Beware of Fake Ken Rosenthal accounts.
This year, some massive movement on the trade market could be in the cards, if the rumored available names end up on the move. Cubs players Anthony Rizzo, Javy Baez and Kris Bryant; the Nationals’ Max Scherzer and Trea Turner; and Twins outfielders Byron Buxton and Max Kepler are all potential trade targets heading into Friday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.
FAGAN: Blue Jays should celebrate return to Toronto with big trades
The first blockbuster deal of the trade season was struck between the Yankees and the Rangers on July 29, with New York adding another bomber to its lineup, acquiring slugger Joey Gallo for a package of prospects.
Sporting News will track the latest updates, rumors, trades and more below, mixed with some quick-hitting analysis on reported and done deals.
MLB trade deadline deals
July 29
Nationals send Daniel Hudson to Padres
The Nationals continue to tear their roster down the day before the trade deadline. Daniel Hudson, the reliever who got the final out in Washington’s 2019 World Series win, has been shipped to San Diego.
Hudson struggled in 2020 but has been lights out in 2021, pitching to a career-low 2.20 ERA with a 2.50 FIP in 32 2/3 innings. He’s striking out batters at a career-high 37.8 percent clip and walking batters at a 5.5 percent rate. The Nationals received 6-7 right-hander Mason Thompson and shortstop Jordy Barley in return, adding to their ever-expanding prospect ranks.
Red Sox acquiring Kyle Schwarber from Nationals
Boston is adding an outfield power bat and Washington adds another prospect amid its fire sale.
The Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a deal to acquire Kyle Schwarber from the Washington Nationals, according to sources familiar with the situation.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 30, 2021
The Nats are getting Aldo Ramírez back, a RHP. It their sixth prospect addition today. Also: Keibert Ruiz (C), Josiah Gray (RHP), Gerardo Carrillo (RHP), Donovan Casey (OF) & Riley Adams (C).@dougherty_jesse 1st on Ramirez.
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) July 30, 2021
Schwarber won’t be ready to debut for the Sox until well into August because of a hamstring injury, but when he does return, he’ll add thump to an offense that’s second in the American League in runs scored.
Dodgers make blockbuster move for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Dodgers are making significant progress on a deal that would send them star right-hander Max Scherzer and star shortstop Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals for a prospect-laden return, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2021
Full return for #Nationals Max Scherzer-Trea Turner deal with Dodgers is catcher Keibert Ruiz, RHPs Josiah Gray and Gerardo Carrillo, and OF Donovan Casey, source confirms
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) July 30, 2021
First it sounded as if Scherzer might be headed to the Padres from the Nationals. Now, another NL West team will land the three-time Cy Young Award winner — and five-tool shortstop Turner, to boot. The blockbuster of the deadline thus far, this trade makes the reigning World Series champions an even bigger favorite to repeat.
MORE: Scherzer/Turner trade grades
Anthony Rizzo heads to the Yankees
The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired INF Anthony Rizzo and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Alexander Vizcaíno and outfielder Kevin Alcántara.
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) July 30, 2021
The Yankees add another power-hitting left-handed bat and fix their first base issues. Rizzo’s .792 OPS ranks third among New York’s qualifying hitters, behind only Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
Mariners bring back another closer
The Seattle Mariners are finalizing a deal to acquire reliever Diego Castillo from the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN. Deal is pending a review of medicals.
There’s the replacement for Kendall Graveman. Mariners going out and making moves. Rays trade from deep pitching core.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021
Mariners players were upset when the team parted with Kendall Graveman, but Jerry Dipoto is back at it making more moves. Diego Castillo had a 1.66 ERA last year and a 2.72 mark this season as one of the best relievers in the game. He has a career strikeout rate of 29.2 percent.
Dodgers add Royals’ Danny Duffy
Before grabbing Scherzer and Turner, LA completed another deal for pitching, acquiring the left-handed Duffy and cash from Kansas City for a player to be named.
We have traded LHP Danny Duffy and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a player-to-be-named-later.
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 29, 2021
Duffy is a depth pickup, and his LA debut is on hold for at least a few weeks because he’s on the IL with a forearm issue.
Jose Berrios drawing interest from several teams
Possibility of Twins trading RHP Jose Berríos increasing, sources tell me and @DanHayesMLB. Market exceeded Twins’ expectations; team now has offers in hand. Virtually all contenders have checked in. SD, TOR, LAD, TB, NYY among those with varying levels of interest.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 29, 2021
Several teams, including the Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Rays and Dodgers are looking into trading for Twins ace Jose Berrios. Berrios is a top-of-the-rotation guy, and is under team control for the 2022 season.
Kyle Schwarber’s market grows
Growing belief is that Kyle Schwarber gets traded as early as today. Hear that #Yankees are interested. Schwarber currently on the IL with a hamstring injury. #RedSox, #BlueJays also believed interested.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 29, 2021
With the Nats in sell mode, it looks like lefty power bat Kyle Schwarber could be on the move. Schwarber was red-hot in June before landing on the IL with a hamstring issue in July.
Blue Jays get ‘pen help from Nationals
The Blue Jays are acquiring LHP Brad Hand from the Nationals for Triple-A C Riley Adams, per source. @dougherty_jesse was first with the news.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2021
Analysis: The Blue Jays were rumored to be sellers just a few weeks ago, but they add to the bullpen with Hand. The veteran closer isn’t having the best year, but maybe a change of scenery will help.
Yankees, Rangers finalize deal for Joey Gallo
Analysis: A good trade for both sides. Gallo is clearly the centerpiece, and he gives New York a lefty power bat, which the team has been sorely lacking this year. He also gives the Yankees good defensive flexibility to play several spots in the infield and outfield.
On the flip side, Texas gets a good group of four prospects in return, including infielder Ezequiel Duran, a promising 22-year-old with offensive upside.