Official MLB Trade Deadline Thread (Rumors and Ideas Welcome)

[Big_Maple]

OK - I know our greatest needs right now are for offense. But no offense here, we also need bullpen help.

Here's an insane proposal that has us landing Mason Miller. I'd be fine with the cost given what we'd get in return and that Miller is controllable for the next 3 years, and that he's likely the best reliever in baseball. But for all of these reasons, I can't imagine the Padres would part with him, especially given the price they paid to get him a year ago.

Seattle Mariners receive
Mason Miller
Miguel Andujar

San Diego Padres receive
George Kirby
Michael Arroyo

https://sodomojo.com/this-mariners-padr ... lb-buzzing

I'd rank this in the "yeah, and monkeys could fly out of my butt" category. But since I am bored to death with this team right now, I guess these kinds of video game fantasy trades amuse me.

[GL_Storm]

I don't think it's the case that the players don't care. This is still largely the same team that went to the postseason last year. The major difference is that Cal can't get started and nobody can fix him.

[Big_Maple]

I don't think it's the case that the players don't care. This is still largely the same team that went to the postseason last year. The major difference is that Cal can't get started and nobody can fix him.

It's the whole damn team.

Julio is batting .258 with an OPS of .746 and OPS+ of 113

Compare that to last year - his season stats were .267, OPS of .798 and OPS+ of 127

They have rookies manning half the infield. Young is holding his own. Emerson heeds to be sent down. JP has a whopping WAR of 1 with an OPS+ of 99.

Our de facto "trade of the offseason" has missed more than half the season so far. Josh Naylor slaps singles all over the place but can't hit for power and has an OPS+ of 96

DH has been a shit show and a half. Our bullpen blows up every time there is the tiniest bit of pressure. We are 28th by OPS in baseball. Literally the only thing keeping us in the hunt is our starting rotation which ranks 5th by ERA in baseball right now.

This roster looks good on paper assuming the paper is the back of a cocktail napkin with crayon doodles, a lipstick smudge, and the long-term planning skills of a drunk intern. Or a sober raccoon.

[DavidGee24]

So you are a proponent of making decisions based on recency bias.

Uhhhhhh............isn't that what you're......SUPPOSED to do?

This has got to be the weirdest debate since Clint Eastwood talked to that chair.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

I hate Jerry Dipoto, don't ever get that twisted. He is an egotistical jack ass that only pretends to care about winning. But this organization allows for that, so it really doesn't matter. Could Jerry have added better players this off season? I've hammered away at that. That said, if Julio, Cal and Naylor didn't suck balls and if our big FA addition wasn't made of glass, would it really matter? Those guys get way to much leash, and I'm tired of it. Cal talks like some kind of leader and is a fucking train wreck at the plate. Julio doesn't even pretend to care, and his performance reflects it. Naylor got paid and is now done, and fuck that turd from St Louis. Should have known they wouldn't let him walk if he was anything more than a check casher that can't stay on the field.

Another thing I think is over looked. My son is going on 23. In his lifetime, the Mariners have never made the playoffs without Geno on the roster. I completely admit that I no longer watch this group of over paid jackoffs, but when I did? They honestly look like they don't give a shit. The two times we have made the playoffs in the past nearly three decades....it didn't look like that. Most everyone in here wanted Geno gone, I honestly wasn't one of them....but I fully admit I thought we were better off once we added Donovan. Seems that might not be the case.

This group doesn't care, so I try my damndest not to care either. But they sure piss me the fuck off.

What's my point? Does anyone actually believe there is a player or two out there that is going to get this group of deadweight son's a bitches to the playoffs? Do we really want to watch this group of fuckers in the post season? I probably won't watch another game all year, so I guess my opinion doesn't matter, but my God, who gets an OUNCE of enjoyment out of this team?

Well put Michael and i agree with what you're saying. I can barely stand to listen to them on the radio, even when I'm a captive audience in my car. Just nothing to get excited about with this group other than an occasional gem from Miller or Gilbert. At the plate I just wonder what they're going to do next to squander a scoring opportunity and rarely fail to get an answer in short order.

[Michael K.]

I don't think it's the case that the players don't care. This is still largely the same team that went to the postseason last year. The major difference is that Cal can't get started and nobody can fix him.

Everyone knew Cal would regress, and the veterans they lost were replaced by rookies. Emerson got paid before he ever shown he could play above the Minors, and even though Cole has been pretty darn good, I am not sure guys like him and Canzone were meant to be the offensive leaders of this team. Randy pulls his weight, but no one else does. Sorry, Julio couldn't lead a group of kindergarteners through recess, no one gives a shit what Cal says anymore because he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat, same with JP. You're telling me that you watch this group and you see a bunch of guys grinding it out, or a bunch of guys cashing checks? The face of the franchise plays grab ass after losses. The SS is a kid that can't hit and has already been paid. That reminds you of last year's team?

