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THE MOVE

There are two players who are likely to move sometime this spring, but for very different reasons.

Joe Blanton is as reliable as any pitcher in baseball. He's not spectacular, but he will go out and make 32 starts, and will do it with relative success. There is no reason for him to leave the A's, except for the fact that Billy Beane has cast off virtually all veteran talent in exchange for prospects.

Coco Crisp is not spectacular either, but also does his job with relative success. He is very average offensively, but has good speed and is an excellent defensive player. Unfortunately for Coco (I will refer to him as Coco rather than Crisp - it's just more entertaining that way), the Sox also have Jacoby Ellsbury, who showed during the World Series that he is not only ready to play, but is more talented. He also won over the hearts of the Fenway Faithful.

The two do not fit as a trade for one another, but what if we throw a third team into this mix? Ahh, the three-team deal. The Rubik's Cube of the general manager's world. It is so rare that the needs of three teams all come together at the same time in unison with their financial needs and the availability of the proper players. It is the planetary alignment of the baseball world.

But without getting too William Shatner here, this might be a situation where a third team actually solves everyone's needs. That third team is the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have shown interest in Joe Blanton. They already have six starters, but three of them come with huge question marks. Esteban Loaiza is coming off a terrible season, Jason Schmidt is coming back from a major injury, and Hiroki Kuroda has never pitched in the majors. Unfortunately, the A's are asking for Andre Either, Andy LaRoche, and another prospect. As you will read below (teaser alert!), LaRoche factors into the Dodgers plans for this year, so they do not want to give him up, thus causing a major snag in the trade.

Here's the deal:

LA gets:

• Joe Blanton

OAK gets:

• Andre Either
• Blake DeWitt
• Coco Crisp
• Dustin Richardson

BOS gets:

• Delwyn Young
• Alan Embree

Boston isn't looking for a lot in return. They are set in almost every way, and really just want to unload Coco so Ellsbury isn't looking over his shoulder all spring. Young is a good young bat without a spot in LA, and he would be a great addition to the Boston bench. He is already being compared to pinch hitting greats like Lenny Harris and Mark Sweeney. Embree is a veteran arm to spell Okajima, who wore down by the World Series last year.

LA and Oakland haven't been able to finish the deal because of the Dodger's reluctance to part with third baseman of the future/present Andy LaRoche, but they have another young 3B in DeWitt who is not too far behind. He could be ready by 2009 and definitely ready to play by 2010, which is when Eric Chavez's contract can be bought out by the A's. They might be willing to take DeWitt over LaRoche because instead of the "additional prospect" they are getting Coco.

Coco does not fit into the A's long-term plans, as they have traded for prospects Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Sweeney this off-season, as well as acquiring Either in this deal and having Travis Buck already established. Either is ready to play full time and would get the chance in Oakland to play RF every day, with Buck playing in LF. Coco is signed through 2009, and would give Sweeney and Gonzalez at least one more year to develop in the minors, which is necessary given that Gonzalez is still very young and Sweeney struggled last year. Coco would help Oakland to at least have major league talent at a premium position for 2008, and then could be used as trade bait to a contending team who needs a fast running/good defensive role player for the stretch run this August (perhaps St. Louis or Seattle might have interest).

The A's have been shopping Alan Embree, so unloading his $3M salary along with the $3.7M Blanton is now owed would allow them to save money while still taking on Coco's $4.75 this year. They will probably have unloaded Coco again before he is owed his $5.75 for 2009.

Dustin Richardson is a mid-level prospect in the Red Sox organization. He is a hard-throwing, 6-5 lefty who has had some success as high as the California League (high A), but is not one of the Red Sox untouchables.

This deal is unlikely, but would solve the question marks for all three teams, and would allow the Red Sox to breathe easier. And the Dodgers to have some more confidence in their rotation entering the season.

As always, if you have deals of your own that you want to submit, the address is dugoutcentralgmlist at gmail dot com.

And now on to the list...

