MLB trade deadline rumors tracker: Latest on Justin Verlander, White Sox, more

The 2023 MLB trade deadline is Aug. 1, but there's already plenty of buzz across the league.

Here are the latest MLB trade rumors.

JULY 31

Dodgers, Orioles in on Justin Verlander; unclear if Mets will move ace 

One day after Verlander expressed openness to waiving his no-trade clause following the Mets dealing away teammates Max Scherzer and David Robertson, the Dodgers and the Orioles have emerged as two potential landing spots for the former MVP, per The Athletic and MLB Network. The Astros also have interest, but their relative lack of prospect depth compared to the other two teams makes a reunion unlikely, per FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Unloading Verlander would run counter to what general manager Billy Eppler said about the team's direction Sunday, when he noted the Mets are not headed toward a full-scale rebuild and aim to compete in 2024. An option in Verlander's contract that triggers a 2025 player option worth $35 million if he pitches at least 140 innings next season is also complicating trade talks, according to SNY.

White Sox are listening on ace Dylan Cease

Chicago has already moved off its pending free-agent starters and two relievers, sending Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López, Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to Southern California in separate trades with the Angels and the Dodgers. But the White Sox are still listening to offers for everyone on their roster — including Cease, who was a Cy Young finalist last year and is under team control through 2025, according to Rosenthal.

Though previous reports indicated Cease would not move, rival executives have seen an opening, per Rosenthal, though it would likely take a massive trade package to acquire the right-hander.

Giants could trade from MLB rotation depth

At 58-48, two games behind the Dodgers in the National League West and atop the wild-card standings, San Francisco is looking to buy, particularly in the middle infield. But instead of prospects, the Giants may trade from its rotation given the high prices being paid for starting pitchers this year, with Rosenthal identifying Alex Wood as a possibility.

Red Sox, Mariners listening on bats

Seattle has Ty France and Teoscar Hernández available for trades, per USA Today, and the Red Sox are also listening to offers on Alex Verdugo, per MassLive. Hernandez is a free agent after this season, Verdugo is under team control through 2024, and France, perhaps the most surprising name on the list, is under team control through 2025.

France has a .253/.324/.367 slash line with seven home runs and a 96 OPS+, while his teammate Hernandez is hitting .238/.288/.408 with 16 home runs and a 94 OPS+. Verdugo is slashing .272/.345/.424 with a 105 OPS+ and seven home runs.

JULY 30

Cubs not trading Cody Bellinger

Amid an eight-game winning streak, the Cubs have decided not to hold a fire sale. Per ESPN, Chicago won't unload Bellinger and is instead seeking relief help. Bellinger, of course, is in the midst of a big comeback season and is currently slashing .315/.368/.540. The Cubs have closed a huge deficit in the playoff race and entered Sunday 3.5 games out of first in the NL Central and 3.0 games out of a wild-card spot.

Justin Verlander ‘open’ to waiving no-trade clause; Mets seeking more in return than they got in other moves

As the Mets finalized a trade to send Max Scherzer to the Rangers, Verlander might have taken the mound for the Mets for the last time on Sunday. Following his start, Verlander said he'd be "open" to a trade even though he's "committed" to bringing a World Series title to Queens.

The obstacle for a team to get Verlander might be more difficult though than it was for the Rangers to get Scherzer. The Mets have placed a higher asking price on Verlander than Scherzer, SNY reported. The Astros, who Verlander pitched for prior to joining the Mets, are viewed as an unlikely landing spot, according to USA Today. 

The Braves have also "checked in" on a possible Verlander deal but they aren't in negotiations with the Mets on a deal as of Sunday night, MLB Network reported. 

Twins listening to offers on Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda

Minnesota is open to moving two of its starting pitchers, though would need to be "blown away" by an offer to move either of them, The Athletic reported. 

Gray's had a better season, posting a 4-4 record with a 3.22 ERA, while Maeda has struggled a bit with a 2-6 record and a 4.53 ERA. The Twins hold a half-game lead in the AL Central as of Sunday evening.

Several teams interested in Jeimer Candelario

Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo revealed that he has teams in on the Candelario sweepstakes in an interview on SiriusXM. Rizzo added that once the team gets the right player offered in return, they'll move quickly to try and get a deal done. 

Candelario is viewed as one of the top hitters remaining on the trade market. He's hit .258 with 16 homers and a .823 OPS this season. 

The Angels have been among the teams reportedly linked to Candelario. 

