The 2023 MLB trade deadline is August 1, but of course there’s already plenty of buzz across the sport.
Here are the latest MLB trade rumors.
JUNE 27
Max Scherzer possibly open to waiving no-trade clause
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The New York Mets currently sit at 35-43 and 8.5 games out of the third National League Wild Card spot entering Tuesday. It would be unthinkable before the season for a team that won 101 games last year, but if the Mets stay at their current pace, they could be sellers — and general manager Billy Eppler expressed his openness to the possibility barring a turnaround on Tuesday.
That could make Max Scherzer a surprising trade deadline candidate. Scherzer was signed in December 2021 to lead the Mets’ rotation into perennial playoff contention and is currently in the second year of a three-year, $130 million contract with a full no-trade clause. According to MLB.com, however, he could be open to waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal if the Mets do not improve.
Scherzer has a 3.95 over 70.2 innings in 13 starts this season. The 38-year-old right-hander has also missed time due to neck spasms and a suspension in April for violating MLB’s grip-enhancing substances rule.
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen, Royals’ Salvador Perez likely to stay put
Andrew McCutchen and Salvador Perez are both beloved among their respective fanbases. McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with the Pirates had an emotional return to the franchise he started his MLB career with and reportedly hopes to retire in Pittsburgh. Perez was a crucial part of the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship team and has spent his entire MLB career in Kansas City.
However, both the Pirates and Royals are currently well out of contention even in weak NL and AL Central races, respectively, and both veterans might get a better-than-anticipated price in what is anticipated to be a weak trade market.
But MLB Network’s Jon Heyman said he believes it is still unlikely one or both players get moved. Chris Young, general manager of the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, also publicly shot down a report connecting the team to McCutchen on Monday.
JUNE 7
Texas Rangers targeting bullpen
The Texas Rangers will likely try to fortify their bullpen before the trade deadline, FOX Sports MLB insider Ken Rosenthal told Flippin’ Bats host Ben Verlander on Thursday.
“They’ve invested a ton of money the last two years in their club,” Rosenthal said. “They want to see this through. They want to max out, and the bullpen right now is their biggest hole.”
The Rangers entered play Thursday at 40-20, but their bullpen ERA sits at 4.56, which is 24th out of 30 MLB teams. Texas may also look for starting pitching help after the news that ace starting pitcher Jacob deGrom will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the remainder of the year and most of 2024.
White Sox, Angels likely to stand pat, try to contend
The Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox both had designs on contending in 2023, but so far the season has not been going to plan. The Angels (35-30) are 6.5 games behind the American League West-leading Rangers while the White Sox sit at 29-36 after a horrific start to the season but only 3.5 games back of the 32-32 first-place Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.
Rosenthal claims that because both teams put so many resources into trying to content this season, it’s unlikely they’ll pivot from that approach and be open to trading their veteran stars before the deadline. That include the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, despite Rosenthal’s belief that there is “no chance” Ohtani will re-sign with the Angels in free agency this coming offseason.
Will the Angels Lose Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平)?
JUNE 6
Kansas City Royals open for business
Kansas City could move catcher Salvador Perez and relievers Aroldis Chapman and Scott Barlow, The Athletic reported Tuesday.
Perez, a seven-time All-Star, has spent his entire 13-year MLB career with the Royals and is in the midst of a highly productive season, sporting a .282/.316/.512 batting line. Meanwhile, Chapman owns a 2.95 ERA, while Barlow owns a 3.52 ERA. Chapman is a free agent after this season, while Barlow is under team control through 2024 and Perez is potentially under contract through 2026.
JUNE 4
Giants buying?
San Francisco Giants president Farhan Zaidi said the team will be “aggressive” in upgrading the roster in an appearance on MLB Network Radio. The Giants entered their Tuesday night matchup against the Colorado Rockies at 29-30, good for third in the NL West.
JUNE 1
Could Shane Bieber be dealt?
Three general managers told ESPN that they suspect the Cleveland Guardians will trade Bieber, their ace. This thinking comes from the franchise’s track record of trading and then developing starting pitchers (they’ve traded Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco and since developed Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Aaron Civale, Cal Quantrill and Logan Allen, among other pitchers). Bieber, a Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star, owns a 3.72 ERA this season and is a free agent after 2024.
Lucas Giolito trade expected?
The Chicago White Sox (26-35) are expected to trade Giolito, ESPN reported. The right-hander, who owns a 4.08 ERA, has been up and down over the last two seasons after three consecutive high-caliber seasons from 2019-2021. Giolito is a free agent after this season.
Jonathan India staying put?
The Cincinnati Reds are “in no hurry” to move India, their primary second baseman for the better part of the last three seasons, ESPN reported. Trade interest and speculation comes against the backdrop of the Reds having several blue-chip infield prospects; Matt McLain and now Elly De La Cruz have reached the big leagues, with Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Noelvi Marte, Cam Collier and Edwin Arroyo making their way through Cincinnati’s minor-league system.
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