The MLB trade deadline for 2021 arrives on Friday afternoon, and at this late hour the trade rumors are flowing like pristine river water and or untreated sewage. Let's have a look, shall we?
As for what's already happened, our deadline trade tracker is here to help. Now for Thursday's scuttlebutt.
Dodgers agree to blockbuster for Scherzer, Turner
The Washington Nationals and Padres were supposedly nearing an agreement on a trade that would have sent send right-handed starter Max Scherzer to San Diego. That deal never got done, however. Instead, Scherzer is heading to the Dodgers -- and bringing shortstop Trea Turner with him. The reigning World Series champs and the Padres' NL West rivals got a deal done by sending four prospects to Washington. Read more here.
Scherzer, 37 years old as of Tuesday, missed a recent scheduled start because of triceps discomfort he developed while taking batting practice. In 19 outings this season entering Thursday, he amassed a 2.76 ERA (135 ERA+) and a 5.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He just appeared in his eighth career All-Star Game and has won three Cy Young Awards, including most recently in 2017. Scherzer laid to rest those triceps concerns with a strong start against the Phillies on Thursday.
Turner, 28, is currently out after testing positive for COVID-19. He's hit .322/.369/.521 (146 OPS+) with 18 home runs and 21 steals (on 24 tries) this season. Turner won't qualify for free agency until after next season. Corey Seager, the Dodgers' incumbent shortstop, is currently out with a fractured hand.
Yankees out on Story after landing Rizzo
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Yankees would be open to moving first baseman Luke Voit as a means of creating additional budget space. Voit, who is currently on the injured list with an inflamed knee, was owed $4.7 million on the season, suggesting the Yankees wouldn't be saving much money in a trade. Nevertheless, New York seems to be doing its best to accomplish two feats: adding talent without exceeding the luxury-tax line.
With a trade for Anthony Rizzo on Thursday night that included the Cubs paying off the rest of his salary, the Yankees now appear to be out on Trevor Story, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman. It stands to reason that Voit could still be available, however.
Mets may be close to major addition
The Mets are trying to hang on to first place in the balanced but unspectacular NL East. If not for an inordinate run of injuries all season, New York might have a more comfortable lead over the Phillies and Braves. Since better health may be beyond their immediate control, the Mets may look to make some notable additions before Friday arrives. Speaking of which, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN reports that something big may be in the works:
Kiley indicates “there is an anticipation in the market of a big move by the Mets”.
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) July 29, 2021
Speculates the next big deal for a position player has a good chance of involving the Mets. https://t.co/jqEdEkNWOj
The Mets have been linked to an array of deadline candidates: Kris Bryant of the Cubs, Trevor Story of the Rockies, and Jose Berrios of the Twins, among them. Other targets may include Javier Baez and Craig Kimbrel of the Cubs. The rotation figures to get healthier in the near- to mid-term, which may mean Bryant or Story is the most likely target for the Queenslanders. Either would make a great deal of sense as the Mets deal with the uncertainty surrounding Francisco Lindor's oblique injury and a general lack of depth in the lineup. That said, Berrios remains of interest, although the price may be increasing now that Scherzer appears to be off the market:
Sources: Twins' asking price for Jose Berrios still too high for Mets' liking. They tried to circle back. Once again, didn't get traction.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 29, 2021
Mariners, Dodgers interested in Berrios
The disappointing Twins are sellers, but there's no guarantee they'll part with ace José Berríos. That's because he's not eligible for free agency until after the 2022 season, and the Twins might want to keep him around for that extra year. That said, that same extra year of team control means the Twins could ask for quite a bit in return if they decide to move the 27-year-old two-time All-Star.
As noted just above, the Red Sox have some interest, and Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that the Mariners are also in discussions with the Twins:
Sources: The #Mariners have pursued a trade for #Twins ace José Berríos this week, although a deal is not close as of this hour. Minnesota is asking for a prospect package that includes a top young starter, likely Emerson Hancock or George Kirby. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2021
The M's recently added lefty Tyler Anderson to the rotation, but they may not be done as they attempt to make up ground in the AL wild card fray.
As for the Dodgers, the news that Scherzer is likely bound for San Diego has increased L.A.'s interest in Berrios:
The #Dodgers are likely to focus on Jon Gray or Jose Berríos if Max Scherzer is dealt to the #Padres. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 29, 2021
Jon Gray outside of Coors Field is an intriguing proposition, but Berrios is the more stable quantity.
Rays, Mariners swap relievers
The Rays and Mariners agreed to a trade that will send reliever Diego Castillo to the Pacific Northwest in exchange for reliever J.T. Chargois and infield prospect Austin Shenton, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Castillo, 27, posted a 2.72 ERA and a 4.90 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his first 36 innings this season. He's under team control through the 2024 season.
Chargois, 30, accumulated a 3.00 ERA and a 4.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 innings for the Mariners this season. The Rays are his fourth organization. Should he stick around, he wouldn't qualify for free agency until after the 2025 season.
Shenton, meanwhile, is a 23-year-old who was drafted in 2019. He's hit .300/.414/.566 this season across two levels (High- and Double-A). He hits the ball hard and commands the strike zone, making him an interesting prospect.
Dodgers in on Daniel Hudson
Hudson, age 34 and in the final year of his contract, boasts a 2.20 ERA on the season, and he has a 2.99 ERA and 3.27 K/BB ratio since the start of the 2019 season. The Nats have little reason to retain him, and relievers are always in demand this time of year. So here's this, regarding one of three NL West powerhouses:
In addition to Max Scherzer, the Dodgers have interest in Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson, sources tell @TheAthletic. A bigger deal would appear possible, but obviously nothing is close with Scherzer starting today in D.C.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2021
Hudson right now is on the COVID-19 injured list, but that probably wouldn't be a serious impediment to a trade.
