Based on the latest buzz around the league, we could experience an exciting final few days before the MLB trade deadline.
A handful of big names are on the trading block, which means a wide list of teams are doing whatever they can to complete a deal. As the contenders are all trying to improve for the playoff push, there could be some desperate bargaining in the coming days.
Plenty of discussions will take place behind closed doors before the clock runs out on the non-waiver deadline, but here are some of the latest rumors that have been made public, plus predictions for each prospective deal.
MLB Trade Deadline Info
Date: Monday, Aug. 1
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Latest Rumors
Jonathan Lucroy, C, Milwaukee Bucks
As one of the top catchers on the market and in baseball as a whole, Jonathan Lucroy is in high demand.
Lucroy was named an All-Star this season for the second time in his career and is batting .300 with a .848 OPS, which is higher than when he finished fourth in MVP voting in 2014. There is no doubt he can help a lot of teams over the next couple of months.
As Jon Morosi of MLB Network explained, trade talks have heated up as of late:
It was a day game after a night game, so there was no concern about Lucroy not playing, but the stakes have risen for teams that are pursuing the talented catcher. One of those teams is the New York Mets, who are back in the hunt, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports:
Rosenthal previously reported the Mets had offered their own catcher Travis d’Arnaud, although this wasn’t enough to entice the Brewers. On the other hand, Marc Carig of Newsday believes the Mets won’t have to deal their top prospects in any trade:
This is a big deal because New York gutted a lot of its farm system a year ago when it made big trades for Yoenis Cespedes and others. The Mets still have prospects to trade, but they can’t afford to give up all that much.
Of course, the team needs help offensively, as it ranks dead last in the majors with a .238 overall batting average. Catchers have hit just .219 on the season for the Mets, which makes Lucroy a huge upgrade if a deal goes through.
With this big of an opportunity, the Mets have to do what it takes to complete the move.
Prediction: Trade to Mets
Wade Davis, RP, Kansas City Royals
Teams that know they have a great asset won’t give it away for nothing, although the Kansas City Royals might be asking for too much when it comes to Wade Davis.
After the New York Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for four quality prospects, it’s clear the price has risen for elite closers. However, ESPN’s Jayson Stark noted the Royals are asking for even more.
Interestingly, the Royals are attempting a different strategy than just loading up on prospects, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a possibility because they not only need a closer but also could use an extra starting pitcher after dealing with multiple injuries to the rotation. Ian Kennedy might be costly (he’s in the first year of a five-year, $70 million contract), but he has been solid with a 4.41 ERA on the year.
Some will question Davis’ worth thanks to an increased walk rate (4.0 BB/9) and fewer strikeouts (8.6 K/9) than in the past. However, he maintains nothing is wrong with him physically, per Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star:
Los Angeles would make the playoffs if the season ended today, but the pitching isn’t quite good enough to compete at a high level. The next couple of months could also get shaky if the rotation doesn’t improve.
With the prospects and money to make a deal, the Dodgers should bring in Davis and Kennedy.
Prediction: Trade to Dodgers
David Robertson, RP, Chicago White Sox
The Washington Nationals acquired Jonathan Papelbon at this point last year, but their patience is running thin with the explosive closer. His ERA jumped from 2.56 to 4.18 over the span of two games this week, both losses.
Those performances can lead the team to become more aggressive in terms of shoring up the back of the bullpen. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports broke down the team’s plan heading into the deadline:
While it’s already been noted how hard it might be to acquire Davis, David Robertson should be easier to get through a trade.
ESPN Insider Buster Olney wrote: “The White Sox are pushing to move David Robertson, rival executives say, perhaps because he has the biggest contract. He is owed about $30 million through the 2018 season.”
Robertson is a step below Davis and Andrew Miller, but he is a proven closer who won’t be intimidated if he takes on that role in Washington. The Nationals also wouldn’t have to part with their elite prospects who are part of the future.
Considering the organization has failed to advance past the divisional series, the Nationals should take any upgrades wherever possible.
Prediction: Trade to Nationals
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