Rumors: Cubs to be sellers at Deadline

“,”type”:”markdown”,”__typename”:”Markdown”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”mlb-rumors-trades-and-signings”,”type”:”story”}).parts.4″:{“content”:”Beyond Bryant, Kimbrel, Rizzo and Báez, The Athletic adds that outfielder Joc Pederson, starting pitcher Zach Davies, and middle relievers Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera — all of whom may become free agents this winter — could prove useful to teams looking to buy.nnCubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday that the Cubs will not have a “rebuild.” But it’s clear that their roster today will look very different three weeks from now.”,”type”:”markdown”,”__typename”:”Markdown”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”mlb-rumors-trades-and-signings”,”type”:”story”}).parts.5″:{“content”:”**July 6: Where could Kimbrel land?** nThe Cubs lost their 10th straight game Monday, falling 8 1/2 games out of first place in the National League Central with less than a month to go before the Trade Deadline. It’s now looking more likely that the club will be a seller, and closer Craig Kimbrel is an obvious candidate to move.nnESPN’s Buster Olney mentioned to a high-ranking MLB executive that the Red Sox, Kimbrel’s team from 2016-18, could be a natural fit for the veteran closer. The exec pushed back on that notion and speculated that Kimbrel will end up with either the Astros or the A’s.”,”type”:”markdown”,”__typename”:”Markdown”},”$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({“locale”:”en-us”,”slug”:”mlb-rumors-trades-and-signings”,”type”:”story”}).parts.6.data”:{“html”:”

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MLB.com is keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors right here.

July 9: Report: Cubs will be sellers at the Deadline The Chicago Cubs were tied for the NL Central lead as recently as June 24, the night of their combined no-hitter against the Dodgers. But the 11-game losing streak that immediately followed that no-no has put the Cubs in the position that many envisioned for them at the season’s onset: Selling at the Trade Deadline. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma reported Friday morning that the Cubs are open for business (subscription required). That report was later confirmed by MLB Network Insider Mark Feinsand.

The Cubs are indeed planning on being sellers this month, according to sources. Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel appear to be the most likely trade candidates, though others (Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez) could also be available. @Ken_Rosenthal and @PJ_Mooney were all over it. — Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 9, 2021

Beyond Bryant, Kimbrel, Rizzo and Báez, The Athletic adds that outfielder Joc Pederson, starting pitcher Zach Davies, and middle relievers Andrew Chafin and Ryan Tepera — all of whom may become free agents this winter — could prove useful to teams looking to buy.

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Thursday that the Cubs will not have a “rebuild.” But it’s clear that their roster today will look very different three weeks from now.

July 6: Where could Kimbrel land? The Cubs lost their 10th straight game Monday, falling 8 1/2 games out of first place in the National League Central with less than a month to go before the Trade Deadline. It’s now looking more likely that the club will be a seller, and closer Craig Kimbrel is an obvious candidate to move.

ESPN’s Buster Olney mentioned to a high-ranking MLB executive that the Red Sox, Kimbrel’s team from 2016-18, could be a natural fit for the veteran closer. The exec pushed back on that notion and speculated that Kimbrel will end up with either the Astros or the A’s.

Kimbrel, who made his eighth All-Star team on Sunday, has posted a 0.59 ERA with a 53-to-10 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings this season, which represents a massive improvement from 2019-20 (6.00 ERA, 58-to-28 K/BB in 36 IP). The 33-year-old can be retained for $16 million in 2022 via a club option or bought out for $1 million.

The Astros have an All-Star closer of their own in Ryan Pressly, but the rest of their bullpen has been shaky.

Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman have split closing duties for the A’s, who lost Liam Hendriks to the White Sox in free agency and then lost free-agent addition Trevor Rosenthal to thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

Entering Tuesday, the Astros led the A’s by 3 1/2 games in the American League West.

July 6: Will Marte be available at Deadline? Given less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs, per FanGraphs postseason odds, it seems likely that the Marlins will look to sell off some of their veterans, especially those on expiring contracts. Center fielder Starling Marte fits that bill, but he may not be available after all.

According to a report from the Miami Herald, the Marlins are trying to sign Marte to a contract extension before the July 30 Trade Deadline. Per the report, Marte has expressed a desire to remain in Miami beyond 2021 and is seeking a three- or four-year deal in the $50 million range. 

If Miami can’t reach an agreement with Marte, the team will likely try to move him and shouldn’t have trouble drumming up interest. The 32-year-old is hitting .291/.400/.448 with six homers and 14 steals in 47 games this season, and he remains a solid defender in center field.

Teams in need of center-field help could include the Astros, Red Sox, Phillies, Yankees, Reds, Braves, Mets and White Sox.

July 6: Likeliest fits for the Boomstick As they play out a disappointing first half, the Twins are expected to be among the Trade Deadline sellers this year. Among their impending free agents, the player who could bring back the most is designated hitter Nelson Cruz, who recently turned 41 but remains one of the top sluggers in the game.

In an appearance on MLB Network on Tuesday, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi said he considers it “likely” that Cruz will be playing elsewhere after the Deadline. Morosi named the Rays and Mariners as the likeliest suitors for Cruz. The White Sox could also get involved, although the Twins may not want to deal Cruz within the division, Morosi notes.

July 6: Which starting pitchers will be dealt? MLB Network insider Jon Heyman broke down the trade market for starting pitchers in an appearance on “MLB Central” on Tuesday, putting pitchers into five categories: the most likely pitchers to be traded, those with a decent chance of being moved, those with an outside chance of being moved, the long shots and the extreme long shots.

