MLB Rumors: Proposed Rangers trade would land Dylan Cease, more from White Sox
The Texas Rangers have already acquired one of the biggest trade targets for the 2023 season in the flip for reliever Aroldis Chapman. But they also might not be done making moves as they hope to retain their lead atop the NL West and move headstrong into the playoffs from the second half of the year.
Jamey Newberg of The Athletic (subscription required) noted on Monday that the Rangers aren't done making moves. The focus is likely to remain on pitching, both continuing to upgrade the bullpen and potentially looking to provide more starter stability with Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Dane Dunning while Jacob deGrom is shelved for the season and Martin Perez has come crashing down.
There were five trades that Newberg proposed, but the most intriguing — and perhaps the most sensible, was a blockbuster with the White Sox that would land the Rangers 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up Dylan Cease in addition to two high-end relievers.
As Newberg noted, the Rangers getting Cease, Graveman and Kelly, three pieces who could help Texas compete for a World Series this year and who have club control, minus Kelly, beyond this season, would be worth giving up White — the organization's top pitching prospect — in addition to other assets. Most importantly, those prospects would help replenish a barren cabinet for the White Sox farm system.
Will it happen? Even if Chicago goes as expected and sells at the deadline, it's hard to see them moving Cease. At the same time, though, it might be in the best long-term interest of the franchise. Because of that, it's an option that the Rangers would undoubtedly have to explore and give the White Sox a call about.
MLB Rumors: Phillies a surprise suitor for Marcus Stroman trade with Cubs?
Not long ago, it seemed as if all of the Marcus Stroman trade buzz had essentially died out with the belief that the Chicago Cubs, a club surging at the time, could end up buying at the MLB Trade Deadline. Things, however, have changed dramatically.
Stroman and the Cubs are unlikely to reach an extension — in fact, it's almost certain — which means that Chicago could be best served to trade the NL Cy Young candidate this season to an eager bidder that can help the Cubs find more pieces for the future while the buying team can add a true ace to the rotation.
One team who could be interested? The Philadelphia Phillies.
Inside the Phillies noted that the club currently locked in a three-way tie for the third Wild Card spot in the National League had been connected to Stroman already. Furthermore, the report surmised that, though Philadelphia would be unlikely to give up top prospect Andrew Painter in a Stroman trade, they could offer another high-end minor-league arm like Griff McGary with all-world potential.
Make no mistake, Stroman would be perfect for the Phillies to make a second-half run this season as he'd pair beauitfully as a three-man top of the rotation with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. Adding a pitcher with a 2.76 ERA and 1.09 WHIP this season like Stroman would be massive for the cause.
The Cubs are sure to have no shortage of buyers at the trade deadline for Stroman, without question. That being said, the Phillies are no strangers to being aggressive on the open market, which we could indeed see again if they get their sights on Marcus Stroman.
MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani trade remains unlikely, even amid Angels downfall
Ashes, ashes, the Angels all fall down.
Just when it seemed as if the Los Angeles Angels were gearing up perfectly for a playoff push, things are falling apart rapidly for the Halos. Anthony Rendon is likely headed to the IL, where he would join Mike Trout, who could be out as long as two months. And if that weren't enough, Shohei Ohtani left his latest start with a reported blister on his finger, an injury likely to keep him out of the All-Star Game.
With arguably the team's three most important offensive pieces and biggest pitching weapon now injured while the Angels are already seven games out of the AL West lead and four games out of the final Wild Card spot is less than stellar. Naturally, that raises the question of, if the Angels suffer and fall out of contention now, is a Shohei Ohtani trade back on the table?
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), the answer remains no.
"But even though the Angels are in free fall, it would be an upset — a shock, even — if they dealt Shohei Ohtani."
Rosenthal's breakdown of the situation suggests that the primary reason that the Angels won't trade Ohtani is because it would essentially end any chance of the club re-signing him this offseason or keeping him long term.
I have no doubt that the Halos plan to offer a massive deal to the two-way Japanese superstar this offseason. Having said that, if the Angels are indeed trending toward a second half of the 2023 season that sees them fall clearly out of the playoff race, then he's gone no matter what. He wants to compete, to contend, and to win. LA has not proven they can offer him that.
As such, it's in the best interest of Los Angeles to trade Ohtani if they truly believe that the playoffs are no longer a viable option for the team. Even for a half-season rental, the Angels could still get a king's ransom back in an Ohtani trade to help possibly contend in the future alongside Trout.
If they operate under the stubborn guise of not wanting to ruin their free agency chances, though, then they are surely setting themselves up to lose him still, but with nothing coming back in return.