Yankees, Phillies among teams looking for right-handed hitters

New York, Philadelphia, Miami and Toronto are all seeking help from the right side of the plate ahead of Tuesday's deadline, according to MLB Network. 

The Marlins and Blue Jays have already been busy on the trade market, with each adding bullpen help over the last few days.

Tommy Pham and Mark Canha have been viewed as two of the top right-handed hitters available for trade ahead of the deadline. Meanwhile, the Phillies have shown interest in Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall, scouting him over the weekend, according to the Boston Globe. 

The Marlins have inquired with the Yankees about Gleyber Torres, according to NJ Advance Media. But New York's asking price is too steep for Miami as it's reportedly asking for Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett along with two prospects.

JULY 29

Cardinals say they're keeping Nolan Arenado amid Dodgers rumors

The Dodgers reportedly had their eyes on Arenado, but St. Louis president of baseball operations Jon Mozeliak told media members Saturday that the team will keep the eight-time All-Star through the deadline. 

Rosenthal reported earlier Saturday that St. Louis doesn't seem inclined to trade much else outside of its pending free agents such as pitchers Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery, who the Dodgers are reportedly also interested in. Arenado is under contract through 2027.

Arenado carries a no-trade clause and is in the midst of another strong season at the plate. He has a .284 batting average and a .849 OPS to go along with 22 homers and 77 RBIs.

Latest on Justin Verlander trade talks

The Mets made their second big sell move of the deadline on Saturday, agreeing to trade Max Scherzer to the Rangers, which was confirmed by Rosenthal.

The Mets still have what arguably might be their biggest trade chip still in Verlander. Just hours prior to Scherzer's potential move to Texas, Verlander was viewed as the more likely player between the two of them to be traded, according to Rosenthal. However, Rosenthal mentioned there are two questions looming over a potential Verlander trade: would you be able to get the prospects you'd like in return, and what happens for the 2024 season?

A return to the Astros is also a possibility for Verlander, according to Rosenthal. 

On a recent episode of "Flippin' Bats," FOX Sports' and Verlander's brother Ben Verlander was adamant that his brother wouldn't get moved. 

"Justin is ultimately staying with the New York Mets. I believe that," Verlander said of his older brother. "He’s been dominant for two months at this point. … After the game the other night, he said, ‘[Mets GM] Billy Eppler has not approached me about anything. I would hope if something were to happen, they would speak to me. I signed a multi-year deal here. I did not sign a one-year deal. I came to win with the New York Mets, and that is my goal.’

"I don’t think he’s going anywhere, I think he stays with the Mets."

Padres' deadline direction remains unknown

As the Mets have begun their sale, the Padres have held firm with their roster to this point, and they might continue to do so. Rival teams get a sense that San Diego is conflicted about what it wants to do at the deadline, according to Rosenthal. 

If the Padres opt to be sellers though, Juan Soto is unlikely to be moved while Blake Snell and Josh Hader would be the players likely traded in that scenario, Rosenthal reported.

Cubs unlikely to be sellers

Chicago has turned its season around in the last week, winning seven in a row to move it just 3.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the National League. That's why Rosenthal doesn't "see them selling" ahead of Tuesday, even if the Cubs could fetch a lot for Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger.

Michael Lorenzen drawing interest from Orioles, Marlins

If the Tigers want to get rid of their lone All-Star, they'll have at least a pair of possible trade partners. The Orioles have their eyes on Lorenzen, MLB Network reported, and the Marlins do too, according to the New York Post. 

Orioles GM Mike Elias recently told MASNsports.com that he would "bet heavily" that if the team makes a trade, it'd be for a pitcher. The Marlins are also looking for pitching help, Rosenthal reported. 

Dodgers looking at more pitching, right-handed hitting help

Even after trading for Lance Lynn on Friday, the Dodgers are seeking another arm for the starting rotation, according to the Los Angeles Times. Verlander, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brady Singer, Mitch Keller, Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are among some of the starting pitchers they're interested in, the Los Angeles Times added in its report. 

In addition, the Dodgers are also interested in Mets hitters Mark Canha and Tommy Pham, The Athletic reported. 

Mariners open to trading a young pitcher

The Mariners are open to moving any one of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo, Rosenthal recently wrote in The Athletic. However, trading one of them would require a young, controllable hitter in return, Rosenthal added.

