MLB trade rumors: Latest news, buzz around potential 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.
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July 16
• Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels is one of the biggest names on the trade market this summer and you can cross one name off the list of potential suitors. The Rangers are not expected to make a deal for the lefthander, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reports. “If we were going to do that trade, we would have already done it by now,” a team source told Sullivan.
• For teams looking to add a catcher, Rangers veteran Carlos Corporan is available, Sullivan reports. The Mariners had reportedly been interested in adding a catcher (see below).
• Starting pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Yovani Gallardo could be traded by the Rangers, Sullivan also reports.
• The Giants signed shortstop Everth Cabrera to a minor-league contract, CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports.
• Jason Frasor, a popular target for teams looking for bullpen help, is signing with the Braves, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports. The Mariners and Red Sox were among the teams said to be interested in signing the veteran reliever. Frasor was designated for assignment by the Royals earlier this month and elected to become a free agent after passing through waivers.
• The Braves are “not going to be big buyers” at the trade deadline, GM John Hart told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I’m not saying we won’t deal,” Hart continued. “But with [Jason] Grilli going down and there’s an unknown with Freddie [Freeman], we’re not in a position where we can go out and try to get three or four pieces.”
• The Nationals could be getting an offensive boost in the near future without even having to make a trade. Outfielder Jayson Werthbegins a rehab assignment on Thursday. He hasn’t played since being hit on the wrist by a pitch on May 15.
• The Cubs are also receiving an offensive bump, calling up young slugging catcher Kyle Schwarber from Triple A while putting Miguel Montero on the disabled list.
• The Mariners released a minor-league catcher on Wednesday, sparking rumors that they could be preparing to trade for a catcher and demote one of their current ones to Triple A. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported that Seattle was nearing a deal for a backstop but Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported later that no deal was “close.”
