The MLB trade deadline is just one day away, and there are plenty of trade rumors gaining traction. Teams in the postseason race are focused on improving their rosters before the non-waiver deadline. The teams selling are hoping to find prospects to boost their rebuild or even getting rid of some payroll. Here are all the latest rumors and news you need to know.
Rangers the favorites to land Lucroy
The Milwaukee Brewers had a deal in place to send star catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Cleveland Indians, but Lucroy vetoed the trade through his no-trade clause. However, Lucroy still wants to be traded (just not to Cleveland, apparently), and multiple reports say the Texas Rangers have revamped their pursuit of him:
I'm told Rangers having "productive conversations," presumably surrounding Lucroy
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) July 31, 2016
Sources: #Rangers strongly in mix for #Brewers’ Lucroy. @Evan_P_Grant said they were back in.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2016
In Jonathan Lucroy trade talks, one proposal includes Yohander Mendez or Luis Ortiz going from #Rangers to #Brewers, source says. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2016
#Rangers, #Brewers talking seriously about catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Question: Would deal for catcher preclude deal for another pitcher?
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) July 31, 2016
Lucroy is batting .300 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs this season. He has not played in two of Milwaukee's last four games to avoid injury and preserve his trade value.
Mets out of mix for Lucroy
The New York Mets were thought to be the biggest contender to take Lucroy away from the Rangers, but Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports says they're now out of the running as the Rangers have ramped up talks with the Brewers.
mets are no longer in mix for lucroy. rangers and others are.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2016
Royals dealing Cain?
It seems almost blasphemous that the Royals would entertain the notion of trading one of their stars in Lorenzo Cain, but they appear to be doing just that. According to Jeff Todd of MLBTradeRumors, several teams have talked to Kansas City about the possibility of acquiring Cain:
To be sure, the odds of the Royals dealing Lorenzo Cain were always slight — even if the team is open to listening on him. But a hamstring injury and month-long layoff seemed to all but eliminate the already-feeble chances of a trade. Now Cain is back from the DL, and ready to get back to work at making this season’s batting line (.288/.338/.413) look more like that from 2015 (.307/.361/.477). It still seems that an offseason deal — if any — is more likely, but there’s no question that contenders would have serious interest in a player who has established himself as one of the game’s better all-around players in recent years.
Cain is under contract through the 2017 season, but the Royals are already worried they won't be able to afford to re-sign him. As such, trading him is an option to ensure you get something in return for him.
The 30-year-old is batting .284 with eight homers and 39 RBIs in 75 games this season.
New York "definitely" trading Beltran, Nova?
The Yankees aren't going to stop after dealing away Chapman and Miller. Several other players are on the block, and as a league executive told Randy Miller of NJ.com, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova are expected to be right behind them:
"I see them trading the obvious guys," the exec told NJ Advance Media.
And the obvious guys are?
"Beltran and Nova," the exec responded.
All-Star right fielder Carlos Beltran and starting pitcher Ivan Nova will be free agents after the season.
The unnamed executive hints at Beltran potentially being dealt to the Cleveland Indians, but doesn't see New York getting a good return on a Nova deal.
Beltran is batting .304 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs this season. Nova is 7-6 with a 4.90 ERA in 21 games, including 15 starts.
Yankees also looking to deal McCann?
Another player that could be dealt before tomorrow's deadline is catcher Brian McCann, and according to Heyman, the Yankees are currently "gauging" the market for interest in him:
The New York Yankees have gauged trade interest in catcher Brian McCann, sources tell Today’s Knuckleball, as they have excellent catching depth.
The Yankees have yet to commit to a strict buy-or-sell mentality, but have plenty of options available to take over behind the plate should McCann draw a worthy deal.
Austin Romine is having a nice year, hitting .265/.277/.434 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 39 games. Gary Sanchez is a top prospect, ranking fourth in the organization and 39th in baseball, and other catchers are doing well in the Yankees’ system.
The Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves are believed to be two of the teams that have talked to the Yankees. Rival GMs 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.
Although the Braves have called, the two sides haven’t spoken in days, as they were far apart on value.
McCann is batting .233 with 15 homers and 41 RBIs in 83 games this season.
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