In the most likely category, Heyman put the Rockies’ Jon Gray and the Pirates’ Tyler Anderson. Both are eligible for free agency after 2021.

Heyman gives the Rangers’ Kyle Gibson, the Royals’ Danny Duffy, the Angels’ Alex Cobb and Andrew Heaney, the D-backs’ Merrill Kelly and the Cubs’ Zach Davies a decent chance of being moved. In that group, only Gibson (three-year, $28 million deal through 2022) and Kelly ($5.25 million club option in ‘22) are controllable beyond this season.

The Twins’ José Berríos (controllable through 2022) and the Nationals’ Patrick Corbin (six-year, $140 million deal through 2024) have an outside chance of being moved, while the Rockies’ Germán Márquez (five-year, $43 million deal through ‘23 with ‘24 team option), the Mariners’ Marco Gonzales (four-year, $30 million deal through ‘24 with ‘25 club option) and the Nationals’ Jon Lester (impending free agent) are long shots, according to Heyman

Finally, Heyman puts the Nationals’ Max Scherzer, the Orioles’ John Means and the Mariners’ Yusei Kikuchi in the extreme long shots category. Scherzer is eligible for free agency after 2021, while Means is controllable through ’24. Kikuchi’s contract stipulates that his team can option a four-year, $66 million extension after 2021. If the option is declined, he receives a $13 million player option for 2022.

July 2: White Sox reportedly considering Escobar, Frazier The White Sox were close to acquiring infielder Eduardo Escobar from the D-backs on multiple occasions over the past few weeks, but more teams have gotten involved in the bidding, putting a snag in Chicago’s plans, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

Per Heyman, the White Sox are also “taking a close look” at Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier.

Escobar, 32, owns a .291 on-base percentage this season, but he can supply some pop from both sides of the plate. The switch-hitter has recorded 17 homers (12 from the left side, five from the right) over 326 plate appearances this season. He also can provide defensive versatility, as he has extensive experience at second, third and shortstop, although he hasn’t made a start at short since 2018. The veteran infielder is in the final season of a three-year, $21 million contract with Arizona.

Frazier is a different type of player, having hit four homers while posting a .326/.393/.468 slash line in 2021. He’s controllable through 2022, so he’d presumably cost considerably more to acquire than Escobar.

July 2: Gallo a fit for Padres? Padres general manager A.J. Preller has built a reputation as one of the most aggressive executives in the Majors. Prior to the 2020 Trade Deadline, San Diego’s GM made six deals, and he traded for Blake Snell, Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove in the offseason. Rival execs expect more of the same this month.

Jayson Stark of The Athletic (subscription required) polled MLB execs about which teams they think will be aggressive buyers this year, and the Padres were frequently mentioned. According to Stark, Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo has been the Friars’ most-rumored target. 

The 27-year-old continues to boost his trade value, as he’s hitting .400 with nine homers and a 1.705 OPS over his past 11 games. The left-handed slugger is under control through 2022.

The Padres reportedly pursued Gallo last season. While they balked at the Rangers’ asking price, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin wrote in June that the team was still “particularly interested” in the outfielder. Preller and manager Jayce Tingler know Gallo well, as both used to be part of the Rangers organization.

July 2: Are these stars on Mets shopping list? Rival execs expect the Mets to be one of the most aggressive Trade Deadline buyers this year, according to a report from Jayson Stark of The Athletic (subscription required), and a controllable starter is believed to be at the top of their shopping list.

The club may also be eyeing a star third baseman, according to SNY’s Andy Martino. More >

June 30: Twins likely to trade Berríos? The Twins have played better of late, going 7-3 in their past 10 games, but the club is still 12 1/2 games out of first and 12 games behind in the race for the second AL Wild Card berth. Minnesota is expected to be a Trade Deadline seller, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports in an article for ESPN+ (subscription required) that “an increasing number of executives believe Minnesota will deal” right-hander José Berríos.

Berríos is under control through 2022, so the Twins aren’t under any pressure to trade him now, but the club could capitalize on a trade market that lacks a true ace.

With the Nationals unlikely to move Max Scherzer after getting back into the NL East race, Berríos could be the best starting pitcher available. And as Passan notes, his market won’t be limited to top 2021 postseason contenders, given the extra year of control.

Berríos, 27, has been terrific this season, posting a 3.41 ERA with 96 strikeouts and 23 walks in 89 2/3 innings.

June 30: Blue Jays reportedly eyeing Bucs closer The Blue Jays are among the clubs with interest in Pirates closer Richard Rodríguez, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, who notes that the market for Rodríguez is “heating up.”

FanSided’s Robert Murray reported Monday that the Blue Jays and Braves have been two of the most aggressive teams in search of relief help. Toronto acquired submariner Adam Cimber in a trade with the Marlins on Tuesday, but the Jays apparently aren’t done looking for bullpen upgrades.

Rodríguez has recorded a 1.78 ERA (229 ERA+) with a 0.69 WHIP in 30 1/3 innings this season, and he owns a 149 ERA+ in 188 appearances since the beginning of 2018. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand named him the best available reliever Wednesday. While Rodríguez is under control through 2023, the rebuilding Pirates will likely look to trade the 31-year-old while his value is at its peak.

June 30: A’s reportedly unlikely to pursue Story Given Elvis Andrus’ offensive struggles this season, the A’s have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, who is eligible for free agency after 2021. However, Oakland may be an unlikely fit for the 28-year-old. More >

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