RADIO
The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. Teams looking for a leg up on their competition will be working the phones before the clock strikes 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2. Don't be surprised to see a significant uptick in trades on Monday, then again on Tuesday.
With the deadline almost here, let's dive into the rumors that have circulated as of late.
These rumors only come from credible sources, and each headline is followed by a link to the source, details about the rumor, and analysis on the potential fantasy fallout.
Featured Promo: Get any MLB Premium Pass FREE ($119 value) AND up to a $200 deposit match when you sign up with Rival Fantasy. Rival offers 6 and 12-team Best Ball, weekly and daily contests, for as little as $3 per entry. No roster management, just draft and Rival sets your best lineup automatically. Playing fantasy baseball has never been easier! Sign Up Today!Tuesday - MLB Trade Deadline Updates
Click here on Tuesday morning for the August 2nd rumor tracker, bringing you every crucial nugget of information up until the deadline.
This Evening - MLB Trade Deadline Updates
11:20 p.m. — Braves Acquiring Robbie Grossman
The Braves are acquiring outfielder Robbie Grossman from the Tigers in exchange for pitching prospect Kris Anglin, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Grossman has struggled this season, slashing just .205/.313/.282 with an 11.9 BB%, 28.1 K%, and -0.6 fWAR. He'll fill a bench role for Atlanta, offering value off the bench with his strong .999 OPS against left-handed pitching. However, he should be left on waivers in all leagues. Meanwhile, Anglin is a 20-year-old southpaw who has spent 2022 between Single-A and the Florida Complex League. He does a good job getting strikeouts but needs to cut down on walks. It remains to be seen if he'll be a starter or reliever in the Detroit system.
11:15 p.m. — Noah Syndergaard Market Gaining Clarity
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Noah Syndergaard market is heating up. The Phillies, Blue Jays, and Braves have all shown interest in the Angels starter over the last 48 hours, though the list of suitors could grow beyond those three teams. The recent trades of Jake Odorizzi and Jose Quintana are expected to help set a price tag for Syndergaard.
11:09 p.m. — Dodgers Interested In Pablo Lopez, Offensive Help
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that the Dodgers have shown increased interest in trading for Marlins starter Pablo Lopez ahead of tomorrow's trade deadline. The club also remains in on potential bats, including Joey Gallo, Ian Happ, and Juan Soto. Look for Los Angeles to certainly make at least one splash before the clock strikes 6 p.m.
11:05 p.m. — Astros Acquire Will Smith From Braves For Jake Odorizzi
The Astros and Braves have made a swap of 2021 World Series competitors. FOX 26's Mark Berman reports reliever Will Smith is heading to Houston while starter Jake Odorizzi will pack his bags for Atlanta. Smith, 33, is a southpaw who has appeared in 41 games this season. He owns a solid 9.97 K/9, a shaky 5.11 BB/9, and a respectable 3.95 xERA. With that said, due to a lack of save situations, Smith should be left on fantasy waivers. Odorizzi, meanwhile, will serve a key rotation role for Atlanta. The 32-year-old has made 12 starts this season, going 4-3 with a 3.62 FIP, 6.90 K/9, and 2.55 BB/9. He has been a solid starter for Houston and should continue to have some low-end fantasy relevance in Atlanta.
11:02 p.m. — Brewers Acquire Matt Bush From Rangers
The Brewers have acquired right-handed reliever Matt Bush from the Rangers in exchange for infielder Mark Mathias and left-handed pitcher Antoine Kelly, according to FanSided's Robert Murray. Bush, 36, has appeared in 40 games this season, going 2-1 with 11.05 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and an impressive 2.33 xERA. Despite his strong metrics, Bush's lack of save opportunities means that he should be left on waivers.
Heading the other way, Mathias is a 27-year-old who has experience at all seven positions in the field (excluding pitcher and catcher). He has struggled in limited MLB action but looked great at Triple-A this year, slashing .318/.421/.518 with eight homers, 30 RBI, eight stolen bases, a 152 wRC+, 13.4 BB%, and 23.8 K%. Meanwhile, Kelly is a 22-year-old left-handed starter with a plus fastball and near-elite slider. He has made 19 starts at High-A in 2022, amassing 11.77 K/9, 5.14 BB/9, 0.59 HR/9, and a 45.3 GB%. MLB Pipeline ranked him 16th among Brewers prospects.
10:39 p.m. — Red Sox, Astros Not Done Making Deals
Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and Astros general manager James Click both indicated that their teams aren't done making trades. Bloom told the media, "I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the story here," adding that the team has moe potential trades in the work. Click, meanwhile, said, "We're not done by any means."
