2024 MLB Trade Deadline Tracker and Updates: Fantasy Baseball Risers, Fallers

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. Teams looking for a leg up on their competition will work the phones before 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30. Expect a significant uptick in trades as the week progresses.

With the deadline almost here, let's navigate the trade winds together and fire up your go-to trade deadline central command station. We’ll also keep a rolling list of actionable trade rumors with links and fantasy impact. Teams seemingly under the most deadline pressure are the White Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Mariners, Marlins, and Dodgers.

These rumors only come from credible sources, and each headline is followed by a link to the source, details about the rumor, and an analysis of the potential fantasy fallout. Scroll beyond the done deals for the most recent rumors!

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MLB Trade Deadline Recent Moves

7/30: Jack Flaherty is moving to the Dodgers; LAD also gets Kevin Kiermaier for Ryan Yarbrough: With almost five minutes left until the deadline, Jeff Passan reports that Detroit is sending Flaherty to the Dodgers. This greatly boosts a Dodger rotation that has seen injuries strike left and right. Flaherty's fantasy profile gets a massive lift getting the Dodger offense and bullpen behind him. FanSided's Robert Murray reports that C/1B Thayron Liranzo (MLB's No. 8 LAD prospect) and SS Trey Sweeney (No. 22) are going back to the Tigers.

This writer really wants this to lead to Jackson Jobe's eventual promotion but he'd need to be added to the 40-man. No others in the system are pitching particularly well.

Robert Murray reported on Kiermaier heading to the Dodgers with Yarbrough helping provide TOR some pitching depth.

7/30: Angels trade RHP Luis Garcia to Red Sox: The NY Post's Jon Heyman reports that the interim Angels' closer, RHP Luis Garcia, is headed to the Red Sox. He'll join Lucas Sims as setup depth behind Kenley Jansen, but the big news comes from the other side. This move means that Ben Joyce is the LAA closer, who is a solid add in most fantasy formats thanks to his triple-digit heat.

Boston sent back RHP Ryan Zeferjahn, 3B Matthew Lugo, RHP Yeferson Vargas, and 1B Niko Kavadas in the deal, per SoCal News Group's Jeff Fletcher. Zeferjahn is hitting 100 mph and could be a big reliever down the road.

7/30: Nationals move RHP Dylan Floro to Diamondbacks: MASN Sports’ Mark Zuckerman fleshed out the original report by John Gambadoro that Dylan Floro had moved to the D-backs by adding that corner infielder Andres Chaparro was headed to DC. Floro sits behind Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, A.J. Puk, and potentially others. He’d been a speculative add on Washington with Kyle Finnegan possibly being dealt but that did not come to pass. Chaparro has a .967 OPS with 19 homers as a 25-year-old at Triple-A.

7/30: Phillies trade LHP Gregory Soto to Orioles for RHP Seth Johnson: Per Jeff Passan, Soto joins Cionel Perez as a high-leverage southpaw for Baltimore, who sent RHP Seth Johnson back to Philly. Soto had two saves and seven holds for the Phillies after battling back early control issues and should remain a lower-tier Solds option for a winning Orioles team.

7/30: Mark Canha headed to San Francisco: Robert Murray of FanSided has a source reporting that Mark Canha heads to the Giants with his .337 OBP but shouldn't be a constant fantasy bat for us there. He might siphon DH reps and rotate with LaMonte Wade Jr. at first, with some corner-outfield reps as well.

7/30: Martin Perez moves to San Diego: Francys Romero posts that the Pirates have moved the southpaw to the Padres, likely to bolster available SP depth for San Diego after they moved Adam Mazur in the Tanner Scott deal. Pittsburgh will run with Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Luis L. Ortiz, Marco Gonzales, and Bailey Falter moving forward.

7/30: St. Louis sending Dylan Carlson to Tampa Bay in exchange for RHP Shawn Armstrong: The Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports that Dylan Carlson is going into the Rays' outfield while reliever Shawn Armstrong heads to the Cardinals. This shouldn't have any notable fantasy impact, as Carlson owns a .198/.275/.240 slash over 138 PAs in 2024, though a change of scene could rejuvenate him.

7/30: Eloy Jimenez being dealt to Baltimore: ESPN's Jeff Passan posts that his sources indicate a deal is being finalized that sends DH Eloy Jimenez to the Orioles. The 27-year-old has had another injury-marred year, with only five home runs and a .642 OPS in 65 games. Hopefully, BAL has identified something in his swing to help him reclaim the production aligned with his career .790 OPS (though Camden won't help), but this could create another frustrating fantasy depth wrinkle for the Orioles.

7/30: Phillies acquiring LHP Tanner Banks from White Sox: FanSided's Robert Murray broke that the Phillies are further adding to their bullpen with Tanner Banks, a southpaw with career-best marks in FIP (3.28), xFIP (3.42), and SIERA (3.12) underneath the 4.13 ERA. He'll help handle the middle innings while John Brebbia looks more and more like the only reliable late-inning option left in CHW.

7/30: Marlins continue selling RPs, move Huascar Brazoban to Mets: The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that Miami is moving Brazoban to the Mets, further selling off their relievers who don't have long-term control in Florida. The 34-year-old is having a career year, sporting a 2.93 ERA/1.01 WHIP with over a strikeout per inning, which will help an inconsistent Mets bullpen.

7/30: Pirates are in the process of trading for a pair of bats in Bryan De La Cruz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (separate deals): SportsGrid's Craig Mish reports that IF/OF Garrett Forrester and RHP Jun-Seok Shim are going to Miami in return for the powerful BDLC, who has 18 home runs over 105 games thus far. The .289 on-base percentage isn't ideal but Pittsburgh needs power beyond the top of their order. Unfortunately for De La Cruz, PNC Park has the lowest Statcast HR Park Factor for right-handed bats at 71 (Miami was 82), so fantasy teams may not get a lift.

Then ESPN's Jeff Passan broke that IKF is also heading to Pittsburgh. He's currently working back from a left knee sprain on a rehab assignment and should be back shortly with his helpful .292/.338/.420 slash line and the ability to plug in all over the diamond. This should help cover Nick Gonzales' injury if they don't want to bring Nick Yorke up. SportsNet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reports that 3B/OF Charles McAdoo is coming back in the IKF deal. He's rocking a .315/.394/.538 slash line with 14 home runs and 17 steals in 87 minor-league games.

7/30: Padres finalizing Tanner Scott trade pending medical review, sending four top prospects to Miami: Jeff Passan broke that the Padres have pulled off a big deal for closer Tanner Scott. San Diego has made its bullpen a clear priority with this and the Jason Adam trade. The Pads will also receive Bryan Hoeing, who has a 2.70 ERA (3.26 FIP) over two starts and 14 relief appearances thus far.

It’s unfortunate for Scott’s fantasy teams as this should remain Robert Suarez’s show, with Scott, Adam, and Jeremiah Estrada setting him up. Andrew Nardi and Calvin Faucher are the top bullpen arms remaining in Miami, with Nardi getting the edge for saves.

MLB’s Christina Di Nicola reports that Robby Snelling, Adam Mazur, Graham Pauley, and Jay Beshears are the return. Snelling entered 2024 as SD’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, with Mazur at No. 4, Pauley at No. 5, and Beshears at No. 24.

Snelling has had a rough year at Double-A (6.01 ERA/1.68 WHIP) while Mazur had a 7.83 ERA at Triple-A and a 7.49 ERA in eight MLB starts this year. Pauley has a .228/.342/.390 slash with eight homers in 70 Triple-A games while Beshears is rocking a .651 OPS at High-A. In other words, Miami better have a clear plan to right the ship on all of them. The upside is high but the floor is evident in the 2024 numbers.

7/30: Mariners trade for JT Chargois - MLB’s Daniel Kramer reports that the Mariners have sent minor league pitcher Will Schomberg back to Miami for Chargois, who was a Mariner in the first half of 2021. Chargois has danced around a 5.32 FIP/4.74 SIERA for a 1.62 ERA and 1.32 WHIP over 16 ⅔ IP for Miami thus far. He’d posted strong numbers between 2021-23 but he doesn’t bring big strikeouts and shouldn’t see save opportunities so even Solds players can move along.

7/30: Mets adding Paul Blackburn, trading Kade Morris to A's - Per Jeff Passan, Blackburn moves to NYC to help the rotation depth. Blackburn is a 30-year-old righty with a career-best 1.16 WHIP going for Oakland, but the fantasy upside remains limited by a low 18% strikeout rate and a 4.41 ERA. The A’s and Mets both have solid venues for pitchers so Blackburn remains a fringe streamer if Tylor Megill and/or David Peterson isn’t cutting it OR they opt for a six-man rotation. RHP Kade Morris (a High-A arm) is the return per MLB's Anthony DiComo.

