The Pirates are on a roll in the NL Central, having just swept the division-leading Brewers in a four-game series. Even prior to today’s win, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports wrote in his weekly notes column that Pittsburgh not only continues to look unlikely to trade Gerrit Cole but is now also unlikely to deal outfielder Andrew McCutchen, who has undergone a remarkable turnaround at the plate since late May.
More highlights from Heyman’s latest, including his American League and National League breakdowns:
- The Tigers appear all but entirely unwilling to move young starter Michael Fulmer, per Heyman. That’s largely unsurprising, though perhaps it might have been expected that the club would at least entertain some scenarios in the interest of covering all its bases. While he’d surely draw a major haul, it would probably be tough for the team to part with its best asset while so many expensive veterans remain under contract. Meanwhile, Heyman notes that shortstop Jose Iglesias could be had for the right price, though it’s hard to see that coming together with such limited demand at the position.
- Though the White Sox are clearly in the midst of another aggressive sale, Heyman writes that there are no plans to move Jose Abreu at this time. The slugger is in the midst of a fine season, but there’s a limited market for first base help at this time. With another two years of control beyond this season, the ChiSox will perhaps have more opportunistic times to market him. Derek Holland, on the other hand, could very well be moved in the coming week, and the South Siders would like to move Melky Cabrera as well but would probably need to pay down most of the remainder of this year’s $15MM salary.
- The Indians are a possible landing spot for Jay Bruce, as their offense is currently without the injured Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis. The Mets are known to be looking to move Bruce, and it’s worth noting that USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported that Cleveland was in the mix for slugger J.D. Martinez right up until the time he was traded.
- With limited trade partners for Yonder Alonso — especially following the Yankees’ acquisition of Todd Frazier — the Athletics once again touched base with Yonder Alonso’s reps at MVP Sports about an extension, per Heyman. They’ll circle back again and do so later this week as the two sides attempt to find a middle ground. Oakland is in the midst of an all-out rebuild, as executive vice president of baseball ops Billy Beane recently indicated, but Alonso could provide some leadership for the team’s younger players. And, if he sustains his breakout through season’s end and into 2018, he could certainly become a marketable asset in the future when there’s more of a need at his position.
- The Rangers aren’t likely to re-sign Yu Darvish after the season, Heyman writes, as Darvish’s camp has already thrown out Stephen Strasburg’s seven-year, $175MM contract as a potential comp. Texas isn’t prepared to bid that highly to retain Darvish, which is why they’ve at least signaled to teams that they’ll listen to offers on Darvish if they struggle too much between now and the deadline. There’s no plan to move Cole Hamels at this time, though, he adds.
- While the Diamondbacks may have made their biggest move already, the club is still looking at ways to bolster the pitching staff. Heyman pegs Blue Jays righty Marco Estrada as a possibility, though it’s unclear if he’s actively under consideration. It’s fair to wonder, too, whether the club would be better suited to focusing on bullpen help — though, of course, looking at starters doesn’t preclude that possibility.
- While the Cubs have made at least some contact with the Athletics on righty Sonny Gray even since acquiring Jose Quintana, Heyman says that it’s not at all clear that Chicago will be “a strong player” for another controllable starter.
- With Jaime Garcia seemingly going off the board, there ought to be greater focus now on Phillies righty Jeremy Hellickson. He ought to be easier to obtain now than he was last year, Heyman notes, as the Phils are willing to hold onto at least some of his $17.2MM salary to improve the prospect return.
Always rooting for McCutchen to turn it around. Hopefully next year he can be almost as good 2013 McCutchen.
Off the juice and almost 5 years older. He’ll never be that good again.
Kinda like Arrieta if he were a center fielder, you mean?
nice!
2013 arreita wasn’t very good…As bad as he’s been, I assume he can do better than 2013
got eeeemmmmmmmm!
Chesteraarthur Why did we sign Jose Quintana? I thought all we needed was Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester?
Cubs traded for Quintana they didn’t sign him.
Stfu you’re so stupid
The fact you think Cutch was on roids is laughable.
If teams couldn’t meet Matt Klentak’s price for Hellickson last year they’re unlikely to meet it this year. He said he has no problem dealing no one.
Then he’s an idiot. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt but if he truly means that (and said that) he’s dumb. There’s zero reason to hold onto him or anyone on their last year.
