Already, star players such as Zach Britton, Brad Hand, J.A. Happ, Cole Hamels and Manny Machado have been traded this month. Within the next 24 hours or so, dozens more players will likely be dealt.
In Toronto, the Blue Jays are reportedly trying to trade Roberto Osuna before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, and he’s far from their only player drawing interest. Here’s a closer look at the latest rumours circulating, starting with the Blue Jays…
UPDATE: Roberto Osuna was traded to the Houston Astros on Monday.
BLUE JAYS VETERANS IN DEMAND
Even after trading Happ and Seung-hwan Oh last week, the Blue Jays still have plenty of veterans available. According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, Aaron Loup, Tyler Clippard, John Axford and Curtis Granderson are all “in play” ahead of the deadline.
Because Loup, Clippard, Axford and Granderson are all free agents at the end of the season, this summer represents the Blue Jays’ best chance to obtain something lasting for their veterans. While August trades are technically possible for this group of players, they’re all earning $5 million or less, making it tough to pass them through waivers after July 31.
The Yankees might prefer a right-handed hitter to replace the injured Aaron Judge, but the left-handed hitting Granderson could still be a fit in the Bronx, according to Jon Heyman of Fancred.
ARCHER TALKS INTENSIFYING
The Chris Archer trade talks have been picking up, Crasnick reported this weekend. The Yankees and Dodgers are among the interested teams, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes that the Braves are also in the mix. Of all the Archer suitors, the Padres might be the favourites, according to Heyman.
As for Archer, he told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that he finds the trade rumours “unsettling.”
In 17 starts this year, the 29-year-old has a 4.31 ERA, but his FIP of 3.62 and 25 per cent strikeout rate suggest he can still be a frontline arm. Archer’s contract includes club options for 2020 and 2021, adding to his appeal – and, no doubt, to the Rays’ asking price.
HIGH ASKING PRICE FOR WHEELER
Speaking of available pitchers, there’s no shortage of interest in Zack Wheeler, who has a 4.11 ERA in 20 starts this year. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, six teams have shown real interest in the hard-throwing right-hander.
That said, the Mets aren’t inclined to deal Wheeler for anything less than a stellar return, since he’s controllable through 2019.
PIRATES LIKE GAUSMAN
The Orioles have already traded Machado, Britton and Brad Brach, but they might not be done yet. Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic writes that the Pirates have been chasing Kevin Gausman, who has a 4.43 ERA in 21 starts with Baltimore this year.
Adam Jones might stay in Baltimore, however. The veteran centre-fielder has declined to waive his no-trade protection to this point, according to Sherman.
WHAT WILL THE NATIONALS DO?
The Nationals are still one game under .500, but they aren’t necessarily about to start selling. In fact, the Nationals and Marlins could revisit talks about J.T. Realmuto, an all-star with an .892 OPS.
As for the possibility that the Nationals might move Bryce Harper? GM Mike Rizzo told Sherman that it would take “something extreme” to consider trading Harper, and rival executives seem to agree that the pending free agent will stay put, according to Heyman.
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