The Battle For Beltran
By Mr Opposite
Enter the Houston Astros?
It is now being reported on MLB.com that there are trade talks about a three-way trade involving Kansas City, Oakland and Houston. The "supposed" trade would be sending Beltran to the Astros, sending Dotel to the A's - who are in desperate need of a closer - and would send a bunch of minor leaguers to the Royals from the A's.
For me, an Astros fan, I hope this trade happens (but can see no obvious logic behind it). It would give Dotel more chances at closing out games and would give Lidge a closing job that he has the stuff to match.
It would also give the A's a closer. Of the many they have had in the past, all have failed. For a team 1 game out of first place in the AL West, that is not a good thing. Dotel would nicely stabilize their bullpen and give them a genuine shot at making the playoffs.
I don't think I need to talk about how the Royals are struggling. At the start of the year, I thought they were going to be contenders. Oh, how wrong I was. They, of course, will be moving Beltran and the result will be minor league prospects. At this time, they just have to decide out of which organization.
Naturally, the Astros are denying these rumours.