Yeah you can’t believe anything he says bc he says one thing then does the opposite. Remember when he said he wasn’t going to entertain trading Giles then 2 weeks later he’s gone.
Last year he said he wasn’t going to be forced into dealing anyone and he did in fact let the trade deadline pass without making any deals. Despite having a bunch of impending free agents in August he only traded one, Carlos Ruiz. He hasn’t made a significant deal in over a year and a half. He’s shown that he can hold his players.
I don’t know if it’s posturing but there have been several relievers traded and Klentak is still holding Neshak. It seems likely he’ll wait until July 31 in an effort to drive up the price on his players and hold them into August if he doesn’t get an offer he feels is sufficient.
You cant report on the cubs you had NO clue about theo having talks with hahn about Quintana! Lol stop it. Just stick with billy beane n company
all it says is they have made contact with Oakland. and since that would presumably involve Billy In Oakland I guess what they posted is fine.
They can report on whatever they want, it’s their site. Similarly, you can criticize the writers if you choose to. Likewise, I can suggest to you that if you write incoherent, pseudo-text message, run-on drivel that wouldn’t pass a middle school exam, you are a lot less likely to be taken seriously, and more likely to be ridiculed.
You cant use punctuation its damn near impossible to understand what you are trying to say if your idea is good isnt it worth the trouble of a bit of spelling and punctuation
So then nobody can report on the Cubs or White Sox? Nobody had the Cubs in on Quintana. The two teams kept it extremely quiet from the media.
This is abuse of the English language. I’m embarrassed to somewhat understand it.
It would be a major mistake by the Pirates if they don’t deal Cutch now. Look at what Detroit got for a rental Martinez which is what Cutch would be at next years deadline. The Pirates held their own without Marte and they will hold their own without Cutch. They are not contenders with or without Cutch and if a deal comes along then make it and you end up seeing Frazier used more again in the OF.
You DO know that we just swept the Brewers and are only 3 back of first place, right? I would call that being a contender.
You DO know that we don’t have the rotation to be a serious contender. We are only 3 games back because the off year the Cubs are having. You cannot seriously believe this team is a serious contender. I’m a diehard fan but not a blind one.
Best not to wait until the Cubs are NOT having an off year.
Then again, Maybe last year was an anomaly and this year is what the Cubs really look like…..
Then again maybe last year is what the Cubs are … champions and maybe the firsr half of the season was an anomaly
88 games is not an anomaly. I think they’re probably closer to their record in 2016 in terms of talent, but you can’t write off a 43-45 record
You need to go back and look at the numerous teams that have been serious contenders without having an elite rotation. The playoffs are crapshoot. Plus most starters in October don’t make it through the 6th inning, even the best, and then it comes down to bullpens. Plus, with so many rotations suffering major injuries, and many starters having down years on top of that, who really has a good rotation anymore? Even the Astros have had serious SP problems but they’re lucky they have a very good bullpen and their offense leads in almost every category.
I really wish Rangers would go full rebuild. Seeing Nick Williams, Brinson, Alfaro, and Tate getting shipped off really hurt.
I’d trade everyone that is getting older or soon to be a FA for any prospects I could get.
I imagine Lucroy, Darvish, Napoli, and possibly Gomez will all be traded.
Doubtful as they aren’t having a fire sale and let any of these guys go cheap. Now, if other teams want to offer their top couple of prospects…
Its not a fire sale when your a mediocre team trading rentals. The only one who might bring a top prospect is darvish and something is better than letting them walk for nothing in the offseason.
Trading your pending FA’s to the highest bidder when you aren’t contending isn’t a fire sale. It’s what every team does.
I would love to see Napoli back in Boston!!
What value do you really expect Gomez and Napoli to really have? There are much better options available.
RIP Chester Bennington you will be missed
uh yeah I am all about Linkin Park but wasn’t expecting to see anything here about him.
Lol I can now say I first heard of the singer from Linkin Park dying on MLB Trade Rumors
Who is he? Some minor league coach? A baseball reporter? I never heard of him.
if you’re on mlbtraderumors, you listened to linkin park as a brooding 12 year old. or, alternatively, you like justin bieber. your call.
