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.
Marlins to sign Gomez or A-Rod?
The Miami Marlins are left with a need for a slugger in their lineup after losing Giancarlo Stanton for the season with a groin injury, and they're contemplating signing either Carlos Gomez or Alex Rodriguez, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro:
With Giancarlo Stanton possibly out for the remainder of the season, the Marlins are exploring the market for hitting options, and Alex Rodriguez is under consideration.
"I think we're going through that process right now," Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill said. "We're putting our list together of options. [Rodriguez] is available, so he will be on that list. We'll see where that goes."
A-Rod is now a free agent after he was released by the Yankees on Saturday. Hill said the 41-year-old clears waivers on Monday, and the club may at that time reach out to the 14-time All-Star.
If Rodriguez isn't the answer, the Marlins plan to still explore candidates who might be available before the Aug. 31 deadline for a player to be eligible for the postseason roster. Outfielder Carlos Gomez, designated by the Astros, also is under consideration.
"Nobody is going to feel sorry for us," Mattingly said. "Everybody has injuries. Every team that I've ever been involved with has things that they have to overcome. This is just one of them. We've got to do what we've got to do."
Ichiro Suzuki started at right field in place of Stanton on Sunday, but Miami wants to add more power to the lineup.
Rodriguez is batting .200 with nine homers and 31 RBIs this season, while Gomez is hitting .210 with five homers and 29 RBIs.
Orioles looking to add veteran pitcher
Baltimore Orioles reliever Darren O'Day is back on the 15-day DL with a shoulder injury, and that may cause the Orioles to make a trade for a lefty bullpen arm, reports BaltimoreBaseball.com's Dan Connolly:
The Orioles weathered the storm without O’Day in June and July, so what’s another couple weeks?
The difference, of course, is that this is crunch time. The Orioles have basically one and a half months left, and every game, every inning, is crucial. And the bullpen, like most in August, is showing some signs of fatigue.
So this is when [GM Dan] Duquette should strike and boost the bullpen for the stretch run. His trade checklist last month was right-handed-hitting outfielder, lefty starter and lefty reliever. He got two of those in Steve Pearce and Wade Miley, but found the cost for a lefty reliever – some teams were asking for Dylan Bundy – was too steep.
That may still be the case. But a team like the Colorado Rockies, who were hanging onto lefty Boone Logan while they remained in the race last month, are further out of contention now.
Trading this month gets a little trickier since players have to pass through trade waivers first, but it’d be surprising if at least one solid lefty didn’t get through.
If so, Duquette should pounce. He may not have the deepest farm system at his disposal, but it should be solid enough to land a lefty specialist in return.
O'Day is schedule to come off the disabled list on August 27, giving Baltimore time to wait on him before the deadline.
Clayton Kershaw latest
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has not played since being placed on the disabled list with a herniated disc in his back on June 30, and while he has resumed pitching, he doesn't seem to be that close to a return. Via MLB.com's Jack Baer:
Clayton Kershaw was seen throwing off flat ground at Dodger Stadium on Sunday for the third day in a row, but he still remains several days away from pitching off a mound.
The ace was seen throwing from at least 100 feet, a longer distance than he threw from on Friday and Saturday. He told reporters that he had been throwing for a week as he walked off the field.
Kershaw was first reported to be throwing on Aug. 7, but it's unclear if he took a break between then and Friday. While throwing again is an obvious sign of progress, he is still targeting a return in September.
Kershaw was 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA before the injury.
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