The MLB trade deadline on August 1st is rapidly approaching, and the trade rumors are starting to heat up. The All-Star game is one day away and there should only be more rumblings and buzz as we get closer to the deadline. Here are all the latest rumors and news from the hot stove.
Rangers trying to acquire Lucroy?
The Milwaukee Brewers have been trying to trade catcher Jonathan Lucroy for two years now, and he appears to be one of the bigger names that will be dealt by the deadline. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Texas Rangers are plotting to trade for Lucroy:
The scout reasoned that younger players are drawing more attention in trade discussions because so many teams are reluctant to part with prospects who are closer to the majors. He surmised that the home team, the Rangers, was involved in multiple trade discussions. And he noted that the Brewers had multiple scouts watching the Texas youngsters -- an indication, perhaps, that the Rangers are plotting to acquire Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy.
Obviously, the Rangers' biggest need is pitching, starting and relief. But teams, increasingly frustrated with the lack of starting pitching available in trade, might seek other ways to outscore opponents.
The Rangers' pursuit of Lucroy, if it is indeed a pursuit, would fit the same mold. The four catchers used by the Rangers this season have combined for the 12th best OPS in the majors. Lucroy, though, clearly would represent an upgrade.
Lucroy is batting .304 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs this season.
Jay Bruce latest
Reds outfielder Jay Bruce is one of the biggest names on the trade market, and according to Jon Heyman of FanRagSports, he's surprised he hasn't been moved yet.
Reds All-Star Jay Bruce stopped a bit short of saying he’d waive his limited no-trade clause to play for a winner, but he made clear that his main goal is to win. So the smart money says he’d go to a contender that wanted him.
“I want to play in October,” Bruce said. “I’m 29. I’m not getting any younger. What I want most is the chance to play in a World Series.”
It was reported by Today’s Knuckleball a couple weeks ago that he wouldn’t necessarily nix a trade to the Indians just because he recently added them to his eight-team no-trade list. They were a late change, replacing the Blue Jays, whose trade for Bruce in the winter was nixed when two others failed physicals, according to sources. (Bruce, who obviously would welcome a trade to the Jays, passed his physical.)
Also on his no-trade list are the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, A’s and Rays. Besides the Indians, only the Red Sox and Marlins are clear buyers, and both are pretty well stocked in the outfield and looking hard for pitching.
The Indians, Blue Jays, Royals and Orioles are considered to be the most likely destinations for Bruce, who is batting .267 with 18 homers and 63 RBIs.
Pineda, Shoemaker on the block?
There is a noticeable shortage of high-quality pitchers available on the open market, but two surprise names that have come up are the Yankees' Michael Pineda and the Angels' Matt Shoemaker. Via Rosenthal:
Baseball people are trying to figure out which teams might be opportunistic and surprise the industry by shopping a starting pitcher who currently is thought to be unavailable.
A survey of scouts at the Futures Game produced two reasonably intriguing names: Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda and Angels righty Matt Shoemaker.
The Yankees, after winning three of four in Cleveland and entering the break at .500, might not be willing to talk about Pineda, who had a 2.75 ERA in June before a poor start to open July. But why not? Pineda, who will be a free agent after the 2017 season, might command a greater return than he actually is worth.
The Angels, on the other hand, are out of contention, but they likely will be reluctant to part with Shoemaker, who is under club control for four more seasons. Left-hander Andrew Heaney recently underwent Tommy John surgery, and righty Garrett Richards remains a candidate for the procedure.
Pineda is 3-8 with a 5.38 ERA this season, while Shoemaker has posted a 4-9 mark with a 4.45 ERA.
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