The 2016 non-waiver trade deadline falls on August 1 this year, meaning it's less than two weeks away now. We've already seen a handful of trades go down in recent weeks, most notably involving James Shields and Drew Pomeranz, and you can be sure many more moves are on the way.
To help you keep track of all the rumors and rumblings, we'll log the day's buzz right here, so make sure you check back often for the latest updates. Here's a look at Thursday's trade chatter.
Pads, O's talking Upton, Jimenez
Update: 11:23pm ET
The Padres and Orioles are discussing a trade that would send Melvin Upton Jr. to Baltimore for Ubaldo Jimenez, reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. It's unclear if any other pieces are involved, but it would seem as though the O's should be kicking in something else given Upton's bounceback year and Jimenez's poor season. Their salaries are close to a wash too.
Nats won't trade top prospects for Chapman
Update: 8:57pm ET
The Nationals will not trade their top prospects to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman, reports Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post. That includes Lucas Giolito, Trea Turner, Victor Robles, and Reynaldo Lopez. The Nats have long had interest in Chapman -- Dusty Baker was Chapman's manager with the Reds, remember -- and it'll be tough to swing a deal if they make all their top prospects off-limits. The Yankees figure to have plenty of suitors of Chapman. Remember though, this is the time of year when every team says their top prospects are off-limits.
Padres close to trading Upton?
Update: 8:54pm ET
The Padres are telling teams they are close to trading Melvin Upton Jr., according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. Upton, 31, is hitting .260/.309/.448 (104 OPS+) with 16 home runs and 20 stolen bases this season. He's owed the remainder of his $15.45 million salary this year plus another $16.45 million next year, and chances are the Padres will have to eat some money to facilitate a trade.
Could Royals be sellers?
Update: 8:17pm ET
The Royals are considering selling at the trade deadline, reports Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball. The team has to "prepare on both fronts," meaning buying and selling. Kansas City is 47-47 and nine games back in the AL Central. They're six games back of a wild-card spot. Should the Royals decide to sell, they'd have some very desirable pieces to offer, namely relievers Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera. Lorenzo Cain would be rather popular as well.
Rangers making push for Sale
Update: 8:16pm ET
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are making a "serious effort" to acquire Chris Sale from the White Sox. Chicago is said to be seeking Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo in return, among others. We buy this rumor, for what it's worth. The White Sox are 7 1/2 games out of a postseason spot and are at least considering selling prior to the trade deadline. Sale is their biggest trade chip and would require a substantial return.
Brantley suffers setback
Update: 7:33pm ET
Michael Brantley underwent a procedure Friday to break up scar tissue in his surgically repaired shoulder, the Indians announced. He is expected to resume baseball activities next week. Brantley has appeared in only 11 games this season due to offseason shoulder surgery and subsequent setbacks. Here are some possible targets should the club decide to pursue outfield help at the deadline.
Indians after Chapman, Miller?
Update: 5:04pm ET
The Indians despite their perch atop the AL Central need bullpen help, especially in the interests of a deep playoff run. As you would expect, they're angling to improve the bullpen before Aug. 1, and Jon Heyman in Today's Knuckleball writes that Cleveland has set its sights on the Yankees' power lefty duo of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. Those are easily the top two relievers on the market, so acquiring both would absolutely make over the Indians' bullpen. The price in talent, though, would be substantial.
Jay Bruce market heating up?
Update: 4:58pm ET
Writing in Today's Knuckleball, Jon Heyman reports that at least five teams, including the Blue Jays and Rangers, have interest in trading for Reds outfielder Jay Bruce. Bruce, 29, is batting .263/.314/.530 (121 OPS+) on the season with 19 homers in 89 games. He's owed the balance of a $12.5 million salary for this season and has a $13 million team option/$1 million buyout for 2017. Bruce is stretched in the field these days, so he'd be better suited to an AL team who can hide him at DH on occasion. Bruce has been the subject of trade rumors for quite a while and was almost dealt to Toronto this past offseason. Don't be surprised if something happens soon.
D-backs on verge of sell-off?