7/30: Royals trade for Paul DeJong - ESPN’s Jesse Rogers says DeJong had to switch dugouts with the White Sox playing KC. While the 30-year-old has popped 18 homers in 102 games, it’s come with a poor .228 average and .275 OBP. He should become a versatile depth option for the Royal infield instead of having Adam Frazier, Nick Loftin, and Garrett Hampson on the bench. Perhaps we see Lenyn Sosa back up for the White Sox.

7/30: Rangers acquiring Andrew Chafin for two prospects - After murmurs that Texas might deal from their bullpen, they went out and plucked a reliable southpaw from Detroit’s in Chafin according to Jeff Passan. The 34-year-old  owns a stellar 3.16 ERA and 2.53 FIP with 50 strikeouts through 37 innings this season, including a current 17-inning run with just one ER and a 26:5 K:BB. Save+Hold players should keep on humming with Chafin.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that RHPs Joseph Montalvo and Chase Lee are going back to Detroit.

7/30: Royals finalizing trade for RHP Lucas Erceg from Oakland - ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Kansas City is moving for bullpen help from Oakland in the form of Lucas Erceg, who has a 3.68 ERA (3.16 SIERA) and 26% strikeout rate and joins Hunter Harvey as deadline reinforcements for a thin bullpen. KC's current closer, James McArthur, owns a 5.31 ERA with a 3.48 SIERA but eventually, the results have to be there. It's possible Harvey or Erceg ousts him, with Harvey likely getting the first crack if so. This may leave Tyler Ferguson, who has a 3.29 ERA and an impressive 17:3 K:BB in 13 2/3 IP this month, as Oakland's preferred closer and a nice fantasy pickup.

MLB’s Mark Feinsand has the full trade details, with RHP Mason Barnett, RHP Will Klein, and OF Jared Dickey going back to Oakland. That Erceg is under team control through 2029 played a big factor.

7/30: Guardians trade for Alex Cobb, send Jacob Bresnahan and PTBNL to Giants - MLB's Mandy Bell posted the details of the trade, which solidifies Cleveland's No. 5 rotation spot with a veteran ready to make his 2024 debut. Cobb has been out for 2024 while recovering from hip labrum surgery but has posted ERAs between 3.70 and 3.90 in the last three seasons.

This should free up a rotation spot in SF for Hayden Birdsong to come back for our fantasy teams. Bresnahan is a 19-year-old lefty who posted a 34% strikeout rate in the Florida Complex League this year and was recently bumped up to Single-A.

7/30: Marlins get Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers, Orioles receive Trevor Rogers - MLB’s Mark Feinsand reports the Orioles have gotten Trevor Rogers from the Marlins in exchange for IF Connor Norby and OF Kyle Stowers. Norby was MLB’s No. 5 team prospect and delivered a fantastic .297/.389/.519 triple slash with 16 homers and 13 steals over just 80 Triple-A games. Stowers has 18 homers and a .877 OPS in 58 Triple-A contests.

Both have gotten a handful of MLB at-bats but Baltimore’s depth is simply too great and this reduces the logjam. Norby should find everyday play in Miami, while Stowers could also slot in if they move an outfielder or deal Josh Bell from the DH role. It's a big lift for both of them.

Rogers gives Baltimore a left-handed project to work on, as his 4.53 ERA has equally iffy sabermetrics behind it. The 8.9% swinging-strike rate is easily a career-low, as is the 8.3% K-BB%. Going to Camden will help some but this is a head-scratching move on the surface. He’ll be the No. 5 arm in the rotation for now and push Albert Suarez back into the ‘pen. Rogers remains a fringe fantasy arm until proven otherwise.

7/30: Astros acquire Caleb Ferguson from Yankees, returning player TBD - YES Network's Jack Curry broke that the Yankees moved reliever Caleb Ferguson to the Astros for a minor league player and international pool money. This shouldn't have any real fantasy implications, though Ferguson does have a 3.51 SIERA behind the 5.13 ERA.

7/30: Diamondbacks send cash considerations to Miami for waived Josh Bell - Craig Mish of SportsGrid reported that Arizona will cover a portion of Bell's remaining salary in a move that will help Arizona cover any absence required for Christian Walker, who suffered an oblique injury on Monday night.

7/30: Red Sox receive RHP Lucas Sims from Reds for RHP Ovis Portes - MassLive’s Chris Cotillo posted the full details of this trade that helps flesh out Boston’s injured bullpen. They’ve had elbow injuries hit Chris Martin and Justin Slaten, which has left little depth behind Kenley Jansen in the ‘pen. Sims has a 2.25 ERA and 18:9 K:BB in 16 innings since June 5 but it’s a largely lateral move in Solds formats, with the righty going from one hitter-friendly park to another.

7/30: Yankees get Mark Leiter Jr., trade away INF Ben Cowles and RHP Jack Neely - ESPN’s Jeff Passan posts that the Yankees and Cubs have agreed to a deal that ships righty reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to the Bronx in exchange for two prospects. On the surface, Leiter’s 4.21 ERA might not be inspiring, but small samples in relief can be fickle.

His 2.11 FIP, 2.43 xFIP, and 2.42 SIERA go with a 50% groundball rate to make him a nice get for the Yanks. He’ll help set up the late innings to Clay Holmes. Neely was NYY’s No. 22 prospect and Cowles was No. 29 on the last MLB Pipeline rankings update.

7/29: Braves reunite with Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson as Tyler Matzek and Sabin Ceballos go to Giants - The Braves posted the full details of the deal shortly after Jeff Passan broke the Soler-to-ATL news. Soler is the only fantasy-relevant piece here so let’s dive in. (And when will Atlanta bring Joc Pederson back for the true 2021 run-it-back push?)

Soler slugged 36 homers in ‘23 but has faltered in San Francisco, swatting just 12 taters over 93 games thus far. But we saw him hit 14 HRs with a .882 OPS in 55 games for Atlanta following a deadline deal in ‘21 before his iconic postseason that ended with a World Series MVP award.

Atlanta can now rotate Jarred Kelenic, Adam Duvall, Ramon Laureano, and Eddie Rosario between the other two outfield spots with Marcell Ozuna occupying the DH spot. The Giants could still deal Michael Conforto/Mike Yastrzemski and find room for Luis Matos again, though the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser believes they're done selling and might make an addition like Kevin Kiermaier to help with the outfield's defense. For the record, Ceballos was Atlanta’s No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline’s preseason rankings.

7/29: Reds send Frankie Montas to Brewers for Joey Wiemer, Jakob Junis - MLB’s Mark Feinsand reports that Cincinnati has received OF Joey Wiemer and RHP Jakob Junis in exchange for Frankie Montas, who gets out of hitter-friendly GABP. That stadium’s overall 104 Park Factor is the fourth-highest per Statcast, with Milwaukee’s American Family Field just below average at 99, though it does have a top-five HR factor of 114. It’s a modest bump up for Montas.

It’s a solid get for Cincinnati given Montas’ contract, as Wiemer is under team control until 2028 and has shown flashes. He only hit .204 last year but had 13 homers and 11 steals in 410 PAs alongside good defense. Junis can provide solid innings, though his outlook at GABP takes him off of most streaming radars if given starts. Nick Martinez should keep the rotation spot over Junis anyhow.

7/29: Astros trade for Yusei Kikuchi; Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido, Will Wagner going to Toronto- ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirms that Yusei Kikuchi is heading to the Astros to bolster a beleaguered rotation. This writer is not enamored by the 33-year-old heading to a venue with a short porch, as this year’s 1.32 HR/9 and the 1.6 career mark might highlight, but there’s no doubting the potential. Kikuchi owns a 3.64 FIP and 3.46 SIERA beneath the 4.75 ERA and gets a jolt in Houston. Bowden Francis should assume his rotation spot in TOR.

Toronto is said to be getting Jake Bloss (HOU No. 9 prospect per MLB), who was Houston’s original pitcher on Monday but was scratched leading up to game time. He has a 6.94 ERA in his first three MLB starts but had advanced quickly through the system, accumulating just 84 ⅔ IP in the minors before injuries necessitated his promotion. He had a 1.91 ERA/0.95 WHIP across the minors so let’s see if the Jays can develop him properly.

