Now that less than two weeks remain between now and the non-waiver trade deadline in Major League Baseball, trade talks and rumors are heating up more and more, as teams are deciding whether they are going to be buyers or sellers – or something in between. Here are some of the latest tidbits from around the main MLB betting circles and other sources close to the Major League.
Quick Look at the 2015 Mid-Season MLB Betting Rumors
How Will Trades Impact MLB Betting Lines?
The Texas Rangers are in pursuit of Phillies left-handed starter Cole Hamels. Given that the Rangers are nine games out of first place – and not likely to pass all six of the teams that remain between them and the second wild card spot – you might well wonder why the Rangers would be interested in buying such a big-name player. While the 2015 season is not likely to end in a postseason berth, trading for Hamels would give them a big-name pitcher under control for several more seasons. Add that to a rotation for 2016 that should include Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Martin Perez and Chi Chi Rodriguez, and you have some primo pitching. That also explains why the Rangers are listening to offers for Yovani Gallardo – who can be a free agent after the season, although the Rangers hold a $15 million team option. If the Rangers could add another right-handed bat and another reliable arm at the back end of the bullpen, this team could be back in business in 2016.
Right now, the Cincinnati Reds’ Johnny Cueto is the best starting pitcher available on the trade market – even though he’s a rental, due to enter free agency this winter. Toronto, Kansas City, the Dodgers, Houston, and the Yankees are the most likely places for Cueto to end up. While Cueto was dominant in his last start before the All-Star break, though, his most recent start against Cleveland just lasted for innings, in which he permitted two earned runs and issued six walks, possibly giving team execs some pause.
Toronto is also interested in picking up Miami righthander Mat Latos, as they look to solidify their rotation.
The Cubs and Mets need some outfield punch and are both interested in Milwaukee outfielder Gerardo Parra and San Diego outfielder Will Venable. Oakland utility man Ben Zobrist is drawing a lot of interest because of the versatility he provides. Teams include the Yankees and Mets, as well as San Francisco, Washington, Pittsburgh and the Cubs. A’s general manager Billy Beane is still coy about potentially remaining out of the “sell”market, though, so the interested teams are still waiting to see what happens.
The Cubs are also looking for a little more starting pitching as they start to push for the wild card. San Diego has two starting pitchers who would do well in a contending rotation, James Shields and Tyson Ross, and the Cubs are reportedly interested in one of them.
The Brewers, in contrast, are looking to be selling at the trade deadline. This is why Parra is attracting some trade interest, and it’s also why Milwaukee pitchers Wily Peralta, Francisco Rodriguez and Mike Fiers are all expected to be available to teams looking for a little more pitching.
The Minnesota Twins have been riding catcher Kurt Suzuki hard this season and are looking for a potential backup that can play more games and give Suzuki a spell heading into the stretch run. They are considering Jonathan Lucroy, Alex Avila, Derek Norris and A.J. Pierzynski as potential candidates. Suzuki is currently hitting .227. Atlanta appears to be open to trading Pierzynski, so a deal may occur there.
