The Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline is just days away, and teams are no doubt laying the groundwork for any significant trades. Others, meanwhile, are trying to figure out whether to buy, sell, or hold as we work our way toward Tuesday. All of this means a dose of daily trading buzz, and we’re here to collect on Friday.
Soto swept four teams.
Discussions continue over a potential trade for Nationals right fielder Juan Soto. The field of contenders has been whittled down to just four teams, According to Jim Bowden of CBS Sports HQ. Bowden also reports that things are moving “rapidly” and that Soto is very likely to reject any extension offered by the citizens.
Some of the more prominent teams we’ve seen in the Soto rumors are the Cardinals and Padres, though about a dozen have been mentioned and there’s no specific word on which teams might make it to the Final Four.
The Yankees want starting pitching.
The New York Yankees recently added outfielder Andrew Benintendi to the fold, and now their deadline appears to be focused on strengthening the rotation. Here’s the latest news from John Heyman.:
“The Yankees are casting a wide net for starters, and not surprisingly, they’re also involved with Frankie Montas. However, Luis Castillo appears to be their first choice. Noah Syndergaard is third. “
The Yankees have one of the best rotations in baseball to date this season, but concerns about regression in some corners of that rotation and an injury to Luis Severino mean they are looking for reinforcements. Castillo, the Reds’ right-hander, is by most accounts the deadline pitching prize, so the competition for him should be stiff. Failing that, A’s Montas, will be a catch now that he’s over his recent shoulder problems. As for more modest targets, Heyman lists the Pirates’ Jose Quintana in addition to the Angels’ Syndergaard.
Cardinals target rotation upgrade
The St. Louis Cardinals — currently tied for the final NL wild-card spot and within striking distance of the Brewers for first place in the National League Central — are reportedly one of the teams to land Nationals shortstop Juan Soto. But with a very original design. At the same time, however, they need to address a rotation that, while never deep to begin with, is riddled with injuries. The Derek Gold-Louis Post-Dispatch reports of St That rotation is indeed a priority for the Cardinals’ front office as the deadline approaches. In addition, the Cardinals are looking to add significant upgrades to a corps that has been effective but is currently struggling to fill spots. Specifically, Gold reports that Montas and Pablo Lopez of the Marlins are interested in the Cards. Either would be quite the upgrade for St. Louis Undoubtedly, the competition for both arm figures to be tough.
The White Sox aren’t looking to sell.
The Chicago White Sox, coming off a 2021 AA Division title and a playoff berth in the shortened 2020 season, had high expectations coming into 2022. However, they have so far failed to fulfill them on a large scale. Heading into Friday’s slate, the Sox are 49-49 with a minus-19 run differential, and that’s not typically the profile of a team looking to add pieces at the deadline. However, thanks to the weakness around the American League Central, the White Sox are just three games out of first place. Okay fine, Sports line The projection system gives them a 49.4 percent chance of making the postseason — the highest odds of any team in the AL Central.
Against that background, Jon Morosi reported that Sox GM Rick Hahn would not try to sell any notable names until the deadline:
Hahn has previously indicated that bullpen additions will be a deadline priority, and he could use a left-handed bat in the outfield (and ideally at second base as well). At the very least, the Sox have the personality to keep the band together in hopes that they can make a steady push down the stretch for a division title.
