The possibility of Gray becoming a Yankee might be growing A source told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Saturday that over the last 48 hours, the A's trade talks about Sonny Gray have been heaviest with the Yankees.
The Yankees remain the favorites to land Gray, according to a report Saturday from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. New York reportedly will not part with its top two prospects, shortstop Gleyber Torres and outfielder Clint Frazier, who is currently with the big league club. But according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Saturday, the A's have eased off their demand for one of those two players, increasing the likelihood that a deal could get done.
Per Heyman's report, several teams have inquired about Gray, with the Dodgers and Astros among contenders with the prospects to make such a trade happen. But the Dodgers, according to Heyman, might value Yu Darvish higher than Gray -- although Clayton Kershaw's back injury might alter their plans -- and the Astros are also looking at Orioles closer Zach Britton, who could command a high price.
Gray was scheduled to pitch Sunday, the day before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, but the A's scratched him from that start Saturday and pushed his turn back to Monday. Talks with the Yankees remain ongoing, per Morosi.
In his six starts over the last month, Gray has been at the top of his game, with a 1.37 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings in those outings going back to June 25.
Angels could look to deal relievers With their Wild Card hopes beginning to slip, the Angels could be dealing some of their trade prospects. Those include a trio of bullpen arms -- Bud Norris, David Hernandez and Yusmeiro Petit -- all of whom are drawing interest from other clubs, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
All three 32-year-old veterans are on expiring contracts that the Angels are open to moving. Each has excelled for a Los Angeles bullpen that entered Saturday ranked ninth in the Majors with a 3.86 ERA.
Norris has served as the Angels' primary ninth-inning reliever for much of the season. He has a 3.12 ERA with 15 saves through 42 appearances.
Petit has a 2.70 ERA through 36 games serving in a long relief role. Hernandez, meanwhile, has posted a 2.29 ERA in 37 games since he was acquired by L.A. for cash in a trade with the Braves.
Nats, Padres talking The Nationals and Padres have reportedly engaged in trade discussions regarding San Diego reliever Brad Hand, MLB Network's Jon Paul Morosi reported Saturday afternoon.
Washington already made one move to bolster its bullpen, acquiring relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the A's last week. They also dealt for infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick on Friday.
The Nationals are rumored to still be seeking a true closer. Hand, who owns a 2.00 ERA through 54 innings, could fill that need for a team whose 5.17 bullpen ERA ranks last in the National League.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported earlier Saturday that several teams are showing interest in Hand, but no deals are close. Washington has also been linked to the Orioles' Zach Britton and Tigers' Justin Wilson in trade rumors.
Astros, Dodgers frontrunners for Britton? The Astros and Dodgers are among the "most serious suitors" for Orioles closer Zach Britton, sources told MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi on Saturday.
Morosi adds the Dodgers are also in the mix, as also reported by MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal earlier in the day.
Rosenthal lists the Rangers' Yu Darvish, the Athletics' Sonny Gray and Britton (in no particular order) as the Dodgers top trade targets and notes the club's interest in the three depends on the prices set by their respective clubs.
Britton would give both the Astros and Dodgers, already with the best records in their respective leagues by a wide margin, another wipeout arm in the back of their bullpens.
Britton, a left-hander, would also give both clubs options in the eighth and ninth inning. The Astros could pair Britton with flame-throwing righty Ken Giles and the Dodgers with lights-out closer Kenley Jansen.
Wilson, Hand generating ton of interest "Several teams" are still showing interest in both the Tigers' Justin Wilson and the Padres' Brad Hand, but no deals are close, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Saturday.
Feinsand's report echoes that of MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal, who sources told the Nationals are "targeting" Wilson. According to Rosenthal, "about eight teams" are involved in talks with Detroit for Wilson, but there remains no clear leader.
The Nationals had been rumored to be in the market for a closer even after acquiring Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the Athletics.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman also reported Saturday the Nationals "are eyeing" Hand and the Orioles' Zach Britton.
Wilson, who owns a 2.75 ERA in 39 1/3 innings, and Hand, who has a 2.00 ERA in 54 innings, would both be huge gets were Washington to acquire either. The club has been looking for a true closer, and Wilson and Hand have been extremely effective this season despite their lack of experience in the role.
Tigers not likely to deal Verlander The Tigers are not going to trade veteran right-hander Justin Verlander "barring a miracle," sources told MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The main holdup that will likely keep the former Most Valuable Player in Detroit is his contract, which pays him $28 million per season through 2019, according to Heyman.
Teams around the league "want no part" of his deal, and while the Tigers would pay some of it, per Heyman, clubs are still reluctant to take on that type of contract.
The Cubs and Dodgers have shown the most interest in Verlander to this point, and while there has been much speculation he would be dealt, it appears more likely the Tigers will part with reliever Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila, Heyman reports.
Indians in search of additional bat The Indians are looking for a "versatile bat" to add to their lineup and are interested in Mets switching-hitting middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Feinsand reports there is "nothing deep in the works" between the Indians and Mets regarding Cabrera, who is batting .266 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 78 games for the Mets this season.
With both third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and second baseman Jason Kipnis both nursing injuries, Cabrera would make a lot of sense as both a flexible bat off the bench and depth piece in the infield for Cleveland.
Sources also told MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal the club's most likely trades would be for "bench help" or another bullpen arm. Rosenthal notes Cleveland "could be active in August," signifying the club may wait to work out a waiver trade following the July 31 non-waiver Deadline.
Ellis, Straily may be on move MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reported Saturday morning "at least three contending clubs" have shown interest in Marlins backup catcher A.J. Ellis.
Per Frisaro, the Cubs, who have been reportedly in the market for an additional backstop to pair with Willson Contreras, are one of the clubs. However, Frisaro is unsure if the two clubs are a good match to work out a deal.
Ellis, 36, is batting .232 with two home runs and five RBIs in 27 games this season for Miami playing behind starter J.T. Realmuto.
Frisaro also reported Saturday morning the market for starter Dan Straily is "heating up." The Dodgers are "for sure in" on Straily, according to Frisaro.
The MLB.com Marlins beat reporter also noted that clubs trying to acquire Sonny Gray from the A's may see Straily as a fallback option, as he will cost significantly less, but is also controllable for one more year. Gray is under team control through 2020 while Straily can become a free agent in 2021 at the earliest.
Straily is 7-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 21 starts for Miami this season while Gray is 6-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts for Oakland.
Braves unlikely to trade Teheran Despite rumors the Braves have been shopping right-hander Julio Teheran, sources told MLB Network insider Jon Heyman the club is unlikely to part with its No. 1 starter.
Teheran, 26, has struggled for Atlanta this year, going 7-9 with a 5.09 ERA in 21 starts. He has had an especially tough time adjusting to SunTrust Park, where he's gone 1-7 with a 7.05 ERA in 10 starts in 2017.
Another factor likely leaving Atlanta reluctant to deal Teheran is his appealing contract, which has him under team control through 2020 and guarantees him just under $23 million through the end of 2019.
Teheran is also just one season removed from being selected to the National League All-Star team when he went 7-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 30 starts for the Braves. cont.
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