MLB Trade Talks & Rumors -

Perhaps the most eventful time of the regular season, the MLB Trade Deadline is slowly approaching on July 31st and teams are trying to make some last minute moves to advance their playoff pushes. During this time, speculations and theories are composed by beat-writers and fans hoping to hit on what they think might be the next "Big Trade". I like to keep up-to-date with all the rumors for Fantasy Baseball purposes and I love Baseball as a whole so I am heavily invested in keeping up with the newest of rumors and speculations. Why not share it with you guys on Steemit?

This years trades started off with Jose Quintana who was traded from the non-contending, rebuilding Chicago White Sox to the Contending, Favorited Chicago Cubs for 4 MAJOR prospects. Clearly the Cubs want to win now, while the White Sox are adamant on rebuilding for the future. After pulling in Eloy Jiminez, one of the top Prospects in all of baseball, the White Sox now have 7 of 50 top prospects in there system according to MiLB.com

Last night, the Yankees made would could possibly be the biggest splash of the trade Deadline. They sent over Veteran reliever Tyler Clippard (who has frankly been awful this season) and 3 prospects while hauling in Power-hitter Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle (one of the more elite relief pitchers this year) and David Robertson to add to their previously underwhelming bullpen. Not only do the first place Red Sox miss out on a much needed third baseman, their competition getting Todd Frazier at first or third would AT LEAST be a slight upgrade for the Yankees and the Red Sox CANNOT be happy they weren't able to land Frazier. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the year plays out.

Todd Frazier is a New York Yankee 19 years after this photo was taken with Derek Jeter

Obviously, this now leaves the Red Sox with a huge hole at second base having DFA'd Pablo Sandoval and not looked back while also trading top prospect Yoan Moncada in a deal for Chris Sale in 2016. They have Rafael Devers who was promoted to Triple A last Friday after posting a 300/.369/.575 in 77 games in Double-A ball. Since being called up to Triple A, all Devers has done has rake but it would be unwise for the Red Sox to call up their highly touted prospect without him first getting some at bats in Triple A, no matter how bad third base has been this year.

Not as big as the previously mentioned trades but still big news overall was the Washington Nationals signing LHP Sean Doolittle and RHP Ryan Madson who are both semi-elite relief options which has clearly been the Nationals weak point all year. There has been no news of who will close for Washington, though Doolitle pitched in the ninth last night, giving up a run but overall acquiring the save. Madson also pitched a clean 8th inning so it looks like nothing will be set in stone for some time.

Trade Rumors -

Possibly overshadowed by the multi-player Todd Frazier deal, J.D Martinez was also traded to the Diamondbacks last night in exchange for 3 prospects Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King from the D-Backs farm system.

What options do the Red Sox have now that Todd Frazier has officially been traded?

There have been some talks of Martin Prado, Eduardo Nunez or Yunel Escobar possibly being traded to the Red Sox but those caliber of players don't match Frazier's potential. There have been some rumors of Josh Donaldson possible being traded as well but I think that would be quite the longshot. The Red Sox would only need temporary help if they plan on calling up Rafael Devers but until any other deals are concocted, looks like Deven Marrero will man 3B with Tzu-Wei Lin being optioned to Triple A pawtucket on Sunday.

Rafael Devers went 4-4 at his first Triple A Pawtucket game

What other players can we expect to be traded before the deadline of July 31st?

~ Zach Britton, Orioles Reliever

It's no secret that the Baltimore Orioles have been trying to shop their elite closer in Zach Britton since the emergence of Brad Brach in 2016. Brad Brach has been amazing this year and honestly, the Orioles have ZERO reason not to trade Britton with Brach showing he has elite pitches and can handle the closing duties. Though Brach has also been mentioned in trade talks, the Orioles would be more inclined to trade Britton due to his one year contract signed last year. Britton could help a team in need of a closer if they were to trade one of their studs.

~ Brad Hand, Padres Reliever

Hand has been good this year but has been blocked from the closing role by Brandon Maurer. Sporting a .97 WHIP, many teams such as the Astros and Dodgers are on the hunt for a closer so the padres have themselves a legitimate trade piece.

~ Yu Darvish, Rangers Pitcher

Perhaps the best pitcher available during the trade deadline this season, the Texas Rangers are hanging on to a chance at a Wildcard by a string. Even if it was only a rental, Darvish could service any teams pitching in season-changing way. Keep an eye out on the Rangers record during these next 10-12 days. This could mean a bunch of studs added to the Trade Market

~ Sonny Gray, Oakland Pitcher

Starting pitching has been awful this year but Gray has shown glimpses of being a above average to consistent MLB starting pitcher for the rest of his career. Starting pitching is everyone's issue at the moment, so I would not be surprised if Gray went to a contending team and helped them make a playoff push. Almost every team has been knocking on Oakland's door inquiring about the 26 year-old Sonny.

Sonny Gray posted a combined 28-17 record and 2.91 ERA in 2014-15, when he pitched as a 24- and 25-year-old.

~ The Kansas City Royals, Anyone/Everyone

With the Royals being three games out of first place, you may be wondering why they are on the list. Well, the Royals have had some extremely good luck. Jason Vargas, Kansas City's starting 12-4 pitcher) has emerged as a nice selling chip for the team but has recently started to regress negatively as he had been overperforming his peripherals and actual skill all year. If the team starts to fade out and decides to deal, the trade market would drastically be changed with Vargas, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer all viable pieces to add to a contending team.

The trade deadline can affect many teams positively and negatively depending on which direction their team is heading in contention standings. Team's sometimes aren't always ready to commit to rebuilding but the trade deadline nearing is forcing team owner's hands. The trade deadline could be a happy or sad time for teams.

If you liked this article, please upvote or leave a comment as I'd like to write one of these MLB Trade Talks & Rumors everyday until the deadline and you showing feedback lets me know that people enjoy reading this stuff. This was an introductory post so it's very generalized but going forward I will be talking about rumors for that day only. This keeps people from reading the same trade news over and over.

Wilmer Flores crying after hearing the media say he was being traded Mid-game. He wasn't ever traded.

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