10:30 p.m. — Rays, Giants Swap Minor Leaguers
The Rays have acquired minor league right-hander Jeremy Walker from the Giants in exchange for catching prospect Ford Proctor. Walker hasn't pitched in the majors since 2017 with the Braves. At Triple-A this year, the 27-year-old owns 9.68 K/9, 3.82 BB/9, and a 40.4 GB%. He has struggled through 28 games (35.1 innings) out of the bullpen, going 0-4 with a woeful 6.88 ERA and 5.10 FIP. Meanwhile, Proctor has spent most of 2022 behind the dish but has experience at shortstop, too. Through 79 games at Triple-A this season, he is slashing .213/.329/.306 with six homers, a 13.9 BB%, and 30.0 K%. He needs to cut down on strikeouts and produce more quality at-bats in order to be an impact player in the future.
9:43 p.m. — Relief Pitching Notes On Trade Deadline Eve
Let's round up some notes on the relief pitching market. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News believes that Rangers reliever Matt Moore is the team's most likely trade candidate. Meanwhile, Detroit has a lofty asking price for its own reliever, Gregory Soto, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi. Finally, the White Sox acquired Jake Diekman but remain interested in bolstering their bullpen. Bruce Levine of 670 The Score mentions Cubs reliever Mychal Givens as a strong trade candidate for the club.
9:36 p.m. — Cardinals Acquiring Jose Quintana
The Cardinals are finalizing a deal to acquire left-handed starter Jose Quintana and right-handed reliever Chris Stratton from their division-mates, the Pirates. ESPN's Jeff Passan broke the news of the deal. The 33-year-old is having an impressive season, racking up a 3.24 ERA, 7.78 K/9, and 2.71 BB/9 through 20 starts. He also owns an impressive 45.0 GB% and 7.0 HR/FB%. He is currently rostered in just 16 percent of fantasy leagues but should see his value rise slightly following this trade.
Stratton, 31, has tossed 40.2 innings this season, going 4-3 with a pair of saves. He has posted 8.19 K/9, 2.88 BB/9, a 40.6 GB%, and a 3.61 FIP. He'll give the Cardinals bullpen depth down the stretch but shouldn't be rostered in fantasy leagues.
24-year-old right-hander Johan Oviedo is part of the package going back to Pittsburgh, per MLB.com's Francys Romero. He has pitched 50 innings in Triple-A and 25.1 innings in the majors this season, posting similarly strong results at both levels. In St. Louis, he is 2-1 with 9.24 K/9, 2.49 BB/9, an 88.0 LOB%, 43.2 GB%, and 3.06 xERA. His fastball and slider are both plus pitches, and he also throws a solid curveball and changeup. Oviedo came up as a starter and still has the potential to fill a rotation role, but at the very least, he can be a sturdy late-innings option.
The Pirates are also getting 21-year-old infielder Malcom Nunez. He has appeared in 85 games at Double-A this season, slashing .255/.360/.463 with 17 homers, 66 RBI, a 13.7 BB%, and 20.3 K%. He lacks speed but has done a good job getting hits, drawing walks, and showing off his power. MLB Pipeline ranked him 10th in the Cardinals' system.
7:08 p.m. — Red Sox, White Sox Swap Jake Diekman, Reese McGuire
The Red Sox have found their new catcher, acquiring Reese McGuire and a player to be named later or cash considerations from the White Sox in exchange for left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN and Robert Murray of FanSided. McGuire will take over for Christian Vazquez, who was traded to the Astros. The 27-year-old is slashing a woeful .225/.261/.285 with a 3.6 BB% and 19.9 K%. However, he offers plenty of defensive value, saving the Red Sox from deploying Kevin Plawecki on a daily basis. McGuire has posted 7.6 dWAR, 7.0 DRS, and 2.2 FRM while throwing out 11 of 36 baserunners. He should be left on waivers in all leagues. Diekman, meanwhile, was one of the more underrated yet intriguing left-handed relievers on the trade market. The 34-year-old has appeared in 44 games this season, racking up an impressive 11.97 K/9 but woeful 7.04 BB/9. He is 5-1 with just one save and should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
6:53 p.m. — Reds Trade Tommy Pham To Red Sox
Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports that the Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Reds. The 34-year-old has appeared in an impressive 91 games this season, slashing .238/.320/.374 with 11 homers, a 10.9 BB%, and 25.8 K%. All of his defensive action has come in left field, where he has totaled 3.0 DRS, -2.0 UZR, and 0.3 ARM. Assuming he remains in an everyday role with his new club, Pham should be rostered in most leagues going forward. Boston will send a player to be named later to Cincinnati in return for Pham.