You watched Geno and Polanco play the game last year and got the same vibe you get from this group this year? Again, I haven't watched in a long time, and one of the reasons I don't is what I just mentioned. They flat out look like a group of dudes playing Church League. It's gross.

[Big_Maple]

They flat out look like a group of dudes playing Church League. It's gross.

That is dead on, balls accurate.

[GL_Storm]

I don't think it's the case that the players don't care. This is still largely the same team that went to the postseason last year. The major difference is that Cal can't get started and nobody can fix him.

It's the whole damn team.

Julio is batting .258 with an OPS of .746 and OPS+ of 113

Compare that to last year - his season stats were .267, OPS of .798 and OPS+ of 127

They have rookies manning half the infield. Young is holding his own. Emerson heeds to be sent down. JP has a whopping WAR of 1 with an OPS+ of 99.

Our de facto "trade of the offseason" has missed more than half the season so far. Josh Naylor slaps singles all over the place but can't hit for power and has an OPS+ of 96

DH has been a shit show and a half. Our bullpen blows up every time there is the tiniest bit of pressure. We are 28th by OPS in baseball. Literally the only thing keeping us in the hunt is our starting rotation which ranks 5th by ERA in baseball right now.

This roster looks good on paper assuming the paper is the back of a cocktail napkin with crayon doodles, a lipstick smudge, and the long-term planning skills of a drunk intern. Or a sober raccoon.

I was always opposed to bringing Emerson up this early. But they've chosen to pay that tax this year hoping he'll do next year what Cole Young is doing now. Maybe it's for the best. I don't really know. I don't know why they signed him to that deal either but they've loved this guy ever since they drafted him. And that's fine. I like him too. I think he'll be good. But they're paying the rookie tax right now.

I think with Cal having a down season, Donovan missing so much time, the bullpen in shambles, and the overcrowded rotation - that they're probably looking ahead to next year.

It's also possible we don't have a season next year, so there is that as well.

[GL_Storm]

I don't think it's the case that the players don't care. This is still largely the same team that went to the postseason last year. The major difference is that Cal can't get started and nobody can fix him.

Everyone knew Cal would regress, and the veterans they lost were replaced by rookies. Emerson got paid before he ever shown he could play above the Minors, and even though Cole has been pretty darn good, I am not sure guys like him and Canzone were meant to be the offensive leaders of this team. Randy pulls his weight, but no one else does. Sorry, Julio couldn't lead a group of kindergarteners through recess, no one gives a shit what Cal says anymore because he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat, same with JP. You're telling me that you watch this group and you see a bunch of guys grinding it out, or a bunch of guys cashing checks? The face of the franchise plays grab ass after losses. The SS is a kid that can't hit and has already been paid. That reminds you of last year's team?

You watched Geno and Polanco play the game last year and got the same vibe you get from this group this year? Again, I haven't watched in a long time, and one of the reasons I don't is what I just mentioned. They flat out look like a group of dudes playing Church League. It's gross.

Cal's season isn't just regression though. Regression would be somewhere in the range of his 2022, 2023, or 2024 seasons. The numbers indicate something is seriously wrong.

I don't think resigning Polanco and Suarez would have changed things. Polanco's been injured for years now and just happened to get a window of health in the second half last year, and Suarez didn't do much after the trade, and isn't doing much for Cincinnati this year in a hitter's park.

Next year could be a rookie extravaganza with Felnin Celesten, Michael Arroyo, Lazaro Montes, Kade Anderson, and Ryan Sloan all on the roster.

[GL_Storm]

What we’re hearing about potential Mariners’ trade pieces and more intel from around MLB
By Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
July 23, 2026 7:29 pm UTC

If the Seattle Mariners trade a starting pitcher, the logical assumption is that it would be veteran right-hander Luis Castillo.
Maybe not.

In their search for a right-handed hitter, the Mariners are telling teams they also are open to moving righty Emerson Hancock, according to people briefed on their discussions.

Castillo, 33, is owed the balance of $22.75 million this season, plus another $22.75 million next season in the final guaranteed year of his contract. With the pending lockout threatening to eat into the 2027 season, teams likely are reluctant to take on the additional high-priced year on his contract.

Hancock, 27, is more affordable, earning $793,300 this season, and controllable, for four additional seasons through 2030. He also is enjoying a breakout campaign, though his expected ERA in 19 starts is more than a run per nine innings higher than his actual 3.16.

