MLB Trade Rumors: Updated 2019 Deadline Reports and Analysis

Pitching continues to be the hottest commodity on the MLB trade market ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. 

Recently, New York Mets starter Noah Syndergaard has turned into one of the most coveted assets available as the struggling National League team becomes more open to a deal. 

Many contenders are looking to improve their pitching staffs for the postseason push, but have a greater need for additions because of injuries and recent stumbles.

There is also a large market for relief pitchers, and even though the Los Angeles Dodgers have the best record in the majors, they are one of the most discussed franchises on the rumor mill. 

Updated Reports and Analysis

Noah Syndergaard

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, an executive who has had contact with the New York Mets said they are "definitely" trading Syndergaard. 

Sherman noted the Houston Astros have put in the strongest pursuit for Syndergaard, but the Mets believe the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres are "ideally positioned" to acquire the right-handed hurler because of their strong farm systems. 

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reported a deal for the 26-year-old is "50-50", per a source, and that the Mets would like to acquire at least one player who is "close to the majors." 

DiComo mentioned Atlanta, Houston, San Diego and the New York Yankees as the teams in pursuit of what could be the most-coveted player on the trade market. 

The Mets and the Yankees have not completed a deal involving major leaguers since 2004, and given the stature of Syndergaard and the two years of team control he comes with, it is unlikely the Mets would want to trade him to a rival already in better shape in the standings. 

San Diego has seven players ranked in MLB.com's Top 100 prospects, with four of them being pitchers. 

ESPN's Buster Olney reported Friday that the perception around the league is the Padres are willing to move pitcher Adrian Morejon, who was recently promoted to the majors. Morejon is the type of player the Mets are supposedly asking for in return for Syndergaard.

Of course, the Padres would have to add more prospects to the deal, but using Morejon as the cornerstone of the package that lands Syndergaard would be a good starting point in negotiations. 

Atlanta has five prospects in the MLB.com Top 100, including pitchers Kyle Wright and Ian Anderson, respectively of Triple-A Gwinnett and Double-A Mississippi. 

If the Mets were to trade with a team inside their division, they could raise the price tag to account for facing Syndergaard a few times per season for the next two-and-a-half years at least. 

The Braves have a 4.20 staff ERA and rank 11th in earned runs conceded, which are not bad numbers, but with the Washington Nationals making a surge to the top of the National League East, the Braves need reinforcements to solidify their position atop the division. 

Adding Syndergaard with two years of control would give the Braves an experienced ace to help bring along their young pitching staff. 

With the experience of Syndergaard and Dallas Keuchel combined with the success of Rookie of the Year candidate Mike Soroka, the Braves would have a terrific three-pronged rotation attack to contend with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL. 

San Diego is after Syndergaard with a different goal in mind since it currently sits in last place in the NL West. The Padres are more about building toward the future around their young core and Manny Machado. 

Since the 26-year-old comes with the extra seasons of control on his contract, the Padres could acquire him with a view to contending in 2020 and 2021, unless they can jump seven teams and make up a seven-game deficit in the NL wild-card race. 

Although his ERA is above four for the first time in his MLB career, Syndergaard is three wins away from double digits and has 126 strikeouts to 36 walks. 

In order for a deal to be done, the Mets have to feel comfortable with the haul of prospects from either team, and it could come down to which young players potential trade partners are willing to give up.

Robbie Ray 

Richard W. Rodriguez/Associated Press

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, the Astros, Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers are among the teams interested in Arizona starter Robbie Ray. 

Ray has also been linked with the Philadelphia Phillies by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, who reported the Phillies were looking at the left-handed pitcher and teammate Zack Greinke. 

Arizona faces a difficult decision over the next few days as it weighs whether to sell Ray and other potential trade pieces or go all-in on the NL wild-card race.

The Diamondbacks enter Saturday 3.5 games back of the second wild-card position in the NL, currently held by the Nationals.

Arizona faces competition from Philadelphia, Milwaukee and San Francisco to just make up ground and enter one of the two wild-card spots. 

If the Diamondbacks decide to sell, they will have a market for Ray, who is 9-6 with 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings and a 3.95 ERA. 

Even though the Yankees sit first in the American League East, their pitchers have been far from convincing of late. After giving up 27 runs over three games to the Minnesota Twins, the Yankees conceded 29 runs to Boston in the first two contests of a weekend series at Fenway Park. 

The struggles could lead to the Yankees pulling the trigger on a deal to reinforce their lead atop the division and make sure they are ready to contend with the Astros, Twins and others when the postseason rolls around. 

Milwaukee could be forced to hit the trade market since Brandon Woodruff and Jhoulys Chacin were placed on the injured list this week. 

The Brewers can't afford to stand pat with St. Louis and the Chicago Cubs above them in the NL Central. 

Philadelphia is not dealing with major injury issues, but it is struggling with consistency in its rotation, and Jake Arrieta did nothing to ease concerns Friday by giving up four earned runs on five hits at the start of a crucial three-game series with the Braves. 

Houston's rotation has Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, so an addition could form a dominant three-man staff in the postseason to compete with the contenders in the AL and the Dodgers in a potential World Series matchup. 

Felipe Vazquez

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

According to MLB.com's Jon Morosi, Pittsburgh's Felipe Vazquez is the first choice of the Los Angeles Dodgers among potential bullpen acquisitions. 

Morosi added the Pirates are looking for a premium bat and arm in return for the left-handed pitcher, who is under contract until 2021 with club options in 2022 and 2023. The Dodgers have four premier prospects in their farm system who could be used as trade bait to put together a favorable deal for Pittsburgh.

Vazquez is an intriguing target for the Dodgers because they have a predominantly right-handed bullpen, and he comes with lengthy team control. 

Vazquez has 21 saves in 40 appearances for Pittsburgh with a 1.87 ERA and 6.18 strikeout-to-walk ratio this season. 

Adding the 28-year-old would bring versatility to the Dodgers bullpen, and it would give them a terrific one-two punch in Vazquez and Kenley Jansen that could help them make another run to the World Series. 

But any deal is reliant on which of Los Angeles' top prospects are requested in negotiations. 

Catcher Keibert Ruiz, infielder Gavin Lux, catcher/third baseman Will Smith and right-handed pitcher Dustin May will likely be brought up in any discussions for Vazquez. 

If Pittsburgh end up with a return of May and one of the three hitters, the deal would bring in two top talents for a coveted bullpen piece. 

If the Dodgers are willing to make the deal, they have a better chance of acquiring Vazquez. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Baseball Reference.