Per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner (No. 13 prospect) are joining Bloss en route to Canada. Loperfido struggled in his first MLB run in Houston, producing a .658 OPS with a 36% strikeout rate, but the power ceiling remains lofty. He’d cracked 13 homers with a .933 OPS and nine steals over just 39 Triple-A games this year. Wagner is 26 with a .307 average and .424 OBP at Triple-A, but is light on power and speed so he likely isn’t a fantasy factor.

7/29: Rockies send Jalen Beeks to Pirates for LHP Luis Peralta - MLB’s Mark Feinsand had the deal, which sends Colorado’s current saves leader away from the altitude. Beeks had nine on the season and three over the last 30 days, though he shouldn’t see any in Pittsburgh.

Victor Vodnik also had three in the last month while no one else had any, so he’s the presumed leader for desperation saves in Colorado. Peralta has been incredible in the minors, striking out 65 over 39 ⅔ IP with only four earned runs allowed in there between High- and Double-A. Too bad he’s now destined for Coors.

7/29: Dodgers get Amed Rosario from Rays, trade away RHP Michael Flynn - The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers have gotten Amed Rosario from Tampa Bay, which adds another versatile piece after their earlier acquisition of Tommy Edman. The Rays received RHP Michael Flynn in return, who has shown hot stretches as a bullpen arm at Triple-A.

Rosario, who the Dodgers traded for at last year’s deadline before he signed with Tampa via free agency, is hitting a career-high .307 with two homers and nine steals over 275 PAs. His .367 BABIP is nearly 40 points above his career average but he’s a nice depth piece even if regression hits. The Dodgers primarily played him at second base last year but fantasy teams shouldn’t expect straightforward playing time.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay clears up even more available reps in the infield for a potential Junior Caminero promotion! And those banking on a wider audition for Curtis Mead, Jose Caballero, and Taylor Walls to prove themselves may get their wish.

7/29: Guardians acquire Lane Thomas for Alex Clemmey, Jose Tena, Rafael Ramirez - Ken Rosenthal posted that the Guardians are making a big move in acquiring Lane Thomas from the Nationals, with FanSided’s Robert Murray adding that Alex Clemmey, a 2023 second-round pick, is going back to Washington. Bob Nightengale adds Jose Tena and Rafael Ramirez are also going to Washington.

Cleveland has star bats at the top in Steven Kwan, Jose Ramirez, and Josh Naylor, but this helps flesh out the heart of their order. Thomas should slot into right field and likely hits second, providing a massive upgrade over the Will Brennan/Jhonkensy Noel RF platoon.

For Washington, Thomas and Jesse Winker have been traded so the odds of an eventual Dylan Crews promotion are rising. He’s the actionable move here. Perhaps Washington also finds a lane for 3B/SS Jose Tena, who has a .298 average with 17 home runs and 14 steals in 90 Triple-A games for Cleveland a run.

7/29: Seattle swings deal for Justin Turner for prospect OF RJ Schreck - Seattle announced via X that the Mariners got infield depth in Justin Turner, who was 1-for-1 on Monday when pulled from Toronto’s game. The .256 average has a robust .350 on-base percentage thanks to his 11.2% walk rate. He’ll occupy the DH role often but can help across the diamond in a pinch. However, going to T-Mobile Park typically is not a hitter-friendly move. In Toronto, Davis Schneider could see more DH reps moving forward.

7/29: Three-team trade! Cardinals acquiring Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham, Dodgers getting Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech, White Sox receiving Miguel Vargas, Jeral Perez, and Alexander Albertus - Bob Nightengale consolidates reports from Ken Rosenthal, Katie Woo, and Daryl Van Schouwen in his post detailing the trade.

This immediately bolsters an STL rotation seeking an upgrade with Lance Lynn scuffling and no real depth behind the top five they’d been leaning on. Andre Pallante might be pushed out despite being one of their best arms of late. The park and overall support are a nice upgrade for Fedde. With Nick Nastrini and Jake Eder struggling on the farm, perhaps Chad Kuhl will slide into Chicago's vacated rotation spot. Tommy Pham has a .848 OPS and .216 ISO against southpaws in 2024 versus a .677 OPS/.091 ISO against right-handers and is likely looking at a platoon situation in STL given their depth.

When he’s ready to play, Edman gets a boost from being surrounded by the Dodger lineup. It remains to be seen whether they view him as an everyday player or not, but his versatility will help his case. He can slot into the infield and outfield as needed, depending on the recovery of others around him like Mookie Betts. They also are getting Michael Kopech according to Jon Heyman. The fireballer has been hit-or-miss for CHW but when he's on form then he's nearly untouchable. He likely slides into the middle innings for now, with John Brebbia standing as CHW's closer in the meantime.

The big piece going back to Chicago is Miguel Vargas, per MLB's Juan Toribio, which should give him a chance to shine with consistent playing time. He makes for a nice pick-up in most 12-team fantasy formats even if the team environment is suboptimal. The official trade (via Dodgers' X) lists Jeral Perez (LAD's No. 17 prospect per MLB), and Alexander Albertus (No. 23) as the others going to the White Sox.

7/29: Pirates swap Quinn Priester to Red Sox for prospect Nick Yorke - Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Pirates and Red Sox are finalizing a deal to exchange RHP Quinn Priester for infield prospect Nick Yorke. Priester can provide some rotation depth, though he won’t be a fantasy factor with a 5.04 ERA/1.46 WHIP (4.80 FIP) that now enters hitter-friendly Fenway Park.

Meanwhile, Yorke is hitting .310 with a .898 OPS in 38 games since being promoted to Triple-A. The six homers and six steals in that window showcase the fantasy upside. Perhaps Pittsburgh will be aggressive and promote him with Nick Gonzales hitting the injured list?

7/29: Ty France heads to Cincinnati for minor league C Andruw Salcedo - The Reds announced they’d acquired the recently DFA’d Ty France from Seattle (alongside cash considerations) for Andruw Salcedo. France has a poor .223 average and .662 OPS but owned a .260/.325/.411 slash line through May 31. The Reds are currently fine at the corners and DH with Spencer Steer, Jeimer Candelario, and Noelvi Marte. But Marte is scuffling and Steer has versatility should Jonathan India get dealt.

7/29: Royals acquire Michael Lorenzen in exchange for LHP Walter Pennington: USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports the Royals have traded for Michael Lorenzen, presumably to be their No. 5 starter with the way Alec Marsh has thrown lately (8.36 ERA, 6.01 FIP in the last month). Pennington is a 26-year-old southpaw with a 2.26 ERA/0.99 WHIP (3.27 FIP) and a 33% strikeout rate over ~60 IP at Triple-A but scouts have him best suited for relief work.

Texas may opt to stretch Dane Dunning back out or give Jose Urena a go, both of whom hit the 60-pitch mark on Saturday. And they hope for Jacob deGrom and/or Tyler Mahle somewhere down the stretch.

7/28: Rangers trade for Carson Kelly; Dillon Dingler time in Detroit - Per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Sunday evening saw Detroit acquire Carson Kelly to provide catcher depth behind Jonah Heim in exchange for C Liam Hicks and RHP Tyler Owens (full terms via Tigers). It’s not a big deal on the surface, but it should provide an avenue for intrigue in the Motor City.

Detroit could elevate Dillon Dingler, the first pick of the second round in 2020 who owns a .308/.379/.559 triple slash with 17 home runs and five steals over 71 Triple-A games. He is already on the 40-man roster so let’s have some fun! (Update: Dingler is coming!)

7/28: Cubs acquire Isaac Paredes for Christopher Morel, RHP Hunter Bigge, and RHP Ty Johnson - FanSided’s Robert Murray reports a source familiar with the deal has Isaac Paredes going to the Cubs. Some may feel confused at the Cubs buying but the pull-happy power hitter has three more arbitration-eligible seasons beyond this year, so it aligns with the Cubbies buying for 2025 and beyond.

For us, Wrigley is not an ideal fit for his swing. Statcast gives him 11 expected home runs at Wrigley compared to 19 in Tampa Bay. Paredes can slot into the first, second, or third base, but The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma is reporting Christopher Morel is going back to Tampa Bay alongside reliever Hunter Bigge and pitching prospect Ty Johnson.

For Tampa Bay, it’ll be interesting to see if they keep Morel at designated hitter given his subpar defense. He’s also hitting .171 against left-handed pitching (86 PAs) so we’d expect the platooning to continue given the Rays’ approach. Bigge could find himself in high-leverage spots down the stretch with Jason Adam already dealt and Pete Fairbanks on the block.

