We are drawing closer and closer to the MLB trading deadline, and the market is starting to heat up. It’s been rumors galore the past few days, hopefully it’s a sign of many deals to come!
It’s certainly looking like it’s going to be a crazy deadline with the Washington Nationals reportedly joining the Chicago Cubs amongst the long list of sellers this season, and A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres just continue to wheel and deal.
Lets get into the latest round of rumors on the hot stove in today’s edition of the Rumor Roundup.
Nationals Listening On Star Pieces
The Nationals are reportedly listening to offers on future Hall-of-Fame starting pitcher Max Scherzer and the Cycle Magnet himself, shortstop Trea Turner.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, everyone except for superstar outfielder Juan Soto can be had at the right price. Heyman noted that “the reason Trea Turner is not included with Soto is the team has been unable to lock him up with their past attempts.”
The Nationals being open to moving the 3-time Cy Young makes since given that they are heading straight for a fourth-place finish and he is in his contract year, but an openness to moving Turner shows that Washington may also be moving towards a long-term rebuild.
Turner is arguably the Nationals’ most coveted prize right now not named Juan Soto, and would likely bring in a haul. As expected, the National have reportedly been receiving a ton of interest in the speedster.
Turner has professional experience at all three positions up the middle, and can turn around the hopes of a franchise easily. At just 28 year old, Turner certainly still has a ton of good baseball left and would be a tremendous addition for any ball-club.
Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Friars Moving Former Huge Signing?
According to Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the San Diego Padres are hoping to be able to move former splash signing first baseman Eric Hosmer in an effort to free up some salary.
This, of course, comes just one day after their acquisition of All-Star infielder Adam Frazier from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Hosmer, now 31, has struggled in 2021, to put it nicely. He is posting his lowest OPS since 2012 at .710 and with the addition of Frazier, is currently slated to be coming off the bench for the Pads.
Hosmer is signed through the 2025 season, with $59,000,000 left on his contract after this year. The former Gold Glove Award winner has spent the past three seasons in San Diego, but his time may be limited there.
Linn and Rosenthal add that the money the Padres saved in moving for Frazier is important to note “and it could help explain why Preller continues to discuss a seemingly endless array of scenarios — including potential trades involving Hosmer.”
Cubbies Not Shopping Around Ace
The Chicago Cubs, who are apparently open to moving anything except their 2016 title, have reportedly made it clear to teams that right-hander Kyle Hendricks would only be moved in a trade for a large ransom.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, “The pitcher is ‘definitely not being shopped’ according to a source, and barring an unexpectedly great offer, the Cubs are ‘not trying to move him.'”
Hendricks has one of the more affordable contracts in baseball, with three years and $39 million left on his current deal. The right-hander is one of the few players of the Cubs’ core that is not set to hit free agency after this season, so it makes sense for Chicago to hold onto him and try again next year.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer has already moved outfielder Joc Pederson and (reportedly) left-hander Andrew Chafin, and all signs point to multiple more Cubs players being shipped off to teams in the pennant race over the coming days.
Keep it posted to MMO for the latest breaking Mets and MLB news as we draw closer and closer to the July 30th Trade Deadline!
