EHCC Trehde Rumors: Deadline Looming

Quebec City and Las Vegas finalized their second blockbuster trade of the season, sending Joey Votto to Canada. Since then the league has been relatively quiet, leading us ever closer to the EHCC non-waiver Trade Deadline (August 1st). With an unofficial semi-league wide retreat scheduled for late July in Boston, other things are bound to happen. Here's a few rumors of things that may be working themselves out from around the league, and where some teams stand with the deadline around the corner.

EHCC Trehde Rumors: Deadline Looming

By: Jim Fierkes, www.EHCCTrehdeRumors.com

After finally unloading Jon Lester, Las Vegas no longer have any starting pitching to pawn off. With no one around the league truly understanding what manager Hank Scorpio is doing, including ownership it seems, the Doggs are destined to finish in 7th place, making their draft picks mediocre, and the fanbase disgruntled at the same time. They'll be doing what any good non-playoff contender will do at the deadline and try to pawn off their elder statesmen (Carpenter, Kinsler) for some fringe prospects or a pick or two, but the Doggs may have made their biggest moves well ahead of the deadline. 

Quebec City on the other hand may be looking to continue to go all-in on 2017. After barely missing another championship in 2016, it's obvious the Piglets ownership is ready to do what it takes to get their name back on the plaque. Yoan Moncada is off the table (and in all honesty, will probably be a part of that playoff run this year anyway), and Gleyber Torres has already been dealt, but QC still has top prospect Kolby Allard and Jose Peraza to dangle out there for one more piece to round everything out. The biggest rumor is the availability of Julio Urias, who's literally wasting a roster spot for Quebec as he's out of options. Holding a spot for an NA player may not be a big deal for a rebuilding team, but for a franchise on the brink of a championship run it could be the difference in a tight H2H playoff match up. Look for Quebec to add another upper tier arm to their rotation utilizing what's left from their farm. 

Rakeville doesn't have a history of making big waves at the deadline, though rumors are swirling they think they're just a piece or two away from a decent chance of not only making the playoffs but going deep. With San Juan faltering, and Vegas destined to miss out, Rakeville actually has an outside chance to take the East over Weymouth down the stretch. Just look at Rakeville final 3 match ups of the regular season. After what could be a decisive match up against Shaddupu in Week 18, the finish the season facing off against Bridgewater (currently 11th place), San Juan (currently 10th place), and San Fernando Valley (currently, and forever in 12th place). Rakeville may have their eye on very select players around the league, mostly notable Dee Gordon (LV), Mallex Smith (SJ), and Eduardo Nunez (RIO) - all assuming Billy Hamilton (QC) is not on the table to add speed to their line up. What they won't be going after is a closer - as they have publicly stated that Sam Dyson is perfectly capable of taking care of the entire bullpen the rest of the way. 

Rio de Janeiro is officially in sell mode, as they send young stud closer Roberto Osuna packing for what is destined to be a low first round MiDP. One may expect Edwin Diaz would be available for a slightly lower cost if a team would simply offer it up. The Cristos are rumored to be looking for a similar package the Doggs got back for Votto in order to part with one of their older, but still productive bats, most notably Robinson Cano. In his age 34 season, Cano has been as productive as ever and would be an upgrade at second base for most teams trying to make a run. If Yoan Moncada doesn't gain 2B eligibility, Quebec City would make a good landing spot for Cano. Weymouth and Santo Domingo are also expected suitors.

Weymouth may be struggling, but don't expect them to make any rash moves at the deadline. Sure, Daniel Murphy is doing just fine and Cody Bellinger is mashing, but that Aaron Judge trade last year near the deadline is still haunting GM Yukon Cornelius. No one expects any big moves by the Poo this year. They recently welcomed back Mike Trout to the line up, and that may be the biggest move they needed to make. 

Tijuana made their biggest splash recently acquiring a new third baseman Evan Longoria from Quebec City. It's been noted that Tijuana ownership has been trying for years to get Longoria on their roster, but finally, with his production down and no clear need for the 31-year old on the Piglet's roster, the Hispanics got their man. Does anyone in the league value MiDP's less than Tijuana? Two years in a row they traded a 2nd round MiDP for a future 2nd round MaDP, and now gave up a 1st round MiDP for Longoria - a guy Quebec City has been trying to pawn off all season. He was supposed to sent to Las Vegas in the Bogaerts/Arrieta deal, but the Doggs took a chance on McCutchen instead (by the way, why hasn't Las Vegas cashed in on that yet? Why are there no rumors swirling around him at the deadline?). Tijuana is about to have a big hole in their bullpen, an area that has helped carry them all season, as Jim Johnson and Bud Norris are expected to lose their closer positions. With literally no farm system (seriously, they don't have ANY protected MiPlayers), it's hard to believe Tijuana will make a big splash at the deadline. 

Jim Fierkes is the founder and sole writer for www.EHCCTrEHdeRumors.com. He spent half of the 2005 season as the bat boy for the Plymouth Bells, but quit halfway through the season to follow his dream to become a trapeze artist. He's a weird dude.