MLB Trade Deadline '08 Preview: Part 1 Pitchers

The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching, and there are plenty of big names out there. Today I will focus on the pitchers and tomorrow go into the hitters. After that I will have the team version and say who needs what.
Nearly every team in contention for a World Series needs relief, and there are four big name closers who appear to be very available. Frontline starters Cici Sabathia, Rich Harden, and Joe Blanton have already been dealt, but there are a few quality starters out there.

Huston Street- RP OAK
Street is the cream on the crop. This kid is still young and has been a closer his entire career thus far. He throws heat and has a solid arsenal of pitches to work with. Street will be a free agent at the end of the season, and the A's are looking to get some prospects rather than let him walk. Huston Street will be traded before July 31st it is just a matter of where. The Mets, Brewers, Cardinals, and Rays have all inquired about Street, an! d I expect Boston and the NY Yankees to see what Oakland's asking price is as well.

Brian Fuentes- RP COL
Fuentes is a lefty closer who would be a fantastic fit as a set-up man wherever he could be dealt. The one issue with Fuentes is the Rockies are asking for a ton in return and I am beginning to think Fuentes will stay put and continue to pitch for a slowly re-surging Colorado team. The Marlins, Rays, and Red Sox have shown the most interest in Fuentes, but both NY teams, St. Louis, and Milwaukee are contenders to land Fuentes as well.

George Sherill- RP BAL
Sherill has been fantastic for Baltimore all season. He came over in the Bedard deal and won the closer job, and now he is a hot commodity on the trade market. Sherill is about 50/50 right now of being dealt. If he is traded he likely won't be traded to any team in the AL East, and that hurts his chances big time. My thought is Sherill will be staying put.

Damaso Marte-! RP PIT
Marte picked the perfect time to take over the Pi! rates' c loser job. He is a solid left-hander who also seems to be rumored to be on the move at the deadline. This year his value is highest and it looks like he will be a member of the Boston Red Sox before July 31st. Marte would become that 8th inning set-up guy Boston needs if he is dealt there.

Paul Byrd- SP CLE
Reliable is the one word to describe Byrd. This guy is consistent and would be a perfect #3 or #4 starter for a contending team. My thought is Byrd will not be an Indian beyond the deadline. Possible suitors include the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, Phillies, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks.

A.J. Burnett- SP TOR
Burnett is a solid righty, but is very injury prone. He looks to be on the move before July 31st no matter what. The Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies are all in the mix to get Burnett.

Jarrod Washburn- SP SEA
Washburn is a big lefty who is a solid veteran and will be traded before July 31st. The Yankees look to be! the frontrunners for Washburn if Seattle is willing to take an underachieving youngster like Kei Igawa.

Erik Bedard- SP SEA
Bedard was supposed to be the missing link to a Seattle team ready for a World Series run...not so much. Seattle is the worst team in baseball and already have put the currently injured Bedard on the block. I do not think he moves before July 31st but likely will be dealt this offseason. If he is traded Philadelphia is the top destination.

Tomorrow I will have the top hitters on the trade block.