Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is scheduled for next Thursday (July 31), meaning that teams have less than a week to get their midsummer shopping done. The Mariners made the first notable transaction of the mad season on Thursday night, obtaining first baseman Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks for two pitchers. What might come next? Keep it here throughout the day as CBS Sports gathers all the latest murmurs and moves from across the league in one convenient place.
Mets have asked about Alcantara
The Mets “are among the teams that have checked in on” Marlins starter and former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, according to the New York Post.
The 29-year-old right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery this season and has been mostly bad, pitching to a 6.66 ERA in 20 starts. He actually leads the majors in earned runs allowed. We know all about the pedigree, though, and he threw seven scoreless innings last time out.
The Mets have a full rotation at present with Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Kodai Senga and Frankie Montas, but there’s little depth behind that group and injuries have been an issue all year.
Mets add reliever; not in on Suárez
Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez is widely regarded as the best available bat. Yet that doesn’t mean every contender is inherently chasing his services. The Mets, for instance, are reportedly more focused on adding a starting pitcher and/or a center fielder, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Suárez, 34, is an impending free agent who has hit .252/.325/.593 with 36 home runs in his first 101 games. His contributions have been worth an estimated 3.5 Wins Above Replacement, according to the fine folks at Baseball Reference.
The Mets, for their part, have been rotating a few young infielders through second and third base, including Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio.
By the way, the Mets did make one trade on Friday, acquiring lefty reliever Gregory Soto from the Orioles for right-handers Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster, the team announced. Soto, 30, has swing-and-miss stuff but has compiled a 95 ERA+ dating back to the 2023 season.
Padres seek outfield help, tried on Duran
The Padres continue to look for offense, specifically in the outfield. San Diego has reportedly shown interest in the Guardians’ Steven Kwan, Orioles’ Ramón Laureano, and White Sox’s Luis Robert, according to the New York Post.
Additionally, Sean McAdam of MassLive reports that the Padres attempted to snag Jarren Duran from the Red Sox by offering right-hander Dylan Cease, catching prospect Ethan Salas, and another prospect. The Red Sox, who are disinclined to move Duran at the deadline, obviously said no in response.
Red Sox interested in Dodgers’ Rushing
The Red Sox have interest in Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing, according to MassLive. The Dodgers reportedly have had a scout present at Boston’s High-A affiliate in Greenville, where shortstop Franklin Arias and southpaw Brandon Clarke are stationed.
Rushing, 24, was ranked by CBS Sports as the 22nd-best prospect in the sport entering the season. He was promoted in May, but he’s hit just .216/.280/.297 (64 OPS+) in limited action since. The Dodgers have resisted giving him a look in the outfield, leaving him to serve largely as Will Smith’s backup.
Helsley expects trade
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsely, an impending free agent, told The Athletic on Thursday that he expects to be pitching for a different team come August.
“It’s a little bit different this time,” Helsley said. “The likelihood is probably as great as it’s ever been for me to get traded.” He added: “I would say it’s 90% I go, 10% I stay.”
Helsley, 31, has compiled a 3.09 ERA (136 ERA+) and a 2.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 35 appearances. A two-time All-Star, Helsley is one of several Cardinals who could be on the move, including lefty Steven Matz and righty Phil Maton.
