Keeping up with the Yankees is going to be tough and with that in mind I think the Rays need a thumper at DH and another lefty reliever for the pen. I would go after Adam Dunn of the Nationals. I would offer them lefty starting pitcher Alex Torres, righty starter Aneury Rodriguez, catcher Dioner Navarro and outfielder Matt Joyce. I think the Nationals would take that offer not knowing if Dunn will re-sign with them after the season. Then I would call up the Cleveland Indians and offer them Andy Sonnanstine straight up for lefty reliever Rafael Perez. I think the Indians would take that deal with the idea of starting Sonnanstine who is from Ohio. Getting Perez would allow Randy Choate to only pitch to lefty hitters which is his most effective role. Making these two trades would put a scare into the Yankees.

The Tampa Bay Rays are 49-33 on the season which has them in second place in the A.L. East, 2 games behind the Yankees. The Rays are only 1/2 a game ahead of the Red Sox for the A.L. Wildcard right now. The Wildcard is not the goal so with that in mind the Rays will likely be on the hunt for a difference maker at the trade deadline. The Rays really need a big bat to help the offense and I think that’s the #1 need. I would target either Prince Fielder or Adam LaRoche. Fiedler would cost the Rays a lot but he would give the team a legit cleanup hitter to bat behind Evan Longoria. Adam LaRoche would likely cost a lot less in terms of players and he always has a strong second half of the season. I also think either Luke Scott or Jose Guillen would make sense if the Rays want to go that route. I hear whispers that the Rays are on the fringe of talking about Cliff Lee. The Mariners are said to be very interested in B.J. Upton. If the Rays could move Upton while getting a pitcher the caliber of Cliff Lee that would be a no brainer to me. While I don’t think the Rays need another starting pitcher you have to listen when Cliff Lee is getting talked about. The Rays also need a second lefty in the bullpen but they might have fixed that need with the recent signing of Brian Shouse. It will be interesting to see how many chips the Rays push to the middle of the table.

The Tampa Bay Rays need left handed help out of the bullpen and I think they can get one soon if they decide to get active in the trade market. Myself, I would offer up Andy Sonnanstine to the Cleveland Indians for lefty reliever Rafael Perez. Perez has outstanding stuff but he just might need a change of scenery to get into a groove. The Indians will likely make him available for trade soon if they keep stinking up the joint. The Rays could also talk to the Rangers, Nationals or Astros who all need help at catcher. They could possibly offer up Dioner Navarro and cash to take a chance on someone like Jesse English (Nationals) or Tim Byrdak (Astros). The Rays would like to probably ditch Navarro soon due to the play of John Jaso and the return of Kelly Shoppach soon.

The San Diego Padres really need to jumpstart their team and what better way than to add B.J. Upton to the roster.  Upton’s name will be thrown around this winter as the Rays are tiring of his frequent laziness.  This could be one stop shopping for the Rays if they could get closer Heath Bell and lefty swinging outfielder Will Venable for B.J. Upton and either Shawn Riggans or John Jaso.  This would make the Rays an incredible team as they only really lack a reliable closer and Heath Bell is certainly that.  Venable is a solid young player but his upside is nowhere near Upton’s.  This would be a calculated risk for the Rays as Upton could turn into the superstar that many have projected him to be.  This would be a win now move for the Rays and they should go for it.

The Cubs want to trade 31-year old switch hitting OF/DH Milton Bradley in the worst way and they want to trade him to the Rays with money for 33-year old righty swinging DH/OF Pat Burrell. Bradley is pure team poison which if you remember is why the Rays traded Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young. Well those two guys look like altar boys when standed next to Milton Bradley who is one of the most overrated players in all of baseball. Bradley played in 124 games for the Cubs last season and he was 101 for 393 (.257 avg, .775 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 12 homers and 40 RBIs. Those are not good numbers. Bradley has only played more than 126 games in a major league season one time in 10 years! True, Pat Burrell stunk last season but a return to the outfield could rejuvenate his bat. He played in 122 games for the Rays last season and he was 91 for 412 (.221 avg, .682 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 14 homers and 64 RBIs. Both players have played 10 years in the major leagues so here is a lot at their career numbers. Bradley first: He has played in 941 games in which he is 904 for 3,260 (.277 avg, .821 OPS) with 501 runs scored, 115 homers and 439 RBIs. Burrell has played in 1,428 games in his major league career and he is 1,257 for 4,947 (.254 avg, .838 OPS) with 700 runs scored, 265 homers and 891 RBIs. Burrell is the more dependable player so if the Cubs really want to move Bradley I would make them kick in another player like 27-year old right reliever Angel Guzman who has the kind of arm you can use late in ball games. He pitched in 55 games for the Cubs out of the pen last season and he was 3-3 with 1 save, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He only allowed 41 hits in 61 innings last season for the Cubbies. The Rays should hold the Cubs’ feet to the flame if they really want to get rid of Bradley.