Kuzul

Intrigue paves the march to the Major League Baseball trade deadline, with the hours before the cutoff point promising a flurry of deals.

The hits keep coming in advance of the deadline. One example? On Sunday, the Cleveland Indians reportedly acquired pitcher Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal dropped another recent bomb as well, reporting the Indians struck a deal for Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy, pending the player’s approval. According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Lucroy vetoed the trade on Sunday.

That’s just the beginning. 

With the rumors flying faster than a pitch from the recently traded Aroldis Chapman, here’s an update on notable rumblings.

MLB Trade Deadline Info

Date: Monday

Time: 4 p.m. ET

Latest Rumors on Top Names

Rangers Shopping for Chris Sale-Type Help?

Injuries have slammed the Texas Rangers this summer, derailing one of the best teams in baseball, as names such as Colby Lewis and Derek Holland battle issues.

Sitting on only a five-game lead over the Houston Astros in the American League West, the Rangers need some help not only to keep the lead but make some noise once the playoffs roll around in case their notable players don’t recover well.

Per Rosenthal, the Rangers remain in talks with the Chicago White Sox:

Chris Sale has come up in rumors for a long time now, which isn’t much of a surprise, given the 27-year-old lefty boasts a 3.17 ERA, 133 strikeouts and a 14-4 record. On a team two games below .500, those numbers look mighty attractive.

The same goes for Jose Quintana, also 27, who has a 2.89 ERA and 125 fanned batters with just an 8-8 record. He’s the more likely of the two to get dealt right now, especially with USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale noting Chicago’s “asking price remains steep” on Sale.

Whether the Rangers strike a deal with the White Sox or back off will speak a lot to how the front office views the pitching situation, especially from a health standpoint. Chicago is proof enough that quality starters remain available; it’s the job of a team such as the Rangers to go out there and get them. 

Brian McCann’s Availability

It’s acceptable to classify the New York Yankees as sellers at the deadline, especially after the Miller note above.

This makes it all the easier to see them move veteran catcher Brian McCann, given their depth at the position.

Citing sources with said depth as the reasoning, Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball reported the Yankees have received interest on McCann.

“The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves are believed to be two of the teams that have talked to the Yankees. Rival general managers say they like McCann for ‘makeup’ reasons, but the Yankees would have to pay his contract down significantly. He has a full no-trade clause,” Heyman wrote.

ESPN’s Buster Olney provided further context:

As Heyman noted, the Yankees have plenty of talent at catcher already with Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez. McCann is an experienced guy who is hitting .234/.333/.428 with 15 homers and 41 RBI this year; he represents a solid upgrade for a team in need.

This one will come down to whether McCann would welcome a change in scenery thanks to his no-trade clause. At least when it comes to the Atlanta Braves (36-68), it’s not about contention when compared to the Yankees (52-51).

McCann is one of the most interesting cases on the market because he gets to decide how teams act.

Shelby Miller on the Block

It’s Shelby Miller time again in the world of trade rumors.

Miller has been a disaster since joining the Arizona Diamondbacks this year, sitting on a 7.14 ERA on 14 starts with all of 50 strikeouts and a 2-9 record. He’s struggled to the point of the team sending him down to the minor leagues.

For comparison’s sake, over each of the prior three seasons, Miller’s ERA never wavered above 3.74, and he struck out at least 127 batters.

Despite Miller’s struggles, Heyman‘s colleague Robert Murray recently revealed a new wrinkle surrounding the righty: “Trade interest in Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller is ‘picking up,’ but no deal is believed to be close, league sources tell Today’s Knuckleball.”

“We’ve had a ton of (interest),” Arizona general manager Dave Stewart said, according to Nick Piecoro of the AZCentral.com. “My story to them is the same: We haven’t given up on the young man.”

In an odd twist, Arizona cannot afford to give away Miller on the cheap, not after trading for him in the first place. And there’s always a chance he pitches out of this funk and gets back to his usual self, which could happen since he’s only 25 years old. 

Rest assured that if a deal goes through, the buyer will have some confidence that Miller can turn his career around, making 2016 an anomaly and not the beginning of a trend. It’s something to watch based on how it could impact many teams down the road.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Monday’s MLB trade deadline promises plenty of action, with names such as Jay Bruce making the rounds.

Remember 2015? Major players such as Mike Leake, J.A. Happ, Ben Revere and Yoenis Cespedes got dealt, changing the complexion of the league and affecting the playoff race at the same time.

Those ripple effects are hardly a year old, yet here’s another deadline, as teams such as the Cincinnati Reds might want to sell a Jay Bruce type and many contenders hunt for upgrades to make playoff pushes easier.

It’s a lot to digest, so here’s a look at the latest pre-deadline buzz.

Jay Bruce Update

It’s all about the New York Mets when it comes to Bruce.

For now at least. 

The original buzz around the Cincinnati slugger featured a three-team deal, with Bruce going to the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported on Saturday that transaction “isn’t going to happen.”

The Mets might make it happen, though, based on this note from MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon:

If the Mets believe the postseason is a realistic goal, it couldn’t hurt to add Bruce if the price is right.

