The MLB trade deadline is now just minutes away (4:00 pm ET), and there are plenty of trade rumors gaining traction. Several big trades have already been made today (which you can find here), but several more are in the works. Here are all the latest rumors and news you need to know:
Failed physical holding up Jay Bruce-to-Mets deal
The New York Mets were trying to add a power bat to their lineup at the deadline for the second straight year, and they appear to have their man.
According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Mets had a deal in place to get Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds:
The Jay Bruce trade to the Mets is complete pending physicals, says a source. https://t.co/U5hjkoI4LR
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) August 1, 2016
Source: Nimmo to be part of Bruce to Mets, assuming it gets done.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) August 1, 2016
Source: LHP Max Wotell, 19, is one of players who could head from #Mets to #Reds in Bruce trade. Third rounder in ’15 draft.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 1, 2016
New York nearly acquired Bruce before the deadline last year, but the deal fell through in the final stages, leading the Mets to trade for Yoenis Cespedes. This time, the deal may fall through again.
Source: #Mets trying to rework Bruce deal with #Reds. Nimmo is not player with medical issue. It’s one of the minor leaguers.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 1, 2016
Bruce is batting .265 with 25 homers and 80 RBIs in 97 games this season.
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 the Rangers revamped their pursuit of him yesterday.
Though the two sides haven't reached a deal yet, they are "plugging away" on terms and it seems that if Lucroy goes anywhere, it will be to Texas.
The #Rangers keep plugging away on Lucroy, but #Brewers might have to lower their expectations if something is going to get done today.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) August 1, 2016
Texas' acquisition of Carlos Beltran isn't thought to hinder their pursuit of Lucroy. In fact, it makes them more likely to part with slugging prospect Joey Gallo, making a deal with the Brewers more likely.
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.
Latest on Chris Sale
Sale is the biggest name that could potentially be dealt before the deadline. The Red Sox were considered the favorites to land Sale early today.
The Boston #RedSox had late-night talks with the #WhiteSox about Chris Sale. If Sale is moved, #RedSox and #Dodgers are likely destinations.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2016
However, that appears to no longer be the case.
Told #Redsox are NOT discussing Sale #whitesox
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2016
That was backed by a report from the Boston Globe. It seems the cost to get Sale is too high for teams at the moment, and the White Sox plan to keep him.
The Chicago #Whitesox say that unless something dramatically changes, will keep Chris Sale and Jose Quintana.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2016
The Dodgers, Rangers and Red Sox have been the three teams most linked to Sale.
New York targeting Sale, Archer in offseason?
The Yankees' selling spree has brought in several elite prospects, but that doesn't necessarily mean that those guys will play for New York some day. In fact, they could simply be pieces that the Yankees are trying to flip for either Chris Sale or Chris Archer, according to Joe Giglio of NJ.com.
As the Yankees became a true seller for the first time since the late 80s, both tracks became possible for the future of the franchise. If, say, Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier and Justus Sheffield are future American League All-Stars for the Yankees, Brian Cashman hit a home run. But if those guys never play in pinstripe—or their presence allows Cashman to move home grown prospects like Aaron Judge or Luis Severino—for an ace, it's also a win.
That was the takeaway from ESPN and MLB Network's Jim Bowden during a MLB Network Radio show on Monday morning.
.@JimBowden_ESPN "Cashman has never been a seller before. His first time, he gets an A. Now in a position to get Sale or Archer" #Yankees
— MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) August 1, 2016
Now, that kind of takeaway doesn't mean a deal is imminent—for the Yankees, White Sox and Rays. In fact, if the Chicago and Tampa aces don't get moved between now and 4 p.m., there's a chance an offseason deal could go down with one of the clubs.
It's there happens, the Yankees could have enough farm system depth to really make a good offer to either club.
Sale is 14-4 with a 3.17 ERA in 20 starts this season, while Archer is 5-14 with a 4.42 ERA.
White Sox interested in Yasiel Puig?
There are conflicting reports about the Chicago White Sox and OF Yasiel Puig.
The White Sox want Yasiel Puig if they make a deal with the Dodgers.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 1, 2016
The #Whitesox insist they are not having any trade talks with #Dodgers involving Yasiel Puig
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 1, 2016
Of course both these reports could be true if the White Sox like Puig, but the Dodgers haven't called yet. With the Dodgers landing Josh Reddick in a trade, Puig is available. It's unclear what the Dodgers would want in a Puig trade, although there's a chance he could be part of a bigger deal for one of the White Sox's starters.
Pirates targeting Rays duo
The Pittsburgh Pirates dealt closer Mark Melancon to the Nationals earlier this month, but that doesn't mean they're strictly going to be sellers.
Pittsburgh is still trying to upgrade their pitching staff, and they are trying to acquire Matt Moore from the Tampa Bay Rays. If they can't get him, they'll target Jake Odorizzi as a backup option, according to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The Pirates are still in on a couple Rays starters, per source. Targeting LHP Matt Moore, with RHP Jake Odorizzi as the backup option.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) August 1, 2016
Moore is under contract through the 2019 season, while Odorizzi is eligible for arbitration and could be a free agent after this season.
Moore, who has been linked to several teams over the past few weeks, most notably the San Francisco Giants. He is 7-7 with a 4.08 ERA this season. Odorizzi is 5-5 with a 3.88 ERA.
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