MLB Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Reddick and More
Major League Baseball will captivate fans with bombs during Home Run Derby and All-Star Game festivities, but it's trade-deadline bombshells that will represent the month's biggest fireworks.
With the July 31 deadline looming and buyers and sellers starting to separate themselves from the pack as viable trade partners, we're starting to gain a more complete understanding of which players likely will and won't be on the move.
Sifting through the latest rumblings from across MLB, here's a breakdown of some compelling trade possibilities.
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Papelbon Trade on Hold?
Perhaps the Philadelphia Phillies are just waiting for a stronger trade market to develop after the All-Star break, but ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported the team's front office nixed trade talks involving Jonathan Papelbon back in June:
The closer, who was recently selected to his sixth All-Star team, has not made his desire to bolt the City of Brotherly Love a great secret.
"I think everybody knows where I’m at," Papelbon said, according to CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury. "I've always been straightforward that I want to go play for a contender and I’m not going to shy away from it. I feel like that’s my right and my prerogative to have that opportunity and, you know, it’s in their hands."
Although Papelbon ranks 10th in the National League with 14 saves this season (which is actually impressive considering how woeful the Phillies have been), his 0.98 WHIP and 1.60 ERA have both helped elevate his trade value.
However, Papelbon's bloated contract could complicate any deal the Phillies ultimately pursue.
"The Phillies have had plenty of trade talks with a number of clubs about Papelbon, dating to last trade deadline," Salisbury wrote. "Teams have been scared off by the closer’s price tag—he makes $13 million a year and has an option for $13 million next season—and reputation for being a headache."
Philadelphia isn't exactly in a position to sneer at quality offers either. With a fairly depleted farm system and a serious need for quality prospects, the Phillies should be focused on acquiring as much young talent as possible at this year's deadline.
Cincinnati Staying Patient
It's widely anticipated the Cincinnati Reds will be sellers at this year's trade deadline, but Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reported the team is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to gauging the market for its myriad pitchers:
The big prize here, of course, is right-handed hurler Johnny Cueto.
The 29-year-old All-Star Final Vote candidate has been setting down batters at a wicked pace this season, recording 111 Ks and just 21 walks thus far. Through Tuesday night, those tallies rank 10th and eighth overall, respectively, among qualified NL pitchers.
According to the New York Post's Joel Sherman, a few teams got an up-close look at Cueto's dominant complete-game effort (11 strikeouts, one walk) during Tuesday's 5-0 win against the Washington Nationals:
"That was his A-grade stuff," Reds manager Bryan Price said, according to USA Today's Jacob B Lourim. "Command with action, all the deceptive hesitations, the quick pitches," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "A shutdown game by our ace."
With Cueto set to become an unrestricted free agent this winter, according to Spotrac, the Cincinnati purgatory occupants should try to extract as much value for him as they can while his stock is surging.
A's Not Budging on Reddick
The Los Angeles Angels covet Oakland A's right fielder Josh Reddick, according to SB Nation's Chris Cotillo, but a deal between the two sides is hardly imminent:
"The conversations took place before the resignation of GM Jerry Dipoto, and they did not gain traction," Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported. "The A’s in fact, gave the Angels a flat 'no' on Reddick—GM Billy Beane resisted trade offers for Reddick all last offseason, even as he dramatically reconfigured the club."
Nabbing Reddick would obviously be a major boon for the Angels as they seek to upgrade their outfield depth. But a trade between division rivals doesn't make much sense—even if Oakland is pulling up the rear in the AL West.
Chalk this up as the Angels doing some due diligence and not much more.