7/28: Jason Adam dealt to Padres pending medical review - FanSided’s Robert Murray said sources have the Tampa reliever heading to San Diego as long as the medicals check out. For the record, all trades obviously need that hurdle cleared but we’ll point it out here when the source for the trade highlights it.

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman detailed that Dylan Lesko, Homer Bush Jr., and J.D. Gonzalez are going back to Tampa. Lesko was MLB Pipeline’s preseason No. 3 prospect for San Diego, with Bush at No. 8 and Gonzalez at No. 12.

Adam joins Jeremiah Estrada as a setup man for Robert Suarez while Tampa Bay’s bullpen seems headed for chaos. Pete Fairbanks is involved in several trade rumors. This leaves players like Colin Poche, Garrett Cleavinger, Shawn Armstrong, Kevin Kelly, and Edwin Uceta in the running for a closer committee. Poche has a 0.96 ERA (3.74 FIP) going back to June 1 and would be this writer’s initial lean for “committee chair.”

7/27: Mets getting Jesse Winker pending medicals - ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke that the Mets are snagging Winker, who has a .374 OBP and has shown new life in DC after a horrible 2023 in Milwaukee. Not only are his power and contact back, but he’s stolen 14 bases after logging three steals over his first seven MLB seasons. Passan notes this has to clear medicals first.

The Mets are trading right-handed pitcher Tyler Stuart back, who has turned it up at Double-A this month with a 24:2 K:BB and 1.96 ERA over 23 July innings.

Winker adds a left-handed bat while beefing up the outfield that helps the Mets not rely on an inconsistent Jeff McNeil/Tyrone Taylor platoon at the corner outfield as Starling Marte heals up. As for the Nationals, this may precede a Lane Thomas trade that clears out space for a possible Dylan Crews promotion. Perhaps we see Alex Call or Joey Meneses back first, but Crews should get an audition soon.

7/27: Phillies trade pair of pitching prospects for Carlos Estevez - The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal posted that the Phillies are acquiring closer Carlos Estevez from the Angels, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan breaking that pitching prospects George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri were going to the Halos. MLB listed Aldegheri as Philly’s No. 23 prospect, with Klassen at No. 28. He also issued a critical statement on MLB's prospect rankings:

A quick reminder for the trade deadline: Public prospect rankings quite often are not updated during the season. If you think George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri are not good because they were ranked in the 20s before the season, you do not know ball. They are both very good.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2024

The question becomes whether Philadelphia inserts Estevez as a set closer or if he joins Jeff Hoffman et al as part of a high-leverage carousel. We’ve seen Hoffman get the lion’s share of saves lately following a slip in Jose Alvarado’s form. Keep both close for now, but the lean is that Estevez gets more of the role with Hoffman back to fireman duties.

The Angels’ bullpen is surely not done making moves, with Luis Garcia garnering interest from several teams. Ben Joyce and Hans Crouse are the key RPs with big strikeouts who could ascend to the ninth, though Roansy Contreras has also found himself in the late innings. Stay tuned!

7/27: Yankees acquire Jazz Chisholm Jr. for three prospects - Sportsgrid’s Craig Mish reported that the Yankees were “deep in talks” to trade three prospects for Chisholm and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal confirmed a trade agreement shortly after that.

It remains to be seen how Chisholm will fit into the starting lineup (2B? OF? Or even 3B?) but either way, this infuses energy into a lethargic lineup and he's signed through 2026. It could mean a loss of playing time for strugglers like Alex Verdugo or DJ LeMahieu. Or he simply nudges out Jahmai Jones and Trent Grisham. Chisholm’s HR/SB potential gets a big upgrade moving to Yankee Stadium.

Miami might get Vidal Brujan more playing time in center field, but they're not necessarily done dealing. For now, it's a minimal-impact spot as Brujan only has a .649 OPS with one home run and four steals over 207 PAs. If they opt to move Bryan De La Cruz back into the OF and free up the DH spot for either Ramirez or Deyvison De Los Santos then we could have some fun!

Among the three prospects going back is C/1B Agustin Ramirez, NYY's No. 20 prospect (per MLB) has 20 home runs and 18 steals between Double- and Triple-A in 2024. He could be a late-season promotion with fantasy impact. ESPN's Alden Gonzalez detailed how the full deal includes NYY's No. 19 prospect, infielder Jared Serna, and INF/OF Abrahan Ramirez.

7/27 - Red Sox trade for Danny Jansen: Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports The Red Sox are rather deep in talks to acquire right-handed catcher Danny Jansen from the Blue Jays. One wonders whether they’ll be moving Connor Wong then, or if Jansen, who has a poor .212 average and .671 OPS, would simply replace Reese McGuire as the backup. Kyle Teel looms at Double-A, while Alejandro Kirk’s playing time in Toronto would be fortified.

ESPN's Jeff Passan says the deal is done, with Cutter Coffey being one player going back to Toronto.

Danny Jansen to Boston is done, sources told ESPN. Full extent of the deal is unclear, but one player going to Toronto is infielder Cutter Coffey, a second-round pick in 2022 who has impressed in High-A this season.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2024

7/27: Brewers bolster bullpen with Nick Mears - ESPN Jeff Passan detailed how the Brewers acquired right-handed reliever Nick Mears from the Rockies in exchange for two right-handed pitching prospects, Bradley Blalock and Yujanjer Herrera.

Those in deep-water Save+Hold leagues may want to take note as Milwaukee just placed Bryan Hudson on the injured list. While Mears has an awful 5.56 ERA/1.50 WHIP on the surface, he sports an impressive 28% strikeout rate with a 2.59 FIP, 3.60 xFIP, and 3.37 SIERA. He’s happy to be leaving Coors!

7/27: Blue Jays deal Nate Pearson to the Cubs - ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and Jeff Passan were told that the Cubs have added fireballer Nate Pearson to their bullpen with full details to come. The 27-year-old has a strong 3.28 SIERA underneath the 5.63 ERA thanks to a 28% strikeout rate that has been sandbagged by a history of HR issues (1.8 HR/9 in ‘24, 1.71 career) and a .356 BABIP.

Chicago recently reactivated Julian Merryweather and expects Adbert Alzolay back soon as well, so the path towards saves is long for Pearson. It’d be surprising to see Chad Green remain in Toronto at this rate. Erik Swanson has thrown two hitless innings since being recalled and might be the next man up.

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports that infielder Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango are coming to Toronto in the deal. They're listed as the Cubs' respective No. 23 and 29 prospects per MLB's rankings.

Insider Peter Gammons notes that the Red Sox were "very much in on the bidding."

7/26: Mets trade for Ryne Stanek; also move Cole Sulser to Rays

SNY’s Andy Martino broke that the Mets were acquiring reliever Ryne Stanek from Seattle in exchange for Rhylan Thomas, a 24-year-old outfielder with a .663 OPS at Triple-A. Stanek already has seven saves and 15 holds for Seattle, with a 3.67 SIERA behind the mediocre 4.38 ERA to help bridge innings to Edwin Diaz.

Separately, MLB’s Anthony DiComo posted that the Mets traded reliever Cole Sulser to the Rays for cash.

7/26: Orioles snag Zach Eflin for trio of prospects

ESPN’s Jeff Passan detailed the trade, with Eflin helping stabilize Baltimore’s rotation and getting a cushy Camden venue to call home. In return, the Rays got Matthew Etzel (OF), Jackson Baumeister (RHP), and Mac Horvath (3B).

MLB lists Horvath as Baltimore’s No. 10 prospect and Baumeister at No. 17, with the move obviously seeing them retain their top farm talent. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay now has room for Jeffrey Springs to be activated on the next go-around.

Zach Eflin makes a ton of sense for the Orioles.

He bolsters the rotation, provides it security and has team control through 2025.

He is one of the best strike-throwers in baseball with a Greg Maddux-esque 2.8% walk rate. He was 6th in AL Cy Young voting last year.

— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) July 26, 2024

7/26: Mariners acquire Yimi Garcia from Blue Jays in exchange for OF Jonatan Clase

Per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Seattle is beefing up their bullpen by flipping outfield prospect Jonatan Clase (ranked No. 10 on MLB) and catcher Jacob Sharp to snag a top relief arm in Yimi Garcia. This tanks Garcia’s fantasy relevance unless Andres Munoz’s back injury flares up again and temporarily re-elevates Chad Green in Toronto.

As for Clase, he hit 10 homers with 26 steals alongside a .856 OPS in 59 Triple-A games but only has a .452 OPS with three steals through 43 MLB plate appearances. Let’s see if Toronto clears up space for him down the stretch.

