Up Those Trade Values, Gentlemen

I wrote this in response to a post over at OBnB. The comment turned out longer than I expected, so I decided to refine it and use it as today's discussion point.

Bengie Molina, C
- Yankees: With Jorge Posada out for the season and Hideki injured, the Yankees could use another catcher and added offense, just in case Richie Sexson doesn't pan out. However, the Yankees hope that Posada can retrun after the start of the 2009 season, and Bengie's contract is not fitting as an injury-replacement player.

- Marlins: Lots of murmuring that they want a backstop. Only problem is, would they take on Bengie's salary?

- Angels: Jeff Mathis has been a wreck offensively: .228/.304/.389. Bengie would be a huge upgrade.

Randy Winn, OF
- Braves: I wrote a piece discussing the Winn-to-Braves rumor floating around in June. Winn would be an upgrade over Francoeur, whose slash stats (.231/.286/.369) have dropped even lower since June. Kotsay's been hitting well, only problem, as always, has been his health. There haven't been any rumblings about a trade since then, but it's best to leave open possibilities.

- White Sox: Again, Winn would be an upgrade of Swisher, who's batting to the tune of .235/.357/.411. Swisher has more pop, but Winn is more consistent and plays a better CF.

Taschner/Walker, RP
- He wouldn't net much, if anyone, by himself, but the Giants could package him with another vet. Now that we have a cluster of minor league relief pitchers, I'm a bit hesitant about trading Walker and Taschner. They're the oldest guys in the bullpen now that Yabu is on the DL, and it would be better for the Giants to keep them both for "mentoring" purposes until they receive more value in return when T/W are packaged in a bigger deal.