It’s that time of the baseball year where trade rumors start ramping up full force. Though many teams have yet to declare themselves as either “buyers” or “sellers” it is becoming quite obvious where certain teams lie (we all know the Yanks are sellers, even though they keep clutching their false hope)
So let’s take a look at the latest trade rumors and speculation floating around the baseball world.
Rich Hill should headline the starting pitching market after compiling quite a solid resume this season. Hill has returned from the DL to rave reviews for the Oakland Athletics, and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle is just one reporter that has noted the growing interest in the southpaw.
The asking price for Hill is likely to be steep, but with a rather slim starting pitching market (maybe CC Sabathia is another viable candidate) Hills’ value rises by proxy.
The Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are rumored to be in the mix for Hill.
San Diego Padres’ Melvin Upton keeps coming up big and keeps fanning the flames of his trade rumors. San Diego still owes Upton a little under $40M through the 2017 season, but teams are now willing to give up talent all depending on how much of Upton’s remaining salary the Padres are willing to take on.
There are also rumors that San Diego would be willing to part with Matt Kemp as well.
There continues to be talk that the Toronto Blue Jays are very interested in acquiring Cincinnati Reds’ Jay Bruce. The move makes sense as it would allow the Jays to move Jose Bautista to DH. It also allows Toronto to reduce Juston Smoak’s playing time, which considering the way Smoak has played, would be beneficial.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig is also rumored to be available.
The New York Mets, who are in desperate need of starting pitching after the injuries to Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard could be one of several teams that pick up the phone to call the New York Yankees about CC Sabathia, Michael Pineda and/or Ivan Nova.