7/26: Baltimore trades Austin Hays to Philadelphia for Seranthony Dominguez, Cristian Pache

MLB’s Mark Feinsand reports the Phillies got some needed outfield help with Austin Hays, who is only 4-for-22 in 10 games since July 10 and had fallen behind some of Baltimore’s younger pieces. He’s hit lefties better over his career and is batting .328 against them in 72 plate appearances in ‘24 (.208 against righties). We’ll see how Philly deploys him but Hays probably isn’t an everyday bat.

Meanwhile, Baltimore gets bullpen help in Dominguez, who has put an ugly April behind him with a 2.81 ERA and 28:9 K:BB in 25 ⅔ IP since May began and stifles right-handed bats. Pache, who remains a zero in the batter’s box, can provide healthy defense and might signal additional interest in trading Cedric Mullins and his own plus defense out of center field.

7/26: Boston acquires James Paxton

The Red Sox have traded for James Paxton in a deal with the Dodgers, who recently DFA'd the southpaw. This should solidify the No. 5 spot in Boston's rotation while allowing for the Dodgers' young and recovering arms to slot in. Though full details of the trade are not yet known it is a "done deal," per ESPN's Jeff Passan. *UPDATE: Moises Bolivar, a 17-year-old infielder, is going back to LA in the deal, per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.

7/26: Seattle gets Randy Arozarena

Seattle has acquired Randy Arozarena from Tampa Bay, per Francys Romero, and confirmed by others like Ken Rosenthal. Arozarena boosted his stock by hitting .301 with a .978 OPS (7 HR, 9 SB) over the last six weeks. Some hitters have not adjusted to Seattle’s park well but there’s no doubting Arozarena can easily slot into left field and kick Luke Raley over to 1B/DH. Depending on the return, Tampa Bay could be freeing up space for Jonny DeLuca and Amed Rosario at-bats or more consistent time for Josh Lowe. And this likely signals a massive sell-off in Tampa, so stay tuned!

ESPN's Jeff Passan detailed Tampa's return: outfielder Aidan Smith, right-hander Brody Hopkins, and a player to be named later. Smith just turned 20 last week and has nine homers, 28 steals, and a .284/.402/.470 slash line over 358 plate appearances at Single-A. Hopkins has a promising 2.90 ERA/1.22 WHIP with a 26.5% strikeout rate over 83 2/3 IP at Single-A in his first year of pro ball. MLB's prospect rankings have Smith as Seattle's No. 12 prospect and Hopkins at No. 22.

7/25: Arizona trades for A.J. Puk, Miami gets Deyvison De Los Santos 

We have the first big deal! Miami has traded stud reliever A.J. Puk to Arizona in return for exciting corner-infield prospect Deyvison De Los Santos, who has 28 home runs and a 1.011 OPS in 87 games, which are great power numbers even for the Pacific Coast League. The Marlins also got outfield prospect Andrew Pintar, who had a .919 OPS with nine HRs and 17 stolen bases in 57 Single-A games but has scuffled in a handful of Double-A games thus far.

Puk has been incredible of late and could form a lefty-righty committee with Paul Sewald for saves, but he's more likely a fireman ahead of Sewald. If Tanner Scott's trade comes to pass soon then Andrew Nardi and Calvin Faucher are potential next men up.

7/13: Kansas City acquires Hunter Harvey

Kansas City acquired Hunter Harvey from Washington to reinforce their bullpen behind James McArthur. Harvey has struggled of late and shouldn’t threaten McArthur (yet), while the move could be the first of many for a Nationals regime with its eyes on contending in 2025.

Very few sellers. People seem to have glossed over the package Royals traded for Hunter Harvey. For 1.5 yrs of control, parted with the now #6 Prospect in Nationals System (A deep system) PLUS sent Nats the 39th Pick in the Draft (Slot Value $2.395M)..

SELLERS MARKET

— MLBExecutiveBurner (@HotStoveintel) July 23, 2024

7/03: Milwaukee trades for Aaron Civale

A year after the Rays traded for Aaron Civale from Cleveland, they moved him nearly a month ahead of the 2024 deadline to Milwaukee in exchange for infield prospect Gregory Barrios (No. 21 per MLB Pipeline). Civale has struggled to work deep into games but Milwaukee’s rotation needs help, with another addition possible later in the month. For Tampa, this vacated space with Shane Baz and Jeffrey Springs on the mend.

 

Latest MLB Trade Deadline Rumors

7/30 - Yandy Diaz sweepstakes down to Astros, Mariners, and Yankees - Francys Romero reports that the Diaz sweepstakes are down to these three teams, with Pittsburgh bowing out. Let's see how the market shakes out for the 2023 AL leader in batting average. Update: It's down to the Astros and Yankees, with the Mariners dropping out per Francys Romero.

7/30 - Padres "increasingly likely" to get a starting pitcher - MLB Network's Jon Morosi posted that the Padres are ramping up their pursuit of a starter, with Jack Flaherty's name going around. They've had great pitching but could use another anchor as several starters reach new inning thresholds and Yu Darvish remains on the restricted list.

7/30 - Marlins expected to move Tanner Scott despite big ask, Bryan De La Cruz deals also floating - SportsGrid's Craig Mish reports that the sought-after reliever is expected to be moved before the trade deadline despite reports around the timeline about Miami asking for a ton.

7/30 - Yankees focusing on infield help, bullpen - Jon Heyman lists Yandy Diaz, Luis Rengifo, Tanner Scott, Pete Fairbanks, Kyle Finnegan, Lucas Erceg, and “many others” as players of interest for the Yankees. But notes the extreme seller’s market and that bullpen and infield/versatility look like NYY’s priority with how high SP prices have gotten.

7/30 - Mariners aiming for another high-leverage reliever - MLB Network’s Jon Morosi posts that Seattle is gearing up for one more deadline run at a key reliever to help out with the late innings. Perhaps this is even more important if Andres Munoz’s early-season back issue will never be considered 100% until the offseason.

7/30 - Angels still getting interest on Luis Rengifo and Taylor Ward - Jon Morosi also reports that the Yankees, Red Sox, and Pirates have called the Angels on their available bats, namely Luis Rengifo and Taylor Ward. We’ve also seen Kevin Pillar’s name in several rumors. The obvious hope here is that Mike Trout will soon return to take an OF role or the DH slot for LAA.

7/30 - Blake Snell trade chances getting more remote - Jon Heyman reports that San Francisco’s chances of trading Snell are getting remote after they shed Jorge Soler’s salary in the Atlanta deal. Joel Sherman posits that the Giants could use Trent Grisham for center field defense and the Yankees need a reliever.

7/30 - Garrett Crochet with a chance to be dealt; Yankees out - While Luis Robert Jr. will reportedly be staying in Chicago, with Ken Rosenthal reporting CHW expects a better market in the offseason, the buzz around Crochet is holding steady despite the postseason/bullpen/extension commentary. Jon Heyman says Crochet is seen as more likely to move than Robert. Heyman also says the Yankees were told days ago that they aren’t a match. Ken Rosenthal also says the demand for pitching shows the White Sox may still get their ask on Crochet, with SD, LAD, ATL, PHI, BOS, and BAL showing varying interest.

7/30 - Tigers believed to be talking with Yankees and Dodgers over Jack Flaherty - Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic wrote up how Flaherty is healthy and how valuable the seller’s market is for pitching this deadline, noting that Detroit was believed to be negotiating with LAD and NYY. The Padres and Astros had been involved but the talks didn’t get anywhere. He also writes trade talk has been “minimal” regarding Mark Canha, Gio Urshela, Andrew Chafin, and Shelby Miller. Ken Rosenthal says the Orioles and Red Sox could also be in the mix.

7/30 - Orioles, Yankees, and Red Sox to make multiple moves? - Ken Rosenthal reports each of these AL East contenders could make more than one move. Baltimore needs another starter and would like a right-handed outfielder and left-handed reliever. The Yankees need another bullpen arm and could use another SP or bat, while the Red Sox are seeking relievers, possibly another starter, and a “right-handed hitting middle infielder.”

7/30 - Marlins could move up to six players, including four relievers - Ken Rosenthal states that Miami could deal as many as six players before the deadline: Tanner Scott, Huascar Brazoban, Anthony Bender, Declan Cronin, Bryan De La Cruz, and Trevor Rogers. Andrew Nardi could vault to the closer’s role here.

