The MLB trade deadline on July 31st is rapidly approaching, and the trade rumors are starting to heat up. The All-Star game is only a few days away and the buyers and sellers are starting to distinguish themselves. Here are all the latest rumors and news from the hot stove.
Royals looking to acquire pitching
Kansas City's starting pitching rotation hasn't been as good as they hoped going into the season, and that has them in the market to add a starter this month, reports MLB.com's Jon Morosi:
Kansas City's rotation has accounted for the fewest innings of any in the Majors this season. On the trade market, the Royals are looking for starters capable of giving them innings; they'd love quality, but quantity is the more pressing concern.
For now, sources say the Royals are evaluating a number of trade targets who will become free agents after this season; Hellickson is part of that pool, as are Rich Hill, Jorge De La Rosa and Andrew Cashner, who has made one start since returning from the disabled list.
Danny Duffy is currently the only Royals pitcher with an ERA below 3.97, and Kris Medlen will be out for at least two weeks as he recovers from a Grade 1 shoulder strain.
Carlos Gonzalez wants to be traded
Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been the subject of trade rumors for the past few years, but now, he appears ready to move on. According to Jon Heyman of FanRagSports, Gonzalez has asked the Rockies for a trade:
Word is that in a recent meeting with team higher-ups, Gonzalez expressed an interest in going elsewhere (Rockies GM Jeff Bridich said he would keep all those conversations "private"), and the Rockies will likely float not one but two outfield stars.
Gonzalez is owed $17 million this season and $20 million in 2017, the final year of his contract. He is batting .318 with 18 home runs and 51 RBIs this season.
Yankees to deal Chapman?
Heyman reports the Yankees could move Chapman by the deadline, although there's a catch.
Two rival execs predicted the Yankees would trade at least one-third of No Runs DMC. And since rival execs are embarrassed to even ask about Dellin Betances, and we’ve already said Miller is probably staying put, that leaves Chapman.
The Yankees would get more than they gave up for Chapman, then they might even re-sign him in the winter, making them look really opportunistic.
Pulling a move like that off would be very impressive. With the Yankees struggling to even get to the No Runs DMC bullpen, it makes sense to move one of them.
Blue Jays and Jay Bruce?
The Blue Jays nearly swung a trade for Jay Bruce before the season, and they could try again before the deadline. Jon Heyman says "they may be the team most likely for Bruce." In the deal that fell apart before the season, the Blue Jays would have shipped out Michael Saunders. That's proven to be a great break for the Blue Jays and the Reds, as Saunders has played great and Bruce's value has only gone up.
Pirates shopping Jon Niese
Pittsburgh acquired Niese in a trade with the Mets for Neil Walker this offseason, but appears his time with his new team may be cut short. According to Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Niese is being shopped by the Pirates:
With rookie debuts in the rearview mirror and the rotation expected to settle later this month, the Pirates are actively shopping left-hander Jon Niese, according to multiple industry sources.
Niese is in the final year of his five-year contract extension signed with the Mets in 2012, but he has two club option years remaining. The Pirates are paying Niese $9 million this year and have options to pay him $10 million in 2016 and $11 million in 2017. They are unlikely to pick up either of Niese’s option years, opting rather to pay him the $500,000 buyouts.
Niese is 7-6 this season with a 4.87 ERA.
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