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Atlanta Braves outfielder Matt Kemp, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres on Saturday in exchange for Hector Olivera, complimented his new city while simultaneously taking a shot at Los Angeles and San Diego on Tuesday.

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With the New York Yankees purging themselves of many veteran stars before the MLB‘s non-waiver trade deadline Monday, Alex Rodriguez‘s future remains up in the air.

Continue for updates.

Rodriguez a Candidate to be Released During 2016 Season

Tuesday, Aug. 2

According to Peter Botte and Christian Red of the New York Daily News, “While the more likely scenario still seems to be parting ways with A-Rod over the winter, a source familiar with the situation told the Daily News on Monday that there’s a chance releasing the slumping DH ‘could happen’ before the end of this season as part of the team’s ongoing overhaul.” 

Wallace Matthews of ESPN.com added context, noting there was “no chance” the veteran slugger would be waived to make room for elite catching prospect Gary Sanchez. 

That wouldn’t come as a huge surprise. The Yankees clearly indicated they were in rebuilding mode after trading relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, starting pitcher Ivan Nova and slugger Carlos Beltran before the deadline, per Billy Witz of the New York Times.

Ostensibly, that offers the Yankees the opportunity to open up playing time for a number of exciting, young prospects. Players like Rodriguez would stand in the way of giving those prospects playing time, however, making the possibility of his release seem realistic.

“I hope not,” Rodriguez told the Daily News when told there was a chance of his release. “I want to play and think I can make a difference on the field and in the clubhouse.”

General manager Brian Cashman noted that Rodriguez was a part of the team’s current plans, however, per Botte and Red:

A-Rod is a choice for our manager and coaching staff as they try to dissect every day what’s the best lineup to put out there. He’s going to do everything he continues to do to try to put himself in a position to succeed and then leave the decision making to the field staff if there’s opportunities to play or not.

The answer to that’s easy, I guess. We evaluate everything on a daily and weekly basis. We’re always trying to do the right thing. We’re always trying to do the best thing. Nothing has changed there.

Certainly, there are financial reasons to keep Rodriguez around. He’s still owed a guaranteed $21 million next season and the remainder of his salary this year. 

Struggling Rodriguez Coming to End of Road 

From a performance standpoint, however, Rodriguez has struggled. He’s hitting just .205 with nine home runs and 29 RBI entering Tuesday’s action. He’s hitting just .196 against right-handed pitching and was given only 37 at-bats in July, hitting .135 in the month with a homer and two RBI.

Either way, his days with the Yankees seem numbered. If the team decides to give younger prospects more playing time and A-Rod becomes disgruntled, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Yankees cut ties this season. Otherwise, it still seems most likely the team will move on from the veteran over the winter, as Botte and Red suggested.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig on Monday did not travel with the team to Denver for its three-game series against the Colorado Rockies, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The series is set to begin Tuesday.

Puig’s agent, Adam Katz, released the following statement to Rosenthal:

I’m told he was not at the park. The club informed me and the player understood clearly that they were making every effort to trade him and that if they were unable to come to terms with another club on a trade—and successful in acquiring another outfielder—that he likely would be demoted. My understanding is that transaction will happen tomorrow.

Rosenthal had previously reported Puig “stormed off” upon hearing the news, though he later noted Puig was told not to get on the plane.

Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman declined to comment on the situation, according to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times.

Puig’s future with the Dodgers certainly seems to be in jeopardy after the team acquired outfielder Josh Reddick on Monday, as “club officials had maintained that they would trade Puig only if they added another outfielder, but they did not find a taker,” per Rosenthal.

On Sunday, Puig had a measured response to trade rumors.

“If they decide to trade me, then I’ll have to go to another team and work hard there,” he told Bill Shaikin of the Times. “I just came to this country to play baseball.

“I would like to stay here. But I also understand this is a business. You never know where you are going to end up.”