Damn, ill be listening to Linkin Park all night tonight! In the end!! RIP
I was one of the few who backed Bruce this winter and wanted the orioles reported trade interest for grandy to come true….Bruce was ripped apart and destroyed on these discussion boards. Fast forward a few months, I’m super curious to see what is offered for him now after producing at a career best clip. I personally wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of bringing him back on a 3/4 year deal to continue to provide pop and mentorship to conforto. But Conforto needs to be in the corner and with ces there is no room for Bruce. So, hopefully the Mets can get more than what they paid for him (at the time) with the reds. We shall see.
I wouldn’t trust Estrada in a DBacks uniform. Lance Lynn would be a good get for them if he’s available for the right price.
Somehow this team of ‘bad baseball players’ assembled by a ‘front office full of morons’ just keeps winning.
Their “cheap” owner who “doesn’t want to win” must be so mad about them not losing.
Or something.
Signed,
The local media’s bizarre and ignorant Pirates narrative.
I agree with you 100% but do you think it would be wise for them to keep Cutch or trade him this year? He raised his average back and hitting the long ball. Gambling he stays this way and not another funk next year. They aren’t a team that’s going to beat the Dodgers or Cubs in a series if they win the wild card game
If anyone has read my posts for the past year, they’d know I’ve been all about trading Cutch…until recently, that is.
Two things changed….
1) I believe that his renewed success was, in fact, the result of a swing flaw that he (finally after being stubborn for a long time) corrected.
I was previously worried that his decline was legit and based in eroding physical skills. BUT, if that were the case, he couldn’t be on the tear he is now. So I buy into the idea he can be a great player again and for the next few years. Basically, I was worried he was the next Carl Crawford, but now he’s looking more like the next Torii Hunter.
2) The return figures to be bad and the PR hit would far outweigh any gain on the baseball end.
There are no contenders (other than the 3 games back Pirates) who need Cutch. I can only identify two teams that could even conceivably want him….the Indians and the Nats. Sure, if they got offered packages based on Meija or Robles (respectively) then you listen.
I would offer to replace next year’s option with a 4 year deal worth $60 (initial offer) to $72 million (best offer) and see if he bites.
In a worst case scenario (him walking as a FA) they would get a sandwich pick in the 30’s or so, which looks OK given some of the recent trade returns. You can get good SP’s in that range, historically.
Spot on my friend. Couldn’t agree more.
in a best of 5, anyone can beat anyone. the best teams win 60% of the time. the worst win 40%. teams in the playoffs will be between 53% and 60%
thats why every playoff game and series is a coin toss, because statistically it almost literally is.
A good example is the 06 nlds between the padres and the cardinals. The padres were the better team, the padres lost, and the cardinals won the World Series. Sometimes things work out that way. It all depends on who is hot… regardless of record… unless you’re the 07 Rockies lol
One of the funniest posts ever. Thanks!
Want Gray? Entice A’s Billy Beane, big time!
Darvish isn’t taking an extension.
Neither is Alonso.
Yes I am both their agents.
Trading them won’t make them any less likely to sign with their current clubs come the offseason.
A’s HAVE to trade Alonso.
Rangers HAVE to trade Darvish unless they seriously think they can get a Wild Card spot (they ain’t too far out but there are 5 teams in front of them). If they make it that far he obviously starts that game for them.
Shhhhhhhhhh don’t tell them that
They might cry
Bruce + Walker or + Cabrera to CLE…for Greg Allen.
Slot Allen in CF between Cespedes and Conforto.
Bruce is the only one that makes sense. Sure you could slot Walker in now for Kipnis, but when Kipnis comes back, regardless of his numbers, they will give him the majority of the starting time.
The only possible way to fit him in would be to move him to first and trade Santana. But that’s extremely unlikely.
Just Bruce probably won’t net you Allen anyways
Mets and Indianshere a good trade The centerfielder Nequl for Jay Bruce trade helps. Both teams
Nequl? Did you mean Naquin? Trading Naquin for Bruce would be an overpay, Allen is more likely than that.
My 2 cents: the A’s overvalued Alonso and won’t be able to make a trade. They will then work out an extension with the hopes this season isn’t a fluke and they can trade him next year.
Padres should have kept Alonso.
If Yu wants that kind of bread,Yu ain’t going to the cubs this winter. No pitcher should ever need to ask for more than 4 or 5 years.