JULY 27

Rangers in on Jordan Hicks

The Rangers made the first major in-season trade of 2023, acquiring closer Aroldis Chapman from the Royals on June 30. But Texas' bullpen has continued to struggled with a 6.24 ERA in July and a 4.77 ERA on the season, tied with the Rockies for fourth-worst across all of MLB.

Thus, it makes sense that the Rangers are turning their attention to Cardinals reliever Hicks, per USA Today. The 26-year-old fireballer has a 3.67 ERA in 41.2 innings pitched this season, and St. Louis seems likely to move him after last-minute contract extension talks reportedly have not progressed. Hicks will be a free agent this coming winter.

The Yankees are also interested in Hicks as are other teams, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Padres now listening to offers on Blake Snell, Josh Hader — and Juan Soto?

The Padres are starting to listen to offers on their best starting pitcher and closer in addition to the All-Star outfielder who was the biggest name to move at last year's trade deadline, according to the New York Post. San Diego hopes to sell but is keeping its options open, which lines up to what Rosenthal told Ben Verlander on "Flippin' Bats" recently: 

"As opposed to the Mets, Padres owner Peter Seidler is very bullish on this team, and he's very mindful of how well the team is drawing fans to Petco Park despite its struggles this season. Trading Blake Snell and Josh Hader, for instance, tells those fans that the Padres are not going to be the team that they came out to see, but it could allow them to retool and add some pieces for next season. 

There are all kinds of ways they can go — Snell is the MLB ERA leader, and Hader is one of the best closers in the game. I believe that, as with most clubs, the Padres will take this down to the wire, and Monday and Tuesday will be some pretty hairy days."

There is still only a "10% chance" Soto, who is under contract through 2024, gets traded, per the Post. Hader and Snell will be free agents after this season and would instantly become the best starter and reliever available on the trade market if the Padres do put them there. The Padres enter Friday at 49-54 and 6.5 games back of the third NL wild-card spot.

Mark Canha, Tommy Pham likely next to be traded by Mets

The Mets announced they are sellers with an intra-division trade of closer David Robertson to the Marlins on Thursday. Right-handed hitting outfielders Canha and Pham are likely next to leave Queens, per USA Today.

Canha is hitting .242 with a .718 OPS and can play the corner outfield spots as well as first base. Pham is hitting .266 with a .813 OPS. Both are free agents after the season.

[MLB trade deadline tracker: Mets send David Robertson to Marlins]

JULY 26

Angels will not trade Shohei Ohtani

After listening to trade offers for Ohtani over the past several days, the Angels are pulling their two-way superstar off the trade block and will be buyers, aiming to upgrade their roster around Ohtani before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, according to FOX Sports' Tom Verducci.

The Angels are 52-49 and four games out of the third American League wild-card spot. It was always unlikely the Angels would trade Ohtani, though the team reportedly flirted with it. The Angels reportedly also expect their other star, Mike Trout, back from a wrist fracture in mid-August to aid in their playoff push. Ohtani, the MLB leader in home runs with 36, will be a free agent this coming offseason and is widely expected to command the richest contract in baseball history.

Rays, Dodgers talking Lance Lynn trade with White Sox?

The Dodgers and rhe Rays are both in trade talks with the White Sox centered around veteran pitcher Lynn, according to Rosenthal. The 36-year-old is a free agent after the season and has struggled this year, posting a 6.18 ERA. 

But Lynn's advanced metrics give several reasons to think he could improve in new surroundings. Lynn is striking out 27.3% of batters he faces and is averaging nearly 11 strikeouts per nine innings — impressive marks. Home runs have been a major problem for him, with 21.5% of fly balls hit off him leaving the park, but that is an absurdly high number almost certain to regress.

The Rays and Dodgers, meanwhile, desperately need starting pitching depth. Tampa Bay lost Drew Rasmussen and Shane Baz to major elbow injuries, as did L.A. with Dustin May and Walker Buehler. Both squads are reportedly among 10 teams on Lynn's limited no-trade clause, meaning he could block a potential move there, but has already reportedly informed the White Sox he would not do so, as he wants to play for a contender. 

Ken Rosenthal opens up his notebook on "Flippin' Bats"

MLB on FOX senior field reporter joined "Flippin' Bats" to discuss the latest trade rumors. Here are some key takeaways from what he said:

Will the Orioles be aggressive?

"That is one of the biggest questions in the sport right now. … They have a farm system that is one of the deepest in the game, with more quality infield prospects than MLB roster spots to go around. At some point, they need to start paring off their assets and bring in some veterans, and they need starting pitching."

