The MLB Trade Deadline is long gone and the hot stove has cooled off, but there's still some action around the league, especially with the waiver trade deadline on August 31st approaching. With that in mind, here are all the latest MLB rumors you need to know.
Cubs to add Papelbon?
Reliever Jonathan Papelbon is now a free agent after being released by the Washington Nationals, and the Chicago Cubs have serious interest in picking him up, according to Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago:
Always active in the player acquirement area, the Cubs could consider reliever Jonathan Papelbon, who asked for and was granted his release by the Nationals. The 35-year-old Papelbon has had a star-crossed season. After having a respectable 2.56 ERA in late July, he gave up eight runs in his next five appearances over 3 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, the Nationals picked up Pirates closer Mark Melancon near the deadline, making Papelbon excess baggage.
That Papelbon has had incidents with opposing players and teammates (choking Bryce Harper last season) in the past may be of no consequence to Cubs executives Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, who signed and developed him in Boston. Papelbon was on the hill for the Red Sox when they won the World Series in 2007 and is a six-time All-Star, with 368 saves in a 12-year big-league career.
Those who know the tightly wound Papelbon say he’s an excellent teammate and great competitor. Although not directly asked about Papelbon, Maddon did confirm that the front office is still trying to add pieces to this already electric group.
Papelbon would not be Chicago's closer - that role is reserved for Aroldis Chapman - but he would help their bullpen. With Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon injured, along with the struggles of Joe Smith and rookie Carl Edwards, the Cubs are looking to make an addition.
Papelbon has a 4.37 ERA with 19 saves in 37 appearances this season.
McCann to Braves?
New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann cleared waivers earlier this week, making him eligible to be traded before August 31st. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Braves have been engaged in talks with the Yankees about acquiring McCann:
While there’s no evidence a deal for McCann is anywhere close at this point, McCann has indeed cleared waivers, as was reported on Today’s Knuckleball. The Yankees and Braves have had extensive talks regarding the well-liked veteran catcher who grew up in the Braves’ organization, and others have shown interest, too. The Braves do seem like the most logical possible landing spot, but the Yankees’ last known request for two young players in a deal for McCann apparently was a non starter for Atlanta, who like McCann as a major clubhouse plus for their young, rebuilding team.
The Braves are said to have offered to pay close to half McCann’s $17-million annual salary, and Atlanta’s idea apparently is to surrender much lesser prospects/players. A Yankees person suggested that while they contributed $2.5 million to complete the Beltran deal, they aren’t anxious to pay down other contracts, either. So they may be worlds apart at this point. Cashman hasn’t yet gone to McCann, who has a full no-trade, to ascertain if he’d consider returning to his home-state Braves; so that could conceivably be another hurdle.
Atlanta had talked with New York about acquiring McCann before the non-waiver deadline, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement. McCann is batting .228 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 92 games this season.
Stanton to DL
The Miami Marlins have place outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain he suffered while trying to stretch a single into a double. The play proved to be the last out of the game in a loss to the White Sox. Stanton is batting .244 with 25 homers and 70 RBIs in 103 games this season.