MLB trade rumors: Latest news, buzz around potential deadline deals
Major League Baseball’s July 31 trade deadline is approaching quickly, meaning it’s time to gather the latest rumors and buzz. Which players might be on the move? Which teams are looking to buy are sell?
SI’s Cliff Corcoran ran through the expected American League buyers and sellers at the deadline; he sees the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and others as teams looking to buy, while the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox are among the teams that could be sellers.
In the National League, Jay Jaffe sees the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers and others among the buyers, while the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies could be selling.
Below are the latest MLB rumors—check back often for the latest scoops.
• Jay Jaffe’s second-half predictions: American League | National League
July 20
• The White Sox are in "listening mode," reports Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. The team awaits offers from interested suitors with pitcher Jeff Samardzija the most likely candidate for trade. Samardzija's one-year, $9.8 million contract with Chicago ends at the end of this season, making him a free agent in 2016. Pitcher Chris Sale is reportedly not available for trade.
• The Padres originally inquired about trading for Diamondbacks outfielder Ender Inciarte and second baseman Aaron Hill during spring training, and have recently expressed renewed interest, Rosenthal reports. The Cubs are interested in Arizona outfielder David Peralta, but the Diamondbacks are not interested in a trade involving either outfielder, both of whom are under team control until 2020.
• The Mariners are interested in acquiring a veteran catcher who would allow Mike Zunino to be sent back to Triple A, according to Rosenthal.
• The Phillies are reportedly loosening their demands for pitcher Cole Hamels, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. If the lefty were to go to the Dodgers, Philadelphia was insisting on receiving at least one of the Dodgers' top prospects—shortstop Corey Seager or pitcher Julio Urias—in return, Heyman reports. The Phillies now seem to be open to other options, including backing away from their ask of four to five big prospects for Hamels if he goes to any other team.
• Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that New York may not make any moves before the trade deadline, according to ESPN. “There is a strong possibility that there might not be anything that makes sense for us,” he told ESPN.
• The Angels are not contending for Justin Upton because the team does not want to trade prospects for a rental player, ESPN's Jim Bowden reports. Upton's six-year, $50 million contract ends after this season. The Angels would be interested in outfielders Jay Bruce or Ben Zobrist, Bowden says.
July 19
• The Cubs are bolstering their bullpen by calling up former All-Star closer Rafael Soriano. Long reliever Edwin Jackson will be designated for assignment.
• Padres outfielder Justin Upton could be on the move again after just a half-season in San Diego. The Orioles and Astros are interested in trading for the 27-year-old, Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports. Rumors of a potential Upton trade heated up after he was pulled from San Diego’s game on Sunday in the fifth inning, but it turned out to be injury related.
• Another outfield target for Baltimore could be Brewers centerfielder Carlos Gomez, Rosenthal reports.
• The top two starting pitchers on the market—Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels—were both on the mound on Sunday, with plenty of scouts in attendance. The Red Sox sent a “high-ranking scout” to watch Hamels in Philly and the Dodgersalso sent representatives, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports. The Orioles, Rangers and Cubs also had scouts present, CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports. The Dodgers and Yankeeswere among the teams with scouts watching Cueto in Cincinnati, Morosi reports.
• The Angels are also in the market for an outfielder and are interested in Jay Bruce of the Reds, Morosi reports. The Orioles have also expressed interest in Bruce.
• He called it a “long shot” but ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Yankees could be interested in acquiring reliever Craig Kimbrel if the Padres want to dump his salary.
