The MLB trade deadline is Tuesday, July 30, which is just a few days away. As the deadline approaches, here are the most recent rumors and stories from around the league. Paxton returning to Red Sox? Canadian left-hander James Paxton could be on his way back to Boston. According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Red Sox are in talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers to acquire Paxton after he was designated for assignment earlier this week. Paxton is 8-2 with a 4.43 ERA in 18 starts so far this season but has struggled with control, issuing a league-leading 48 walks in 89.1 innings pitched. For his career, Paxton is 72-40 in 174 starts with a 3.76 ERA and 1.246 WHIP over 940.0 IP in 11 seasons with the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners. Paxton threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018, becoming only the second Canadian to achieve the feat and first to accomplish it in Canada.
Mariners continue to shop even after acquiring Arozarena.
Late on Thursday night, the Seattle Mariners made the first major move of the MLB trade deadline season when they acquired outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays for two prospects.
However, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com notes that the Mariners may not be done adding.
“They should really add a second impact bat. Behind the scenes, Seattle’s front office has been steadfast about aggressively improving the club…” Kramer writes, adding the M’s still have assets to deal after Thursday’s transaction.
Seattle starts play Friday at 53-51, one game back of the Houston Astros for first in the American League West. They are three and a half games behind the last AL wild card playoff place.
Pirates scouting outfielders for the Marlins
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Pittsburgh Pirates are scouting outfielders Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Bryan De La Cruz of the Miami Marlins.
Chisholm would make especially sense, according to Rosenthal, considering Pittsburgh’s difficulties this season in establishing a center field presence. He continues, saying that Chisholm would be under team control for two more seasons and suit the Pirates budget.
In 100 games this season, 26-year-old Chisholm is slashing.248/.320/.407 with 13 home runs and 50 RBI. In 102 games, the 27-year-old De La Cruz has hit 17 home runs, 47 RBI, and a.695 OPS.
The Phillies looking for relief aid?
According to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Tanner Scott, Kyle Finnegan, and Carlos Estevez are all available relievers that the Phillies are interested in.
According to Lauber, the Phillies attempted to sign a significant free agency reliever during the off-season but were unable to sign any of their targeted players. As a result, they decided to pursue a signing at the trade deadline, should a need still exist. Even if the team has the best record in baseball, according to Lauber, they still want to add more depth to their bullpen, which already has some excellent players like Matt Strahm, Jeff Hoffman, and Jose Alvarado. Estevez is 1-3 for the Los Angeles Angels this season with a 2.34 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 34.0 innings pitched. For the Nationals, Finnegan has 28 saves and a 2.32 ERA. Additionally, Scott, a left-hander, has a pitiful 1.21 ERA with the Miami Marlins in 44.2 innings pitched with 18 saves and 51 strikeouts.
Be the first to comment