MLB’s all-star week is usually known as the quietest period on the North American sports calendar. There are no regular-season baseball games, while free agent signings in the NHL and NBA have calmed down considerably since the beginning of the month.
Thankfully, though, MLB’s hot stove is in high gear, giving us some prime water-cooler talk as the July 31 trade deadline nears.
Here’s a look at what’s cooking.
Blue Jays check in on Marlins second baseman
The Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals have all “mentioned” Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
With Devon Travis sidelined and no clear timetable for his return, the Blue Jays have been relying on a second-base platoon of Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney. The duo provides stellar defence but little offence, so the 29-year-old Gordon is a definite upgrade. He would solve the club’s leadoff issues and inject a healthy dose of speed into the lineup.
The left-handed hitting Gordon is batting .295/.342/.358 with no home runs, 18 RBI and 32 stolen bases in 85 games this season. He’s accrued a 1.7 WAR so far and is a strong defender, with a 2015 Gold Glove on his resume.
Gordon’s making $7.5 million in 2017 and is in the second season of a five-year, $50-million contract that includes a 2021 option that can vest depending on his plate appearances toward the end of his deal.
He signed the contract in January 2016 and a few months later was suspended 80 games for violating MLB’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Red Sox looking to beef up bullpen
Boston closer Craig Kimbrel has been baseball’s best reliever this campaign, while setup men Joe Kelly and Matt Barnes have been dominant. But according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox could be aiming to further strengthen their relief corps with an eye on Philadelphia Phillies all-star Pat Neshek.
The Royals and New York Yankees are also said to be scouting the 36-year-old right-hander.
Neshek holds a 1.27 ERA and 0.906 WHIP in 35.1 innings this year, striking out 36 while issuing just five walks. Opponents are slashing .216/.244/.296 against him and the 11-year veteran’s been especially effective against left-handed hitters, holding them to a paltry .188 average.
Harper halts Yankees speculation?
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will be a free agent following the 2018 season and for years, speculation has linked him to the Yankees. Some observers have even dubbed it a forgone conclusion that the superstar will join the team he rooted for growing up.
Not so fast, says Harper.
“I think that’s just part of people talking and hearing what they want to hear,” Harper said on Monday, according to the New York Daily News. “I think that’s Yankees fans and all of baseball. If it’s not the Yankees one day, it’s the Cubs the next day. If it’s not the Cubs, it’s the Phillies or the Dodgers. So I think that’s part of human nature and people guessing what’s going to happen, but I don’t try to pay too much attention to it.
“We’ve still got a long way to go. And like I said, and I say this all the time, I do love playing in D.C. It’s a great place to play.”
The 24-year-old has 20 home runs, 65 RBI and a 1.021 OPS this season and could well command a contract north of $400 million.
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