6:51 p.m. — Royals Acquire Luke Weaver From Diamondbacks
The Royals have acquired right-handed pitcher Luke Weaver from the Diamondbacks in exchange for third baseman Emmanuel Rivera, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Weaver, 28, has spent most of this season in the majors, amassing a 2.61 FIP, 10.47 K/9, and 2.76 BB/9. through 16.1 innings. However, not all of his metrics are great: he also owns a 7.71 ERA and .434 BABIP. He is under control through 2023 and should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues. Meanwhile, Rivera is slashing .237/.284/.399 with six homers, a 5.2 BB%, and 21.8K%. He has struggled in the majors but did look good in Triple-A, so the Diamondbacks will hope he can take more noticeable strides between now and when he becomes a free agent after the 2027 season. He, too, can be left on fantasy waivers.
6:28 p.m. — Astros Acquire Christian Vazquez
The Astros have added a key weapon behind the dish, acquiring catcher Christian Vazquez from the Red Sox in exchange for two minor leaguers, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26. The 31-year-old backstop is having an impressive season offensively, slashing .282/.327/.432 with a 5.7 BB%, 16.0 K%, and 111 wRC+. Defensively, he has posted five DRS and 4.4 dWAR behind the dish while throwing out 16 of 53 base-stealers. Vazquez will be the Astros' primary catcher, though he did play some first base and second base for Boston. He should be rostered in most fantasy leagues going forward considering his clutch hitting and new role in a talented Houston lineup.
The Astros are sending outfielders Emmanuel Valdez and Wilyer Abreu back to Boston, per Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. Valdez, who used to play second and third base but shifted to the outfield in 2022, is slashing an impressive .327/.410/.606 with 21 homers between Double- and Triple-A this season. He's mashing the baseball throughout all levels of affiliated ball. Valdez ranks 28th in the Astros' farm system according to MLB Pipeline's rankings, but FanGraphs has him all the way up at No. 12. Abreu, also an outfielder, is slashing .249/.399/.459 with 19 homers, 54 RBI, 23 stolen bases, a 19.0 BB%, and 26.3 K% at Double-A. Despite his low batting average, he has shown a fabulous ability to get on base, hit home runs, and steal bases. FanGraphs had him at No. 21 while Pipeline listed him 29th. He is viewed as someone who can play all three outfield positions, though his projectability in center field is contingent on his speed continuing to be a plus tool.
This Afternoon - MLB Trade Deadline Updates
4:23 p.m. — Astros Acquire Trey Mancini In Three-Team Deal With Rays, Orioles
The Astros make a huge splash, acquiring first baseman Trey Mancini from the Orioles as part of a three-team trade that also includes the Rays, according to Dan Connolly of The Athletic. Mancini provides a key upgrade for Houston, which was desperately seeking an upgrade over struggling veteran Yuli Gurriel. The 30-year-old is slashing .268/.347/.404 with 10 homers, 41 RBI, 114 wRC+, an 8.7 BB%, and 21.4 K%. He should be rostered in most fantasy leagues down the stretch, especially now that he's in a better lineup.
The full trade includes Mancini and Rays right-hander Jayden Murray to the Astros; Rays right-hander Seth Johnson and Astros right-hander Chayce McDermott to the Orioles; and Astros outfielder Jose Siri to the Rays.
Murray, 25, went 8-2 with a 2.83 ERA, 7.66 K/9, 2.71 BB/9, and 49.3 GB% in Double-A before being promoted to the majors. He has a plus slider and impressive command to go along with his fastball and changeup.
Johnson, 23, ranks sixth in the Rays' system but is headed for Tommy John surgery and might not pitch until 2024. He throws a fastball that peaks at 98 mph as well as a sweeping slider that induces swings and misses. He rounds out his repertoire with an average curveball and changeup. Through seven starts at High-A this year, he amassed 13.67 K/9, 3.67 BB/9, and a 3.18 xFIP.
McDermott ranked 12th in the Astros' pipeline but likely would've risen up the ranks at the next update. He looked impressive at High-A this season, going 6-1 with 14.25 K/9, 5.38 BB/9, a 44.7 GB%, and .208 OBA. Although he has struggled with walks and owns a 4.14 FIP, the 24-year-old projects as someone who can fill a key middle-of-the-rotation role in the future.