As Jon Morosi of MLB Network noted, there’s another possible outcome:

Mike Petriello of MLB.com thinks if Puig were put on waivers, he’d likely wind up in a new city:

It’s been a wild ride for Puig. He was one of baseball’s darlings during his rookie year, when he hit .319 with 19 home runs in just 104 games. But his numbers have mostly declined since.

Puig has also reportedly rubbed teammates the wrong way. His declining production, along with questions about his effort, focus and ability to coexist with his teammates, have long made him the subject of trade rumors.

But Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports doesn’t see Puig being dealt:

It’s just as possible that Puig’s reported storming off is the last straw for the Dodgers, who could place him on waivers. Depending on whether he is claimed, Puig could then be kept by Los Angeles, demoted, traded, released or scooped up by another team, which would take on his contract.

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One word encapsulated the MLB trade deadline Monday: mayhem.

Several trades took on multiple iterations before being finalized, a slew of top players changed teams and a few squads dramatically upgraded their rosters.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports perhaps summed it up best:

For a full list of Monday’s moves, be sure to check out Bleacher Report’s MLB Trade Deadline Tracker.

The deadline bedlam centered on a New York Mets-Cincinnati Reds trade that included Jay Bruce and seemed like a done deal before it hit some bumps in the road.

The original swap would have sent Bruce to the Mets for a package of prospects that included 23-year-old outfielder Brandon Nimmo, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.

It hit a snag in the afternoon, however, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today:

The Mets, though, were the only suitor for Bruce with the framework of a deal in place, as Passan reported:

And then the trade changed altogether, per the Mets:

“The only thing to do now is go play baseball,” Bruce said of being traded, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. “I’m a baseball player, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

But the Bruce saga didn’t provide the only deadline intrigue.

The Los Angeles Dodgers swung a huge deal, acquiring slugger Josh Reddick and starter Rich Hill from the Oakland Athletics for pitching prospects Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas, per the team.

Andy McCullough ‏of the Los Angeles Times broke down the prospects heading to Oakland:

The Dodgers upgraded their roster without giving up their top prospects, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post noted:

On the other hand, both Reddick and Hill are set for free agency after the season, which Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times couldn’t ignore:

That trade presented another question: Would Yasiel Puig be on the move?

Rosenthal and Buster Olney of ESPN suggested that acquiring Reddick opened the door for a Puig trade:

The Dodgers didn’t trade Puig, and he wasn’t the only big name who wasn’t moved, as Passan joked:

The New York Yankees continued to be sellers, meanwhile, sending Carlos Beltran to the Texas Rangers in exchange for 2015 No. 4 overall pick Dillon Tate and two other prospects, Erik Swanson and Nick Green, according to Jack Curry of YES Network.

It was a great deal for both teams, per Passan:

Passan added the “Yankees are in better position with money, prospects than they’ve been in decade-plus.”

Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball liked the veteran presences of Beltran and Adrian Beltre in Texas:

The Rangers also nabbed catcher Jonathan Lucroy and closer Jeremy Jeffress in exchange for top prospects Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz, per T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

“Thank you, Brewers fans, for everything!” Lucroy tweeted Monday afternoon. “Nothing but love and respect from our family. You will always have a special place in our hearts!”

He added: “Now, moving on to the Rangers. Let’s take this bad boy to the ‘ship! Really excited and can’t wait to get after it!”

Monday’s haul put Texas in excellent position, per Passan:

Then there were the San Francisco Giants, who paid a big price to acquire reliever Will Smith from the Brewers, giving up starting pitcher Phil Bickford and catcher Andrew Susac, per Fox Sports.

ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reported the Giants were ready for the fallout after they traded their top prospect:

San Francisco continued to bolster its pitching Monday, landing starter Matt Moore, according to Passan:

Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer couldn’t believe the Giants pulled off the deal—and the backlash that followed:

All in all, it was a wild day.

