With just about 24 hours left before the trade deadline, the baseball world is buzzing with anticipation. Contending clubs are scrambling for blockbuster deals, and sellers aren’t budging on their lucrative prices. Insiders from across the league are dropping tantalizing hints and fueling speculation on which stars might be on the move. From hushed whispers in the front office to last-minute negotiations, the clock is ticking. Here’s the latest scoops, nuggets, and rumors from the biggest insiders, all put into one location.
24 Hours Before the Deadline: The Latest Scoops, Nuggets, and Rumors From Insiders
Jeff Passan, ESPN
- Phillies, Blue Jays, Rangers, Tigers, Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers are heavily invested in the relief pitcher market. David Bednar, Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, Pete Fairbanks, and Ryan Helsley are the targets.
- The San Francisco Giants are evaluating the back end of their bullpen and listening to calls.
- The Athletics might get an offer they cannot decline for Mason Miller.
- Still possible for Joe Ryan, MacKenzie Gore, Jhoan Duran, and Steven Kwan to be dealt.
- Blue Jays want to add one more high-leverage relief option, even after the Seranthony Dominguez deal.
- The Tigers are looking to bolster the back end of their bullpen.
- The Astros want to add a starting pitcher.
- The Brewers likely won’t do anything unless value falls into their lap.
- The Dodgers want a “big name,” and relief pitching is top priority.
- The Orioles, even after dealing Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto, still have more to offer to buyers.
- The Marlins want a minimum of two top prospects for each of Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera.
- The chance of Cleveland moving Steven Kwan is higher than last week.
- The volume of deals will overshadow the lack of star power moved at the deadline.
Buster Olney, ESPN
- The Mets might be the most aggressive club adding players; they want to add a starting pitcher who could start a playoff game in a three-game series.
- The Mets are looking for more bullpen help as well as an outfielder (Cedric Mullins and Luis Robert are linked heavily).
- The American League is wide open; seven to eight teams think they have a shot. Teams in the American League could make “bold” moves tomorrow afternoon.
- The Cubs want a frontline starting pitcher, specifically one who can replace the injured Justin Steele. Joe Ryan, Dylan Cease, and Merrill Kelly are on their list.
- The Yankees are focused on high-leverage bullpen depth and a right-handed outfielder. They have their eyes on a reunion with Harrison Bader.
- The Phillies look to add high-end relief options. They’re also in the mix for Luis Robert Jr..
- The Mariners will address their bullpen. Rival executives believe they are frontrunners for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
- Shane Bieber is a dark-horse candidate for the Cubs and Red Sox.
- Danny Coulombe, Griffin Jax, Pete Fairbanks, Robert Suarez, and Seth Halvorsen are being looked at by at least a dozen clubs.
- The Rays and Diamondbacks are the “most prominent” teams to move players.
Bob Nightengale, USA Today
- The Astros are inquiring with Minnesota for Carlos Correa. While Houston prefers a left-handed-hitting infielder, they still love Correa.
- The Astros are “exploring the possibility” of Nolan Arenado (as well as Correa), also engaged with Arizona for Eugenio Suarez.
- Sandy Alcantara had his last start for the Marlins last night.
- Eugenio Suarez will play in his last game for Arizona today, in the lineup as a DH.
Jon Heyman, New York Post
- Teams are discussing Robert Suarez in trades. He will earn $16 million over the next two seasons with an opt-out. If the Padres trade Suarez, they’d want to fill the gap by adding another relief pitcher. Dylan Cease remains in trade talks.
- Five teams are calling Baltimore on Charlie Morton, including the Red Sox.
- The Yankees remain in contact with Pittsburgh. Interested in David Bednar and Mitch Keller.
- The Mets are considering Luis Robert Jr. and Cedric Mullins to address their outfield.
- Ramon Laureano connects to the Phillies, Padres, Giants, and Reds. The Mets are also considering him, but it’s not a probable destination.
Joel Sherman, New York Post
- The Rangers have a strong desire to buy “aggressively,” in case this is manager Bruce Bochy’s last year with the club.
Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
- Emmanuel Clase’s situation ended any chance the Guardians had of buying ahead of the deadline.
Main Photo Credits: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
The post 24 Hours Before the Deadline: The Latest Scoops, Nuggets, and Rumors From Insiders appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.