New York sits at 53-50 and all of 7.5 games out of first place in the National League East, though both the Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals are ahead of them. With just one player sitting on more than 20 homers and 50 RBI—Cespedes, of course—the Mets could use more juice in the lineup.

Bruce provides plenty. He might wind up as a rental, but he’s 29 years old with a .265/.316/559 slash line, 25 homers and 80 RBI. He’s a workhorse at the plate, and it’d be hard to blame the Mets for going all in at the deadline once again to pick him up.

Baltimore’s Search for Help

It’s a badly kept secret that the Baltimore Orioles need help on the mound. 

Thanks to one of the league’s most explosive lineups at the plate, the Orioles (58-45) remain right behind the Toronto Blue Jays (59-45) in the American League East. Quality pitching has a reputation as the most important factor in the postseason for a reason, though.

Baltimore’s starters haven’t impressed this year. Chris Tillman has a 3.47 ERA, and everyone else on the roster with a significant numbers of starts boasts a 4.18 ERA or worse.

That’s why the team is looking into Wade Miley of the Seattle Mariners, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball.

“The Mariners are talking to a few teams about Miley, who is clearly being dangled as the Mariners have decided to hold onto coveted kids Taijuan Walker and James Paxton, as general manager Jerry Dipoto said,” Heyman wrote.

Per the report, Baltimore has been pursuing a lefty on the mound for a while. The above explanation as to Miley’s presence on the block might give the Orioles one last shot at filling their major need.

The problem for Baltimore is simple: If the organization doesn’t move fast, others will get involved. Miley is only 29 years old with a 4.98 ERA, 82 fanned batters and a 7-8 record. Take him away from a team that is only two games above .500 and give him better run support, and those numbers would do nothing short of improve.

As is the case with all potential deals, the clock is ticking on the Orioles.

Tigers Enter the Fray

The Detroit Tigers haven’t been the busiest in the market so far, especially with the Cleveland Indians dominating the headlines. Cleveland traded for pitcher Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees on Sunday, according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Yet the Tigers have to do something to keep pace with the improved Indians, who have a 4.5-game lead over Detroit in the AL Central.

As a result, it’s not a surprise to see MLB Network’s Jon Morosi mention the Tigers as prospective buyers for on-the-mound help:

Justin Verlander and others near the top of the rotation have put together quality seasons; the rookie Michael Fulmer is the highlight with his impressive 2.50 ERA through 16 starts. Then there’s Anibal Sanchez, who has appeared in 24 games and drummed up a 6.56 ERA.

This is a broad target for the Tigers, with names such as Jeremy Hellickson coming to mind. The Philadelphia Phillies have set a price point for the 29-year-old starter, per Stark, and his 3.70 ERA and 109 strikeouts would sure look good in Detroit’s rotation.

That’s just one possible angle for the Tigers in an odd market where the organization acts as buyers at the deadline while mainstays such as the Yankees put up the white flag and sell.

As usual, nobody would dare suggest the march to the deadline isn’t fun.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Postseason hopefuls have plenty to gain at the 2016 MLB trade deadline.

The Miami Marlins stand as one of the best examples of what a team looking to make the postseason and proceed to make noise can do—the front office recently acquired Andrew Cashner and other assets in a deal with the San Diego Padres, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

That’s one way to stick in the playoff race, if not catch the Washington Nationals in the National League East.

Had the Marlins not pulled the move, the team would headline a list such as this. With the expectation these teams want to make the postseason and have a willingness to wheel and deal, here’s a look at franchises in need of an upgrade at the deadline.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers need some help on the mound.

One of the best teams in baseball well into the month of June, the proverbial wheels have fallen off a tad, and the Rangers now clutch only a five-game advantage over the Houston Astros in the American League West.

The Texas starters aren’t bad, per se, but it doesn’t help that both Colby Lewis and Derek Holland have hit the shelf with injuries. It makes sense, then, the team would have an interest in a player such as Vince Velasquez of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com revealed the Rangers had reached out to the Phillies, though he noted the team also has interest in Jeremy Hellickson. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com later noted a deal for Velasquez as unlikely:

Velasquez is all of 24 years old and in the middle of his breakout campaign at a 3.32 ERA with 108 strikeouts. Hellickson is 29 years old at 3.70 and 109 strikeouts, not to mention the cheaper of the two given the upside and contract status of Velasquez, who is under team control through 2021, per Spotrac.

Either way, it’s not hard to see where the Rangers have focused near the deadline. A Cole Hamels-led rotation complemented by Yu Darvish and a host of others isn’t a terrible lineup to trot out, but more talent to make a push couldn’t hurt. Texas has the farm system to swing a solid deal if the right trade partner emerges.

Baltimore Orioles

It’s a neck-and-neck race between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East, with the latter clutching a half-game lead. 

The Orioles, though, have to believe one solid move could put the team in the driver’s seat, as well as make some serious noise in the playoffs.

