The MLB trade rumors are ramping up.
Big-name players including Eugenio Suarez, Zac Gallen and Sandy Alcantara could be on the move before the July 31 trade deadline, but none will come cheaply, especially with so many teams still within striking distance of a playoff spot.
Entering Monday, 22 teams either held a playoff spot or were within 5.5 games of one.
While the championship-hopeful Yankees and Mets are expected to add, the decision whether to buy or sell is less clear for fringe contenders such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals.
With less than two weeks left before the deadline, here is the latest buzz.
SUAREZ SWEEPSTAKES
Any rumor round-up starts with Suarez, whose prolific production and impending free agency make him perhaps the most coveted player on the market.
Arizona’s slugging third baseman hit four more homers over the weekend, giving him a National League-high 35 this season. Only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge had more going into Monday.
While the Diamondbacks’ weekend sweep of St. Louis moved them back to .500, the 34-year-old Suarez is still considered likely to be traded, with ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan on Monday giving it a 90% chance.
“Even if the Diamondbacks don’t offload all their free agents-to-be, Suárez could be moved because they’ve got Jordan Lawlar raking in Triple-A and primed to take over at third,” the ESPN duo wrote.
Among the fits listed by Passan and McDaniel were the Yankees, who haven’t received much offensive production from third basemen Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas and could use another right-handed bat.
The Chicago Cubs are another prime fit.
ONE STOP SHOP?
The Yankees’ ties to Arizona don’t stop with Suarez.
The D-Backs also employ a pair of starting pitchers in right-handers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen who are poised for free agency this winter.
The Yankees sent scouts to watch Gallen and Kelly, according to USA Today, which reported the Boston Red Sox did the same.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said this month that his wish list includes an infielder, a starting pitcher and relief help.
Gallen entered Monday with a 7-10 record and a 5.40 ERA, but the native of Somerdale, N.J., is only two years removed from a third-place finish in NL Cy Young voting.
The battle-tested Kelly is 9-5 with a 3.32 ERA and pitched to a stellar 2.25 ERA during Arizona’s World Series run in 2023.
MATCH-MAKING METS
The Mets may have to dip into a strength to address a weakness.
They are reportedly prepared to do so, with The Athletic reporting Monday that the Mets would be willing to trade from their infield surplus.
Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña have all flashed at the MLB level, but in most games, at least two of them are on the bench.
Due to a rash of injuries, the Mets are in significant need of relief pitching.
BUSY BIRDS
While many teams are still determining their deadline plans, the Baltimore Orioles seem to have picked a lane.
General manager Mike Elias said he does not intend to blow up the O’s roster but confirmed they are approaching the market as sellers.
The Orioles entered Monday at 44-54, in last place in the American League East and as one of baseball’s biggest disappointments.
“We’ve got to be realistic about our situation,” Elias said Sunday on MLB Network Radio. “The conversations that I’m having right now are more oriented towards what’s out there for some of our available major-league players.”
Designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, an impending free agent who started for the AL in the All-Star Game, entered Monday with 12 homers and an .835 OPS, making him the Orioles’ most obvious trade piece.
Speedy center fielder Cedric Mullins, who is also in a walk year, has often been linked to the Mets.
Relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto are set to be free agents this winter, too. Same goes for Tomoyuki Sugano, who is having a decent year, and fellow starters Zach Eflin and Charlie Morton, who have struggled.
STARTER SCARCITY
There aren’t many front-line starters expected to be traded, which will likely drive up the asking prices for lower-tier pitchers.
But there are still some difference-makers who could be on the move.
The most interesting case is that of Miami’s Alcantara, who is three years and a Tommy John surgery removed from his NL Cy Young season in 2022.
Alcantara is 4-9 with a 7.14 ERA this year — his first since returning from the elbow operation — but he is still just 29 and under team control through 2027.
The Marlins could keep Alcantara and hope he restores his value, but they may strike if the pitching market doesn’t pick up. ESPN listed the chances of an Alcantara trade at 50%.
Kansas City’s Seth Lugo (6-5, 2.94 ERA) is an impending free agent, while Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller (3-10, 3.48 ERA) has three years and $55.7 million remaining on his contract. Neither is guaranteed to be moved, either.
BIG RELIEF
It should be a more robust market for relievers.
Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase and Minnesota’s Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax are among the high-leverage arms that could be available, and even if they ultimately aren’t moved, other worthwhile options remain.
Pittsburgh’s David Bednar is delivering another strong season, while hard-throwing Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley is entering his walk year.
The Pirates’ Dennis Santana, who pitched for the Mets in 2023 and the Yankees last year, entered Monday with a 1.52 ERA and is under team control next season, too.
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