What to do with your trading deadline looming?

I already covered what to focus on for next year if you are in keeper leagues here, but what if you want or need to focus on this year. Your trading deadline is probably looming within the next week or two and you have to decide who will help you and who won't.

I mentioned before that at this point in the game counting stats are what matters. The rate stats are too hard to make up at this point in the game, even if you get a great rate hitter or pitcher from here on out. You likely have close to 3200-3600 AB so far so even 200-230 better AB isn't going to make a huge difference. Also, 100IP the rest of the way, isn't likely to effect your ERA and WHIP.

So we need to focus on HR,R,SB,RBI and K,S, and W.

I'll attack the pitching first. My league has a GS limit, so I try to pick up 2-3 long middle relievers (Chad Durbin and Chad Gaudin) who can help me with Ks and an occasional win while not effecting your limit. Gaudin and Durbin has gotten me 3 W, 38K, in a little over 40 IP. This hasn't cost me anything towards my limits and has actually helped me out in the rate stats too. I always have as many of these kind of guys in the lineup.

The other option for pitching is making a blockbuster and throwing away all your saves to get a stud pitcher, if saves can't really help that much. You have to look at how many points you'll gain from getting a guy that does well in Ks and Wins, than a guy who will help you with Saves. Try trading away your 3rd closer for a #3SP. Jair Jurrjens, Ervin Santana, Ricky Nolasco all are in this group. If the other team needs saves or SB, this is a prime time to grab a couple of these guys.

For hitting, it's obviously a little bit easier. You have to find someone playing everyday and if he is better than what you have currently, you plug him in. The problem comes in that there aren't many players out there (at least on the wire) who are probably better than what you have. This is where trading your SP or a 3rd OF or both for an upgrade on the hitting side. If you need just power, Chris Davis, isn't too shaby a pickup, despite my worries about a little less HR/FB than what he's doing. The best guys to look for at this point are the 20/20 kind of guy. They are always undervalued by everyone because they don't have any 1 particular stat that they excel in. Another set to focus on are those that just got starting gigs because of trades. Guys like Corey Hart, Mike Cameron, Brandon Inge, Jayson Werth, Elijah Dukes, or even Brandon Moss if you are in a really deep league.

These are just a couple of options on this year. There are always other trades that could be made, but at this point it's not very feasible to pull of a major blockbuster. Everyone who thinks they have a shot will hold their binkies close to their chest. I would be willing to trade anyone who I think will make my team better and you should do the same. There are always trades to be made.