MLB Rumors: The Cardinals will sell at the trade deadline. But who?
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak went on record and said that the team will be sellers at the trade deadline — and added that he wasn't sure if they will be household names or players that are on expiring contracts.
Early indications are that the Cardinals are highly unlikely to trade the following players: Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, Jordan Walker, Lars Nootbaar.
The players that the team are opening to moving include pitchers Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery, Jordan Hicks, Ryan Hensley and Genesis Cabrera, among others. Several of the players in that group are notably on expiring contracts.
The Cardinals will be active ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline. Just how active remains to be seen — and something executives around the league are monitoring.
MLB Rumors: Blue Jays interested in Nelson Cruz
On FanSided, we reported that free-agent slugger Nelson Cruz is generating interest after being released by the San Diego Padres. One of the teams with interest in Cruz is the Toronto Blue Jays, according to major-league sources.
It's unclear if a deal is close, or even likely.
But the Blue Jays have been expected to explore multiple avenues to upgrade their offense and Cruz would represent a veteran leader, an established designated hitter, and also a cheap option (he would surely cost the major-league minimum, or somewhere around that).
Cruz, 43, is in his 19th season in the majors. In 49 games with the Padres, he hit .245/.283/.399 with five home runs and 23 RBI.
MLB Rumors: What will the Diamondbacks pursue at trade deadline?
The Arizona Diamondbacks will look to buy at the trade deadline, and among the positions the team is expected to target include a starting pitcher, bullpen help and perhaps a right-handed outfielder.
It's possible that in order to acquire a starting pitcher, the Diamondbacks could part with one of their outfielders — perhaps on the major-league level.
It's unclear what arms the team could target, but Chicago White Sox starter Lucas Giolito could make sense. But the right-hander's market figures to be active with many contending teams seeking starting pitching and not many high-end arms available.
Interestingly enough, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that the Dodgers are one team interested in Giolito. So, it could end up being an NL West race before the Aug. 1 deadline to try and land the White Sox veteran.