The MLB trade deadline of August 1st is rapidly approaching and the MLB trade rumors are starting to heat up. With the All-Star break out of the way, teams in the postseason race are focused on improving their rosters before the non-waiver deadline. The sellers, meanwhile, are hoping to find prospects to boost their rebuild. Here are all the latest rumors and news from the MLB hot stove.
Yankees Shopping Chapman?
With the Yankees on the outside looking in of the playoff picture, they should become sellers as the trade deadline approaches. That makes soon-to-be free agent Aroldis Chapman the most likely trade chip.
Rival execs: NYY going full bore in shaping possible deals w/Chapman, etc.; started weeks ago, as reported. Nats, TEX, CLE, others involved.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 19, 2016
Ken Rosenthal reports Chapman is the Nationals' top target, while the Indians prefer Andrew Miller. The Yankees should be able to get more for Chapman than they gave up to get him from the Reds.
Giants Want Bullpen Help?
The Giants led the NL West, but are looking to make a move or two before the deadline. They're targeting bullpen help this year after spending heavily on starting pitching in the offseason.
#SFGiants are blanketing the reliever market. They have a top scout at #Phillies series monitoring Jeanmar Gomez and David Hernandez.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 20, 2016
#SFGiants also scouting #Brewers Will Smith and Jeremy Jeffress. Lingering on Miller-Chapman, but might be outgunned by #Cubs, #Nationals.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 20, 2016
The Giants don't have the prospects to offer the Yankees to land Miller or Chapman, so one of the other names mentioned above make more sense.
Cubs' Near Blockbuster
The Cubs are expected to be active at the trade deadline, and according to Ken Rosenthal, that nearly included a blockbuster deal. The Cubs tried to land Padres pitcher Drew Pomeranz before the Red Sox landed him as part of a bigger deal. The Cubs would have then flipped Pomeranz for another unnamed pitcher who has yet to be linked to any deals and likely won't be now that the Cubs deal is dead. That makes this mystery pitcher a likely big name (and Rosenthal says he's under team control even longer than Pomeranz), but the deal fell apart when the Padres wanted Javier Baez in exchange. The Cubs thought that was too high an asking price. But there is one major takeaway - the Cubs are open to adding starting pitching help.
Nationals Not After Blackmon?
General manager Mike Rizzo has shot down the rumor that the team was interested in OF Charlie Blackmon.
For what its worth Mike Rizzo just said on @1067theFan Charlie Blackmon rumor "Is not accurate" @Nationals #Nats @JunksRadio
— Pete Medhurst (@PeteMedhurst) July 20, 2016
The Nationals were reportedly looking for an upgrade at the leadoff spot with Blackmon.
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