We keep waiting for those Biogenesis suspensions to come down so that teams can properly address the ramifications before the Trade Deadline. But Jayson Stark doesn’t sound optimistic that it will happen before 3pm CT Wednesday (the deadline), and teams are holding back because of it. On the flip side, Dave Kaplan cites a Major League source who says that trade talks are ramping up right now because those suspensions are coming soon.
Mostly unrelatedly, Kaplan also reports that the Pirates and White Sox are getting close on a deal for outfielder Alex Rios, with only the cash to be settled (of course, that’s an awfully sticky wicket when you’re talking about tens of millions of dollars). If the Pirates land Rios, you can count them out of any Nate Schierholtz market, should one be developing.
The Pirates may also be trying to get Jake Peavy and Alexei Ramirez from the White Sox, according to John Perrotto. A specific return is mentioned – Jameson Taillon, Alex Dickerson, and another prospect – which tells me these talks are fairly legitimate. Can you imagine if the White Sox and Pirates paired up on a Peavy, Rios, Ramirez deal? The prospect package would be huge.
(Then again, Gordon Edes just now reports that the Diamondbacks – previously reported to be out on Peavy – are now the favorites to land Peavy. Hooray Trade Deadline madness!)
The Cubs will have to stay in the weeds for now. Stark’s piece mentions that Kevin Gregg and Schierholtz are the two Cubs most likely to be dealt, with James Russell “extremely unlikely” to be moved. Jeff Samardzija is given almost zero chance.