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.
Papelbon to sign in next 24 hours
Reliever Jonathan Papelbon is a free agent after being released by the Washington Nationals, but he won't be for long. According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, Papelbon is expected to sign with a team in the next 24 hours:
According to a source with knowledge of his thinking, former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon will make a decision on where to play in the next 24 hours and is drawing “strong interest” from across the league, colleague Rob Bradford reports.
It should come as no surprise that multiple teams are intrigued by Papelbon, who was waived by the Nationals on Saturday after being displaced as closer by Mark Melancon.
Papelbon is expected to sign with either the Chicago Cubs or the Boston Red Sox. He has a 4.37 ERA with 19 saves in 37 appearances this season.
Mets not interested in Gomez
The New York Mets had left the door open to signing outfielder Carlos Gomez after he was designated for assignment by the Astros, but they are not interested in signing him, reports ESPN's Adam Rubin.
The Mets have shown no interest in trading for Carlos Gomez during the designated for assignment process. It's unlikely their posture will change assuming Gomez ultimately becomes a free agent, unless some unexpected event at the major league level with the Mets creates a need. The Mets may get righty-hitting center fielder Justin Ruggiano back from the DL later this week. Ruggiano begins a rehab assignment later on Monday with Las Vegas.
Miami has also expressed interest in signing Gomez, who is hitting .210 with five homers and 29 RBIs.
A-Rod won't play again this year
Speaking of the Marlins, they have been rumored to be interested in signing Alex Rodriguez to replace the injured Giancarlo Stanton. However, A-Rod's spokesman Ron Berkowitz said a return is "not happening" in 2016:
"I want to put all this talk to rest about Alex playing for any team this season," he said. "It's not happening. Like he said Friday night, he is happy and he is going to take some time to relax and hang with his family and friends."
Rodriguez batted .200 with nine home runs and 31 RBIs this season with the Yankees, and is sitting on 696 career homers.
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