Once a highly-regarded Reds prospect, Siri has split 2022 between Triple-A and the majors. He continues to be the definition a Four-A player, excelling with Sugar Land but not quite getting the job done in Houston, as you can see in his stats below (via Fangraphs). He'll likely report to Triple-A Durham, giving the Rays a pair of talented outfielders ready for the majors in Siri and Josh Lowe. The Rays did designate Brett Phillips for assignment this afternoon, so it seems like his 26-man roster spot will go to either Siri or Lowe.
|
Season |
Team |
Level |
Age |
G |
PA |
HR |
R |
RBI |
SB |
BB% |
K% |
ISO |
BABIP |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
wOBA |
xwOBA |
wRC+ |
BsR |
Off |
Def |
WAR |
|
2022 |
HOU |
AAA |
26 |
16 |
78 |
9 |
17 |
22 |
2 |
7.7% |
25.6% |
.479 |
.279 |
.296 |
.346 |
.775 |
.439 |
156 |
|||||
|
2022 |
HOU |
MLB |
26 |
48 |
147 |
3 |
18 |
10 |
6 |
6.1% |
32.7% |
.126 |
.247 |
.178 |
.238 |
.304 |
.241 |
.259 |
55 |
3.1 |
-4.4 |
6.8 |
0.7 |
4:23 p.m. — Yankees Acquire Montas, Trivino In Deal With A's
The Yankees have struck a deal to acquire starting pitcher Frankie Montas and reliever Lou Trivino from the Athletics, according to Jack Curry of YES Network. In return, New York sends left-handed pitchers Ken Waldichuk (Yankees' N0. 5 prospect) and JP Sears (No. 20), right-handed pitcher Luis Medina (No. 10), and second baseman Cooper Bowman (No. 21) to Oakland.
Montas, 29, is the headliner of the deal and was the best starter on the market after Seattle acquired Luis Castillo on Friday evening. Through 19 stats this season, he owns a 3.21 xFIP, 9.37 K/9, 2.41 BB/9, 46.1 GB%, and 2.0 fWAR. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues as he embarks on the next chapter of his career in New York.
Trivino, 30, is the Yankees' second bullpen addition of the day after they acquired Effross from Chicago this morning. He has 10 saves through 39 outings, racking up 12.66 K/9, 3.94 BB/9, a 53.2 GB%, and 2.92 xFIP. He had some low-end fantasy value in Oakland due to his 10 saves and should maintain said relevance if he gets the chance to compete with Aroldis Chapman in the New York bullpen.
Waldichuk is the headliner of the return for Oakland. The 24-year-old southpaw was a fifth-round pick in 2019 and has looked solid at Triple-A this season, posting 13.22 K/9 and a 3.79 FIP. He has a fantastic fastball in the mid-90s that consistently induces swings and misses due to its ability to climb the zone. He also has an effective, sweeping slider and nasty, fading changeup.
Medina, now 23, signed with the Yankees for $280,000 as a 16-year-old. He touched 100 mph before signing and has one of the best fastballs in all of baseball. He touches triple-digits with minimal effort and has peaked at 103 mph. He also has a lethal curveball and diving changeup, both of which complement the heater nicely and can force their fair share of swing and miss stuff, too.
Sears, originally drafted by the Mariners, was traded to the Yankees just five months after turning pro. His mid-90s fastball and and low-80s slider are both plus pitches because, although they don't have much power behind them, they induce swings and misses. He has spent some time in the majors this season, going 2-0 with a mere 2.05 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 2.05 BB/9, and .184 OBA. He has looked good during this small sample size, proving that he can handle big-league competition.
The final piece involved is Bowman, a 22-year-old who was selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. Running is his best trait, and he has managed to swipe 48 bags through just 110 games in affiliated ball. While his speed gives him the range needed to play shortstop, his average fielding will likely force him into a long-term role at second base. Offensively, his .217/.343/.355 slash line reveals a lack of contact hitting but an impressive ability to draw walks.
2:40 p.m. — Royals Acquire Anthony Misiewicz From Mariners
The Royals and Mariners struck a minor deal on Monday afternoon. Kansas City receives southpaw Anthony Misiewicz from Seattle in exchange for cash considerations. Misiewicz, 27, was designated for assignment on Sunday. He owned a 4.85 xERA, 5.27 K/9, and 3.95 BB/9 through 13.2 innings out of Seattle's bullpen. He'll report to the Royals' Triple-A affiliate in Omaha.
