Never too early to preview baseball's trade deadline

With seven weeks until July 31, a look at which players could be available

Jim Baumbach

12:24 PM EDT, June 12, 2007

You know what's the best thing about baseball's amateur draft? Once it's over, baseball's trading season officially gets started. This is the time when GMs really start to focus their attention on what they're going to do at the trade deadline, perhaps our favorite time of year.

So with the trade deadline exactly seven weeks from today, let's take a closer look at which players might become available and see whether they would be a fit for either New York team.

Mark Teixeira, Rangers, 1B

Teixeira seems likely to hit the trade market, even if the Rangers keep insisting otherwise. He sure seems to be a perfect fit for the Yankees, considering their first base situation. He's a stellar defensive player, first and foremost. While his offensive production has fallen off some since his 41-double, 43-homer season in 2005, he still represents a significant upgrade than any of the Yankees' options, and that includes the broken down Jason Giambi. He's also said to be a huge Yankee fan who idolized Don Mattingly growing up, which should count for something. However, the asking price figures to be high, and the Yankees might not have the major-league-ready pitching prospects that the Rangers would most likely be interested in.

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Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, CF

The Mariners have played surprisingly strong baseball thus far, and if they continue to do so through the next month or so there's no way they're going to become sellers. However, if they fall flat, which isn't out of the realm of possibilities, it sure will be interesting to see what they do with Ichiro. Trading him would obviously send an awful message to their fan base, given what he has meant to the franchise. However, he is a free agent this offseason, so you never know. And although the Mets' biggest need is most certainly pitching, could you imagine what their already lethal batting order would be like with Ichiro added to it?

Mark Buerhle, White Sox, SP

The White Sox certainly seem to be closing in on a firesale with the way their season is going, and I think Buerhle would be a great fit with the Mets. He's one of the more underrated pitchers in recent years, probably because he doesn't throw heat. But look at his numbers. His WHIP over his eight-year career is a respectable 1.252, and he has thrown more than 200 innings every year since 2001. Despite his 3-3 record, he's pitched well this season, allowing just over a baserunner per inning. He's a free agent this offseason, so you know he'd surely love to finish the season in the pitcher-friendly Shea Stadium.

Jermaine Dye, White Sox, RF

If the White Sox do decide to sell, Dye figures to be the premier power bat available next month. But it's hard to figure the Mets or Yankees going after him besides a due-diligence call to make sure no one is getting him on the cheap. The Yankees could use more power from the right side, but where would they put him? Too many other teams need power far more, too.

David Riske, Royals, RP

Don't laugh. Take a look at Riske's numbers. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 18 outings, a 16 1/3 inning scoreless streak. During this stretch he has given up only nine hits and six walks and he has struck out 15. Finding bullpen help is so hard -- especially midseason -- so someone like this could actually fetch the Royals a meaningful prospect. And it'd make sense for the Royals to trade him, given that he's due to become a free agent and will get a good deal. The Yankees and Mets both could use him in the bullpen.

Adam Dunn, Reds, LF

Dunn seems likely to be traded, but he doesn't fit into the needs of the Mets or the Yankees. He's basically a DH masquerading in the field, and the Yankees don't need another one of those. And the Mets would be better served going for pitching instead of giving up prospects for someone who strikes out far too often.

Eric Gagne, Rangers, RP

Gagne is another player who seems destined to get traded, considering he figures to be leaving the Rangers after the season for a top-dollar deal elsewhere. But his current one-year contract includes a limited no-trade clause to teams that already have top-notch closers, which is meant to ensure he will remain in a closing role. (His current deal is loaded with incentives based on games finished.) So the Yankees and Mets won't be involved in the Gagne talks.

Chad Cordero, Nationals, RP

The Nationals have control of Cordero until 2010, but they could feel that the money he's going to get through the arbitration process won't be worth it to them as they continue to rebuild. So it's possible Cordero will be available, though it's still hard to envision him getting traded. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden likes to ask for a lot in return and doesn't often lower his demands (see Alfonso Soriano).