MLB Rumors: Cincinnati Reds could make zero trades
The Cincinnati Reds rebounded from a slow start to the season with a dominant month leading up to the All-Star break. Now, Cincy is keeping the momentum going. The Reds are nine games above .500 and a half-game ahead of the Brewers for first place in the NL Central. Naturally, as the trade deadline approaches, there has been rampant speculation about the Reds making win-now moves.
Alas, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, the Reds' trade deadline is shaping up to be one big nothingburger. GM Nick Krall does not want to risk the club's future for short-term gains. Cincinnati has a glaring need in the bullpen, but the Reds aren't going to clean out the farm system unless a quality pitcher with multiple years of team control becomes available.
This is probably the correct strategy from Cincinnati. The Reds have built the foundation of a sustainable winner. With a slew of young players like Elly De La Cruz leading the charge, Cincy could be hanging around the contenders circle for years to come. Why short-circuit the team's ability to develop over time with a shortsighted move?
Plain and simple, the Reds aren't ready to compete right this second. A postseason spot is within reach, of course, but the Reds won't be toppling the Braves or Dodgers to win the National League. Those aspirations are better placed a few years down the road. Cincinnati should save its trade ammo for the right player at the right moment, which is unlikely to arise between now and the final buzzer on Aug. 1.
MLB Rumors: White Sox listening to offers for RHP Dylan Cease
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease can be had for the right price. Now, the "right price" is expected to land quite high — probably too high for anyone to actually convince the Sox to trade the 2022 Cy Young finalist.
The perception around the league is that Cease remains "all but untouchable," but the White Sox are listening to offers. That presents a small window of opportunity for teams in desperate need of starting pitching. Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery have already been dealt. Meanwhile, the Justin Verlander rumors are picking up steam in New York.
It's clear teams around the league are eager to flesh out their starting rotations — especially those in the postseason picture. Chicago is 21 games below .500 and 11.0 games out of first place in the abysmal AL Central. It's a lost season for the Sox, and while the long view remains intact, it's only logical for Chicago to leave all options on the table. The best GMs are willing to make bold, unexpected moves with long-term interests in mind.
Cease is 27 years old with two more years of team control left on his contract. The White Sox have the ability to wait out this season and attempt to win again with Cease in the future, but one cannot rule out a Cease trade entirely. The trade market is one of high demand and low supply, which means the White Sox could field some enticing offers before Aug. 1 passes.
MLB Rumors: Potential Braves-Cardinals trade around Jack Flaherty
As the hours wane on the Aug. 1 trade deadline, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report has one trade proposal for every MLB team. For the Atlanta Braves, he proposes a simple swap with the St. Louis Cardinals: SS Cal Conley in exchange for RHP Jack Flaherty.
Conley has spent the season with the Braves' Double-A affiliate in Mississippi. Jack Flaherty, meanwhile, is one of the most prized arms circulating the rumor mill. The Cardinals have already cleaned house with their pitching staff, so Flaherty is fair game if the Braves come up with a compelling offer.
Max Fried and Kyle Wright remain injured, leaving a hole in the Braves' stellar pitching rotation. Atlanta has a comfortable lead in the National League and there's no immense pressure to get a big trade done, but this is a reasonably risk-free move for a reliable pitcher who could come in handy once the playoffs arrive.
Flaherty is in the final year of his contract, making him a rental. The Braves are focused on the immediate task at hand: winning the 2023 World Series. Atlanta won the 'chip in 2021 with a slew of trade deadline acquisitions leading the charge. The circumstances are different this time around, but Alex Anthopoulos is not afraid to rent. Meanwhile, the contract situation also lowers the price. The Cardinals can't expect top-shelf prospects for two guaranteed months of a pitcher. Flaherty is liable to leave in free agency, which could increase the urgency for St. Louis to get something for him before it's too late.