MLB trade rumors: Latest news, buzz around potential deadline deals
Major League Baseball's trade deadline (Friday, July 31 at 4 p.m. ET) is approaching quickly, which means it’s time to gather the latest rumors and buzz. Which players might be on the move? Which teams are looking to buy, and which teams are trying to sell? As the deadline nears, take a look at some of the rumors swirling around Major League Baseball below.
July 28
• CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the New York Mets have no interest in bringing back Jose Reyes. Reyes, who spent his first nine MLB seasons with the Mets, was traded to the Colorado Rockies for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on Monday. Reyes has $56 million left on his contract through the 2017 season.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers have discussed parting with leftfielder Alex Guerrero in trade talks, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. If he is dealt, Guerrero could become a free agent at the end of the season.
• The Seattle Mariners have heard from "several teams" interested in starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi. According to the report, the team is not fully committed to trading him.
July 27
• Despite having a loaded bullpen, the Yankees are interested in acquiring Padres closer Craig Kimbrel, CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports. Kimbrel’s name “has at least surfaced” in talks between the two teams, Heyman says, though it isn’t clear what the odds of a deal are. Chasen Shreve, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, who pitch the seventh, eight and ninth innings for the Yankees, all have WHIPs of 0.913 or lower.
• The Nationals are the “hottest” team in pursuit of Kimbrel, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The Padres asked for Washington prospect Trea Turner in return, Rosenthal adds, but were rebuffed. Turner was traded to the Nats as part of the three-team deal that sent Wil Myers to San Diego. He played in San Diego’s system until June because players can’t be traded until one year after they’ve been drafted.
• The Angels might not be done adding. They’re looking to acquire a left-handed-hitting outfielder to complement recently acquired righty Shane Victorino, CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports.
• ESPN’s Buster Olney shot down a report by a Chicago radio host saying the Cubs were on the verge of acquiring James Shields. No truth to that rumor, Olney reports.
• The Astros were hoping to trade for Cole Hamels but Hamels would not waive his no-trade clause to go to Houston, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports.
• Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is available in a trade if the return is right, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports.
• The Brewers are reportedly willing to trade first baseman Adam Lind to the Cardinals, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• The Padres and Orioles have discussed a trade that would send outfielder Justin Upton to Baltimore, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. The deal could include starters Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner, Stark reports. San Diego is looking to unload some of its most expensive players, including pitchers Cashner, James Shields and Craig Kimbrel, CBS's Jon Heyman reports.
• The Pirates have spoken with the Red Sox about first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Shane Victorino as potential replacements for first baseman Pedro Alvarez, reports Bill West of the Tribune Review. Alvarez is hitting .232 with 14 home runs this season.
• David Price's agent, Bo McKinnis, told MLB Network Radio that he is not optimistic that Price will remain in Detroit after the deadline, but that he doesn't expect Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski to make a decision on a deal before the end of the week.
• MLB trade deadline tracker: Keep up with every move
• The Texas Rangers have entered the Cole Hamels sweepstakes, with ESPN.com reporting that the Dodgers and Rangers are the front runners to acquire Hamels. The Cubs, Yankees and Giants have also expressed interest in trading for Hamels, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports. Hamels threw a no-hitter against the Cubs on Saturday afternoon.
• After acquiring infielders Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson in a trade with the Braves on Friday, the Mets are now seeking a late-inning bullpen arm rather than another bat, according to the New York Post. They are interested in setup men such as San Diego’s Joaquin Benoit or Clippard. The Mets' current late-inning relievers are Jenrry Mejia and Bobby Parnell, but Mejia is not eligible to pitch in the postseason as part of his 80-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs.
• The Royals are showing interest in Marlins infielder Martin Prado, reports Jon Morosi of Fox Sports. Kansas City acquired pitcher Johnny Cueto from the Redson Sunday.
• Indians outfielder David Murphy is drawing trade interest from the Angels and other teams, reports Fox Sports.