7/30 - Dylan Carlson could move, source says RHP Dylan Floro is linked - MLB’s John Denton reports that amongst other Dylan Carlson trade possibilities, the outfielder has been tied to Washington’s Dylan Floro. St. Louis is still looking to reinforce a bullpen that has some overtaxed arms pushing beyond their historical workload. It remains to be seen who will be left in Washington if Kyle Finnegan, Dylan Floro, and Derek Law are all potential movers.

MLB's Mark Feinsand later added that the Nationals and Angels are showing the most interest in Carlson.

7/29 - Astros, Pirates, and Yankees still in on Yandy Diaz - Simple and straightforward, reporter Francys Romero (who broke the Arozarena trade) says Houston, Pittsburgh, and the Yanks are the three teams still in talks with Tampa Bay over Diaz.

7/29 - White Sox GM not happy with communication from Garrett Crochet's camp; Dodgers still in play following Tommy Edman trade - The LA Times' Jack Harris quoted ESPN's Jesse Rogers' report on X that White Sox GM Chris Getz isn't happy with Crochet and his agency, saying he "was a little surprised and taken aback by how they went about it." Harris is the one adding that the Dodgers are still in on the powerful southpaw.

7/29 - Jack Flaherty scratched from Monday's start; Yankees in "extensive talks" for him (and would move Nestor Cortes if they got Flaherty) - Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman reported that Flaherty had been scratched to protect him ahead of the trade deadline, so a deal seems imminent on that front.

Bob Nightengale later reported that the Yankees are in "extensive trade talks" for Flaherty and would plan on moving Nestor Cortes if a deal came to fruition.

7/29 - Dodgers, Twins, Padres, Astros involved in talks for Yusei Kikuchi: MLB Network's Jon Morosi notes that the Dodgers are among those discussing a Kikuchi trade, who he reiterates is seen as very likely to move before the deadline.

7/29 - Cardinals pushing for Erick Fedde: Jon Heyman says that the Cards are gaining some momentum in talks for acquiring Erick Fedde, who would upgrade their rotation and give them an avenue away from overtaxing Andre Pallante or being wholly reliant on an underperforming Lance Lynn. They've also expressed a desire to stop flip-flopping Matthew Liberatore between spot starts and the bullpen.

7/29 - Tarik Skubal trade seen as "much more likely" to move than Garrett Crochet?: Jon Morosi went on MLB Network and said that a Tarik Skubal trade is "much more likely" than one with Garrett Crochet at this point, with a 50% confidence interval in a deal being done.

7/29 - Monday morning roundup: Baltimore aims high at SP, Texas makes Michael Lorenzen available; Tampa expected to move Brandon Lowe, Amed Rosario, Shawn Armstrong; Mets eyeing rotation/bullpen upgrades; Blue Jays expected to move Yusei Kikuchi and maybe Chad Green; Dodgers “unfazed” by Garrett Crochet demands?:

**The Orioles are “aiming high” and checking on Blake Snell, with Garrett Crochet and Tarik Skubal also fitting their vision, per Jon Heyman.

**The Rangers have made Michael Lorenzen available per the NY Post’s Joel Sherman. He also lists Jose Leclerc, David Robertson, Kirby Yates, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and Max Scherzer as potential candidates if Texas, who was just swept by Toronto, switches to selling. (Jon Heyman adds the Royals are among the teams interested in Lorenzen.)

**The Rays, Sherman also notes, are still expected to “at least” trade Brandon Lowe, Amed Rosario, and reliever Shawn Armstrong while listening on Yandy Diaz, Zack Littell, Pete Fairbanks, and Colin Poche. He also writes they’re expected to promote Junior Caminero soon.

**The Mets continue to eye rotation and bullpen upgrades, per Jon Heyman.

**The Blue Jays expect to trade Yusei Kikuchi by Tuesday, per Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith. He writes that Bowden Francis is the most likely arm to take Kikuchi’s vacated rotation slot, which isn’t terribly actionable for fantasy players. The Padres were scouting the Jays over the weekend, while the writer cites an executive who says the Orioles should leapfrog a potential Chad Green move to the Yankees and grab both Green and Kikuchi.

**The White Sox are still open on Garrett Crochet and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes that the Dodgers “remain unfazed” by the potential extension talks, as well as a refusal to move to the bullpen.

7/28 - Several teams still ringing White Sox on Erick Fedde; potential three-team deal with Tommy Edman?: James Fegan of Sox Machine wrote in Sunday’s pregame notes that amongst other trade avenues, the White Sox have tried to get Jordan Walker from the Cardinals. Jim Margalus then wrote in the postgamer how the Cardinals, Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Braves have all been connected in recent days.

One interesting wrinkle was presented by KPRC2’s Ari Alexander, who cited sources in reporting a three-team trade blueprint where Tommy Edman goes to the Dodgers while the Cardinals get Fedde. No piece going to the ChiSox was mentioned. Ken Rosenthal noted the Dodgers’ (and Yankees) interest in Edman earlier on Sunday night.

7/28 - Kevin Pillar drawing lots of interest: Jon Heyman says that the veteran outfielder is drawing lots of interest from contenders to make a final championship push before he likely retires. He knocked three hits on Sunday and has a .287/.343/.481 slash line with seven home runs and nine steals over 199 plate appearances.

7/28 - Braves and White Sox talking trade: The NY Post's Jon Heyman reports that the Braves and White Sox have been in communication, with the White Sox holding several pieces that could help a struggling Atlanta team find a spark. Heyman notes he is unsure of the player(s) being discussed but that Robert would be a great fit. It's noteworthy that Reynaldo Lopez left Sunday's game with right forearm tightness so pitching depth could become a bigger target for ATL.

7/28 - Josh Bell placed on waivers, no credible trade materialized: FanSided’s Robert Murray posted that the Marlins are placing Bell on waivers per sources. This must mean that no trade offer is coming together or something odd, because Bell has been on fire with homers in five of his last six games, including four straight going into today. The recent life will allow him to catch on somewhere.

SportsGrid's Craig Mish confirmed that no one wanted Bell despite the surge and framed it as Miami having to retain all or most of Bell's salary through a deal as a roadblock.

7/28 - White Sox “have markets” on Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert Jr., Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, and Tommy Pham: The NY Post’s Jon Heyman says that despite Garrett Crochet’s statement about needing an extension for the postseason and not wanting to pitch out of the bullpen, his talent keeps the trade talks going for him alongside the other big ChiSox players.

7/28 - Padres focusing on starting pitching: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that with Jason Adam now in the bullpen, San Diego is “aggressively focusing” on starting pitching. Their current rotation has youth pushing inning limits while Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove are out.

7/28 - Dodgers inquiring on Nico Hoerner, Luis Rengifo: USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes that the Dodgers are trying to offer for Nico Hoerner or Luis Rengifo.

7/27 - Yankees pushing for another trade, talking with the Rays: YES Network’s Jack Curry passed along the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade while noting the Yanks are “pushing hard to finalize another deal.” In a post 10 minutes later, Curry noted they’d had “numerous conversations” with Tampa Bay, who are still holding Yandy Diaz, and Pete Fairbanks as trade targets.

NJ.com's Randy Miller specifies that the serious talks are around Fairbanks. If a team thinks they can help Fairbanks bump the velocity back up and regain the whiffs then he's a nice piece for late-inning stability. Miller also adds that Fairbanks would become the closer and a struggling Holmes would bump down to a setup role.

MLB's Bryan Hoch says that nothing is close with Fairbanks, however.

7/27 - A’s not keen on trading Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday: The NY Post’s Jon Heyman says that Oakland is telling trade partners that they’re “reluctant” to trade either Brent Rooker or JJ Bleday, who are having strong seasons. While Oakland isn’t contending this year, their long-term confidence may be rising with the best team OPS (.836) in the last 30 days.

7/27 - Yankees among six teams vying for Tanner Scott: Jon Heyman of the NY Post reports that the Yankees are one of six teams “prominently involved” in offering for Miami’s Tanner Scott. Heyman also names the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mariners, Orioles, and Phillies as in on the southpaw.

Scott might particularly push for save opportunities on the Yankees, Orioles, and D-backs with their respective closing struggles of late, though Arizona did bring in power lefty A.J. Puk already.

7/26 - Giants signaling they’ll trade veteran players: MLB Network’s Jon Morosi passed along how the Giants are re-evaluating their position after a weak 2-5 start to the second half and possibly trade veterans such as Michael Conforto or Mike Yastrzemski. He notes this would give Luis Matos consistent playing time moving forward.

Another big name is Blake Snell, who the NY Post’s Jon Heyman says has some level of interest from five teams, with the $30 million player option complicating matters.

