Starscreams | As Trade Deadline Looms, Veteran Stars Subjects of Rumors (55.08)

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Starscreams: A Valencia Stars Baseball Blog

As Trade Deadline Looms, Veteran Stars Subjects of Rumors

08/01/2055
Brianna Robles, Starscreams contributor

As the calendar turns to August, and Valencia finds itself fourteen games out of playoff position, several Stars players have found themselves the subject of trade rumors, and do their best to shut out the distraction. Those of us who observe the club from a distance have the luxury to indulge in all the trade talk we like.

With Valencia well out of contention, it's likely that closer Martin Román and infielder Daniel Pepper will be willing to waive their no-trade clauses for the right situation. Of the two, Román looks to be the more likely to move on before the deadline, owing to his smaller salary and fairly solid performance in 2055. On top of that, there's the fact that just about any contending club could tweak their bullpen with little fuss.

The Stars likely would have to go max retention to swing a deal featuring Pepper, and even then, his league average offensive production probably doesn't make him a very attractive target. His defense has been more exceptional at third than second this year. Contending teams who could conceivably use a third base upgrade all reside in the Johnson League: Charm City, Edmonton, Jacksonville, and Rockville. Of this group, Edmonton has the most cap space, and their current third basemen, Ray Hoskins and Quant Kouros, are not terribly exciting. Pepper would be a definite defensive upgrade, and would likely see his offensive production go up in the friendlier offensive environment of the JL.

Catcher Clinton Tyler is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, but his offensive struggles in 2055 likely will see him stay put until the end of the year. He's still a good defensive option, and some team might convince itself that he just needs a change of scenery.