August has arrived, and the Trade Deadline is fast approaching.
Here’s a look at some of the latest topics swirling in the rumor mill, including the Mariners’ willingness to trade George Kirby, the Tigers taking things slow with Tarik Skubal, updates on Mason Miller, the Angels, the Orioles and more.
Mariners open to trading Kirby?
While the Mariners are said to be open to the idea of trading from their MLB starting pitcher depth to address their needs for a bat and a reliever, the widespread belief prior to Saturday was that Seattle was only listening on Emerson Hancock and Luis Castillo.
However, ESPN’s Jeff Passan now reports that multiple teams have engaged the Mariners on a potential trade for right-hander George Kirby and get the sense he could be traded before the Deadline.
The Tigers, though, don’t appear to be in a hurry to trade their ace. Multiple executives from rival teams interested in trading for Skubal told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale that, as of Saturday morning, the Tigers had yet to seriously engage in trade talks involving the lefty.
The Athletic (subscription required) reported something similar on Friday afternoon after talking with two people from teams interested in acquiring Skubal, nothing that the Tigers are leaving open the possibility of holding onto him.
There do at least appear to be some trade talks taking place, as MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Tigers have had preliminary discussions of prospect names with other teams to determine which clubs — if any — will meet the high threshold to acquire Skubal.
The Tigers’ 13-1 win over the A’s on Friday night trimmed their AL Wild Card deficit to 3 1/2 games, so they aren’t completely out of the playoff race yet.
Miller expected to stay put
Aside from Skubal, perhaps no trade candidate has generated as much buzz in recent weeks as the Padres’ Mason Miller
Speculation surrounding the flamethrowing closer picked up as San Diego struggled through a 21-35 stretch that dropped their record on the year to 50-53. Although the Padres acquired Miller just last season, some wondered whether the Padres could deal Miller to address other needs on their roster and bolster a farm system that has experienced significant prospect losses — including Leo De Vries in their trade for Miller — due to the organization’s years of aggressive buying.
However, the Padres have reestablished themselves as buyers after winning six of seven, and teams in the market for relievers told ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez that it would be a shock if Miller were traded at this point. Moreover, some teams in the market for high-leverage relief help said that they hadn’t even bothered to check in on Miller because they knew the asking price was always going to be astronomical.
Few teams carry more intrigue than the Angels as this year’s Trade Deadline approaches. Although the Halos haven’t reached the playoffs since 2014, they’ve historically refrained from dealing away big trade chips. However, the Angels appear to be more open to listening on their bigger pieces than they have been in the past, as sources told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, and they could have a major opportunity to cash in.
The Angels are also reportedly listening on shortstop Zach Neto, and he could be a popular target with the way the market is shaping up.
Impact bats are in short supply overall, and while shortstops CJ Abrams of the Nationals and Jeremy Peña of the Astros have also drawn trade buzz, Heyman hears (New York Post subscription required) that Washington and Houston are telling other teams that they aren’t available. The Red Sox, perhaps the team most interested in adding a shortstop, have been linked to Neto, Abrams, Peña and the Marlins’ Otto Lopez. But MassLive’s Sean McAdam reports that it now appears “highly unlikely” that Miami will trade Lopez, noting that talks between the Red Sox and Marlins appear “dead” due to the Marlins’ lofty asking price.
Heyman notes that rivals are convinced the Angels will move at least two of Detmers, Soriano and Neto.
How Orioles are approaching Trade Deadline
The Orioles are another interesting team to watch as they straddle the line between buying and selling. President of baseball operations Mike Elias indicated Friday that the team is approaching the Deadline with an open mind and considering a wide range of options. Baltimore has made two deals thus far, acquiring catcher Jake Rogers from the Tigers earlier this week before sending starter Dean Kremer to the Twins on Friday.
Rutschman, who will be eligible for free agency after 2027, reportedly has drawn interest from the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox and Rangers. According to MLB Network insider Joel Sherman (New York Post subscription required), one executive from a team pursuing catching help went as far as to describe the O’s as “wanting to trade” Rutschman, while two others put his trade chances at 60%. Sherman hears that the Orioles are not opposed to trading Rutschman within the AL East.
Ward also has a robust market, with the Yankees, Guardians, Rangers and Phillies all involved to varying degrees, per The Athletic.
– Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez has hit .328 with an .810 OPS and much improved defense at second base for the Giants this season, but the trade market for the pending free agent has been slow to develop, The Athletic reports. Arraez has made it clear he wants to stay at second base, but aside from the Rays, few teams are seeking help at that position. However, the Rays may get competition for Arraez’s services from the Phillies, who are interested in him, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray.
– As of Friday afternoon, the Yankees were scouring “everywhere” on the trade market in their search for reinforcements, according to The Athletic. The Yanks are zeroing in on right-handed-hitting catchers and offense in general and are expected to be involved in the reliever market. New York also has been linked to Skubal, but its rotation is the least of its concerns right now.
– The Twins have swung two prospect-for-big-leaguer trades in recent days after general manager Jeremy Zoll said earlier this week that they planned to be buyers, acquiring reliever A.J. Minter from the Mets before getting Kremer from the Orioles. Per The Athletic, they aren’t done adding. A Twins source said the team is looking add a right-handed, late-inning reliever before the Deadline.