Said solid move likely involves the pitching staff. To be blunt, the Baltimore starters this year have been nothing short of disappointing. Chris Tillman leads the way with a 3.47 ERA, and that’s as good as it gets. Five more players have started 12 or more games this year and come in at an ERA range of 4.18-7.06.

An offense with three players (Chris Davis, Manny Machado, Mark Trumbo) sitting on 22 or more homers and six players with 13 or more has a way of propping up a struggling staff.

Not in the playoffs. It’s likely why Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball revealed the Orioles have an interest in the Seattle Mariners’ Wade Miley: “The Baltimore Orioles are taking a hard look at Seattle Mariners lefty Wade Miley, sources said. Baltimore has been seeking a starter, especially a left-handed one, for weeks, as it tries to hold on in the tough AL is afternoon with a loss at Toronto.”

Miley is 29 with a 4.98 ERA, 82 strikeouts and a 7-8 record—what could represent an obvious boon for the Orioles considering he’d play with plenty of run support.

From the sounds of it, Baltimore seems eager to land a lefty to complement the rotation. It’s the perfect idea, though Miley might be the last chance.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a major name on the rumors market for a few days now, and it’s not hard to see why—the close battle with the San Francisco Giants in the NL West has taken its toll.

Namely, injuries have ravaged the pitching rotation most of the season. Clayton Kershaw has performed in an elite manner once again with a 1.79 ERA when healthy, but the rest classifies as so-so.

It’s one reason why Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times penned a column about what Andrew Friedman—the team’s president of baseball operations—could look to buy on the trade market, and it’s rather vast:

By Monday’s deadline, Friedman could come back from trade shopping with an outfielder, a relief pitcher, maybe a reliably healthy arm for the starting rotation. But he has said he is focusing on ‘elite-level players,’ and frankly that ought to mean a starting pitcher for whom seven innings is an expectation, not a celebration.

It really speaks to the quality of the roster in place that the team remains in contention despite the needs. Ditto for the team apparently being comfortable with letting go of Yasiel Puig in a deal, according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

Per Stark, the Dodgers had dangled Puig in a potential three-way deal featuring other major names:

With the Dodgers apparently disappointed in one of the team’s biggest names at the plate and unsure how well Kershaw will play upon his return, not to mention whether he can carry the entire staff, the team makes sense as buyers.

All the Dodgers have to do is strike a deal. Or two.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

High-profile targets abound as MLB inches toward the Monday trade deadline. 

The Aroldis Chapman deal was a fun way to start. The San Diego Padres shipping away Andrew Cashner, Colin Rea and Tayron Guerrero to the Miami Marlins for prospects Josh Naylor and Luis Castillo, among others, provided additional fireworks, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

In hindsight, those deals might pale in comparison to what could come. The rumors flying around fall into the “possible” category, sure, but if they come to fruition, it’s going to change the hierarchy of the league right away, if not for a long time.

With such a theme in mind and the main course likely still ahead, here’s the latest off the rumor mill.

Yasiel Puig on the Block?

The Los Angeles Dodgers might have had enough of Yasiel Puig.

Puig’s name has been all over the place as of late, in large part thanks to alleged talks between the Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds surrounding Jay Bruce. 

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports provided the context:

That doesn’t mean the deal is dead in the water, and it especially doesn’t mean fans can expect to stop hearing Puig’s name.

According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, Puig’s name coming up in talks isn’t anything new:

What’s with the potential change of heart?

The outfielder is 25 years old now and has a slash line of .254/.315/.375 with seven homers and 32 RBI. Each number is the worst of his career, so the front office might want to unload him while his value remains somewhat high. If the Dodgers believe it’s all downhill from here, he’s liable to end up in a deal soon.

Puig still has plenty of value for teams in need, so long as his body can hold up. He’s dealing with hamstring issues for the second season in a row, and by the sounds of the rumblings, the Dodgers might be tired of waiting to see if he can stay on the field.

Mets in on Jonathan Lucroy

The Jonathan Lucroy sweepstakes continues to heat up.

He has plenty of value, so it makes sense the selling Milwaukee Brewers (45-56) want to capitalize and get a nice return with the future in mind.

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets have offered catcher Travis d’Arnaud as bait in a potential deal for Lucroy. He explained why the Mets are so hot after the streaking catcher:

The Mets baseball operations department continues to believe the club will hit better with runners in scoring position, which has been the main plague to the offense this year. The .204 mark going into Friday would be the third worst in history. But the front office feels they just can’t operate on that belief and have to try to upgrade the offense if possible.

Lucroy would provide a welcome boost in that regard. He’s batting .300/.360/.484 with 13 homers and 50 RBI this year—a huge improvement from his 2015 totals of .264/.326/.391, seven homers and 43 RBI.

As Sherman mentions, though, it’s hard to know if the Brewers want prospects in return or d’Arnaud. The 27-year-old catcher has a .238 average this year with two homers and 10 RBI. The real issue is his ability to stay on the field, as he’s appeared in more than 67 games just once in his four-year career.

By the sound of it, the Mets are willing to meet whatever price the Brewers want for Lucroy. Which, of course, is exactly what a struggling team wants to hear when it needs as many assets as possible to build for the future.

