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
• The Angels had interest in Tigers leftfielder Yoenis Cespedes, but “couldn’t wait for the Tigers to decide on their direction,” reports the Detroit Free Press’s Anthony Fenech. The Angels acquired outfielders David DeJesus and David Murphy in separate trades on Tuesday to shore up their depth in left field.
• The Astros are making a “strong effort” to acquire Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, reports Fox Sports’s Ken Rosenthal. It is not known if Hamels is open to approving a deal to the Astros, whom he has on his no-trade list.
• The Dodgers are making Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels their primary target, Joel Sherman of the New York Postreports. The Phillies have pushed Hamels’s next start back until after the deadline.
• The Athletics are unlikely to trade starting pitcher Jesse Chavez this week, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports. Chavez, 31, has a 3.45 ERA and is owed only $2.15 million this season.
• The Rockies are not planning on flipping newly acquired shortstop Jose Reyes this season, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports. The team wants to let him rebuild offensive value by playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field in Colorado, then trade him in the winter, Passan says.
• The Rockies are more likely to trade outfielder Carlos Gonzalez over the winter than before the trade deadline, Crasnick reports.
• The Diamondbacks and Reds are discussing Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman, reports Passan. The "ask is huge" to get Chapman, Passan reports, but Arizona may be interested. The Diamondbacks' 47–51 record puts them eight games out of first place in the NL West and 7 1/2 games away from the second Wild Card.
• Teams that have inquired about trades with the Tigers over the last 24 hours have been told Detroit is not selling, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports. The Tigers are 12 1/2 games behind the division-leading Royals in the AL Central, but are 4 1/2 games out from the second Wild Card spot.
• The Dodgers are interested in Cole Hamels and David Price, but if another team offers higher for Hamels and the Tigers aren't selling, Mike Leake and Yovani Gallardo would be the Dodgers' fallback options, reports Crasnick.
• The Marlins are becoming confident they will trade Mat Latos, with his suitors "coming into focus," reports Crasnick. Latos has a 2.96 ERA since the beginning of June.
• The Blue Jays are in continued discussions with the White Sox about trading for Jeff Samardzija, who is scheduled to pitch tonight against the Red Sox, reports Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
• The Mets are continuing to look for potential acquisitions, but after trading for Tyler Clippard, Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson, their trade deadline action may be over, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.
• MLB trade deadline tracker: Keep up with every move
• It is unlikely clubs will be rushing to trade for Padres pitcher James Shields before the trade deadline, because they believe he will go unclaimed on waivers, reports Rosenthal. Shields has $65 million and three years left on his contract.
• Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins have officially been traded to the Blue Jays for shortstop Jose Reyes and three minor leaguers. There has been speculation that the Blue Jays could flip Tulowitzki to the Padres or another team, but Stark reports there is "zero chance" of that happening.
• The Cardinals are in pursuit of a hitter, Morosi reports, and had spoken with the Rockies about acquiring Tulowitski before he was traded to the Blue Jays.
• A top Phillies scout attended a Double A Frisco game (Rangers affiliate) on Monday, Rosenthal reports. The Rangers, Dodgers and Giants are all vying to acquire Phillies ace Cole Hamels. The Astros and Diamondbacks have also expressed interest in Hamels, though both teams are on Hamels's no-trade list, reports Crasnick. Hamels has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he has the ability to block a deal to a team finds unfavorable. The Phillies have asked for teams to put in their best offers for Hamels by Wednesday, Stark reports.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers have discussed parting with leftfielder Alex Guerrero in trade talks, Rosenthal reports. If he is dealt, Guerrero could become a free agent at the end of the season.
• Despite having a loaded bullpen, the Yankees are interested in acquiring Padres closer Craig Kimbrel, 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.
• Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is available in a trade if the return is right, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports.
