July 31’s falling on a Sunday has proven good fortune for MLB general managers, as it’s given them an extra 24 hours to jostle for moves on a trade deadline that seems destined to either shift the sport’s paradigm or go out with a whimper.
What’s clear is that there isn’t a lack of rumors. Teams on the outskirts of contention are floating star-level players, while the desperate need for pitching and power has contenders walking around with sore feet from kicking tires.
There hasn’t been all that much movement yet.
Aroldis Chapman is the biggest name to get sent packing, and his departure from the New York Yankees was seemingly preordained from his arrival. Looking elsewhere, you’ll find names like Andrew Cashner, Bud Norris and Melvin Upton Jr.—fine players who are not going to decide what happens in October.
That all could change over the next two days. The rumor mill is not lacking for difference-makers nearing Chapman’s level, so let’s take a look at a few of the biggest names making headlines.
Dodgers-Reds 3-Way Deal Is Dead
Twitter was buzzing Friday when ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark reported on a potential three-team trade that would send Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Speculation was rampant about the mystery third team, and Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reported the Dodgers were at one point including Yasiel Puig in talks.
Welp. That’s just about over.
Stark reported Saturday that the discussed three-way deal isn’t happening. The Dodgers and Reds are still discussing a potential Bruce trade, but nothing appears close at the moment.
Bruce, 29, is in the midst of a surprising bounce-back season. He’s hitting .268/.319/.566 with 25 home runs and 80 runs batted in.
While Bruce is still a dreadful defensive player who would be far better suited for the American League, the Dodgers could really use his bat. Their outfield, once seemingly overrun with talent, has become a surprising weak spot due to Puig‘s struggles, Andre Ethier’s injury issues and the inconsistency of Trayce Thompson and Joc Pederson.
Moving Puig as part of any package for Bruce might also be helpful in giving the fallen star a change of scenery. Puig has been relegated to pinch-hitting duty for more than a week due to a hamstring injury and is in the midst of his worst MLB season. The 25-year-old’s play has fallen off a cliff the last two seasons after breaking out as a star in 2013 and 2014.
A Puig-Bruce swap might give the Dodgers a little too much left-handedness—they’re already batting Pederson, Adrian Gonzalez, Chase Utley, Corey Seager and Yasmani Grandal from that side—but it’s a major offensive upgrade.
Josh Reddick Joins List of OFs Who Could Move
Over the last five seasons, Josh Reddick has become one of the few mainstays on an always-shuffling Oakland Athletics roster. He’s reveled in quiet consistency, never making an All-Star team but producing at least 2.5 wins above replacement in each of his four years in Oakland.
Injury issues have put that streak in jeopardy—Reddick‘s appeared in just 66 games and has struggled defensively—and it appears the A’s may be willing to sell low(ish). Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com reported the Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in adding Reddick to the mix.
The Cubs have added Chapman and Mike Montgomery to their bullpen and are now looking for outfield production they wish they were getting from Jason Heyward.
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported the Cubs may have competition in the Dodgers, who have discussed adding Reddick and pitcher Rich Hill. The 36-year-old Hill has been a revelation this season, compiling a 9-3 record with a 2.25 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. It’s an out-of-nowhere performance given Hill hadn’t started more than 10 games in a season since 2009.
Adding Hill and Reddick would give the Dodgers a leg up in the proverbial arms race in the NL. The Cubs have leveled off since their historic start, and right now it realistically feels like any of the five current playoff teams could win it all.
Reddick is a good enough player—and might be cheap enough prospect-wise—to be a more worthwhile bet than Bruce.
Rangers Targeting Vince Velasquez
Last summer, the Texas Rangers raided their deep prospect coffers to acquire Cole Hamels from the Philadelphia Phillies. A year later, it appears the Rangers and Phillies are preparing for a similar deal for Vince Velasquez.
Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reported the two teams are “pretty deep” in discussions for the 24-year-old righty. In his first full major league season, Velasquez has compiled an 8-3 record with a 3.32 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. He has struck out 108 batters in 97.2 innings. Acquired as part of the deal that sent Ken Giles to the Houston Astros last December, Velasquez has been a surprise star for a Philly team that’s well out of contention.
The Phillies are going to want a significant haul in return if they wind up moving Velasquez. He isn’t even arbitration-eligible until 2019 and is locked in to team control for the foreseeable future. It’s not too often 24-year-olds who are in the midst of breakout campaigns are traded; the Rangers are going to have to dip deep into their farm system.
The Phillies made a similar move in trading Giles, who has been inconsistent in his set-up role for the Astros. With Velasquez having a massive history of injury issues, Philly might be smart to sell high here before anything happens.
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