Rangers “All Over” Vince Velasquez

Hanging onto a four-game advantage over the Houston Astros in the American League West, the Texas Rangers want to make a move to improve the pitching staff at the deadline.

As a result, the Rangers have targeted 24-year-old Vince Velasquez of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal was first on the scene for this one:

Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly followed with further context, revealing talks had progressed after Velasquez took the mound Friday:

A major league source told CSNPhilly.com that the Phillies and Texas Rangers are “pretty deep” in trade discussions involving Velasquez. The Rangers, the source said, also have some interest in Jeremy Hellickson, who pitches for the Phillies on Saturday night, but he appears to be a secondary target 

Any interest in Velasquez shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Not only is he young, but he’s in just his second season in the majors and has shown a marked improvement over his campaign with the Astros last year.

Over 18 games, Velasquez boasts a 3.32 ERA with 108 strikeouts and an 8-3 record. Those are decent numbers for a youngster who is on a team that is 15 games out of first place in the National League East.

One way or another, it sounds like the Rangers will poach someone from the Phillies staff. Who remains the question, though Texas hopes it is Velasquez.

The Rangers had better act fast, because it’s hard to imagine other teams won’t have an interest in testing the waters now that Velasquez’s name is out there.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It’s all about the pitching on the MLB trade rumors market.

The Chicago Cubs kicked off the festivities with the addition of Aroldis Chapman. It was a surefire sign the march to the deadline would be a wild one with major names headed to new places.

The rumors that are making the rounds now confirm this idea, with big teams such as the New York Yankees and big names such as James Shields getting involved in the buzz.

And that’s a brief sampling. Here’s everything to know about the rumors market with the Aug. 1 deadline on the horizon.

Notable Hurlers Available

Chapman was one of the biggest names available, but he’s far from the last.

Try Shields. Although he’s in the middle of an iffy season overall with the Chicago White Sox, he’s on fire at just the right time if the team hopes to move him for assets.

With the way he’s playing, it’s going to be hard for contenders to say no. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi revealed the White Sox have put him on the block:

ESPN Stats & Info provided even more info about Shields’ epic tear:

Granted, Shields is 34 years old and has a 5-12 record with a 4.68 ERA. There are some weird contractual things going on as well, with the San Diego Padres handling some of his cash this year.

Still, if contenders want to nab a red-hot pitcher, Shields looks like the right guy.

So does Edinson Volquez.

The Miami Marlins have an interest in the Kansas City Royals pitcher alongside two other names (Matt Shoemaker and Julio Teheran), according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Volquez is the focus here, as the 33-year-old hurler might be the most affordable and potent of the trio. His 8-8 mark with a 4.56 ERA doesn’t look amazing, but a better situation could do him wonders.

It’s unclear if Kansas City would deal Volquez. Call it part of the fun—and reinforcement of the idea that endless rental options exist on the market for hungry buyers.

Yankees Still Selling?

If a team wants to rip Andrew Miller from the New York Yankees, it will have to do so fast.

According to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, New York will pick up the phone but probably take its time with the process.

The Yankees are taking offers on Miller and this will probably play out in the same way the Chapman talks did: If some team makes a suitable offer, general manager Brian Cashman will take the proposal to the Yankees’ ownership, which will say yea or nay. 

Translation: A buyer had better get the best possible offer in fast and hope the plodding Yankees travel through the proper channels before the deadline passes.

Miller hasn’t done potential buyers any favors, having already converted both of his two save attempts with Chapman out of the picture. This means he has nine on the season alongside a 1.39 ERA with 77 strikeouts.

Before New York dealt Chapman, Olney’s colleague, Jerry Crasnick, reported the San Francisco Giants had an interest in both names. With the Yankees now leaning on Miller, though, chances are the price has gone up.

It’s a race against the clock for any team that is willing to meet what the Yankees want.

Jonathan Lucroy Back on Rumor Mill

Jonathan Lucroy returns to the market as things begin to wind down.

It’s not much of a surprise for anyone familiar with the Milwaukee Brewers. He’s always seemed like a strong trade candidate, and his value has skyrocketed back up after a pedestrian 2015 campaign.

This year, Lucroy has a .300/.361/.486 slash line with 13 homers and 50 RBI through 93 games. Each number is an improvement on his 2015 totals despite playing in 103 games.

The sky seems the limit for Lucroy this year, and Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal heard the New York Mets have entered the frame again:

The Mets still fancy themselves a threat at third place in the National League East at 53-48, 6.5 games off the lead.

Catcher seems a weak point in New York too, with Travis d’Arnaud batting .246 over 37 appearances and Rene Rivera .234 over 30.

With the Brewers sitting on a 44-56 record and 16.5 games back in the National League Central, it’s going to take quality farm prospects and maybe a little more to pry Lucroy away from the team.

Call it the perfect way to figure out how much the Mets consider their roster with the addition of Lucroy to be a contender in the National League.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Chicago Cubs made the big splash everyone waits for each year, but the MLB trade rumors market is far from shuttered. 

