Despite the trade deadline being only six weeks away, trade talks throughout the league have yet to gain traction.
There are teams waiting to figure out what their strategies will be, with numerous teams teetering the line between buyers and sellers, and contending teams contemplating just how aggressive they should be.
But there remains activity throughout the league, and it will only pick up in the coming days and weeks. That has included another midseason extension with the Boston Red Sox and also teams parting ways with key veteran players.
Let's dive into the latest activity throughout the league.
MLB Rumors: Reds are already active, but not in a major way
Outfielder Wil Myers was designated for assignment by the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday morning.
Myers, the Reds' big ticket offseason acquisition, never panned out on a one-year, $7.5 million contract. He hit a mere .189/.257/.283 with a .541 OPS, three home runs and 12 RBI in 141 plate appearances.
Myers will presumably clear waivers and the Reds will subsequently request his unconditional release. It's unclear what teams could be interested in the veteran outfielder. One rival scout thought the Los Angeles Dodgers could be a fit, but with the team signing David Dahl on Tuesday, that fit becomes less obvious. Perhaps a team like the San Diego Padres, who Myers spent the previous TK seasons with, could express interest in a reunion.
Wherever Myers signs, he's likely to be a complementary piece rather than an everyday player — and considering his previous success, as well as locker room presence, could be a worthwhile gamble on a veteran's minimum deal.
MLB Rumors: Red Sox extend Rob Refsnyder
Outfielder Rob Refsnyder and the Boston Red Sox recently agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract extension that includes a $2 million club option for 2025 ($150,000 buyout), according to a source familiar with the deal.
The base salary for the 2024 season ($1.85 million) can increase by $25K each for 250, 275 plate appearances. The base salary for the 2025 season can increase by $50K each for 300, 325, 350, 400, 425 plate appearances.
Refsnyder, 32, is in his eighth major-league season, previously spending time with the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. In two seasons in Boston, he's emerged as a dependable weapon, hitting .296/.399/.451 with an .849 OPS in 302 combined plate appearances.
MLB Rumors: Baltimore Orioles make a roster move
Right-hander Spenser Watkins was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday morning, as first reported by FanSided.
There is expected to be trade interest in Watkins, who pitched 105.1 innings for the Orioles last season, league sources tell FanSided. Watkins, who has spent this season with Triple-A Norfolk, recently started throwing a splitter and his fastball had reached up to 96 mph.
Watkins, 30, has struggled at Triple-A this season, posting a 7.27 ERA and 20/17 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 innings. His numbers last year were better — 4.70 ERA in 105.1 innings, including a 3.96 ERA through 17 starts — though he has never posted above-average strikeout numbers.
Still, Watkins should intrigue teams in need of pitching depth, and there are plenty of contending teams who fit that description.
