Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is Tuesday, July 30 — that means teams have just a few days remaining to assemble the rosters they want for the stretch run. In turn, that also means that moves and rumors are going to be flying more frequently between now and then. It can be a lot for anyone to keep track of, which is why we here at CBS Sports will be rounding up the day’s most interesting moves and rumors below.
Mets add Stanek
For the second time this month, the Mets have added a veteran reliever to the bullpen. New York has picked up righty Ryne Stanek from the Mariners, the team announced. Outfield prospect Rhylan Thomas is heading to Seattle in the trade. Stanek, 33, has a 4.38 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 39 innings this season. The Mariners acquired Yimi García earlier in the day, and he essentially replaces Stanek in their bullpen.
Two weeks ago the Mets picked up Phil Maton in a minor trade with the Rays. Between Maton, Stanek, and the emergence of José Buttó and Dedniel Núñez as high leverage options, the Mets’ bullpen is deeper right now than it has been at any point this season. (Núñez was placed on the injured list Friday, however.) MLB Pipeline ranked Thomas the No. 30 prospect in New York’s season entering 2024.
Astros, Tigers talking Flaherty
The Astros and Tigers are involved in trade talks about righty Jack Flaherty, reports MLB.com. Flaherty is ranked No. 14 on our list of trade candidates and the best rental starter available. Astros GM Dana Brown acknowledged Friday that the team is in trade talks (generally speaking, not specifically about Flaherty), but a deal is not imminent.
“I wouldn’t say we’re close, but I think we’re making progress. We’re getting there,” Brown said (via Sports Radio 610). “… If we can get a guy we feel like is a third starter or fourth starter, we would feel like that’s a good, mission accomplished. We need somebody that’s going to come in and pitch behind our big three.”
That big three is, presumably, Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, and Ronel Blanco, though Verlander has been sidelined with a neck issue since June 15, and Hunter Brown has been quietly good the last few weeks. The Astros have played their way back into the AL West race, though another starter is an obvious need. Flaherty is among the best available this summer.
Mariners add to bullpen, still in market for bats
The Mariners added one big bat to their lineup on Friday, obtaining outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Rays in exchange for two prospects and a player to be named later. That doesn’t mean the Mariners are done trading for offense, however.
According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, the Mariners have been “aggressive” in talks with the Blue Jays concerning Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Blue Jays have said they do not intend to trade Guerrero and there’s no indication that a trade is likely to develop. Still, it shows that Seattle has been casting a wide net for offensive help.
Meanwhile, Seattle added rental righty Yimi García in a three-player trade with the Blue Jays, the team announced Friday. Outfielder Jonatan Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp are the prospects headed to Toronto. García has been one of the best relievers in the AL this season and will give closer Andrés Muñoz some much-needed late-inning help.
Snell drawing interest
The Giants entered Friday 5 1/2 games back in the National League wild-card race. It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that lefty Blake Snell has been drawing “significant trade interest,” according to The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly. Baggarly adds that “all indications” are that the Giants are willing to listen to offers.
Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, signed late and had a truncated spring training. He’s also since missed time because of injury. Through nine starts, he’s sporting an uncharacteristic 66 ERA+. Snell has performed more like his usual self as of late, racking up a 1.00 ERA in his last three starts.
It’s worth noting that Snell’s two-year pact with the Giants includes a player option worth $30 million for next season.
Astros, Cardinals like Fedde
Count the Astros and the Cardinals as the most aggressive teams in pursuit of White Sox right-hander Erick Fedde, according to Russell Dorsey of Yahoo! Sports.
Fedde, 31, signed a two-year pact with the White Sox over the winter, marking his return from South Korea. He’s amassed a 2.98 ERA (138 ERA+) and a 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20 starts to date.
By Astros general manager Dana Brown’s own public admission, Houston was aiming to make a big addition to their rotation over the coming days. Fedde, though perhaps not a huge name in the traditional sense, would qualify as a good get.
Phillies eyeing Angels reliever
The Phillies are among the teams with interest in Angels closer Carlos Estévez, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Estévez is an impending free agent, all but ensuring that he’ll be traded to a contender over the coming days.
Estévez, 31, has notched a 2.38 ERA (179 ERA+) and a 6.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 34 appearances this season. He’s also recorded 20 saves in 23 opportunities.
Brewers seeking bat
The Brewers will be without star outfielder Christian Yelich for an indeterminable length of time after he opted to attempt to rehabilitate his back injury rather than undergoing season-ending surgery. Predictably, that reality has Milwaukee searching for a left-handed hitter in addition to rotation help, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Rosenthal does not connect the Brewers with any specific players. Given their historical tendencies, however, it’s probably fair to assume they’re most interested in mid-tier options who would not cost them considerable prospects.
Pirates interested in Marlins outfielders
The Pirates have continued to show interest in two Miami outfielders: Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Bryan De La Cruz, again according to Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic.
Chisholm is the more accomplished of the two players, having posted a career 102 OPS+ in more than 400 big-league games. De La Cruz, however, would likely come cheaper and has always intrigued thanks to his strong ball-tracking data.
