MLB Rumors: San Francisco Giants pursuing Justin Verlander trade?
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, San Francisco has been in touch with the struggling New York Mets to see if Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and nine-time All-Star, could be available in a trade.
Verlander's pitching slash line of 3.47 ERA/3.98 FIP/1.157 WHIP would certainly be an intriguing add, and the Giants (or any other team) would have Verlander for 2024 as well thanks to the two-year, $86.67 million deal he signed in the offseason to pitch in Queens.
San Francisco's rotation ranks 13th among all MLB teams with a combined 1.3 bWAR this season. Verlander has posted 1.5 bWAR by himself, so it's easy to see the boost he could bring to the Bay Area in a potential trade. But will the Giants be willing to eat the contract and Verlander be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go across the country? It will be interesting to watch.
MLB rumors: Houston Astros battling Tampa Bay Rays for All-Star pitcher?
Sticking with Morosi, a note about current Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen is certain to get some interest from fans of the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays.
In his first season in Detroit, Lorenzen has turned into one of the most talked-about pitchers as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The 31-year-old right-hander has been solid over his last six starts, posting a 2.08 ERA and 3.02 FIP as batters have hit just .221 against him. Those numbers include five runs given up in 5.0 innings during a June 30 start at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies.
Outside of that, in 29.2 innings, Lorenzen has given up just three earned runs.
Lorenzen would be a boost for an Astros rotation that has fought through some injuries but still is tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the sixth-best combined bWAR in the league (2.6).
MLB rumors: Do the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds line up for a trade?
In a recent article for The Athletic (subscription required), former general manager Jim Bowden mentioned the Cincinnati Reds as a potential trade partner with the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Lance Lynn. The 36-year-old right-hander would slot into the back of the Reds rotation and provide stability there for a low price, Bowden wrote.
"He is an intense competitor but the asking price can't be more than a couple of mid-level prospects considering the Reds would be taking on close to $4 million of his remaining salary," Bowden penned. "Lynn has an $18 million team option for 2024 ($1 million buyout) that is not expected to be picked up regardless of where he's traded…"
Bowden went on to say that Lynn could also be a fit for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, or any other team that is looking to add a veteran pitcher to the rotation.
Lynn, however, was pummeled on Friday night, giving up nine runs (six earned) and allowing four home runs as the White Sox dropped a 9-4 road decision to the Minnesota Twins. That outing is part of a concerning trend for Lynn, who has given up four or more runs in three of his last four starts. The exception was an eye-popping 7.0-inning performance against Toronto on July 6 when he allowed just one hit and struck out 11 while blanking the Blue Jays.
Which Lynn will the Reds or another team get, and is that potential trade partner willing to invest in Lynn with his recent struggles? We will soon find out.