Call the Cubs wrangling Aroldis Chapman from the New York Yankees, according to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, more of an appetizer than anything.

Why? The rumors market hasn’t slowed, and in an environment where the Cubs act as buyers and the Yankees sellers, anything seems possible. With the majority of the league angling for improvement now or in the long run, it makes for a juicy stew.

Here’s a taste of what might come next based on the latest rumblings out of the rumors department.

Jay Bruce

The Cincinnati Reds are obvious sellers. The team with a mismanaged shot at competing now looks to salvage assets from its notable talent.

Cincinnati sits at 39-61, a good 20.5 games out of first place in the National League Central, a division dominated the right way by those Cubs. One of the first major selling points out of the Queen City seems obvious—Jay Bruce.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick revealed the Reds are well on the way to shipping him away:

A high-profile prospect is the only way for the Reds to go. The team isn’t competing anytime soon, so boosting the system and thinking of the future makes sense, especially with Cincinnati likely being unable to keep Bruce around once he hits free agency next offseason.

His heading to free agency makes the asking price tricky, though. Now 29 years old, Bruce would usually require a ton of assets. He’s refurbished his career a tad this season, averaging .271 at the plate with 24 homers and 78 RBI. He averaged .226 or worse in each of the past two seasons.

A contender won’t mind giving up what it takes to get a slugger like Bruce right now, though the contender that believes it can keep him around a long time will offer even more. It’s hard to imagine the potential bidding war remains limited to four teams.

Dodgers’ Pursuit of Chris Sale

How badly do the Los Angeles Dodgers want to acquire the Chicago White Sox’s Chris Sale?

The desperation is bad enough to float coveted prospect Julio Urias out there.

Los Angeles whiffed last year, refusing to give up whatever it took to land Cole Hamels. Fine, but when you add in the loss of Zack Greinke, Clayton Kershaw looks pretty lonely when healthy.

This year the Dodgers seem ready to learn from their mistakes. They’re apparently willing to go all the way to land Sale, should he become available, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

“But I have heard if that changes, the Dodgers would be more aggressive with Sale than they were with Hamels, up to including top prospect, lefty Julio Urias, to front a strong package. The Dodgers would not include Urias for Hamels last July,” Sherman wrote.

Sale is worth the steep cost. He’s under team control through 2019 and all of 27 years old, boasting a 3.18 ERA with 129 strikeouts and a 14-3 record. Urias doesn’t compare stat-wise (4.69 ERA over nine appearances), but he’s 19 years old with tremendous upside.

There are layers to this willingness by the Dodgers. Kershaw remains on the shelf with a back issue and isn’t a sure thing after 2018 thanks to contractual options. Maybe the Dodgers land Sale but Kershaw doesn’t return this year—that’s disappointing, but next season would looks great.

This hinges on Chicago’s willingness to cut Sale loose. With how serious the Dodgers seem about not striking out two deadlines in a row, the likelihood of this coming to fruition seems a little better.

Yankees Still Selling?

It’s an odd world when the Yankees act as sellers, but so it goes for a 52-48 team that sits fourth in the American League East, 6.5 games off the pace.

With Chapman gone, it sounds like the brass in New York mean to move Ivan Nova, who the team has “been pushing” in conversations for a while now, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News spoke with a source about the Yankees’ plan: “They’re focused on him. They’re looking at the guys with expiring contracts first—though not Beltran right now.”

Perhaps most interesting, though, is the revelation the Yankees seem to want a lot in return for the 29-year-old starter.

“They’re shooting high, but it’s early,” the source said, per Feinsand. “They know what the pitching market looks like right now and they’re trying to capitalize on that.”

It’s true the market for starters is quite rough. Is it enough to mitigate Nova’s issues? It’s tough to say. He’s sitting on a 4.65 ERA, 72 strikeouts and a 7-5 record. A team in need of a back-end rotational guy might come calling, but New York’s high asking price makes for a sticky situation.

If the Yankees and a buyer can find common ground, the latter would get a low-risk player who hits free agency in the offseason. If Nova strengthens a lineup, it’s hard to complain.

Kudos to the Yankees for seeing a market, admitting their flaws this year and going after it.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It’s the Chris Sale show during this wild MLB trade rumors season. 

Sale might dominate the headlines right now because he took scissors to throwback jerseys and got sent home (no joke), according to Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports, but more importantly, he’s one of the biggest names on the market. 

With sellers hoping to improve for the future and contenders looking to take a more narrow focus and fight for a title now, Sale is one piece of a wide-reaching puzzle.  

Here are a few players and teams to watch as the trade deadline approaches.

Chris Sale Watch

The Sale saga didn’t need much more in the way of interest before he allegedly decided to chop up some jerseys.

In fact, the odd turn of events helped overshadow quite the report from Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, who broke down the Chicago White Sox’s asking price and reasoning:

Word going around is that the Chisox are seeking ‘five top prospects’ for Sale. While that sounds like a lot in an era where teams are reluctant to surrender any prospects, Sale is not only acknowledged as one of the very best pitchers in baseball, but he has a very reasonable contract and is only 27 years old with no hint of arm issues.

