The countdown is on: less than 36 hours 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 Thursday, July 29, 2021. Timestamps and finalized deals will appear here, too.
3:02 p.m.: Chicago Teams Complete Deal
The Cubs and White Sox have completed a crosstown deal involving reliever Ryan Tepera. In return, the White Sox will send 2020 fifth-round pick Bailey Horn, a left-handed pitcher, to the Cubs. The White Sox have now addressed two big needs today by striking deals for Tepera and infielder Cesar Hernandez.
2:32 p.m.: J.D. Davis Available in Trades
The Mets have made infielder J.D. Davis available in trade discussions, according to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN. The belief is that Davis could be dealt as New York looks to acquire the likes of Trevor Story or Kris Bryant. Andy Martino of SNY notes that the Mets tried to deal Davis for Bryant last offseason and could do the same ahead of the deadline.
2:30 p.m.: Sox, Cubs Talking Rizzo
The Red Sox and Cubs have discussed a trade for first baseman Anthony Rizzo within the past 24 hours, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Originally drafted by Boston, Rizzo would provide a major upgrade at first base.
2:10 p.m.: Berrios Deal More Likely
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that a Jose Berrios trade is increasing in likelihood. The sense among some execs is that the Twins are more willing to move Jose Berrios than they have been in recent days/weeks,” writes Feinsand. Teams linked to the Twins’ starter include Boston, Seattle, San Diego, and Los Angeles (NL).
2:06 p.m.: Schwarber Trade Likely?
Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports that the “growing belief is that [Nationals outfielder] Kyle Schwarber gets traded as early as today.” Sherman mentioned the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox as suitors for the slugger. He’s currently on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury.
1:46 p.m.: Luke Voit Drawing Interest
MLB teams have shown interest in injured Yankees first baseman Luke Voit, per Jack Curry of YES Network. Curry notes that Voit “is on the verge of returning from the IL.” He could provide contenders with a major upgrade at first base down the stretch.
12:54 p.m.: Blue Jays Add Hand
The Blue Jays made another move to bolster their bullpen, this time acquiring reliever Brad Hand from the Nationals in exchange for catcher Riley Adams. For Toronto, this is their second bullpen addition this month after trading for Miami’s Adam Cimber. Meanwhile, the Nats move Hand and will turn their attention to trade talks involving Max Scherzer and Daniel Hudson.
12:42 p.m.: Dodgers-Nats Could Swing Package Deal
In addition to Max Scherzer, the Dodgers are interested in Nationals reliever Daniel Hudson. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic speculates that a package deal, while costly, remains possible.
12:40 p.m.: Three Frontrunners For Scherzer, Berrios?
The Dodgers and Padres continue to show significant interest in starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Jose Berrios. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the news. Both have their pros and cons, and it’s possible that one deal could have a domino effect on the next. Heyman also mentioned that the Red Sox are “looking at Scherzer and Berrios,” too. Boston remains in the mix for both despite Scherzer’s wishes to play out west. The Red Sox “are a team Scherzer would consider going to,” confirms Heyman.
12:17 p.m.: White Sox Snag Hernandez
The White Sox and Indians agreed to an intradivision deal that sends valuable infielder Cesar Hernandez to Chicago. In return, Cleveland will receive minor-league southpaw Konnor Pilkington. It is certainly quiet interesting to see the AL Central’s second-place team flip a big-league player to the same division’s first-place team.
12:02 p.m.: Bryant, Rizzo Get Day Off
First baseman Anthony Rizzo and left fielder Kris Bryant are not in the Cubs’ starting lineup on Thursday. While this doesn’t mean that Chicago has already traded them, it does show that they are actively in talks with other teams. It will be interesting to see if the team chooses to give fellow trade candidate Craig Kimbrel a day off, too.
11:36 a.m.: White Sox Looking at Relievers
The White Sox aren’t done. After acquiring Cesar Hernandez, Chicago is turning its attention to the relief pitching market. Jon Morosi of MLB.com mentions Pittsburgh’s Richard Rodriguez and Baltimore’s Paul Fry as bullpen arms whom the Sox might look into.
11:35 a.m.: Rockies Add Goudeau
In a minor move, the Rockies have acquired right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau from the Reds in exchange for cash considerations. Goudeau was recently designated for assignment.
8:32 a.m.: Yanks Still Eyeing Big Addition
The Yankees, who want to stay under the luxury tax threshold, could still look to acquire star shortstop Trevor Story from the Rockies. With the Rangers covering almost all of Joey Gallo and Joely Rodriguez‘s 2021 salaries, New York could land Story and take on up to two-thirds of his remaining paycheck without exceeding the threshold.
8:18 a.m.: Mariners Exploring Berrios Deal
Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Mariners have explored a trade for Twins starter Jose Berrios. However, any deal for the hurler would likely require Seattle to part with prospects Emerson Hancock or George Kirby, which they will not want to do.
The Night Before
Let’s quickly recap a flurry of rumors you might have missed on Wednesday night.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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