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The MLB trade deadline is at 6 p.m. ET, and so much is unresolved. Here is the latest, according to sources briefed on ongoing trade discussions in the sport:
As of late Monday night, multiple teams were in the mix for the three-time Cy Young Award winner. The Astros, believed to be Verlander’s preferred choice, were one. The Dodgers, though seemingly discouraged by their chances, were another. The Orioles were on the periphery, staying in touch with the Mets, and other clubs possibly were involved.
The key questions were these:
• Would Verlander waive his no-trade clause for a team other than the Astros, for whom he played from late 2017 to ‘22?
• Would the Mets be willing to deal him to the Astros when other teams have better prospects to offer?
• How much would the risk of injury to Verlander compel the Mets to make another version of the Max Scherzer deal, in which they included approximately $36 million to land a top 100 prospect from the Rangers, infielder Luisangel Acuña?
The Dodgers, if they fail to land Verlander, figure to push for another starter in addition to Lance Lynn. Their 6.18 starters’ ERA in July is the second-worst in any month for the club since earned runs became official in 1912, and their worst since coming to Los Angeles.
More reporting with @Ken_Rosenthal, the Astros have shifted their focus to starting pitching and remain in trade talks with the Mets about Justin Verlander – https://t.co/05pqub7k3Y
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 1, 2023
The Orioles
The entire industry is waiting to see how Orioles general manager Mike Elias will reinforce his upstart club, which has both the best record in the AL and one of the best farm systems in the sport.
The Orioles badly need a starting pitcher and another reliever, and while multiple sources link them to the Tigers’ Michael Lorenzen, their exact targets are unclear.
The failure by Elias to make a significant move likely would draw criticism, but not necessarily in his own clubhouse. The Orioles are so young and confident, some of the older heads around the team believe the players would react to a quiet deadline with a shrug.
They are two of the better starting pitchers available, and as of late Monday night, the Tigers’ asking prices for both remained steep. One rival executive said the Tigers, “are trying to be the last man standing at the ball.” Another agreed with that assessment, saying the Tigers were, “holding a high line.”
In addition to the Orioles, Astros and Dodgers, the Reds, Diamondbacks, Braves and Red Sox are among the contenders known to be in the market for starters.
The Bo Bichette injury
The Blue Jays reacted quickly when All-Star closer Jordan Romano went on the injured list with lower back inflammation, trading for the Cardinals’ Jordan Hicks. A significant injury to Bichette, their All-Star shortstop who left Monday night’s game after grabbing his right knee, would create a bigger problem.
Jays manager John Schneider told reporters the team was “gathering information” on Bichette and waiting until Tuesday before making a determination. The Cardinals’ Paul DeJong and White Sox’s Tim Anderson are among the shortstops available, and the Jays might need to act quickly to grab one of them.
New York, New York
It’s difficult to recall a deadline this dispiriting for the New York teams, who began the season with the two highest payrolls in the sport. The last time the Yankees were sellers was 2016, when they traded relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. That year, the Mets were buyers, adding Jay Bruce and Jon Niese.
Now this.
The Mets continued their sale on Monday by trading outfielder Mark Canha to the Brewers. Verlander, left-hander José Quintana and left-hander reliever Brooks Raley all remain candidates to move, though it’s unclear how the team will finish the season if they end up trading that many pitchers.
The Yankees, sitting in last place, 10 games out of first, with a 10-15 record in July, might not be worthy of additional investment. They could finally add a left fielder. But they also are open to moving potential free agents such as outfielder Harrison Bader and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa, as first reported by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Red Sox
Trade lefty James Paxton? Trade an outfielder? Add starting pitching and infield depth? The Red Sox are exploring a number of options as they await the returns of four key injured players — pitchers Chris Sale, Garrett Whitlock and Tanner Houck, and shortstop Trevor Story
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom embarked upon an ill-fated buy-sell strategy at last year’s deadline, trading catcher Christian Vázquez and left-handed reliever Jake Diekman but holding right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and designated hitter J.D. Martinez and failing to get below the luxury-tax threshold.
The Red Sox’s record is the best in the American League since June 14, but they remain 2 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays for a wild-card spot. Bloom, having already traded Kiké Hernández and acquired a pair of depth relievers, is again trying to perform a difficult balancing act.
Last year’s participants in the National League Championship Series are run by two of the more aggressive traders in the sport, Dave Dombrowski and A.J. Preller. It’s difficult to imagine either executive coming away from the deadline empty.
The Phillies want to add pitching help and a left fielder; the Cardinals, with Dylan Carlson, Tyler O’Neill and Alec Burleson, would appear a possible match for the latter.
The Padres, five games out in the wild-card race but with the third-best run differential in the NL, spent Monday looking to supplement their roster with bench and bullpen help. But Preller is always a threat to do more.
They completed two trades on Monday. And it sure seems like they aren’t done with their latest buy-sell machinations.
Their first deal was sending closer Paul Seward to the Diamondbacks for infielder Josh Rojas and two interesting prospects, outfielder/first baseman Dominic Canzone and middle infielder Ryan Bliss. Their second was sending outfielder AJ Pollock and utility man Mark Mathias to the Giants with cash for either cash or a player to be named.
The Mariners are trying to upgrade their offense, yet considering a trade of right fielder Teoscar Hernández. They are one of the few contenders seemingly set with their starting pitching, but open to creating vulnerability in that area by trading one of their young starters for long-term offensive help.
The Diamondbacks
After acquiring closer Paul Sewald and infielder Jace Peterson, they still want to add a starter. They also are fielding offers for left-handed relievers Joe Mantiply and Andrew Chafin, but unsure whether they want to move either. The Brewers are one of the teams looking at Chafin.
Tied with the Diamondbacks and Brewers for the third NL wild-card spot, the Marlins’ big move likely was adding closer David Robertson. But they have been active in their search for a hitter, making a run at Jeimer Candelario before he went to the Cubs and expressing interest in C.J. Cron before he went to the Angels.
“If Jeimer Candelario is the best position player to get moved at this deadline – after getting nontendered over the winter – you know this is a weird market.”
When do the bats start moving? I analyzed the hitter market, with input from frustrated execshttps://t.co/Zz8HGJslLl
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2023
The White Sox
While open to moving everyone on their roster, few in the sport expect them to seriously engage on right-hander Dylan Cease and center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Reliever Keynan Middleton, however, could be the sixth pitcher they trade in a span of seven days.
Surprise deals
There is always one, and sometimes more than one, right?
Enjoy the day.
–The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli, Dan Hayes, Chandler Rome and Jayson Stark contributed to this report.
(Top photo of Justin Verlander: Elsa / Getty Images)
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