MLB Trade Deadline: Latest Buzz for Pitchers on the Move

Numerous teams looking to push for the playoffs are in the market for pitching as the MLB trade deadline looms on July 31. 

Players like the Philadelphia Phillies’ Cole Hamels and Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Cueto have often been in the discussion this year as possible trade candidates and still are of late. 

Let's take a look at some of the recent reports surrounding pitchers who could be on the move before the end of the month.

Will Hamels Finally be Traded? 

Hamels seems to be one of the most discussed players at the trade deadline in recent years, and with the Phillies again dwelling in the cellar of the National League East, this year is no different. 

According to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, Hamels’ future remains uncertain at this point. The team is shopping the lefty, but general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is not sold on needing to trade Hamels no matter what. In addition, Stark claimed that some executives are not expecting a trade at all. 

Stark believes the Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites to acquire Hamels. The Boston Red Sox are also in the hunt, according to WEEI in Boston: 

Hamels is a great fit for the Dodgers as they try to win the NL West. Outside of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, the rotation is not too threatening. Hamels would be an ideal third starter as the team tries to shed their recent playoff woes. 

However, what is Los Angeles willing to give up?

It may take a young star like Yasiel Puig or Joc Pederson to get Hamels. Is that too much? Perhaps for Pederson, but Puig’s tumultuous tenure with the Dodgers could result in a trade.

Where Will Cueto Land? 

It seems to be pretty much final that Cueto will be moved in the coming week or so. So who are the main contenders? 

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman listed the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Dodgers, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays as the five teams with the best chance to bring in Cueto. 

Dave Cameron of Fox Sports also suggested that one team needs Cueto the most: 

The Royals would be the best fit for Cueto. They have all the pieces in their lineup and bullpen to win a World Series. They just need another starter to come in and stabilize the rotation, especially with the recent demotion of Yordano Ventura. 

The Dodgers would also work for the same reasons mentioned with Hamels but would surely drop out on the Cueto sweepstakes if they work a deal out with Philadelphia.

Cueto has struggled recently and lasted only four innings in his last start. However, his 2.79 ERA this season proves he can still be a valuable rental.

Is Aroldis Chapman Available? 

Aroldis Chapman is one of the game’s best arms and most feared closers, but there appears to be some noise regarding a potential trade involving the Cuban. 

Sports Illustrated’s Jay Jaffe wrote Monday that the Reds have made Chapman available. He also said the Washington Nationals are looking into a possible deal and that teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Blue Jays would make sense in this case. 

Chapman is only 27 years of age and consistently reaches triple digits with his fastball. He also recently reached an impressive milestone: 

He is a free agent at the end of the year and will command some big money, which the Reds may not want to pay. However, Toronto and Washington do not appear to have the assets to acquire Chapman, and Detroit already has pending free agents David Price and Yoenis Cespedes to worry about, so bringing in Chapman would not make much sense. 

Where there is smoke there is usually fire, but it would be surprising to see the Reds part ways with Chapman at the deadline.

Could Price Be Traded at the Deadline Again? 

Detroit brought David Price in at the trade deadline last season, but could they suddenly move him just a year later? 

There are rumors Price could be out of Detroit as the team may sell some assets after a disappointing season, according to NBC Sports’ HardballTalk: 

The Chicago Tribune’s Steve Rosenbloom speculated that the Chicago Cubs could be in on Price, as the team has the young prospects to get him and then re-sign him. 

Rosenbloom is not wrong. Young infielders like Addison Russell, Javier Baez or even Starlin Castro would be great fits for Detroit. 

There is not much else coming out about where Price could end up. If he is moved, the team would be getting a stud, as the lefty is currently sporting a 9-3 record and a 2.32 ERA on a struggling Tigers team. 

Whether or not he is actually traded is truly up in the air at this point.