Let's take a look at some of the latest MLB rumors and news surrounding the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers.
With the calendar turning to June, talk of potential MLB trades and which players might be available will become more and more prevalent.
We'll start our tour of MLB rumors and news on the south side of the Windy City.
MLB rumors: Chicago White Sox best trade asset finally playing like it
If (and it is an if) the Chicago White Sox decide to sell at the MLB trade deadline and cash in one of their best chips in starting pitcher Dylan Cease, the 27-year-old right-hander showed off what he is capable of doing on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers.
In 5.1 innings of work, Cease allowed just two hits and one run, starting his turn on the bump in June strong. It was a bit of revenge for Cease against the Tigers, who shelled him for four runs and four hits in 4.0 innings in his last start on May 28.
After a month of May where Cease saw his ERA soar to 5.57 in six starts, his first outing of June was a very good sign for not only the White Sox, but also a reminder of what kind of pitcher he could be for a contender in the second half of the season.
However, if he is traded, Cease will come with a high price tag considering he isn't due to be a free agent until the 2026 campaign.
Cardinals: Oliver Marmol looks bad again thanks to Willson Contreras
Oh the drama there has been in St. Louis already this season, including the back and forth regarding Willson Contreras and his place behind the plate.
The biggest signing of the offseason by the Cardinals, Contreras was pulled from behind the plate after some struggles by the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff. Looking as if he would be the team's designated hitter moving forward, manager Oliver Marmol made a quick 360 to insert Contreras back behind the plate, having plenty of people scratching their head about the move and the reasons behind it.
The back and forth has seemingly had an effect on Contreras as the All-Star catcher is batting just 2-for-20 in his last seven games heading into Saturday's action. That leads to a slash line of .100/.217/.250, something that simply can't happen for a Cardinals team that is still trying to find its footing and climb up the National League Central standings.
Even worse for the Cardinals is the fact that Contreras is slashing just .132/.220/.321 over his last 15 games (53 at-bats) and .184/.268/.342 over his last 30 games (114 at-bats). It's clear to see that something is off with Contreras, and that's a problem for the Cardinals and another black mark against Marmol in what has been a very turbulent season under the Gateway Arch.
Even while injured, Jacob deGrom is winning his Texas Rangers contract
At his introductory press conference with the Rangers back in December, star free agent acquisition Jacob deGrom explained one of the reasons why he chose to come to the Lone Star State.
"The Rangers did a great job with constant communication and making me feel like they really wanted me here," deGrom said that day. "The vision was the same: build something great, and win year in and year out."
That last part is the key and very timely as the Rangers have indeed been winning this season, entering Saturday with the second-best record in MLB (behind the Tampa Bay Rays) at 36-20. The Rangers have the best run differential in all of baseball as well, outscoring their opponents by a combined 133 runs through the first 56 games of the campaign.
And that domination has continued while deGrom has been on the shelf with elbow inflammation. He made his last start on April 29, but the Rangers have continued to roll, even in his absence. And part of those impressive numbers above have come thanks to a rotation that has stepped up to pick up the slack for deGrom.
While the Rangers would love to have deGrom on the mound, there is still plenty of momentum in Arlington as Texas patiently waits for his return.