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.
Yankees going after Puig?
The Dodgers have made it known that outfielder Yasiel Puig is available for a trade before the deadline, and while there has been some interest in him from other teams, Los Angeles hasn't had serious talks with anyone about Puig.
One team that may be willing to make a strong push for Puig is the New York Yankees. They're expected to be sellers at the deadline, but NJ.com's Joe Giglio says the Yankees could sell those pieces for a proven player like Puig:
Instead of swapping Aroldis Chapman (who the Dodgers originally traded for before backing out in the offseason) or Andrew Miller for prospects, what about the idea of a package that includes Puig? A one-for-one swap with Chapman could have merit. For Miller, Puig would likely have to be a piece of the puzzle.
Plus, Puig's below-market contract pays him less than $18 million over the next two seasons. Potentially, the Yankees could land an everyday star on a team-friendly deal for the price of a relief pitcher.
Last offseason, the Yankees bought low on second baseman Starlin Castro—a player that came with similar concerns about plate discipline and declining numbers after an amazing career start. If the trade deadline isn't just about prospect return, taking a flier on Puig should be an option that's considered in the Bronx.
Puig is batting .257 with seven homers and 31 RBIs in 75 games this season.
Cubs won't trade Schwarber
Many teams - particularly the Yankees - have been trying to pry Kyle Schwarber away from the Chicago Cubs despite Schwarber's knee injury. However, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports, the Cubs are not going to trade the slugger:
Seeing as the Cubs remain favorites to win the World Series even without Schwarber, the question of his dispensability has arisen, particularly seeing as the Cubs need relief pitching and the Yankees have Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. Miller, in particular, is desirable because of his ability to pitch in a setup role and close, plus his reasonable deal that goes through the 2018 season. Chapman would be a rental, and one with baggage from a domestic incident that led to a month-long suspension.
The Cubs, it should be said, do not want to trade Schwarber. The likelihood of them doing it is small enough that even addressing it is probably a time-waster. But the question was posed to a dozen people in the game in recent weeks: Why would the Cubs ever trade a bat like Schwarber’s for a relief pitcher? And only one answer seemed satisfactory.
It has nothing to do with production and everything to do with opportunity. If the Cubs were to add Miller, he solidifies their chance to win the World Series this year, and a World Series to the Cubs, the theory went, is worth a billion dollars. Billion, as in with a B.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has reportedly put Schwarber at the top of his wishlist, and is dangling both Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman in front of the Cubs. However, Chicago has remained steadfast in their desire to keep Schwarber.
Six teams targeting Hill
A's pitcher Rich Hill has become the most sought-after arm on the market, and Passan says six teams are talking with Oakland about requiring him:
The Hill market hasn’t developed as rapidly as Drew Pomeranz’s did. Once teams know Hill is healthy, or at least healthy enough to pitch, the offers will start pouring in. Expected to be in the bidding, according to sources, are the usual subjects: Boston, Texas, Baltimore, Toronto and the Los Angeles Dodgers. A more surprising team calling around on starting pitching, sources said: Detroit, which is four games above .500 and three back of the second wild card.
Only contenders, or wannabe contenders, are interested in Hill, seeing as he’s a free agent at season’s end.
Hill was scratched from his start on Friday and was forced to leave his start on Sunday with blisters, and that could delay any potential trade. Still, it looks like Hill will definitely be dealt before the deadline.
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