2:31 p.m. — Mets, White Sox Interested In Andrew Chafin
The Mets and White Sox are among the teams showing interest in Tigers reliever Andrew Chafin, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He's due $6 million in 2022 and, if he chooses to opt in, $7 million in 2023. The 32-year-old southpaw owns 10.97 K/9, 2.81 BB/9, and 0.28 HR/9 along with an impressive 2.27 xERA and 49.4 GB%. Despite his success this season, a lack of save opportunities detracts from his fantasy relevance. Even if Chafin is dealt, he should be left on waivers in all leagues.
2:05 p.m. — Brewers Make Narvaez, Wong Available For Trade
The Brewers made catcher Omar Narvaez and second baseman Kolten Wong available for trade in July, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. Teams have been checking in on Narvaez and the same is presumably true for Wong. Narvaez will earn $5 million this season before becoming a free agent in November. The 30-year-old is slashing .235/.324/.364 with a 10.3 BB% and 19.7 K% this season. He is a defense-first player, amassing 7.1 dWAR, 1.0 DRS, and 4.2 FRM behind the dish this year. Wong, meanwhile, owns a .748 OPS, 108 wRC+, and 0.9 fWAR. Both have enough fantasy appeal to warrant rostering them in many leagues, though Wong is the preferred choice over Narvaez in most formats.
1:50 p.m. — Rays Add Bullpen Depth In Garrett Cleavinger
The Rays have acquired left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger from the Dodgers in exchange for minor league outfielder Germana Tapia, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Cleavinger, 28, has allowed five earned runs through 4.1 innings in the majors this season. He struck out seven batters but also walked three. He has had similar results in the minors, posing a phenomenal 14.59 K/9 but poor 5.28 BB/9 through 29 innings at Triple-A. Cleavinger takes up a 40-man roster spot for the Rays and will initially report to Triple-A Durham. He's not a noteworthy player in the fantasy baseball universe. On the other hand, it clears a 40-man spot for the Dodgers, indicating their interest in making another trade in the next 28 hours.
Heading back to Los Angeles is Tapia, an 18-year-old DSL outfielder. The table below (via Fangraphs) shows the night-and-day differences between his metrics in 2021 versus 2022. While he's far from projectable, the Dodgers have reason to feel optimistic about his future after his hot start this season.
|
Season |
Team |
Level |
BB% |
K% |
BB/K |
AVG |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
ISO |
Spd |
BABIP |
wSB |
wRC |
wRAA |
wOBA |
wRC+ |
|
2021 |
TBR |
DSL |
13.1% |
26.1% |
0.50 |
.214 |
.327 |
.262 |
.589 |
.048 |
3.1 |
.305 |
-2.9 |
22 |
-5.6 |
.311 |
80 |
|
2022 |
TBR |
DSL |
23.0% |
17.0% |
1.35 |
.329 |
.500 |
.452 |
.952 |
.123 |
3.8 |
.400 |
-1.4 |
24 |
9.6 |
.474 |
166 |
1:26 p.m. — Jays Could Address Needs By Trading For Tigers' Fulmer, Skubal
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Blue Jays are showing interest in a pair of Tigers pitchers. In addition to their previously reported interest in reliever Michael Fulmer, Toronto could also pursue a trade for young starter Tarik Skubal. Fulmer, 29, has an impressive 2.93 xERA, 0.23 HR/9, and .235 BABIP through 40 relief appearances this season. He's not a closer but still has fantasy intrigue in deeper leagues due to his prominent role in the Detroit bullpen. Meanwhile, Skubal is a 24-year-old southpaw with an elite fastball and impressive slider. Controllable through 2026, Skubal would provide the Jays with a fantastic counterpart to fellow budding star Alek Manoah in a highly competitive AL East division. He owns a 2.98 FIP, 9.03 K/9, 2.40 BB/9, and 46.6 GB%. He should be rostered in most fantasy leagues and would boost his value with a trade to Toronto. Skubal is slated to start against Minnesota on Monday evening, so keep an eye on developments and lineups coming out of Detroit throughout the afternoon.
1:23 p.m. — Padres Acquire Josh Hader From Brewers
The Padres are finalizing a deal to acquire star reliever Josh Hader from the Brewers in exchange for left-handed closer Taylor Rogers, lefty pitching prospect Robert Gasser, outfielder Esteury Ruiz, and right-hander Dinelson Lamet. Jeff Passan of ESPN broke the news of the trade.
