one of the Padres' starters, especially now that Mike Leake was traded late Thursday night to the San Francisco Giants. There have also been rumors that the Yankees may look to add strength to strength and acquire Craig Kimbrel to go along with Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. Prediction: They get a starting pitcher.
5. Who's the best starter available?
With Leake now off the table, probably Yovani Gallardo of the Texas Rangers. Hisashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners is a long shot, since reports have indicated ownership (Nintendo) didn't want to trade him. After that, things get slim unless the Padres start selling. The Yankees, Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Twins and maybe even the Mets are possibilities (Bartolo Colon has struggled big time of late). Prediction: How about Gallardo to the Dodgers?
6. Wait, didn't the Dodgers just get Mat Latos and Alex Wood?
Sure, but their lead over the Giants is down to half a game. So why not? Money is no object for the Dodgers and they've already used 15 starting pitchers this season. Why not 16, 17 and 18? Must. Avoid. Wild. Card. Game.
7. What's the craziest rumor out there?
I mean, if the Cincinnati Reds trade Chapman, couldn't he at least go to a contender?
8. Are the Houston Astros done?
After picking up Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers, the Astros look pretty set, although I could see them going after another reliever for the bullpen, particularly a second lefty reliever. Hmm ...
9. Best player not mentioned so far ...
Outfielder Gerardo Parra of the Milwaukee Brewers. Prediction: Orioles.
10. What did we miss?
I think we got everything. Friday really hinges on how crazy A.J. Preller decides to get and whether the Chapman trade rumors are legit. Prediction: I'm done with predictions. I had the Seattle Mariners in the World Series.
