Rumors: Bauer, Boyd, Seager, Red Sox
Bauer, Boyd and Bundy among potentially available arms?
Aug. 20: The Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away, and arguably no more than seven or eight teams look like definitive sellers so far. Remember, MLB's
expanded postseason format this year means 16 teams will earn a berth.
That's going to have an impact on the supply of starting pitchers potentially available ahead of Aug. 31.
A few of the bigger names who could fit the bill? Trevor Bauer, Matthew Boyd and Dylan Bundy, as MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince wrote in a column highlighting 14
starters who could be on the block. Each of that trio is in a slightly different situation.
Bauer, you'll recall, was traded at the Deadline last July, going from the Indians to the Reds. Although Cincy is off to a so-so start, Bauer has been great (3-0, 0.68 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 14.0 K/9), and the club still harbors playoff hopes after a big offseason of spending (Nick Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama). Factor in that Bauer's looming free agency would limit the return -- even if he looks like the best possibly available pitcher by far in a depleted crop -- and it feels unlikely he would be swapped again. At least, at the moment.
Boyd also is familiar with being on the trade market, after the Tigers dangled the lefty last summer. The 29-year-old once again is striking out plenty of batters (10.4 K/9), but he has been hit very hard through five starts, allowing 25 runs on 34 hits and eight homers. On one hand, perhaps the Tigers would be more open to trading him this time around, now that they've called up top pitching prospects Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal (and also have Matt Manning on the way). But on the other, it's hard to see Detroit getting much back for the pitcher who has surrendered the most runs, hits and homers in the AL, even if he's under club control through 2022.
Bundy, 27, is an intriguing option given that he's been really good in the early going (2.48 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 10.5 K/9) in his first season outside of Baltimore, indicating he finally could be realizing the potential that made him the No. 4 Draft pick back in 2011. The Angels entered this year with the goal of getting Mike Trout back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014, but their 8-16 record leaves them with a large hole to dig out of. Bundy comes with another year of control but also has a lengthy injury history, so is it possible the Halos -- despite a huge need for pitching -- could sell high if they can't get back into the race?
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Is Seager's stay in Seattle approaching an end?
Aug. 19: Kyle Seager is the longest-tenured Mariners player by a lot, but there's a chance his 10th year in Seattle could be his final one.
The rebuilding Mariners have traded away just about all of their veteran pieces dating to the end of 2018, including infielders Robinson Canó and Jean Segura, catchers Mike Zunino and Omar Narváez, lefty James Paxton and right-hander Mike Leake, as well as reliever Edwin Díaz, among others.
That leaves the 32-year-old Seager -- hitting .307/.382/.534 and has as many walks as strikeouts (10) through his first 25 games -- as arguably the Mariners' most attractive remaining chip, as MLB.com's Mark Feinsand mentioned in listing
one tantalizing trade chip for every team.
"Seager is off to a stellar start, posting slash-line numbers far above his career averages," Feinsand wrote. "A solid defender at third base and a strong clubhouse guy, Seager would be an impactful addition for any contender. The Mariners are in the midst of a youth movement, so while Seager stands as an important veteran piece in their lineup, moving him for more prospects could be an appealing option for GM Jerry Dipoto, who has never been shy to pull the trigger on a big deal. One major hurdle could be Seager’s contract, which contains a clause that turns a $15 million club option for 2022 into a player option if he’s traded."
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Why a Bogaerts trade could happen soon
Aug. 18: The Red Sox have gotten off to a 6-18 start -- worst in the American League -- which has led to increased speculation that the club could look to sell off some veteran players, get younger and add depth with the hope of becoming competitive again in short order.
Trade candidates include position players like first baseman Mitch Moreland and outfielders Jackie Bradley Jr. and Kevin Pillar, as well as pitchers like Nathan Eovaldi, Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman. Even slugger J.D. Martinez's name
has been floated, especially since all 30 teams are utilizing a designated hitter this season and Martinez has the ability to opt out this offseason, leaving about $40 million on the table across 2021-22.
What about longtime Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts? He's just 27 years old and a consistent, durable and perennial star signed to a long-term deal. But here's why Boston just might consider shopping him soon.
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