ESPN’s Buster Olney has filed his latest Insider-only dispatch, and he wrote that the second wild-card berth has led to a stagnant trade market up to this point because teams aren’t willing to go all-in for a shot at a one-game playoff, one that may not even be a home game.
- The Marlins and Rays could completely alter the market, Olney notes, if they both become sellers.
- If the Marlins sell, everyone -- Omar Infante, Josh Johnson, and, yes, even Giancarlo Stanton -- will be available.
- Johnson could alter the entire pitching trade market because he’s signed through 2013, and will earn $13.75 million next year.
- Johnson has an uncharacteristically high 4.28 ERA this season, but his 3.07 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is actually below his 3.14 career FIP, and his 2.6 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), according to FanGraphs, leads all Marlins pitchers. He’s got stuff worth trading for.
- Conflicting reports continue to filter out of Boston about whether the Red Sox are actually interested in Cubs right-handed pitcher Ryan Dempster. Olney says they are.
- Shane Victorino could be a fit in New York, especially with Brett Gardner having suffered a setback in his return from an elbow injury.
- On Monday, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman wrote that the Yankees are targeting outfield help more than pitching help right now.
- According to officials Olney spoke with, they’re “convinced” that the Diamondbacks will indeed trade Justin Upton.