7/26 - Rangers discussing deal for Yandy Diaz: ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that Texas is looking for offensive reinforcements and that they’ve reached out to Tampa Bay, who have signaled a selling position in 2024.

7/26 - Philadelphia expected to get a high-leverage reliever by the deadline, Chad Green?: MLB Network’s Jon Morosi posted that sources told him the Phillies expect to trade for a leverage reliever by the trade deadline. Philly just shipped off Seranthony Dominguez and has seen cracks appear in their typically stout bullpen. Whether they go big and grab someone who leapfrogs Jeff Hoffman for saves is another story and feels unlikely, but perhaps an RP like LAA’s Estevez or one of Tampa’s relievers is on the way.

Toronto’s Chad Green was named as a top target per one of Morosi’s sources.

7/26 - Houston intent on No. 3 or 4 SP type, Jack Flaherty & Erick Fedde in play: MLB’s Brian McTaggart passed along quotes from Astros GM Dana Brown, who said they’re “working [their] tails off” to snag a starting pitcher. No prospects are “untouchable” and they’d prefer to keep the major-league roster intact, but notes that “it’s a seller’s market.”

Jon Morosi reported that Flaherty “has been the subject of trade dialogue,” according to sources. This could be due diligence but it would be an interesting fit for a contender and would vault Flaherty’s fantasy value. Morosi also noted that Fedde is an active consideration as well.

7/26 - Rays listening on Yandy Diaz?: MLB’s Mark Feinsand reports that Tampa Bay is expected to hear offers for Yandy Diaz, with the Astros, Mariners, and Pirates being three named suitors. Any vacated infield reps could lead to a chance for Junior Caminero in the final months of the 2024 season.

7/26 - Angels expecting to trade Carlos Estevez and Luis Garcia; Tanner Scott remains on the block; Pirates scouting Bryan De La Cruz; Brewers seeking left-handed hitter, starting pitcher: The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal laid out that both late-inning relievers are on expiring contracts and make for straightforward trade candidates. The fantasy ceiling then lies with Ben Joyce taking over as closer.

Rosenthal notes that teams eyeing Estevez are likely the same as those looking at Miami’s Scott: The Orioles, Royals, Dodgers, Yankees, and Phillies.

Separately, Pittsburgh is looking at Miami for help in the outfield with De La Cruz, who could help push the ineffective Michael A. Taylor/Jack Suwinski combo to the bench.

And the Brewers, now without Christian Yelich (back), are on the market for a left-handed bat to re-balance the lineup. This comes on top of their search for starting pitcher depth.

7/26 - Yankee personnel with ex-Miami ties push back against Jazz Chisholm “personality” report: The New York Daily News’ Gary Phillips spoke to James Rowson, the current Yankees hitting coach who was Miami’s bench coach between 2020-22, who said he liked Chisholm. Cody Poteet pitched with the Marlins in 2021-22 and called Chisholm “a good teammate.” Rowson pointed to Marcus Stroman’s similar perception/reputation and how he’s been an “awesome fit” thus far. Hopefully, discussions can center more on Chisholm’s play rather than personality moving forward, but it’s important to re-orient the conversation.

7/25 - Garrett Crochet seeks contract extension if trading team wants postseason innings - ESPN’s Jesse Rogers detailed how for Crochet to feel comfortable pitching into the postseason he will need a contract extension. The electrifying southpaw also laid out an unwillingness to come out of the bullpen and feels it is best for him to stay on schedule with his body. We know about the workload concerns here and contenders will need to pony up prospect-wise to pry Crochet from the ChiSox, but this presents another hurdle. Stay tuned.

7/25 - Orioles and Astros join Red Sox, Yankees as teams in on Jameson Taillon: 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine reported that the Orioles, Red Sox, and Yankees are showing interest in Taillon, with the Red Sox and Yankees still showing the most interest for now. He also noted how moving Taillon would free up the Cubs to evaluate young rotation options ahead of 2025 and give them a path to a catching prospect (Kyle Teel?) to shore up a system weakness.

Separately, The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reports the Astros are also showing interest in Taillon. Houston is dealing with several pitcher injuries that will roll into 2025, which Taillon could help cover. They’re also taxing Hunter Brown and Ronel Blanco beyond previous workloads while relying on Spencer Arrighetti and Jake Bloss at the moment.

7/24 - Craig Breslow signals “Buy” for Red Sox: The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier reports that Boston’s chief baseball officer is navigating into the “Buy” lane of the deadline market. Getting specific, Breslow said pitching and a right-handed bat were key targets. They have prospect depth to deal from, with players like Nick Yorke identified earlier in the year as a possible trade chip. He did add that “it would be irresponsible” not to listen to any overtures for impending free agents like Tyler O’Neill, Nick Pivetta, and Kenley Jansen, but that feels like due diligence rather than anything active.

7/24 - Phillies ramping up bullpen/outfield appetite: The Athletic’s Matt Gelb stated how Kyle Finnegan and Lane Thomas are of particular interest, per multiple major-league sources. He notes Finnegan would not likely be inserted into a set bullpen role. Mark Canha is named as a fallback if Thomas proves too costly, as Philly is “protective” of top prospects like Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, and Justin Crawford.

7/24 - Yankees could explore several paths to improve: ESPN’s Jorge Castillo penned possible trade scenarios for the flailing Yankees, naming Luis Rengifo, Jonathan India, Nico Hoerner, and Jazz Chisholm for the infield. Then the bullpen had Tanner Scott, Kyle Finnegan, Carlos Estevez, and Yimi Garcia, all of whom would likely slide behind Clay Holmes rather than command the closer’s role. Castillo does note that they could also address rotation depth but that sounds like a lower priority and no players are named.

7/24 - Tigers plan to deal Jack Flaherty, must be blown away on Tarik Skubal: The Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold wrote how the Tigers plan to trade Flaherty, who is crushing it on a one-year deal. This is not a surprise, but anything that amplifies the intention is notable. Petzold also notes that the Dodgers are a fit for Flaherty, while the Orioles are the ones with the prospect wealth to make a “wow” offer capable of prying Skubal away.

7/24 - Cardinals likely aiming for right-handed reliever: The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak said their “focus is pretty narrow at this point,” and Woo writes they won’t be aggressive buyers. She goes on to say a versatile right-handed arm in the bullpen would be an ideal target, with Andrew Kittredge, JoJo Romero, and John King barreling toward career-high usage.

7/24 - Padres aiming for SP depth: MLB’s AJ Cassavell detailed how San Diego’s strong form to open the second half cracks the door open for valid postseason hype. But Michael King and Matt Waldron are approaching/exceeding their career-high inning marks. Joe Musgrove still looks far off (elbow inflammation/bone spur) and Yu Darvish is on the restricted list indefinitely. It’s unlikely SD moves a top prospect for a premier arm but they’ll be “active in their pursuit” this deadline.

7/24 - Minnesota has limited options for SP target due to budget: The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman spelled out how Twins’ ownership cut spending by $30 million this offseason. This, combined with a stagnant attendance rate and stumbling local TV deals has given the Pohland family hesitation adding to the bottom line for next year. Gleeman names potential rentals as Jack Flaherty, Nathan Eovaldi, Max Scherzer, Yusei Kikuchi, and Frankie Montas.

7/23 - Dodgers calling on Randy Arozarena, Luis Robert Jr.: MLB’s Mark Feinsand highlighted the Dodgers’ hope to add a significant bat to their outfield, with Arozarena matching the profile. The Tampa OF has regained his familiar form since the beginning of June and a source relayed to Feinsand that “The Dodgers are in on Arozarena.” Sources also said that the Dodgers are inquiring about Chicago’s Luis Robert Jr., who is signed through 2025 with club options in 2026 and ‘27. Those in deeper leagues relying on starts from Jason Heyward may need another plan.

7/23 - Phillies seeking rotation upgrade: MLB’s Jon Morosi posted on X that the Phillies are looking to upgrade their rotation, naming Garrett Crochet and Jack Flaherty as discussed options. While Tyler Phillips has performed admirably as their fifth starter of late, Taijuan Walker should be ready by August while Ranger Suarez’s hot start has frozen over. Whether they’re hoping to run a six-man rotation or fully replace Walker’s spot remains to be seen. While Philly is a hitter's park, having the support of their offense and powerhouse bullpen should be an upgrade for most pitchers.

7/23 - Oakland holding onto Mason Miller?: The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal put out a “Stay or Go” deadline breakdown this morning that included his opinion that the star closer gets dealt. But Fansided’s Robert Murray said “I don’t expect him to be moved at all, appearing on the STTP podcast. It’s a tough call for a rebuilding club managing a star pitcher with a lengthy list of injuries. Deep-leaguers can still keep Lucas Erceg stashed just in case.

