We are less than three weeks from the trade deadline. Which means we are anxiously waiting for Ken Rosenthal to tweet out where players will be dealt.
The Milwaukee Brewers are in a tight race for the National League Central division with a current 1.5 game lead over the Chicago Cubs. Jon Morosi of MLB reports that they are interested in acquiring infield help and a starting pitcher. Morosi specifically mentions that the Brewers have been in contact with the Minnesota Twins while listing Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar and Lance Lynn as possible targets.
Brewers second baseman have hit only .230/.288/.352 this year with a 71 wRC+ that is tied for 26th in the majors at the position. Of course the Mets have a pending free agent second baseman that is hitting .280/.328/.485 with a 122 wRC+ this season in Asdrubal Cabrera.
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Jon Heyman kicked of the news cycle last night by reporting that the Yankees made a “strong offer” for Manny Machado. Roch Kubatko of MASN reported that the Yankees did not include Justus Sheffield in their offer. Sheffield was a top option for the Orioles but the wild lefty appears to be off the table. Clint Frazier or Chance Adams could be on the table for the Orioles. The Yankees would have to do some shuffling, such as moving Didi Gregorious off shortstop or moving Miguel Andujar to first (or trade him). Moving Andujar for a pitcher does not seem like a bad move. The only question is, is there a pitcher out there worth trading Miguel Andujar for.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Dodgers, Brewers, and Yankees are the most serious suitors for Machado at this point. Heyman posted an article this morning by looking giving odds to the Machado suitors. The Dodgers and Yankees were given the highest chance to acquire him a 4/1 odds while the Brewers were at 6/1.
The Dodgers would have an easier time sliding Machado into their lineup than the Yankees. Cody Bellinger‘s ability to play in the outfield does that, as does Chris Taylor‘s. The Dodgers could have Machado at short, Taylor at second, Max Muncy at first, and Bellinger in the outfield.
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The Atlanta Braves are looking to add a starter, reliever and hitter – preferably not rentals – according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. Rosenthal notes that the Braves could look for a center fielder that hits righties with the struggles of Ender Inciarte in that area.
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Despite the Tampa Bay Rays winning five straight games and being four games over .500, Peter Gammons is reporting that the Rays priority is to see what they can get for catcher Wilson Ramos, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and starter Nathan Eovaldi. Part of the reason is the Rays are still 16 games out of first place in the American League East and 9.5 games back from the second Wild Card spot.