While teams do not necessarily view Emerson as a top-of-the-rotation type, a quality major-league starting pitcher under long-term control should hold considerable value leading to the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

The Mariners are in position to trade a starter because they currently have six who are healthy. Their depth also includes two top prospects at Double A, left-hander Kade Anderson and righty Ryan Sloan, plus righty Logan Evans, who is expected to return from Tommy John surgery next season.

Hancock, who opened the season in the rotation as a replacement for injured righty Bryce Miller, is not as established as righties Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Bryan Woo, all of whom the Mariners are unlikely to discuss, sources said. Miller, pitching better than than he has at any point in his career and under club control for three additional seasons, falls into the same nearly untouchable category.

The Mariners want to re-balance their roster to add more offense. And in a trade market with few sellers willing to trade for prospects, major leaguer-for-major leaguer exchanges appear likely.

Hancock might end up part of one.

Options for Cubs

The Chicago Cubs, who already have acquired left-hander David Peterson and righty Aaron Civale while trying to patch together their rotation, seemingly would be a team interested in Hancock.

Three Cubs right-handed hitters of varying experience – right fielder Seiya Suzuki, infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw and outfielder Kevin Alcántara – could appeal to the Mariners. But the Cubs, canvassing the entire market for starters, potentially could line up with the Los Angeles Angels for righty José Soriano or lefty Reid Detmers as well.

The Angels, according to a person briefed on their pursuits, are interested in acquiring a young catcher. Owen Ayers, the Cubs’ No. 10 prospect according to The Athletic’s Keith Law, might qualify. Ayers, 25, started the season in High A and is now at Triple A.
Both Soriano and Detmers are under control for two additional seasons. Neither is certain to be traded under interim GM John Mozeliak. And neither comes without questions.

Soriano, 27, had a 0.84 ERA through seven starts, then a 4.90 in his next 14, though he has pitched better of late. He also has undergone two Tommy John surgeries, in Feb. 2020 and June 2021.

Detmers, also 27, is at 120 innings, nearly double the number he threw last season, when the Angels used him solely as a reliever. He had higher totals in 2023 (a career-high 148 2/3 in the majors) and ‘24 (165 1/3 between the majors and minors). But some teams are concerned he might wear down over the final two months, plus another he could pitch in the postseason.

Ballpark push no factor in Rays’ deadline plans

Two government bodies in Florida will vote in August on the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposal for a new $2.3 billion ballpark.

Which raises the question: Will the Rays make a push at the deadline to sway the Hillsborough County Commission and Tampa City Council, both of which agreed to a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding in May, to approve definitive agreements?

The answer is no.

The Rays are indeed giving off the impression of “buying big” if enough quality players are available at the deadline. But with public financing on top of the Rays’ commitment of more than $1.2 billion still uncertain, the team’s economics have not changed.

So, the Rays essentially are proceeding as they normally do – aggressively, but with limited payroll flexibility. The Padres, awaiting league approval of their $3.9 billion sale to a group led by José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones, are in somewhat of a similar business-as-usual position.

According to people familiar with the team’s thinking, Feliciano and Jones have been in communication with Padres executives, a dynamic that could create additional payroll flexibility if San Diego opts to buy at the deadline, though it is unclear how much.

Around the horn

• The Chicago White Sox, facing the loss of catcher Kyle Teel for 8 to 12 weeks, are “working hard” to acquire a catcher, according to a person briefed on their plans.

Teel, out with a high left ankle sprain, told MLB.com he believes his absence might be more like five to eight weeks. Either way, the White Sox would like to acquire an upgrade over Edgar Quero and Drew Romo.

Satisfying that goal will be easier said than done. The catching market is thin, and the Rays, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are among the other teams seeking help behind the plate.

• The Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson, one catcher who is available, might become an alternative for the Yankees and other teams are pursuing the Minnesota Twins’ Ryan Jeffers.

Stephenson and Jeffers are both 29, and both potential free agents. Jeffers, who returned July 10 after missing nearly two months with a left hamate bone fracture, has been the superior hitter this season.

In his first six games back, Jeffers went 5-for-21 but with two homers, two doubles and three walks. His OPS for the season is .950, while Stephenson’s is .712. But Stephenson has recovered from a difficult first two months, popping a .928 OPS in his last 27 games entering Thursday.
Even if Stephenson is not quite Jeffers offensively, he still would be an upgrade for the Yankees’ current catching corps, which ranks next-to-last in the majors in wRC+, ahead of only the White Sox.

• The Texas Rangers on Friday night open a four-game series at home against the Mariners that might prove critical in determining their direction.

The Rangers since the break are 2-4, losing a series in Atlanta and at home against the White Sox. They are practically the definition of a team on the bubble – a .500 club with playoff odds entering Thursday of 50 percent.