The Mets, Dodgers, Rangers and Giants all made big moves in pursuit of the World Series, albeit perhaps at the expense of their farm systems. Texas looks to have improved the most, while the Mets made a much-needed upgrade to the middle of their lineup and the Dodgers bettered their outfield and starting rotation.

The next question is just how much the trade deadline will affect the postseason. Will the teams that sacrificed vaunted prospects for short-term additions reap rewards? Or will fanbases lament the losses of those prospects while their teams falls short?

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The Boston Red Sox reportedly acquired left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for right-handed pitcher Pat Light on Monday, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. 

Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball was the first to report the news, noting the deal is “pending medicals.”

Abad, 30, is 1-4 this season with a 2.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 34.0 innings pitched. He also has six holds and a save and has held left-handed hitters to a .163 average this season. 

Light, 25, has gone 1-1 with a 2.32 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and seven saves in 31.0 innings pitched at Triple-A Pawtucket this year. He also has a fastball that has hit 100 mph in the past, per Berardino. He isn’t a top prospect but is ranked highly within Boston’s farm system:

Abad, meanwhile, will add much-needed depth to a bullpen that has seen both Craig Kimbrel and Koji Uehara miss significant time this season, though Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald thinks the team should continue bolstering the roster:

With Kimbrel returning but Uehara still out of action, Abad will likely play a major role in the seventh and eighth innings for Boston alongside Junichi Tazawa. Either pitcher may be utilized as the setup man depending on the opposing team’s lineup. 

If nothing else, Abad gives the Red Sox a specialist against left-handed hitters, as he’s been superb in that capacity in 2016. With the team mired in a battle for the postseason, Abad was a much-needed addition to a bullpen that has battled through a number of injuries to key players this season.

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New York Mets infielder Jose Reyes was held out of the second game in Tuesday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals after going to the hospital for a Grade 1 intercostal strain on his left side, according to CBS New York.

Continue for updates.

Reyes Isn’t Expected to Miss Significant Time

Wednesday, July 27

Reyes and Mets manager Terry Collins are hopeful that the strained left intercostal muscle will only require Reyes to be out of action for a few days, according to James Wagner of the New York Times.

“We’re going to take it day by day and see what happens,” Reyes said, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Reyes, 33, is hitting .239 with three home runs, eight RBI and three stolen bases in 16 games with the Mets since being called up from the minors on July 5. The team signed him on June 25 shortly after the Colorado Rockies released him the same day. He served a 52-game suspension to start the season after he was arrested in October for allegedly assaulting his wife.

Wilmer Flores will fill in as the team’s third baseman in the meantime. And the Mets are confident he will play well in Reyes’ absence. 

“He’s done a great job,” Collins said of Flores, per Dan Martin of the New York Post. “He is absolutely killing left-handed pitching. When you’re doing that, you’re gonna get a lot of playing time—especially against left-handers.”

Flores has been red-hot in July, hitting .340 with seven home runs, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored in 50 at-bats, so the Mets shouldn’t suffer with Flores temporarily playing an everyday role. 

Meanwhile, Curtis Granderson is sliding into the leadoff spot in the team’s batting order on Wednesday night, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN, and will likely remain there until Reyes returns.

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The Toronto Blue Jays traded reliever Drew Storen and cash considerations to the Seattle Mariners for another reliever in Joaquin Benoit on Tuesday, according to the Mariners’ official PR Twitter account.

Storen, 28, has had his struggles at times with the Blue Jays this season, going 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in 33.1 innings pitched. He’s served primarily as the team’s setup man with Roberto Osuna firmly entrenched as the team’s closer.

Indeed, the past two seasons have been interesting ones for Storen.

After finally being handed the reins to the Washington Nationals closer’s gig for much of last season, Storen responded with 29 saves. But the Nationals traded for Jonathan Papelbon and moved him into the closer’s role, moving Storen back to the ninth inning.