7/23 - Minnesota seeking out a starter: The Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale detailed how Minnesota’s president of baseball operations, Derek Falvey, is “focused on [pitching].” The team recently placed Chris Paddack on the 15-day IL and could be a fit for Yusei Kikuchi, especially since trading within the division with the Tigers and White Sox could be tough.

7/23 - Orioles open to dealing vets?: ESPN’s Jeff Passan said Baltimore is open to trade discussions around Ryan Mountcastle and Cedric Mullins. It’s soft language but could make sense for a team looking to buy pitchers without having to give up their large supply of top prospects. Both have played 90 games thus far. Mountcastle has a .264/.305/.437 slash while Mullins sports a poor .214/.258/.379 line, but still has 10 home runs and 16 steals. Both are serviceable and Mountcastle is under team control through 2026 (Mullins is signed through 2025). Stashing their impact prospects, such as Coby Mayo, will be wise.

7/23 - Cubs leaning toward 2025: Cubs president Jed Hoyer is prepared to aim for 2025 success “unless things change dramatically,” per the Chicago Tribune’s Meghan Montemurro. Mark Leiter Jr. and Hector Neris, as well as Drew Smyly, were named as sensible sell pieces. Mike Tauchman and Patrick Wisdom were also listed. Cody Bellinger, who has player options beyond ‘24, is hitting but throwing still irritates his finger. Players such as Jameson Taillon have partial no-trade clauses. Fantasy players will want to monitor any RPs getting dealt and how Julian Merryweather and Adbert Alzolay are recovering.

7/23 - Mets to modestly buy?: The Athletic's Will Sammon wrote about how the Mets prefer to add at the deadline given their proximity to the expanded Wild Card, but that this next week's performance will ultimately determine that. The biggest expectation is adding to the bullpen, but not a big deal that costs real prospect capital. He names Toronto's Chad Green, who was also recently connected to the Yankees, as a speculative add. They'd also listen on overtures for their starting pitchers but want to roll with a six-man rotation in the second half, so they won't press anything. (UPDATE: Christian Scott heads to the IL with a suspected UCL sprain, which could push the Mets into a stronger "Buy" position at SP.)

7/23 - Diamondbacks looking at bullpen help, left-handed bat: Jesse Friedman of PHNX Sports spoke with Arizona's GM Mike Hazen, who said, "Everybody's always looking for bullpen this time of year," noting no preference between left- or right-handed reinforcements. He also detailed that it would be a high-leverage guy who can handle the seventh inning or later. Third base had been a need but Eugenio Suarez has improved of late, but Hazen still said any way to bolster a platoon situation needs to be explored, with left-handed hitters more of an aim. And if any of their rehabbing arms (Jordan Montgomery, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez) hit a snag before the deadline then they would explore that market as well.

7/22 - Baltimore/Detroit blockbuster?: A Detroit scout has been eyeing the Orioles’ Triple-A Norfolk affiliate per MLB’s Jon Morosi. The immediate reaction is a potential trade around Tarik Skubal or Jack Flaherty, but scouting is simply due diligence. Detroit’s rotation is ailing and most minor-league options are either hurt or underperforming, though a Jackson Jobe promotion from Double-A would force an immediate fantasy must-add. The Orioles need another arm behind Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez after injuries to Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells.

7/22 - Houston eyeing Isaac Paredes?: Jon Heyman appeared on MLB Network’s Inside Corner and named Isaac Paredes as a good option for Houston at first base. That pull swing with the Crawford Boxes is a match made in heaven. The bigger piece attached to this segment was that he believes both New York’s Pete Alonso and Arizona’s Christian Walker are staying put. While not surprising, those are big names that many are hoping to land.

7/22 - Toronto not apt to move big stars?: TSN MLB Insider Steve Phillips went on OverDrive to discuss Toronto’s deadline situation. He did not feel like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette would move, even if an extension wasn’t reached by the deadline. But he did say it would be wise for the Blue Jays to move Yusei Kikuchi and others on expiring contracts to help bolster their farm system with 5-10 prospects.

7/22 - Houston aiming high at deadline: Astros GM Dana Brown said on MLB Network Radio that the club is going to “try to go big” and if that doesn’t work then they’ll “try to go mid-level” too. He framed the returns of Justin Verlander and Luis Garcia as “moves” alongside potential trades, with the hope of getting two or three pieces back in the big-league rotation soon.

7/22 - Rays/Yankees a potential match?: MLB’s Bryan Hoch said the Yankees’ minor-league system is being scouted “extensively” by the Rays. He named Isaac Paredes, Zach Eflin, Pete Fairbanks, and Randy Arozarena in his post as names of interest for the Yankees. Fairbanks joins other key relievers such as Miami’s Tanner Scott and Washington’s Kyle Finnegan as RPs on their radar.

7/22 - Boston chasing another starter: Bob Nightengale appeared on Foul Territory TV and said he expects the Red Sox to “go get another starter for sure.” He proceeded to name Jameson Taillon and Erick Fedde, who wouldn’t shift fantasy markets but would shore up Boston’s rotation and stop the Cooper Criswell carousel. The White Sox could clear house but if the Cubs opt to move Taillon then it could open up a lane for Ben Brown, who recently resumed mound work following his neck injury, to return to the rotation.

 

Fantasy Impact Trade Candidates By Position

Catcher:
Elias Diaz (COL)

First Base:
Yandy Diaz (TB) Andrew Vaughn (CHW), Mark Canha (DET)

Second Base:
Jonathan India (CIN), Nico Hoerner (CHC), Brandon Lowe (TB), Brendan Rodgers (COL)

Third Base:
Luis Rengifo (LAA), Gio Urshela (DET)

Shortstop:

Outfield:
Luis Robert Jr. (CHW), Brent Rooker (OAK), Cody Bellinger (CHC, IL*), Taylor Ward (LAA), Kevin Pillar (LAA), Alex Verdugo (NYY), Kevin Kiermaier (TOR)

Starting Pitcher:
Tarik Skubal (DET), Garrett Crochet (CHW), Jack Flaherty (DET), Jameson Taillon (CHC), Nestor Cortes (NYY), Andrew Heaney (TEX), Tyler Anderson (LAA), Zack Littell (TB), Nick Martinez (CIN), Cal Quantrill (COL), Patrick Corbin (WAS), Austin Gomber (COL)

Relief Pitcher:
Mason Miller (OAK, IL*), Kyle Finnegan (WAS), Kirby Yates (TEX), David Robertson (TEX), Hector Neris (CHC), Luis Garcia (LAA), Fernando Cruz (CIN), Dylan Floro (WAS), Tanner Banks (CHW), Austin Adams (OAK), T.J. McFarland (OAK)

 

Which Teams Are Buyers Or Sellers At The MLB Trade Deadline?

AL EAST:

• Baltimore Orioles: Buy - More RPs
• Boston Red Sox: Buy - SP and RP(s), Right-Handed Bat
• New York Yankees: Buy - SP and RP(s)
• Tampa Bay Rays: Sell - Build For 2025
• Toronto Blue Jays: Sell - Could Be Biggest Sellers If They Embrace It

AL CENTRAL:

• Chicago White Sox: Sell, Baby, Sell
• Cleveland Guardians: Buy - SP
• Detroit Tigers: Sell
• Kansas City Royals: Buy - Another RP And Corner OF
• Minnesota Twins: Buy - SP and RP

AL WEST:

• Houston Astros: Buy - 1B
• Los Angeles Angels: Sell
• Oakland Athletics: Sell, Baby, Sell
• Seattle Mariners: Buy - Offense
• Texas Rangers: Light Sell Pending Late July Performance - Could Buy Depth Bat, Sell RPs

NL EAST:

• Atlanta Braves: Buy - SP
• Miami Marlins: Sell, Baby, Sell
• New York Mets: Buy - SP
• Philadelphia Phillies: Buy - Center Field
• Washington Nationals: Sell

NL CENTRAL:

• Chicago Cubs: Sell - Build For 2025
• Cincinnati Reds: Sell
• Milwaukee Brewers: Buy - Offense
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Buy - A Bat or Two
• St. Louis Cardinals: Buy - SP

NL WEST:

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Buy - RP(s), Potential LH Platoon Bat
• Colorado Rockies: Sell, Baby, Sell
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Buy - SPs and OF
• San Diego Padres: Buy - Depth SP, RPs and depth bat
• San Francisco Giants: Light Sell

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