Not only is Sale worth every bit of the asking price, but the White Sox will probably get it.

Recent incident or not, Sale is only 27 years old and boasts a 14-3 record with a 3.18 ERA. He’s struck out 129 batters, so he’s well on his way to a fourth consecutive season with 208 or more fanned batters.

Not only does Heyman mention the Boston Red Sox as a team to watch in regard to Sale, but MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan brought up the Texas Rangers:

Both teams offer potential deals to watch ahead of the deadline. When it comes to the asking price, both franchises stick out because they boast strong farm systems and have enough to pry the affordable Sale away from the White Sox.

That would explain why the two have already had apparent talks with Chicago. Now it’s a matter of seeing if either franchise will gut the systems to acquire him.

Rangers-Rays Dance

Speaking of the Rangers, Heyman also brought them up recently when providing details about a potential deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. 

From the sound of it, the Rays don’t mind dealing some starting pitching to the Rangers, but only if the team gets back infielder Jurickson Profar in a deal.

No dice. Here’s MLB Network’s Jon Morosi:

A staring contest works. So does tug of war.

To be fair, Profar is worth the debate. He’s only 23 years old and sitting on a .290/.344/.414 slash line. Those are the best numbers of his career, and he also has four homers and 14 RBI.

The Rays don’t sound like they’re being cooperative here if they hope to land such a high-upside guy. They should be willing to surrender Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore, who have posted 4.10 and 4.31 ERA numbers, respectively, over 20 or more starts.

Moore and Odorizzi seem like major targets for the Rangers, should the asking price for Sale or Andrew Cashner go too high, per Sullivan:

Chris Archer is the biggest name, though, with his 4.60 ERA and league-leading 147 strikeouts. But it seems clear the asking price would be too much for the strikeout machine if the Rays want Profar back in a deal for guys with perceived lesser trade value.

Texas has more options, so it will be interesting to see which side, if any, blinks and gets something done here.

Andrew Cashner‘s Market

Cashner came up for a reason. 

He’s rivaling Sale in the rumors market right now, and the Rangers aren’t the only team with interest in the San Diego Padres star.

According to Heyman, the San Francisco Giants took the temperature:

Add the Los Angeles Dodgers to the list of teams in on Sale, by the way.

But this is about Cashner. He’s 29 years old with a 4.79 ERA and 61 strikeouts. He can act as a quality second or third starter on a contender. The Giants might have more of a need in the bullpen, but grabbing Cashner in a deal wouldn’t hurt.

The same goes for the Miami Marlins, who also sound in on Cashner, according to Morosi:

Miami is the major team to watch here when it comes to potential deals. The Marlins’ ability to add a quality starter behind Jose Fernandez would work wonders for their title chances, which means giving up the haul the Padres desire isn’t out of the question.

In fact, based on such logic, this deal seems a matter of when, not if. The Marlins are 4.5 games behind the Washington Nationals in the National League East, and striking such a deal would go a long way toward helping them steal the slot.

Other teams might kick the tires, but the Padres-Marlins dance is the one to put under the microscope.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

It’s time for MLB teams to make a decision. 

With August getting closer, teams on the brink of the postseason have to decide whether it’s time to make a move for the present or for the future.

The future means a front office throws up the proverbial white flag and sells off assets to teams with different ideas. It means securing spots of need for the long-term outlook and trying again at a later date, what some would call the smart approach.

Those teams deciding to go with the present and search for upgrades have decided the core in place is good enough to compete for a title, especially if they can sell off future assets to fill a niche need.

Let’s take a look at a few notable names on the hunt for upgrades.

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians seem to have it all.

Sitting on a 56-38 mark, the biggest complaint in Cleveland might be the reliever situation. It’s likely a topic of discussion with the Milwaukee Brewers, alongside another major name.

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided the details:

Jonathan Lucroy would be the point of emphasis here.

Now 30 years old, Lucroy is in the midst of a very strong season, sitting on a .304/.361/.490 slash line, all better numbers than last year. He’s also hit 12 homers and knocked in 48 runs.

Cleveland isn’t weak at Lucroy‘s spot per se, but if his name comes up it would be silly to shrug it off. He’s in the last year of a deal, so Cleveland could perhaps get him back under contract to terms they see fit, or simply rent him for a title push.

When it comes to relief pitchers, Will Smith and Tyler Thornburg might be the names to know. The former has a 2.00 ERA with 16 strikeouts over 18 innings, while the latter has a 2.39 ERA with 52 strikeouts and a pair of saves over 37.2 innings. Both are 27 years old.

No matter what comes of the rumblings, it’s clear Cleveland will remain on the hunt for help. Other teams might swoop in for some of the players mentioned, but it won’t dissuade the Indians from seeking help in critical areas.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs seem like the biggest buyers at the deadline. 

There’s no shock in that. The Cubs sit on a 57-37 mark but are just .500 over their last 10 games. The St. Louis Cardinals are only 6.5 games behind in the NL Central and have won seven of their last 10 outings.