The decision backfired dramatically. Not only did Storen desire to be traded (per James Wagner of the Washington Post) after Papelbon was acquired, but his performance dipped significantly, as he posted an 8.49 ERA in August and a 5.40 ERA in September.

That made his offseason trade to the Blue Jays for outfielder Ben Revere fairly inevitable. It’s a bit more surprising that he’s already been dealt less than a year later, however.

For Seattle, Storen offers the ability to either solidify the closer position—likely his preferred role—or continue to pitch in the setup role in the eighth inning. He’s a veteran arm who has postseason experience and has flashed the ability to be one of the finest relievers in baseball when he’s at his best.

Steve Cishek has done a rather fine job in the closer role for the Mariners, converting 24 of 29 save opportunities with a 2.80 ERA this season.

That means Storen will likely continue to be a setup man as Seattle hopes to bolster its bullpen and climb the American League wild-card standings down the stretch.

Tuesday’s move appears to be a savvy one-on-one swap for the Mariners. They got younger by dealing the 39-year-old Benoit, who’s had struggles of his own with a 5.18 ERA in 2016.

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The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in trading starting pitcher Ivan Nova, according to ESPN The Magazine‘s Buster Olney, who cited rival executives Monday.

Continue for updates.

Nova Next Player to Be Dealt by Yankees

Monday, July 25

After trading closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, Nova is now the “next priority” to be traded, according to Mark Feinsand of New York Daily News. 

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

Orioles, Pirates Among Potential Landing Spots for Nova

Monday, July 25

A National League scout told Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media that the Yankees would probably only be able to get back “a mid-level prospect for Nova or a young piece already in the majors who maybe is a super-utility guy who can play infield and outfield,” adding that the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates would be a good fit for the right-hander.

Nova’s Impending Free Agency Hurts Trade Value 

Indeed, because Nova will become a free agent after the 2016 season, it’s unlikely the Yankees will get a significant return for him in a trade, as he may simply be a rental. But for teams that are looking to bolster their rotation, he could be a nice addition as a fourth or fifth starter.

The scout added: “He is who he is. It’s tough counting on him because of how inconsistent he is, but I would like to be on that if the Yankees were thinking of moving Nova because I think he needs a change of scenery. I think he’s a really good fourth starter.”

Nova, 29, has indeed been inconsistent this year. Overall, he’s gone 7-5 with a 4.65 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched, but he’s been brilliant at times. In his first three starts, he gave up a total of just three runs over 16.1 innings. In his last four starts, he’s given up just seven runs in 23.2 innings. 

In between, he gave up four or more runs in six of his seven starts. In June, he had 7.52 ERA for the month; in July, he’s sporting a 2.66 ERA. Suffice it to say, Nova’s season has been an up-and-down affair. 

The Yankees season has been equally inconsistent, and the team finds itself fourth in the AL East and sixth in the wild-card standings. That has led to speculation that the team may sell before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, which will be fueled by the report that New York dealt closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports and Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

That deal may be the first domino to fall in a pending Yankees fire sale, with players such as Nova potentially following Chapman out of New York.

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With the Los Angeles Angels struggling this season at 43-55 and falling out of the postseason race, the team could become sellers before the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. A player like closer Huston Street could find himself dangled in trade talks and will be an attractive target for teams.

Continue for updates.

Giants Reportedly Interested in Street

Monday, July 25

Street is a potential target for the San Francisco Giants, as the team looks to bolster its bullpen before the trade deadline, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. 

However, as Mark Polishuk of MLBTradeRumors.com wrote: “With around $2.8 million still owed to Street this season and $9 million for 2017, the Angels would surely have to eat a big chunk of that contract to facilitate a deal given Street’s struggles.”

Indeed, Street has been poor this season. The 32-year-old is 3-1 with a 5.03 ERA, 1.93 WHIP, 11 strikeouts and 11 walks in 19.2 innings pitched. He’s notched eight saves in 10 opportunities. 

