With mere hours remaining before the MLB trade deadline, the rumor mill is churning at full speed and several big names could still change uniforms. The Mariners have emerged as a team to watch, with rival executives telling The Athletic that Seattle is actively listening on starters George Kirby and Emerson Hancock. The Angels’ early Monday deal sending José Soriano to Toronto may have opened the door for the Mariners, as either Kirby or Hancock would instantly become the best available starter with multiple years of team control. While most insiders believe Hancock is the more likely candidate to be moved given the steep asking price on Kirby, there is a growing consensus that Seattle will deal at least one of them before the clock runs out.
Out West, the Rangers appear ready to sell, and virtually everyone on their roster is said to be in play. Texas president of baseball operations Chris Young has long been known for his affinity for pitching, and with left-hander MacKenzie Gore eligible for free agency after next season, it is entirely possible Young flips him for a starter with more years of control. Meanwhile, the Rockies are also making moves, having already sent outfielder Brenton Doyle to the White Sox. Right-handed reliever Antonio Senzatela is drawing heavy interest from contenders despite his Coors Field numbers, thanks largely to a fastball averaging 97 mph that puts him in the top tier of the league.
On the East Coast, all eyes seem fixed on Boston and their pursuit of a shortstop. One executive summed it up bluntly by saying that is all he keeps hearing about. The Red Sox have been linked to Washington’s CJ Abrams and Anaheim’s Zach Neto, though Abrams appears increasingly unlikely to move given how little internal discussion the Nationals have had about trading him. Over in New York, the Mets continue their selloff after already shipping out Freddy Peralta, Huascar Brazobán, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley. Names like Clay Holmes, Luke Weaver, Luis Robert Jr., and Tyrone Taylor remain on the block as the deadline approaches.
Perhaps no situation is more intriguing than what unfolds in Los Angeles, where interim general manager John Mozeliak might end up being one of the busiest executives in these final hours. After already dealing Soriano and outfielder Jo Adell earlier today, Mozeliak still has shortstop Zach Neto and starter Reid Detmers in play. The lingering question around baseball circles is just how far owner Arte Moreno will allow this teardown to go before someone pumps the brakes.