It’s not panic mode by any means, but the situation helps to explain why the Cubs seem in the mix for help at the plate and on the mound.

According to Julie DiCaro of 670 The Score, though, the Cubs don’t seem poised to do a deal with the New York Yankees:

New York isn’t going to give up Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman for cheap. The former has appeared in 40 games and posted a silly 1.31 ERA with 70 fanned batters. The latter has pitched 29 times and posted a 2.22 ERA with 40 strikeouts.

Everybody seems to want a piece of Kyle Schwarber, the 23-year-old outfielder who hit .246/.355/.487 last year for the Cubs with 16 homers and 43 RBI. Chicago, though, seems to have drawn a line in the sand, not wanting to sell the young slugger for a reliever.

For now.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi expanded on the sort of help the Cubs might look for at the plate:

Cubs president Theo Epstein knows a thing or two about Reddick after drafting him to the Boston Red Sox back in 2006.

Epstein will understand loud and clear that Reddick‘s .300/.378/.441 slash line, six home runs and 23 RBI are frustrating numbers at best for the 29-year-old outfielder, who has only been able to appear in 60 games so far.

The problem for the Cubs? The Oakland Athletics understand how valuable Reddick is and won’t let him slip away for less than what he’s worth simply due to an injury-riddled campaign.

With Reddick another player poised to hit free agency this winter, the Cubs might find it unrealistic to give up a major haul for what could be a half-season rental, especially given the team’s stance on giving away Schwarber so far.

But that’s what makes the push to the deadline so interesting. Chicago could wind up as one of those teams who plays it conservative right up until the deadline, then swings for the proverbial fences out of nowhere.

No matter how it pans out, it’s best not to blink when it comes to the Cubs, given their impact moves or lack thereof could heavily impact the title chase.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

July means sellers reign supreme in Major League Baseball. 

That rings true at least from an attention standpoint, as teams that are out of contention are ready to turn an eye to the future and make a splash. It’s not the most difficult thing to pull off, either, not with so many contenders willing to take the bait each year.

For contenders, these sellers represent one last chance to round out the perfect title roster. Maybe the Tampa Bay Rays don’t pull off a jaw-dropping move such as dealing Evan Longoria, but contenders can still find a niche role player.

Here’s a look at what the rumors market suggests notable sellers are up to as August approaches.

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins sit dead last in the American League Central at 34-59 and have just 14 wins away from home this year.

It should go without saying that the Twins seem like major sellers ahead of the deadline. Sure, they have had hot streaks here and there, but only a continued surge can seemingly stop players such as Ervin Santana, Trevor Plouffe and Ricky Nolasco from hitting the block.

Count the Boston Red Sox as a team that is eyeing Santana. According to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, the two sides have talked:

The Twins and Red Sox have talked trade in recent weeks, but so far the teams ‘aren’t a great match at this point,’ said a person that had been briefed on those talks.

The Red Sox were among the teams that scouted Santana, who still has two seasons at $13.5 million a year left on his four-year contract. Coming off a two-hit, complete-game shutout in his final start of the first half, the veteran right-hander would be exactly the sort of piece contenders would seek this winter, when the free-agent class for starting pitching figures to be unusually thin.

The last bit of the report helps to explain why the Red Sox wouldn’t mind making a move right now for Santana.

Santana, 33, sits on a 4.12 ERA with 73 strikeouts and a 3-8 record, no thanks to the team around him. Gone are the sub-4.00 ERA campaigns as of late with the Kansas City Royals (2013) and Atlanta Braves (2014).

This potential trade will come down to whether management in Minnesota believes the current crop of young players can develop into a contender in a few years. If not, expect the Red Sox to get a little more dangerous as the chase in the AL East heats up.

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies won’t catch the San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West—not while sitting on a 43-50 record and being 13.5 games out.

Contenders in need have to be rubbing their hands together.

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball noted in early July the Rockies might have an interest in moving outfielder Charlie Blackmon. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi just followed up by naming one of the teams with an apparent interest:

Those stats help to illustrate why the Washington Nationals—first in the NL East at 56-38—would pluck a player from Colorado.

Blackmon looks like the right fit on paper. He’s only 30 years old and has another stellar campaign on his hands so far, going for a .307/.370/.484 slash line with 12 homers and 43 RBI.

Heading for arbitration next year, per Spotrac, Blackmon will morph into one of the hottest names on the market once teams realize he might be available. Washington seems to have a head start, but it wouldn’t be much of a shock to see Colorado host a bidding war.

The Rockies have some interesting talent in the pipelines, but it’s clear that management won’t hesitate to get more assets back out of a formula that is not working.

The Teams Miami Targets

The Miami Marlins have the right idea—target the Philadelphia Phillies (43-52), San Diego Padres (41-52) and New York Yankees (47-46).

Maybe some of those teams don’t view themselves as sellers, but the Marlins have taken such a stance. And why not, with the team sitting second behind the Nationals in the NL East at 51-42?

According to Morosi, Miami has a target in mind from each squad:

Let’s work down the list.