Update: 4:51pm ET
Maybe, maybe not. But it's plausible to ask whether the D-backs may emerge as deadline sellers in light of the report that manager Chip Hale's job may be in serious danger. Maybe they'll hang on to those trade-able assets in the hopes of making a run in 2017, but there's a lot to be said for tearing it all down in Arizona.
Royals after Markakis?
Update: 1:37pm ET
MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that the Royals may be among the teams interested in trading for Braves veteran outfielder Nick Markakis. Markakis, 32, is batting just .260/.337/.366 (91 OPS+), which is well below his established level of performance. As well, he's still owed $22 million for each of the next two full seasons. As Bowman notes, the Braves would likely have to kick in some cash in any such deal. If Markakis' decline phase has indeed taken hold, then it's questionable how much value he can provide moving forward.
Buchholz on the move?
Update: 1:33pm ET
Boston's Clay Buchholz was bumped from the rotation not long ago, and as WEEI's Rob Bradford writes, on Thursday he made his first appearance in a game since July 2. Buchholz is a pending free agent (assuming the Sox don't exercise his $13.5 million club option for 2017) who's pitched to a 5.84 ERA and career-worst 1.43 K/BB ratio in 81 2/3 innings this season. So it's not certain how much of a market there would be for his services.
Jays in on Sabathia, Cashner?
Update: 10:15am ET
The Jays right now are on pace for 91 wins and are right in the thick of the AL East race. However, rotation depth is an ongoing concern. On that front, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports writes that Toronto recently scouted CC Sabathia of the Yankees and Andrew Cashner of the Padres (more on Cashner below). It's not certain that the Yankees are sellers just yet (though they probably should be). If they are, though, then Sabathia may have a market. For much of 2016, he was thriving, but he's rung up a 7.46 ERA over his last six starts, which has obviously taken some of the shine off.
Mets looking to fortify bullpen
Update: 9:31am ET
In an ideal world, the Mets would add a capable starting pitcher to the fold before the deadline, but the market may not be shaping up to accommodate such a goal. Instead, Mike Puma of the New York Post writes, the Mets may instead look for bullpen help. Puma lists Joe Smith of the Angels, Chris Withrow of the Braves, and Jeremy Jeffress of the Brewers as possible targets.
This season, the Mets' bullpen ranks second in the NL in ERA and third in FIP, so it certainly hasn't been a weakness to date. But it's always good to have a hedge or two against stretch-drive fatigue and injury.
Cashner says he's going to be traded
Update: 9:35am ET
Padres right-hander Andrew Cashnerlooked strong against the Cardinals on Thursday night (although the Padres blew the game in the late innings). This, of course, is good time for the Padres, as they're expected to trade Cashner before Aug. 1. GM A.J. Preller has already shipped off Shields and Pomeranz, so the sell-off is already underway in San Diego. As for Cashner, he tells Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune, "I know I'm going to be traded," Cashner said late Thursday. "It's just part of the game, part of where the season's at."
After Thursday's start, Cashner on the season has a 4.79 ERA and 2.26 K/BB ratio after 15 starts this season. For 2016, he's owed the balance of a $7.15 million salary. He's eligible for free agency this upcoming offseason.
Gomez being shopped?
Update: 9:38am ET
The Phillies are expected to trade starter Jeremy Hellickson before the non-waiver deadline, and now MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that a market may be developing for closer Jeanmar Gomez. Gomez, 28, has fared well in his first season as closer: 2.76 ERA in 45 2/3 innings with just 10 unintentional walks and three homers allowed. He's also converted 26 of 29 save opportunities. He's also a reasonably low-cost addition, as Gomez is owed the remainder of a $1.4 million salary for 2016 and isn't eligible for free agency until after next season. Obviously, late-inning relievers are always in demand leading up to the trade deadline, so the Phillies will surely find a taker if they're indeed motivated to move Gomez.
Marlins looking for a lefty reliever
Update: 9:04am ET
Joe Frisaro tweets that the Marlins are looking to add a left-handed reliever in advance of the non-waiver deadline. As Frisaro notes, the Marlins were in on Mike Montgomery, but he of course wound up going to the Cubs. Right now, Miami has only one lefty presently on the roster, and that's Mike Dunn. When it comes to lefty relievers, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman of the Yankees are obviously the prizes, but the Marlins may have designs on a less notable and less costly addition.
