The MLB trade deadline of August 1st is rapidly approaching, and the trade rumors are starting to heat up. With the All-Star game out of the way, the trade deadline is now the biggest event next up on the calendar. Here are all the latest rumors and news from the MLB hot stove.
Toronto targeting Beltran
The Yankees are rumored to be shopping outfielder Carlos Beltran at the deadline, and the Blue Jays have expressed a lot of interest in acquiring him, according to ESPN:
ESPN's Jim Bowden reports that the Toronto Blue Jays "have had internal discussions about possible interest in acquiring Carlos Beltran if the Yankees decided to move him at the trade deadline, according to a club source."
Beltran's three-year, $45 million deal with the Yankees ends this fall. ESPN's Buster Olney wrote earlier this season that with another year left in Alex Rodriguez's contract, Beltran definitely will be on a different team come 2017.
Beltran's contract has a partial no-trade clause: The Yankees can deal him to 14 teams without needing his permission, according to Olney. It's not known whether Toronto is on Beltran's no-trade list.
Beltran is batting .298 with 19 home runs and 58 RBIs so far this season.
If the Blue Jays can't land Beltran, they're expected to pursue a deal for San Diego's Melvin Upton Jr.
Braves interested in Lucroy?
Atlanta is a strong candidate to be sellers once again at the deadline given their lackluster record, but they're actually going they other way. They want to acquire a starting catcher for next season and are expected to inquire about Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy, reports MLBTradeRumors's Charlie Wilmoth:
Even before a recent injury to Tyler Flowers, the Braves wanted to acquire a catcher this month who could serve as their primary starter in 2017, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports. That means they will likely ask the Brewers about Jonathan Lucroy, who they’ve kept tabs on in the past. They would, however, likely need to feel they could extend Lucroy if they were to acquire him, since he is eligible for free agency after his $5.25MM 2017 option.
Lucroy is batting .303 with 11 homers and 43 RBIs this season.
New York to extend Chapman?
The Yankees have been shopping closer Aroldis Chapman over the past month, but now, they appear to have changed course. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, New York is considering offering Chapman an extension:
One possibility that the Yankees are considering if they stay competitive, according to major-league sources: Signing potential free-agent closer Aroldis Chapman to an extension.
The team has yet to initiate any such discussions, sources say, and retains the option of trading Chapman and then re-signing him in the offseason without losing a draft pick.
Chapman has a 2.39 ERA and 17 saves in 27 appearances this season.
Boston not done making moves?
The trade that brought Drew Pomeranz to Boston capped off a week in which the Red Sox made four trades, but that doesn't mean Boston is done. Team president Dave Dombrowski said the team is still exploring options on the open market:
"You can always get better," Dombrowski said. "There are no perfect clubs out there. But we've really been able to address some major needs at this point. We've got four guys (in the rotation) and we're hopeful Eduardo (Rodriguez) will step up at this point when he pitches on Saturday. We'll see what else happens beyond that."
MassLive.com's Christopher Smith says the Red Sox will likely go after Jeremy Hellickson - if Rodriguez struggles in his return:
The Sox still could make a trade for a backend starter if Rodriguez doesn't pitch well in his few starts before the deadline. Philadelphia's Jeremy Hellickson is a starter who the Red Sox reportedly have scouted. He probably would not cost a lot in terms of prospects.
Hellickson is 6-7 with a 4.03 ERA so far this season.
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