Philadelphia’s Jeremy Hellickson is 29 years old with a 4.03 ERA and 98 strikeouts. It’s his first year with the Phillies, but the team that seems to always act as sellers now likely won’t mind moving him for the right price.

Andrew Cashner, 29, out in San Diego is another interesting name. He’s the owner of a 5.05 ERA with 53 fanned batters. His numbers are down, but keep in mind he boasts a career 3.74 ERA with 78.4 strikeouts on average.

The Yankees would be the team that is most unlikely to consider itself a seller. Michael Pineda is 27 and has struggled to a 5.56 ERA and 3-9 record, though he’s struck out 119 batters. He has a career 4.02 ERA with 126.8 strikeouts on average, though, so it’s easy to see why New York might want to keep him.

Either way, it’s no surprise to see the Marlins on the hunt for a starter. The team has a strong 3.98 ERA, but three starters sit at 4.68 or worse. Getting an improved arm would keep the team in the hunt for a playoff bid, and from there, anything can happen. The deeper the quality of the rotation, the better.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The MLB just got interesting. 

Not that it wasn’t before, but things really kick up now with the All-Star break in the rear view, a summer of trades and teams jockeying for postseason position right down the road.

While a notable team like the New York Yankees might be close to getting off on an exit along the way, it could throw them right into the land of major trades with sellers looking to dump talent and contenders looking to gobble it up.

From Carlos Gonzalez to Evan Longoria and more, there’s plenty in the way of major notes MLB fans should understand as the march toward the postseason continues.

Carlos Gonzalez Watch

The Colorado Rockies know all about getting subjected to rumor after rumor, mostly thanks to the aforementioned Gonzalez.

Six games under .500 and third in the National League West, the Rockies once again enter the fray as a team finally perhaps ready to move on from Gonzalez, who has been with the team since 2009.

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal revealed (37-second mark) the Rockies have once again received calls and offers on Gonzalez, but the front office hasn’t gone out of its way to pursue anything so far.

This meshes well with strong public denials about a trade meeting earlier this month from general manager Jeff Bridich, according to SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo.

The Rockies have made unexpected trades in the past, but Gonzalez is still just 30 years old and rolling right along with a .318/.367/.548 slash line with 19 homers and 56 RBI. For the most part, he seems on pace for another strong campaign even if the team isn’t performing as well as the front office might like.

It could change in an instant, but for now, the Rockies don’t sound like a team willing to deal a core piece.

Dodgers-Rays Trade?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays might want to strike a deal.

This is simple enough. The Dodgers sit well ahead of the Rockies in the NL West at 52-42, hoping to keep pace with the San Francisco Giants, a team sitting 5.5 games ahead. The Rays, on the other hand, sit dead last in the American League East at 35-57, a full 18.5 games out of first place.

MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi cited sources saying the two teams are engaged in talks, referencing Los Angeles’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, as the catalyst thanks to his past role as Tampa Bay’s general manager.

On the topic of Longoria, Morosi wrote the following: “Based on information from sources over the past several days, I believe there’s a low probability of the Dodgers acquiring Longoria before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline.”

On one hand, it’s easy to see why the Rays would keep the 30-year-old slugger around. He’s going for .289/.338/.543 this year with 21 homers and 50 RBI—an epic tear for a guy who hasn’t shown any signs of slowing.

On the other hand, as Morosi noted, no team would scoff at Longoria‘s contract, and Tampa Bay getting out of the biggest contract in franchise history could turn out to be a smart decision in the long run.

Also of note is the fact Longoria‘s value may never be higher. Given trading for players with long deals doesn’t happen often, Tampa Bay might decide to throw in the proverbial towel and strike a deal now. It’ll hurt the team and fans to lose one of MLB’s most recognizable faces, but so it goes.

The Dodgers can only hope the Rays see the logic.

Cleveland Wants Andrew Miller?

It’s easy to name the Cleveland Indians’ biggest weakness this year because there’s only one: a left-handed reliever. 

The Indians sit on a 54-38 mark in the AL Central and have a mind to pluck talent from the middling, .500 Yankees. An odd role reversal, but it is what it is, as Rosenthal pointed out:

This is far from the first time Andrew Miller has come up in trade rumors, with Bill Ladson of MLB.com also recently noting the Washington Nationals have an interest in his services, as well as Aroldis Chapman’s. Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball said the Chicago Cubs do as well.

What’s the hype with Miller? At 31 years old, he’s putting up one of the best years of his career, sitting on a 1.31 ERA with seven saves over 41.1 innings pitched. According to Spotrac, he’s also only boasting a base salary of $9 million over two more years after the current campaign.

Odds are the Yankees don’t cough up such a talent unless a trade offer blows the front office out of the water, meaning the Indians will have to come with a major offering.

It’s up to the Indians to make the call. The current composition of the roster has the team reaping the benefits of smart moves over the years. Messing with it and perhaps dishing a key part to bring Miller on board could hurt the winning equation.

Then again, pitching wins titles. If it comes to a bidding war for Miller’s services at the deadline, expect the Indians to remain right in the thick of it.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com