Those numbers are in stark contrast to what Street accomplished in the previous two seasons, as he accumulated 41 saves in 2014 and 40 saves last year, blowing eight saves in total between the two campaigns. 

Coming into the 2016 season, Street had notched six seasons with at least 25 saves and was established as one of the better closers in baseball. He hasn’t lived up to that reputation this year, however, though suitors needing bullpen help may be hoping that he can rekindle his elite form from years past. 

Street did miss a month with an oblique injury and time in July with a hamstring injury, so he hasn’t been fully healthy in 2016, which could be a factor in his struggles. If he can stay healthy, he would be a nice piece in the bullpen for a team making a postseason run, though inquiring clubs may see him as more of a setup man or late-innings option rather than a closer given his struggles this year.

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Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr. were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday in Cooperstown, New York. It was fitting that the pair would go in together, as they were two of the most captivating players in their generation.   

Piazza, 47, was one the greatest offensive catchers in MLB history. He was a lifetime .308 hitter with 427 home runs, 1,335 RBI and 1,048 runs scored. He was the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year, a 12-time All-Star and won the NL Silver Slugger Award 10 straight years from 1993 to 2002.

He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins (for five games in 1998), New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics. 

MLB shared an image of his Hall of Fame plaque on Twitter:

Longtime baseball writer Peter Gammons broke down his career:

In his Hall of Fame speech, Piazza joked about the differences between himself and Griffey, via Baseball Hall:

He took a moment to praise Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench, via Brian Kenny of MLB Network:

He also thanked Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda.

“He was always there for me like a guardian angel,” he noted, per Baseball Hall.  

He acknowledged the Mets fans in the crowd:

And finally, he had a few words for his father, Vince.

“We made it, Dad,” he said, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. “The race is over. Now is the time to smell the roses.”

Kenny was impressed by Piazza’s speech:

Here are Piazza’s full opening remarks:

Up next was The Kid.

MLB shared his plaque:

Griffey, 46, was one of the best center fielders to ever play the game. He finished his career as a lifetime .284 hitter with 630 home runs (sixth-most in history), 1,836 RBI and 1,662 runs scored. He was the 1997 American League MVP, a 13-time All-Star selection and a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner.

He had stints with the Seattle Mariners (twice) and debuted with the team as a 19-year-old in 1989. He also played for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox.

Griffey’s impact went beyond just his numbers, however, as Kevin Pelton of ESPN tweeted:

Griffey spoke with Harold Reynolds about being voted into the Hall of Fame:

In his speech, it didn’t take long for him to get emotional, as Kenny and Baseball Hall shared:

“He taught me how to play, but more importantly how to be a man,” he said of his father, Ken Griffey Sr., who also played professionally. The pair became the first father-son duo to ever take the field together in 1990 with the Mariners. 

He also called Jay Buhner his favorite teammate. 

“Greatest teammate I ever had,” Griffey said, per Baseball Hall. “He spoke the truth—even when you didn’t want to hear it.”

He also had some love for the Mariners.

“Out of my 22 years, I learned that one team will treat you the best—and that’s your first team,” Griffey said, per Baseball Hall. “I’m very proud to be a Seattle Mariner.”

And he even managed to sneak in his signature look from his playing days: the backward cap, via Cut4. 

Here are Griffey’s full opening remarks:

Whereas Griffey was a top prospect and always expected to be a star, Piazza was the ultimate rags-to-riches story. Griffey was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1987 draft, while the Dodgers selected Piazza with the 1,390th overall pick in 1988.

So while Piazza was a rarity in the sport as an offensive juggernaut and Griffey was a fun, wildly exciting and incredibly gifted athlete, the two couldn’t have had more divergent beginnings on their paths to Cooperstown. 

For that reason, it was fitting for them to reach Cooperstown together. In baseball, the hyped prospect who lives up to expectations and the unknown who shatters them both have the chance to make their impact in the game. 

Griffey and Piazza did just that. 

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