The Commish's rumor mill

With the baseball trading deadline quickly approaching, it seems bizarre that this year there could be a lot more buyers than sellers.

Teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians, who in the past were out of contention at this point, are playing some impressive ball and may not be willing to trade that starter, reliever or veteran outfielder that they have in the past.

Now, even though the Pirates have recently put together a 10-game winning streak, I still think they will trade Kris Benson because they know they will be able to get more than he is actually worth.

Benson has always been highly touted, but he has never reached his potential of being a star pitcher in this league.

Although, he has put together back to back solid starts, his era is still in the 4.00s, and his strikeouts to innings pitched ration is not that impressive.

With all that said I still don't think it will stop teams like the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies or San Francisco Giants from taking a look at him to bolster the back end of the rotation.

The Pirates are probably going to ask for a young major leaguer or two and a prospect.

One trade I can see happening is with the Mets, in which the Mets send third baseman/second baseman Ty Wigginton, Shane Spencer and a pitching prospect for Benson.

Now, besides Benson, the Pirates probably won't be getting rid of anyone else, so I do not consider them a seller.

This years sellers will definitely be the Mariners and Royals, with perhaps the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles getting involved in the action.

The Seattle Mariners will be shopping starter Jamie Moyer, second baseman Bret Boone and if anyone wants them center fielder Randy Winn and first baseman John Olerud.

One likely scenario would have the Yankees acquiring Moyer and Boone in a package, since they need help at second and could use a southpaw in their rotation.

One thing that could hold it up, would be that Moyer has to accept any deal.

The Kansas City Royals have already begun to sell, by trading Carlos Beltran.

They really don't have much more to offer teams, since their rotation is weak, and they don't have costly veterans.

For the right price, first baseman Mike Sweeney may become available and if Juan Gonzalez can become healthy, teams may inquire about his services.

Teams may also look at Joe Randa to play third for them, or if they need bullpen help, Scott Sullivan would be a good addition and as a lefty bat off the bench Matt Stairs, could be intriguing.

The Braves are almost definitely looking to trade starting pitcher Russ Ortiz, since he is in his walk year.

The Yankees will make a strong push for him and don't be surprised to see a team like the Texas Rangers get involved, since they definitely need pitching.

Sorry, Mets and Phillies fans, but there is no way the Braves will trade within the division.

There have also been rumors of the Braves shopping center fielder Andruw Jones, second baseman Marcus Giles and closer John Smoltz.

Another valuable commodity may be Antonio Alfonseca, who could help bolster someone's bullpen.

The Chicago White Sox are a team that has contacted the Braves, but I could not find out from their beat writer, who they were interested in.

As the deadline approaches, people will also be following the Randy Johnson situation.

The Diamondbacks recently promised Randy that he could end his career in Arizona, but are they really willing to pay him $16 million next season.

If the Diamondbacks want to get back to respectability in the near future they may have to trade guys like Johnson, center fielder Steve Finley and left fielder Luis Gonzalez, who they can get something for in return.

Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner has made it clear that he wants Randy Johnson. But, there are two obstacles in his way.

One obstacle is they may not have enough to offer for him, and two, Randy would have to waive his no-trade clause.

With all the trades they have made in the past they Yankees really don't have the monster prospects in the farm system anymore.

The Yankees think switch-hitting, double A catcher Navarro could be worth something, but teams want more than him.

In regards to Johnson's no-trade clause, people close to him said he would only waive it for a team on the West Coast, like Anaheim.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see short stop Nomar Garciaparra get traded away from the Boston Red Sox.

They want to get something for him because they know he will walk as a free agent this offseason.

He is also currently playing unmotivated ball and hurting the Red Sox on the field.

A perfect scenario would have him go to the Dodgers, for another free agent to be, third baseman Adrian Beltre, and maybe a prospect.

Garciaparra has expressed his interest in playing in LA next year, so his wish may be granted.

The Montreal Expos are a team that could become sellers, as well.

However, Major League Baseball has to keep some talent on this team, so somebody will want to buy them.

All-Star pitcher Livan Hernandez would be a great addition to many teams and short stop Orlando Cabrera has been rumored to be traded, as well.

Other names to keep an eye on in the next couple of weeks as the trade rumors heat up are: Blue Jays first baseman Carlos Delgado, who the Dodgers really want; Rockies centerfielder Preston Wilson, who the Yankees really want; Anaheim Angels reliever/starter Ramon Oritz, who the Mets have inquired about; and Orioles veterans, such as, starter Sidney Ponson, and designated hitter Rafael Palmeiro, who several teams may want if they become available.

As more teams fall further and further out of the race, they will become sellers.

So don't be surprised if the Reds take offers for starters Corey Lidle and Paul Wilson, who are both having very good years.

Teams in contention may also look to trade players who are in the final year of their contract.

Take for instance the Houston Astros' who may want to get something for second baseman Jeff Kent, while they can.

The White Sox may also have to make a decision about right fielder Magglio Ordonez.

Although this is all speculation, two things are for sure, the next few weeks should be very exciting if you love the trades, and this could turn out to be one of the more exciting playoff races in recent years.