MLB RUMORS — Rumor-only season is over and trade season is officially underway. Last night, the Rays sent Randy Arozarena to the Mariners and the the Marlins sent AJ Puk to the Diamondbacks. And we are just getting started.
As a matter of fact, the Mariners are staying frothy, reportedly still looking to add a leverage reliever and another bat. The Cubs could theoretically help in both respects, so keep an eye on Seattle over the next several days! Now let’s get into the rest of the circulating MLB rumors and speculation.
Rangers Buying
The Texas Rangers have completed enough of a season-turnaround that they are not only no longer expected to sell at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline, but actually might go out and buy some reinforcements.
And Ken Rosenthal has the scoop on what they’re already eyeing.
What the Rangers want to add, according to sources familiar with their plans, is a bat — either a left-handed hitting outfielder/DH or a platoon-neutral right-handed hitter.
The Cubs have a few theoretically available left-handed hitting outfielders, including Mike Tauchman, Ian Happ, and Cody Bellinger. But Happ has consistently affirmed that he does not intend to waive his no-trade clause and Bellinger’s contract and injury status makes his attractiveness a bit of an unknown.
And in any case, Rosenthal had a specific name in mind: “One name of interest: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Yandy DÃaz, a right-handed hitter with sizable platoon splits this season (.879 OPS vs. LHPs, .678 vs. RHPs) but more even numbers in his career (.888-.769).”
Dodgers Interested in Nico Hoerner?
While Jameson Taillon has emerged as the biggest potential Cubs trade chip over the last week or so, Nico Hoerner has bounced in and out of various rumors. The latest report comes straight out of Los Angeles, where David Vessegh suggests the Dodgers have “kicked the tires on” a deal for the Cubs second baseman.
And reportedly, the Cubs have sent scouts to “all three levels” of the Dodgers system in anticipation of that interest.
Vassegh also linked the Cubs to Ian Happ, but once again, Happ does not seem interested in waiving his no-trade clause, so I wouldn’t expect that to go anywhere. As for Hoerner, you know the drill: He’s good, he’s versatile, he’s controlled affordably, but he’s also theoretically replaceable internally. So the Cubs, who clearly need to shake things up, need to be open to anything.
Angels Firesale
The Los Angeles Angels are open for business, and their closer, Carlos Estevez, is reportedly drawing the most interest. And for good reason. Estevez, 31, is a free agent at the end of the year and is having a great season: 2.38 ERA, 20 saves, 4.0% walk rate .168 AVG against.
According to Ken Rosenthal, Estevez is right up there alonside the Marlins Tanner Scott among the most targeted closers for the deadline, with the Dodgers, Orioles, Royals, Yankees, Phillies all interested in both players.
Another Angels reliever being dangled is a guy I had circled for the Cubs way back: Luis Garcia. Garcia, 37, has been on a roll for a while now, sporting a 2.84 ERA since all the way back on April 30. He’s not quite a closer, but he’ll be a good add for an interested team.
The Angels are not stopping there, though. Rosenthal suggests that all of Tyler Anderson (starter), Luis Rengifo (infielder), Taylor Ward (outfielder) could be dealt. But because none of them are free agents at the end of the year, a trade could happen in the offseason just as easily. Needeless to say, the Angels are open for business.
Adrian Houser Is Available
The New York Mets have designated former Brewers pitcher Adrian Houser for assignment following a rough season, but that got Brett thinking. Houser, 31, has plenty of familiarity with Craig Counsell from their shared time in Milwaukee (2015-2023), where he had some modest success. If the Cubs are going to trade a starter (Taillon), while Jordan Wicks, Hayden Wesneski, Ben Brown, and Cade Horton are all injured, picking up Houser could make some sense.
At a minimum, Houser can eat some innings so the Cubs don’t have to rush any prospects or burn/over-use any arms in a lost season. And, of course, he also costs next to nothing to acquire, so there’s not much risk. And hey, maybe with Craig Counsell, Houser can break back out and the Cubs can re-sign him on a cheap deal in the offseason. Might be worth the gamble.
Other MLB Rumors
- According to Ken Rosenthal, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been scouting Marlins CF Hazz Chisholm Jr. and left fielder Bryan De La Cruz. There was some throwaway interest in Cody Bellinger mentioned by an annymous executive yesterday, but that remains extraordinarily unlikely because of the financial particulars. Maybe they’ll find interest in someone like Mike Tauchman, though? Just speculating.
- The Red Sox and Dodgers have gotten together on a minor trade for the recently DFA’d James Paxton: