The countdown is on: less than three full days remain until the 2021 MLB trade deadline. This year’s market is like no other, meaning that we could be in for a boatload of excitement. Here, we’ll track and analyze every notable rumor whispered throughout the day on Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Timestamps and finalized deals will appear here, too.
10:30 p.m.: Bowden Drops Massive Rumors
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden dropped an article full of juicy trade rumors. Let’s dive into them.
- Bowden says that the “consensus around baseball is that Max Scherzer, Kris Bryant, and Trevor Story will all have new teams” by Friday evening. It’s no secret that these three players headline the market. However, it is intriguing to see Bowden pose this statement with such confidence.
- The Giants and Dodgers are frontrunners in the Scherzer sweepstakes. Still, Bowden warns readers “to not rule out the Padres, Red Sox, and Rays.” The ace has a no-trade clause and would prefer a trade out west.
- The Nationals likely won’t strike a deal involving shortstop Trea Turner ahead of the deadline. “Interested teams have pointed out that if they wait a few months, they could potentially sign a top free-agent shortstop such as Corey Seager, Javier Báez, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story, or Marcus Semien without giving up any prospects,” writes Bowden.
- One more note on the Nats: they will likely trade Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson, barring anything unexpected. Bowden mentioned Josh Bell as a potential trade candidate, too.
- While the Twins are still trying to extend Jose Berrios and Byron Buxton, a trade cannot be ruled out. As Bowden writes, “If agreements aren’t reached, those players could be moved.”
- Bowden believes that the Mets are looking into Rockies starter Jon Gray and shortstop Trevor Story. He even speculates that New York “might” be able to pull off a package deal for both players.
- The Red Sox are looking to make a huge splash. Bowden reports that the Boston brass is “encouraging chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom to make a push for Scherzer, as they’re dreaming of Chris Sale and Scherzer” complementing each other in the rotation.
- Bowden believes that Scherzer might be dealt before Craig Kimbrel. If this happens, whoever misses out on the Nats starter could pivot to Chicago’s closer.
9:08 p.m.: Padres Looking at Berrios, Scherzer
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, after losing out on Joey Gallo, the Padres have turned their focus to starting pitchers Jose Berrios and Max Scherzer of the Twins and Nationals, respectively. Both could come at a cost considering how pricy the market is when it comes to high-end pitching.
8:47 p.m.: Yankees Get Texas’ Gallo, Joely
The Yankees and Rangers have agreed to a massive six-player blockbuster that sends power-hitting outfielder Joey Gallo and reliever Joely Rodriguez to New York. Heading back to Texas is a package that includes infielders Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith, and Trevor Hauver, and pitcher Glenn Otto. This is a package full of prospects, and the idea is that at least one or two should have a legitimate impact in the majors. Still, this is a very solid deal from New York’s perspective considering they have team control over Gallo and Rodriguez through 2022. Texas is also sending enough cash to New York to cover almost all of Gallo and Rodriguez’s remaining salaries this year.
7:30 p.m.: Brewers Strike Deal for Escobar
The Brewers have bolstered their lineup by acquiring infielder Eduardo Escobar from the Diamondbacks. In return for Escobar, Milwaukee will send two minor league players back to Arizona. Headlining the return is the versatile Cooper Hummel, who projects best as a corner outfield but could also succeed behind the plate. He’ll be joined by infielder 18-year-old infielder Alberto Ciprian, who has swung a hot bat through limited action at the lower levels of the minors.
3:30 p.m.: Astros Land Yimi Garcia
The Astros have made yet another addition to their bullpen, this time acquiring reliever Yimi Garcia from the Marlins. In return, Houston is sending reliever Austin Pruitt and Triple-A outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to Miami. The Marlins were looking to trade a pitcher for an outfielder. As such, it’s interesting that they settled on De La Cruz and didn’t add someone with MLB experience. With that said, he is slashing .342/.362/.518 with 12 homers at Triple-A this season, so perhaps Miami views him as someone who can have an impact in the majors soon.
2:56 p.m.: Story Market Grows “More Active”
The market for Rockies shortstop Trevor Story “has become more active” over the last 24 hours, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports. The Yankees in Giants have both shown interest in Story, and San Francisco would presumably like to land either Story or Kris Bryant before Friday’s deadline. As for New York, they were looking into Starling Marte and have touched base with the Nationals about Kyle Schwarber but could aim higher for someone like Story.
2:07 p.m.: Gray Market Intensifying
MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports that the Rockies continue to listen to offers involving starter Jon Gray. While teams like the Padres, Giants, and Phillies have shown interest, Morosi points out that “there’s not likely to be clarity with Gray’s market until after Max Scherzer is dealt.”
1:30 p.m.: Yanks, Others Interested in Schwarber
Nationals slugger Kyle Schwarber, who had an incredible end of June before landing on the injured list in early July, is drawing interest from several teams despite his hamstring injury, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The Yankees, who missed out on now-Athletics outfielder Starling Marte, are among the teams looking into the 28-year-old Schwarber.
1:25 p.m.: Marlins Looking to Shed Pitching Depth
The Marlins might not be done trading. As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (and Craig Mish mentioned earlier), Miami might use some of its strong pitching depth to trade for a controllable outfielder who can replace Starling Marte.
1:10 p.m.: Dodgers Check On Kimbrel, Others
The Dodgers and Cubs have apparently spoken about several players, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Morosi’s report named Craig Kimbrel as one candidate for a trade but also acknowledged that there are “multiple players” of interest to the reigning World Series champions.
1:00 p.m.: A’s Add Marte
In a significant piece of news, the Athletics have acquired outfielder Starling Marte and roughly $4.6 million in cash considerations from the Marlins in exchange for controllable southpaw Jesus Luzardo. The deal raises some eyebrows. Marte, 31, is a rental who might choose to test the market this upcoming offseason. With that said, it’s refreshing to see Oakland make a splash ahead of the deadline. After all, they have been somewhat shy from time to time in years prior.
12:02 p.m.: Reds Add Givens From Rockies
The Reds have acquired relief pitcher Mychal Givens from the Rockies, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Givens has been dominant this season, amassing a 2.73 ERA through 31 outings. He has elite fastball spin and has also allowed just one run away from Coors Field in 2021. Cincinnati remains busy solidifying its bullpen after trading for Luis Cessa and Justin Wilson on Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, heading back to Colorado are minor league right-handed pitchers Case Williams and Noah Davis.
11:30 a.m.: Marlins Notes From Mish
Marlins reporter Craig Mish unloaded a series of tweets containing information surrounding the team’s trade deadline approach. He started by mentioning that “there is no thought of keeping [outfielder Starling] Marte at all after the deadline,” suggesting a trade could occur soon. However, Miami could still swing a deal to replace him in the outfield, meaning they won’t limit their search to internal options. Finally, Mish noted that teams have shown interest in reliever Yimi Garcia, who seems “likely” to be traded within the coming days.
11:25 a.m.: Braves Made Bid for Duvall
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the Braves showed interest in old friend and outfielder Adam Duvall, who has plagued them with his power output for the divisional-rival Marlins this season. Miami rejected Atlanta’s offer. Looking at the bigger picture, the Braves’ activity here suggests they are buyers heading into the deadline. They should continue to peruse the market for an impact bat despite already adding Joc Pederson.
10:11 a.m.: Scherzer Talks Intensifying
Trade talks surrounding Nationals ace Max Scherzer have continued to intensify throughout the morning, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Frontrunners include the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres, which aligns with Scherzer’s desire for a trade out west.
12:40 a.m.: Yankees Send Two Pitchers to Reds
In a perplexing move, the Yankees have traded relievers Justin Wilson and Luis Cessa to the Reds for a player to be named later. This move comes as a surprise considering the Yankees already have a considerably weak bullpen. Cessa in particular has looked great in relief this year, amassing a 2.82 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and .218 OBA over the course of 29 outings.
12:16 a.m.: Mariners Acquire Tyler Anderson
The Pirates have pivoted away from their prior deal with the Phillies due to medical concerns and are now trading left-handed starting pitcher Tyler Anderson to the Mariners. In return, Seattle will send minor-league catcher Carter Bins and right-handed pitcher Joaquin Tejada to Pittsburgh. This early-morning deal allows the Mariners to solidify their pitching depth and take some of the pain away from parting with team leader and closer Kendall Graveman on Tuesday evening.
The Night Before
Let’s quickly recap a flurry of rumors you might have missed on Tuesday night.
Turner Removed Following Positive COVID Test
Trea Turner hustled into the dugout and was subsequently scratched from the lineup during the Nationals’ game on Tuesday evening. While many people speculated that a trade was in place, Washington announced that the star shortstop instead tested positive for COVID-19. A deal is still possible, though this update makes that less likely.
Cubs Asking for Bart in Bryant Talks
As the Cubs continue to look for a suitor in the Kris Bryant sweepstakes, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that catching prospect Joey Bart could headline a potential deal between Chicago and the Giants. Bart, a former first-round pick, has impressed at the Triple-A level this season. Considering Bryant is a rental, the Giants would likely ask for even more in return. (Who knows if they are even willing to trade Bart at all?)
Eight Teams Eyeing Scherzer
Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports that All-Star starter Max Scherzer has garnered interest from the Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Red Sox, Rays, Blue Jays, Astros, and Mets. The Yankees touched base with the Nationals but are a longshot due to Scherzer’s no-trade rights. It’s possible that the same could apply to the Mets.
Mariners Not Done After Deal With Astros
After striking a questionable intradivision deal with the Astros, the Mariners are not done. General manager Jerry DiPoto, whose Seattle club was recently linked to utility player Whit Merrifield, is “working on additional trades,” according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. It will be interesting to see how quickly these deals come to fruition, if at all.
Phillies-Pirates Deal Hits Snag
Tuesday’s trade between the Phillies and Pirates headlined by Tyler Anderson has hit a snag. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that a medical issue with one of the two prospects heading from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh is causing the hold-up. The Pirates scratched Anderson from his start on Tuesday evening, though he later threw a bullpen in Pittsburgh.
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