Buy, Sell, or Stay Pat?

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

Edited 1/22 at 8:35 EST

Double Day has officially crossed the midpoint of season three, and we've broken down which teams will be buying, which will be selling, and which will be twiddling their thumbs come deadline time. So, straight from the horse's mouth, here are some short-term plans:

Montreal Shamrocks (32-52) - Buyers/Sellers/Staying Pat: Given their long history of major trades, the Shamrocks will do anything--buy, sell, or nothing--to improve their team for the long-term. Their goal for this deadline is to bring in a young (26 or younger) shortstop or center fielder, thus filling a need and setting themselves up for the future. All players except Hoss Collins, Harold Blair, and Quinn Street are available.

Omaha Spikes (43-41) - Buyers: The Spikes will look to secure a division title by trading for talent and building on their two-game lead. They're in the market for an upgrade at either 2B or 3B, or will try to shore up their infield with a young shortstop. The only untouchables on their roster are Gary Mann and Dean Gardner.

Anaheim Robins (34-49) - Sellers: The Robins named themselves sellers with the move to send Barry Broadhurst to Colorado, and will continue to explore ways of building for the future. They will likely hope to move some of their $105.5 million payroll and get younger in key areas.

Oakland Oaks (41-42) - Sellers: A mega-tight divisional race has not convinced the Oaks to replace the pieces sold off as part of a fire sale just a short while ago, and Oakland remains committed to rebuilding despite being one game out of first place. The team continues to dangle Fritz Neugebauer (.275, 12 HR, 36 RBI) as and Rip Judd (.295, 7 HR, 45 R) as its most enticing chips.

San Diego Electrics (36-47) - Buyers: Electrics owner grab46 is convinced that a potential division title is possible. San Diego might move any remaining prospects for a chance to fill a need at third base or bring in an ace-type pitcher.

Tampa Bay Seminoles (38-45) - Sellers: It comes as no surprise that the Seminoles, who have recently announced their own fire sale out of a disappointing first half of season three, would be sellers on this list. Any player over 25 is on the open market as far as GM Amerith is concerned. After a 92-win season two, Tampa has turned to a full-fledged youth movement to correct a lackluster lineup (last in the ML in runs scored).

Toledo Maumees (57-26) - Buyers/Staying Pat: The Maumees, with the best record in DoubleDay, could be on the hunt for a starting right-handed pitcher. With anyone in their minors available (except C Santiago Cordero) as well as Gary Bell (6-6, 4.26 ERA), Toledo will be exploring potential deals, but if none arises, will be happy to stay pat.

Wichita White Stockings (50-33) - Buyers/Staying Pat: One of the league's most improved teams will look to continue to improve as the deadline draws near. However, if a hitter can't be found, the White Stockings will likely focus their energies run towards the postseason and not on a trade.

Boston Beaneaters (52-31) - Staying Pat: The Beaneaters expect to keep the same roster through the deadline, which means no deadline-day moves. Boston will instead hope its pitching is "good enough" to get it into the postseason.

Seattle Pilots (29-54) - Sellers: The Pilots, who have slumped further this season, will be looking to sell before the deadline. It is assumed that Seattle will try to bring in more young prospects with any potential move in order to compete for a division title next season.

El Paso Sun Kings (45-38) - Buyers/Staying Pat: Their division, though highly competitive, remains winnable, and the Sun Kings still feel they're a playoff-tested team with a chance to reach the World Series. They will be buying on the condition that cap space does not pose a proble - if it does, they'll be hoping nobody else in the AL South is a buyer.