On the Trading Block?

by Chris Hansen

The trading deadline looms in the not-too-distant future so I thought it might be worth a shot taking a look at some prospects who might be included in a few swaps. When it comes to finding players who might be trade material, it's usually important to look at their potential, what players might be blocking their way, and their value to another club.

Players in the Spotlight Erubiel Durazo, 1B Tucson (D'backs) -- A lot of people have been asking where this guy came from. You could say nowhere or more directly, Mexico. The 6'3", 225-pound slugger played high school and college ball in Arizona before packing his bags for the Mexican leagues. After two big years there, the Diamondbacks offered him a Double-A deal and he hasn't looked back. With Travis Lee in front of him, Durazo will likely be moved to left or traded. The D'backs called him up on Sunday so it looks like we'll find out just how good of a hitter he is. His overall stats as of July 22: AVG AB R H HR RBI .406 337 78 137 24 82 ********** Chris Meares, RHP Lancaster (Mariners) -- With Ryan Anderson and knocking on Safeco Field's door, Gil Meche already there and with Meares coming up behind them, the Mariners' pitching future looks bright. The 21-year-old right-hander from Ottawa got off to a slow start, spending two years in the Northwest League before getting one start late last season at Double-A. This year he began in the Midwest League where he posted a 2.43 ERA and started the league's All-Star Game. He's shown steady improvement with his fastball (currently in the 92 mph-range) and has good control. He projects to a decent No. 3 or 4 starter. His overall stats as of July 22: W L ERA IP BB SO 12 4 3.54 119.1 24 111

Keep in mind, all trade talk is speculation until the deal actually goes down. I'm not saying any of these guys will wind up with new addresses August 1st.

Bruce Chen, LHP (Braves) Chen's name seems to be coming up in a lot of potential deals lately. I've heard Chen for Mark Grace, Chen for Brady Anderson. So why would the Braves even think of dealing this promising lefty?

First off, the organization is packed full of promising arms: Jason Marquis, Luis Rivera, Jimmy Osting, Micah Bowie, Jung Bong. Atlanta's dealing from their strength. Can Chen live up to the hype that's been with him ever since he began to climb through the Braves system? It remains to be seen. Chen's had trouble keeping the ball down in his brief time in the Show and the Braves are privately wondering if the kid's really a can't miss prospect.

Ryan Minor, 3B (Orioles) Cal Ripken's heir apparent might not be so apparent anymore. There's no questioning that Minor has the potential to put up big power numbers but his lack of patience at the plate and his struggles this year might get him a ticket out of Baltimore.

With Ripken Will Clark coming back next year, Minor and Calvin Pickering will have a hard time picking up at-bats in the bigs. A potential spot for both would be DH but the Orioles may be better off dealing one of the two while they still have value.

Darryle Ward, 1B (Astros) Gary's son and a Triple-A All-Star Game MVP, Ward has Jeff Bagwell in his way at first and Richard Hidalgo/Moises Alou/Lance Berkman in his way in left field. There's nothing left for the 6'2" slugger to prove in the Big Easy so perhaps he would make an attractive package with Derek Bell for some protection for Bagwell.

Todd Dunwoody, OF (Marlins) Actually you can throw Derrek Lee in here, too. Florida sent the two starters from last year down to Calgary in hopes that they could get their games back. It hasn't happened. Both took the demotion hard and are quickly being surpassed by an extremely talented Marlins farm system. A change of scenery could do both wonders.

Willie Martinez, RHP (Indians) The Tribe figure to go after a top-notch pitcher and they'll have to give up youngsters to pull of the deal. Martinez, a 21-year-old from Venezuela with an excellent curve, could be prime bait due to his tremendous upside. He's still learning his craft and is putting up so-so numbers at Double-A for the second year in a row.

Wiki Gonzalez, C (Padres) A guy like this would normally be off-limits but considering that Ben Davis has arrived in San Diego and won't likely leave soon, Gonzalez could be had. He's drawn raves for his ability behind the plate but is really putting up big numbers with the bat, rating among the best hitters in the Southern League. The 25-year-old backstop projects to a .290+ hitter with gap power who can shut down a running game with his arm.

And the rest: Pat Cline, C (Cubs) - see last Road to the Show; John Thomson/Jamey Wright, RHP (Rockies) - victims of an eager Major League team who need a chance to start over; Octavio Dotel, RHP (Mets) - super prospect who came up in talks for Livan Hernandez but will likely stick around now; Cesar King, C (Rangers) - had drawn comparisons to Pudge Rodriguez but is under .230 at Double-A; Manuel Barrios, RHP (Reds) - he's just 24 and is playing for his fourth organization; D'Angelo Jimenez, SS Yankees) - With Derek Jeter in front of him and Alfonso Soraino behind him, this slick-fielding shortstop has no place to go.

Thanks for the Mail

After the last Road to the Show, I received several emails from people wishing to add to my "most disappointing" list. You guys came up with some really good additions.

One reader added two guys that I mentioned above - Calvin Pickering (Orioles) and Cesar King (Rangers). Both are at the stages of their development where they need to start putting up big-time numbers. They also need a place to play.

Gary Pierson of Oklahoma noted Bruce Chen's disappointing progress after many had him penciled in as the Braves' fifth starter. You almost wonder if too much was expected of the 22-year-old. Sergio Sanchez noted that much of Ryan Bradley's (Yankees) struggles could be traced to his quick rise through the minors. True. It happens all too often with teams looking for a quick fix.