Hader, 28, is a southpaw who is under control through 2023. He has tossed 34 innings this season, racking up 27 saves and a phenomenal 15.62 K/9. He has also posted 3.18 BB/9, a .306 BABIP, and 3.27 xERA. Hader is an elite fantasy talent and should be rostered in all leagues. He presents the Padres with a clear bullpen upgrade after Rogers struggled in the closer role for a while. Rogers will now have a chance to get back on track as he joins Milwaukee, presumably serving as the setup guy for Devin Williams. The southpaw has some very impressive metrics (10.45 K/9, 1.96 BB/9, 44.0 GB%, and 2.35 FIP). Although Rogers also holds the league lead with 28 saves, he has blown an MLB-most seven. Rogers' fantasy value dipped after he was removed from the closer's role, but he still has plenty of intrigue considering his metrics and usage in late innings.
The prospect return is headlined by Gasser, a 23-year-old southpaw who ranked seventh in the Padres' system. The 71st overall pick in 2021, Gasser has an above-average fastball that sits in the mid-90s, as well as a very strong slider and changeup. All three are borderline plus pitches, so it's not hard to see why the Padres selected him and the Brewers made him the headliner in the Hader deal. His 11.46 K/9 in High-A could translate nicely to fantasy baseball success when he reaches the majors in a couple of years.
Ruiz, 23, ranks 28th in the Padres' system but is close to graduating since he has spent over a dozen games in the majors. He raked in Double-A to open the season, then continued to do the same in Triple-A. Through 14 games (27 plate appearances) with the big-league club, he is slashing .222/.222/.333. Although his initial results in the majors haven't been great, he has an impressive blend of hitting, running, and defensive tools that should make him an impact player for Milwaukee in the future. He has low-end appeal in deeper redraft leagues and is certainly worth taking a flier on in dynasty formats.
Lamet, 30, is the final piece in the package. He pitched 12.1 innings in the majors this season, racking up 11.68 K/9 but struggling with walks and earned runs. He has looked much better in Triple-A, improving his control and keeping runs to a minimum. Through 11.2 innings in El Paso, he has allowed zero homers and owns an impressive 2.11 FIP. Presumably, the Brewers included him in this trade to promote him to the majors so that he eat some innings out of the bullpen. He's controllable through 2023 but doesn't have any fantasy appeal.
1:18 p.m. — Brewers "Close" To Dealing Josh Hader
The Brewers are close to trading talented reliever Josh Hader, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. It remains to be seen where he's going, but it's likely that whichever team traded for Hader is going to be spending a pretty penny. Hader has been available for a while, but the Brewers appeared to be reluctant to trade him unless they were blown away by an offer.
1:03 p.m. — Angels Won't Trade Shohei Ohtani
The Angels have officially decided that they won't trade two-way star Shohei Ohtani ahead of the upcoming trade deadline, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. While it seemed like a potential Ohtani trade was a longshot, there were teams that made offers and Los Angeles did entertain them. The Yankees made a serious offer while the Padres and White Sox also formed aggressive pursuits. Instead, he'll remain in Los Angeles.
12:56 p.m. — Frankie Montas Trade Could Be Imminent
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that several interested parties have been informed that they are no longer in the running for Athletic starter Frankie Montas. More often than not, this indicates that a deal is being finalized. Heyman notes that the Yankees had the most interest in Montas, though it's unclear which teams made offers. New York, which historically makes trades well in advance of the deadline, was known to be aggressive in its pursuit of one outfield bat, one reliever, and one starter. Having already acquired Andrew Benintendi and Scott Effross, Montas could be the final piece on the club's checklist.
12:44 p.m. — Yankees Acquire Scott Effross From Cubs
The Yankees have acquired right-handed reliever Scott Effross from the Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was among the group of reporters to break the news. Effross, 28, converted to a sidearmer in 2019 and has worked hard to reach the majors. He has looked great in his second MLB season, amassing 10.23 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, and 45.6 GB% through 44 innings this season. He owns a 2.21 xERA and has induced plenty of weak contact and swings-and-misses. The fact that he hasn't converted a big-league save puts a cap on his upside, but there's no denying that his impressive stuff gives him some relevance in the deepest of fantasy leagues. Wesneski, meanwhile, ranked seventh on MLB Pipeline's list of Yankees prospects. He has made 19 starts at Triple-A this season, amassing an 8.33 K%, 2.81 BB%, 41.6 GB%, and 4.00 FIP. He, too, induces weak contact and projects as a solid mid-rotation option down the road. The 24-year-old's best pitch is his slider, though his fastball registers above average as well.
