As this year’s trade market unfolded, it seemed like there just wouldn’t be the high-end talent available at the deadline that MLB has seen in years past.
That was until Saturday when the New York Mets sent three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers in exchange for top prospect Luisangel Acuña.
With the Mets officially becoming sellers, could that open the door for some more big-name players to be moved? Here are the latest rumours from around MLB as Aug. 1 draws closer:
What’s next for Verlander?
After dealing Scherzer, heads are naturally going to turn to the Mets and their plans for fellow three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander.
Following the trade Saturday, Jon Heyman of The New York Post wrote that someone within the organization described the Mets as a “team in transition.”
In his column, Heyman wonders whether Verlander would want to stay with a team that isn’t in contention, despite his love for New York. According to Heyman, the belief is that “the Mets now are more interested in the future beyond 2024.”
Verlander is in the first season of a two-year, $86.66 million contract he signed with New York last December. The 40-year-old has a full no-trade clause as part of the deal, meaning he can turn down any potential trades.
After a rough stretch to begin his Mets tenure, Verlander has returned to form since the middle of June. Over his last eight starts, he owns a 1.98 ERA over 50 innings pitched and has struck out 43 hitters.
Earlier in the week, MLB.com‘s Mark Feinsand reported that “there is a belief within the industry” that Verlander would be moved, listing the Rangers, Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds as potential suitors.
The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya confirmed that the Los Angeles Dodgers have expressed interest in acquiring last year’s AL Cy Young winner on Saturday.
As for other Mets that could be on the move, Heyman said that outfielders Mark Canha and Tommy Pham and reliever Brooks Raley “should prepare for trades.”
Cardinals focusing on ‘future success’
After Jorge Castillo reported in the L.A. Times that the St. Louis Cardinals and Dodgers had engaged in talks regarding star third baseman Nolan Arenado, the Redbirds now plan on keeping the eight-time All-Star.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the club won’t trade Arenado and “did not approach him about waiving his no-trade clause.”
St. Louis committed to selling earlier this month amid its disappointing 2023 season. However, Mozeliak told Goold that the team is “working on building for future success.” With an offence that has scored the 10th most runs in MLB this year, that likely means re-vamping the pitching staff, which currently ranks 24th in ERA.
Goold said, “internally the Cardinals believe they can use this deadline to reboot the pitching staff and then augment it through the winter for a swift return to contention.” He also added Saturday that reliever Jordan Hicks and outfielder Dylan Carlson have been at the centre of talks with the New York Yankees and that the Miami Marlins are interested in pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty
Rookie outfielder Alec Burleson has also “drawn interest,” according to Goold.
Late Saturday, MLB Network‘s Jon Morosi reported that trade talks around Montgomery have been “gaining momentum” and that a “deal is becoming increasingly likely.” He listed the Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles as teams that have been in contact with St. Louis.
What’s next for the White Sox?
Already having dealt five pitchers ahead of the trade deadline, the Chicago White Sox have still been drawing interest from teams around the league.
Morosi reported Saturday, that right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton has been the topic of trade talks and “could be dealt before Tuesday’s deadline.”
Middleton, 29, has been one of baseball’s best swing-and-miss relievers in the majors this season and owns a 30.7 per cent strikeout rate over 35.1 innings of work.
Outfielder Eloy Jimenez has also been the target of rival clubs, including the Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score in Chicago.
Unlike Middleton and all the pitchers the White Sox have moved thus far, Jimenez is not a pending free agent, with team options in 2025 and 2026. He has slashed .285/.330/.477 this season and has been viewed as part of Chicago’s four-player core that they aren’t looking to move at the deadline.
Left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer can be added to that quartet, as USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale reported Saturday that Chicago will be keeping the southpaw and starter Dylan Cease, despite teams inquiring about their services.
Rangers ‘going for it’ after Scherzer trade
Despite already adding former All-Stars Scherzer and Aroldis Chapman, the Rangers are still in the market for pitching.
MLB.com‘s Mark Feinsand reported early Sunday morning that Texas is looking to add “another starting pitcher and 1-2 bullpen arms,” adding that a rival executive told him the Rangers “are going for it.”
The Rangers had reportedly been looking for trades where they could address both needs, according to Morosi. He highlighted Detroit Tigers as a potential match with starter Michael Lorenzen and reliever Jason Foley.
Another team that might make sense for such a deal would be the Cardinals, given that Texas has been “aggressively pursuing” Hicks, per Nightengale.
Quick hits
• Heyman reported Friday that the Chicago Cubs are “re-thinking” their status as sellers after a six-game win streak pulled them into the wild card race. On Sunday, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported the Cubs will not trade Cody Bellinger.
• The Seattle Mariners are “open to” moving closer Paul Sewald, according to The New York Post‘s Joel Sherman.
• In search of a right-handed hitter, the Philadelphia Phillies were in San Francisco scouting Boston Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall, per The Boston Globe‘s Pete Abraham.