THE LIST

10 Players Least Likely to Finish the Season with their Current Team

10. Steve Trachsel: There are actually a couple different ways Trachsel could leave the Orioles. Having signed a minor league deal with the O's, there is a possibility he will never make it to Baltimore; he could easily be cut in spring training. Looking at the Orioles pitching situation, however, that seems unlikely. Trachsel can do the one thing that none of the Orioles other starters can, and that is go out to the mound every fifth day and compete. He is an average major leaguer at best, but that is an upgrade for the Orioles, and just like last season, it could be an upgrade for a contending team come August. Assuming he makes the team, he could be used as trade bait once again, as he was last year when he was traded to the Cubs. Prediction: Philadelphia or Houston (if they can stay in the race long enough).

9. Ray Durham: Assuming he bounces back from a bad 2007, Durham can be a valuable addition to a contending team at the trade deadline. The Giants are not expected to compete in the NL West this season, and have Kevin Frandsen expected to receive more playing time this season. He is a second baseman by nature, and if he is successful at the plate, he could make Durham expendable in exchange for prospects. Prediction: Cleveland (if Asdrubal Cabrera struggles) or Colorado (if Jayson Nix/Marcus Giles can't produce and the Giants are willing to trade within the division).

8. Jason Bay: The Pirates, for whatever reason, were shopping Jason Bay this off-season. It was not an extensive search for a buyer, but it was made clear that he was available for the right offer. Bay struggled mightily last year, hopefully due primarily to his knee. The Pirates were unable to get a deal done, most likely because they were asking for too much. If Bay returns to his 2004-2006 form, he could bring a significant haul for Pittsburgh, which would go a long way towards their rebuilding. Prediction: New York Mets (who will probably be ready for an upgrade from Ryan Church, but will have to conjure up some prospects out of thin air after the Johan Santana trade) or Atlanta (if Matt Diaz doesn't repeat his success).

7. Rocco Baldelli: The Rays have been shopping Baldelli for a few years, but he has had little value because of his injuries. If he stays on the field this year, he could be expendable, since the Rays have Johnny Gomes and Cliff Floyd (both outfielders) splitting time as the DH. Baldelli is still a very talented player who could add a boost to a contending team looking for a right handed bat. Prediction: San Diego or St. Louis.

6. Milton Bradley: Bradley has not played a full season in his career but has proven that he will produce when on the field. He is a clubhouse problem waiting to happen but if kept happy can help propel an offense to another level, as he did last season in San Diego. This year in Texas he could once again spend the summer on the trading block, as the Rangers will most likely be sellers once again. Prediction: It could be any of the teams who lose out on Baldelli or Bay or just don't want to give up as much to get a bat. San Diego, St. Louis, New York Mets and Atlanta could be possible.

5. Coco Crisp: See above GM deal. Prediction: Oakland.

4. Brandon Inge: Inge was the odd man out when the Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera. He still has some value to the Tigers as a backup catcher, but he has much more value to other teams as a full-time player. Inge can provide some pop to a lineup and is a good defensive third baseman. Prediction: I outlined a trade to the Twins last week, and even though it is a good trade for both teams, it seems unlikely. Inge will probably break camp with the Tigers but will likely be traded for bullpen help after the Tigers blow a few games in June and July. Don't rule out the Phillies who have a potpourri of bad third baseman or the Dodgers if Andy LaRoche and/or Nomar can't perform.

3. Andre Either: See above GM deal. Prediction: Oakland.

2. Joe Blanton: See above GM deal. Prediction: Los Angeles

1. Brian Roberts: Roberts is the final major trading piece for the Orioles to complete the breakdown period of their rebuilding process. He has been rumored to be going to the Cubs, and it seems likely that the trade will take place, although if the Erik Bedard trade was any gauge, it could be a while. There is little reason to keep Roberts (other than the fact that he is a fan favorite) because he will be 30 years old this season, and the Orioles seem to be at least 2-3 years away from competing. The deal is being held up most likely because the Orioles would like Felix Pie to be included in the deal. One has to imagine that is less of a demand now that they have Adam Jones, but he would still be a premium piece. The Orioles certainly want more arms back from the Cubs as well as a large quantity of players. This could include any combination of Sean Gallagher, Sean Marshall, Felix Pie, Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Ronny Cedeno and others. Prediction: Cubs...eventually.

By Jeff Moore of www.DugoutCentral.com