This Morning - MLB Trade Deadline Updates
11:45 a.m. — Braves Acquire Ehire Adrianza
The Braves announce they have acquired infielder Ehire Adrianza from the Nationals in exchange for outfielder Trey Harris. In a corresponding move, Robinson Cano was designated for assignment. It's an ironic swap for the two NL East clubs considering Adrianza appeared in last night's trade deadline rumor primer from Ken Rosenthal, but not for trade rumor purposes. Instead, Rosenthal noted that Adrianza has been taking online sport management classes in hopes of becoming a general manager someday. The 32-year-old is slashing .179/.255/.202 with an 8.5 BB%, 23.4 K%, .024 ISO, and -0.6 fWAR through 32 games. He doesn't have any fantasy appeal at this point.
10:16 a.m. — Phillies Looking At Outfield Trade
MLB insider Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies are looking to acquire an outfielder. Philadelphia has one of the worst defensive outfields in baseball, and although Oakland's Ramon Laureano is likely unavailable to be traded, Michael A. Taylor, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Jose Siri could make sense for the Phillies. None of those players have any fantasy appeal, though Siri has swiped six bags and Taylor is hitting .278 this season.
9:43 a.m. — Pitching Market Remains In "Wait And See" Phase
The Athletic's Stephen Nesbitt shares an interesting blurb about the state of the starting pitching market, explaining that there are two vastly different directions the next 34 hours could go. The Luis Castillo trade has disrupted the market. Still, it's impossible to guarantee that top trade targets Shohei Ohtani, Carlos Rodón, Tarik Skubal, Pablo López, and Martín Pérez will actually be dealt. As a result, contenders may have to look a tier lower for rotation additions in the form of Frankie Montas, Tyler Mahle, Noah Syndergaard, José Quintana, Zach Davies, and Chad Kuhl.
7:10 a.m. — Mets Have More To Accomplish
Despite trading for Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin, the Mets are still looking to make upgrades ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, writes Tim Britton of The Athletic. Offensively, Boston's J.D. Martinez and Christian Vazquez have been repeatedly mentioned as top fits. However, there is a clear need for pitching, too. Contenders can never get enough bullpen depth, and this week's injury to Drew Smith intensifies that sentiment for the Mets. Chicago's David Robertson could fill a need for New York, and it's possible that they could swing a package deal for Robertson and catcher Willson Contreras.
5:32 a.m. — Tigers' Deadline Activity Looking Bleak
Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic details his relatively pessimistic stance on the Tigers' ability to trade players for prospects at the upcoming deadline. The team's trade assets have underperformed significantly this season, making it hard to swing a deal. Still, the Tigers might take a discount on underperforming veterans like Jeimer Candelario, Tucker Barnhart, Jonathan Schoop, and Robbie Grossman in hopes of salvaging a small prospect return before it's too late.
Last Night
10:58 p.m. — Final Rumblings Before Trade Deadline Eve
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal released an article with nuggets from all across Major League Baseball. With trade talks expected to intensify on Monday, Rosenthal helped set the stage for where things currently stand. He noted that the Padres have made offers to the Angels for phenom Shohei Ohtani, though the two-way star isn't expected to be dealt. He also believes the Padres are looking to dump Eric Hosmer's contract, potentially in a trade that sends Cubs catcher Willson Contreras back to San Diego. Such a deal would take the top catcher off the market, perhaps forcing the Mets to pull the trigger on acquiring Christian Vazquez from the Red Sox. Houston also has interest in Contreras, though they have been deterred by his high price and could instead pivot to Vazquez, too.
Elsewhere on the catcher market, the Guardians are interested in trading for Oakland's Sean Murphy. However, Cleveland isn't exceedingly motivated to strike a deal and Oakland most likely needs an offer it can't refuse. Thus, a Murphy trade could wait until the offseason when more teams will be interested in adding a catcher.
Rosenthal notes that the Brewers continue to listen to offers on closer Josh Hader, and while this could simply be a matter of due diligence, the rising stardom of Devin Williams could make Hader a bit more expendable in Milwaukee. Speaking of bullpens, the Blue Jays are likely to prioritize adding a reliever with swing-and-miss stuff over a left-handed bat.
The Red Sox and Giants should not be labeled as buyers or sellers. In fact, trades involving Vazquez, Martinez, Carlos Rodon, or Joc Pederson would most likely involve a package that includes major-league players heading back to Boston or San Francisco. The Rays are another team that could engage in both buying or selling. They've already acquired David Peralta and have a clear need for a productive bat, yet Rosenthal believes they could trade first baseman Ji-Man Choi. The Astros could be a suitor for Choi if their pursuit of Nationals first baseman Josh Bell doesn't work out.
9:52 p.m. — Yankees Very Active In Pitching Market
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Yankees, whose latest offer for Juan Soto left the Nationals relatively underwhelmed, are aggressive in their pursuit of a starting pitcher. Frankie Montas is viewed as their dream acquisition, though Heyman also names Pablo Lopez, Martin Perez, Carlos Rodon, Tyler Mahle, Jose Quintana, and Nate Eovaldi as potential fits. They'd also like to address their bullpen and are monitoring the availability of Michael Fulmer, Matt Moore, and David Robertson. So, to recap, if there's a veteran pitcher on a team that isn't contending, they could end up on the Yankees. Meanwhile, New York continues to seek a new home for outfielder Joey Gallo, whom they believe could return to his old form in a smaller market.
8:25 p.m. — Giants Could Buy And Sell
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Giants are in "buy-and-sell mode" ahead of the trade deadline, which means that they could look to both acquire controllable MLB talent while also trading veteran players for prospects. Carlos Rodon, Brandon Belt, and Joc Pederson could all fetch solid returns if San Francisco can find a trading partner.
5:35 p.m. — Vazquez, Sox Not Talking Extension
Alex Spier of the Boston Globe reports spoke with Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez, who says that the recent influx of trade rumors "is part of the business." Speier also reported that Boston has yet to engage in extension negotiations with the veteran backstop. If he were to be dealt, keep an eye on a team like the Mets. Vazquez has been one of the better offensive catchers in baseball, slashing .283/.328/.431 with eight homers, 41 RBI, 5.7 BB%, 16.2 K%, and a .305 xwOBA. He has also looked good defensively, accruing 4.2 dWAR through 77 games behind the dish, nine at first base, and one at second.
5:12 p.m. — Boston Bringing Third Catcher To Houston
MassLive's Chris Cotillo tweets that the Red Sox will bring minor league catcher Ronaldo Hernandez on their upcoming road trip to Houston. This development is relevant considering Hernandez would be the next man up if a Christian Vazquez trade comes to fruition in the next 48 hours.
4:37 p.m. — Red Sox Mulling Options
The Red Sox could go a variety of directions ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Although a relatively strong start to the season suggested Boston might be buyers, a tough July has forced them to reconsider. Not only is Boston struggling, but their division-mates are thriving. The Red Sox rank fifth in the AL East and can't be viewed as legitimate contenders down the stretch. Alex Spier of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox are still mulling their options, including whether they intend to buy or sell, as well as how much salary they may be interested in paying. Boston always has its future in mind, so they're likely searching for prospects left and right. This could come from trading someone like Christian Vazquez or J.D. Martinez, but they could also ask for a prospect as part of a deal in which they take on a large contract.
3:55 p.m. — Teams Checking On Reds' Drury
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that Reds breakout slugger Brandon Drury is drawing interest from the Mariners, Dodgers, and Braves. The 29-year-old is slashing an impressive .272/.332/.513 with 19 homers, 58 RBI, a .363 wOBA, and 129 wRC+. Not only has he been productive at the plate, but the third baseman is also quite affordable. He's earning just $900,000 in 2022 and could slot in as an everyday player on a contender in need of a power bat.
1:52 p.m. — Phillies Shopping For Starter Now
Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports that the Phillies, who were known to be pursuing bullpen reinforcements, are now interested in trading for a starting pitcher who can start in a playoff game. Stark mentions Noah Syndergaard, Tyler Mahle, and Jose Quintana as potential fits but points out that Quintana might not be a perfect candidate since he's not controllable beyond 2022. Of course, a deal won't be struck if the Phillies refuse to part with prospects. Stark makes it clear that pitching prospects Andrew Painter, Mick Abel, Griff McGarry, Ben Brown, and Logan O'Hoppe aren't available in trades. That will certainly make it harder for something to come to fruition.
1:36 p.m. — Cardinals Interested In Mahle
The Cardinals have expressed interest in trading for Reds starting pitcher Tyler Mahle, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. The right-hander owns a 2.83 ERA over his last nine starts and has a 3.30 FIP through 19 outings in 2022. While Morosi cautions that the Reds and Cardinals haven't struck a deal in 25 years, that doesn't mean they can't find common ground in negotiations.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