"Tyler Wells is approaching an innings limit, and Grayson Rodriguez is in uncharted territory, and they have other young pitchers in gray areas as well. They need more veteran pitching behind Kyle Gibson and Cole Irvin, not only for the regular season but to be a serious playoff team, which they should be thinking about with the best record in the American League currently. They need to be aggressive."

JULY 25

Pirates open to offers on David Bednar, Mitch Keller

Pittsburgh is willing to field offers on two of its top pitchers, the New York Post reported. However, it's viewed as unlikely that the Pirates trade either Bednar or Keller, the New York Post added in its report. 

Bednar earned the second All-Star nod of his career earlier in 2023. He's got 19 saves so far in 2023. Keller is 9-6 with a 4.01 ERA in 21 starts and is ninth in the National League in strikeouts per nine innings (9.633), which helped the 27-year-old earn his first All-Star nod this year. 

Braves possibly looking to reunite with Adam Duvall

Atlanta appears to be looking to solidify its outfield depth and is interested in having Duvall in town for a third stint, MassLive reported. 

Duvall signed with the Red Sox after his second stint with the Braves this past offseason. Duvall is hitting .257 with a .835 OPS and seven homers over 153 plate appearances this season though much of his production came due to a hot start he had prior to his wrist injury. 

Duvall has been traded three times ahead of the deadline in his career. He's hoping he won't be moved for a fourth time. 

"I enjoy showing up with this group of guys every day and I feel like we’e playing really good baseball right now," Duvall told reporters recently. "I don’t have any control over [what happens], but like I said, I enjoy showing up with this group every single day. It’s been fun to watch guys get better, watch guys get acclimated. We’re really trending in the right direction."

JULY 24

Dodgers seeking pitching, right-handed bat — and Nolan Arenado?

In addition to some added depth for their starting rotation and bullpen, the Dodgers are searching for a right-handed platoon bat, per The Athletic. Potential candidates include Tommy Pham and Mark Canha of the New York Mets, Randal Grichuk of the Colorado Rockies and Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson of the St. Louis Cardinals, as well as ex-Dodger Kiké Hernández, who's currently in a contract year with the Boston Red Sox. Hernández spent six seasons with the Dodgers and was part of L.A.'s 2020 World Series championship team.

[Dodgers see latest example of ‘special clubhouse’ forming during return to Texas]

A less probable but perhaps more intriguing target is All-Star Cardinals third baseman Arenado, a Southern California native who the Dodgers have reportedly coveted since his days with the division rival Rockies. It remains unlikely that the Cardinals will trade Arenado, but the Dodgers could entice the St. Louis with their crop of young pitching prospects and a destination where Arenado would likely waive his no-trade clause to leave for, per ESPN. 

The Dodgers are also reportedly interested in Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty, another Los Angeles-area native who was high school teammates with fellow trade target Lucas Giolito, both of whom are pending free agents and reportedly extremely likely to get dealt before the Aug. 1 deadline.

Nationals' Jeimer Candelario connected to Yankees, Marlins

At last place in the NL East, Washington is expected to sell, with Candelario one of its most likely trade candidates. Candelario has a .254 batting average and .807 OPS entering Monday, and the division rival Marlins view him as a "perfect fit" to fill a need at third base, per USA Today. The Yankees also make sense with Josh Donaldson sidelined, per ESPN.

Giants, Red Sox looking for pitching, middle infield help

Boston president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said in a recent interview that the Red Sox would like to add a middle infielder who can hit from the left side of the plate in order to balance out their right-handed-heavy lineup, while the Giants want a shortstop upgrade amid a down, injury-marred season for Brandon Crawford, per The Athletic. Both teams also reportedly would like to add starting pitching at the deadline to keep pace in their respective wild-card races.

JULY 22

Giants considering Justin Verlander?

San Francisco is among the teams doing their due diligence on Verlander should he become available via trade, as the Mets continue to struggle, per MLB Network. But there are several reasons to think that the three-time Cy Young award winner will remain in Queens after signing a three-year, $120 million contract with New York last offseason. 

Rosenthal reported last week that even if the Mets do become sellers after an extremely disappointing 2023 season thus far, Verlander and fellow veteran starter Max Scherzer will likely stay put due to a number of reasons, including their respective intricate contract structures and no-trade clauses. Plus, Verlander himself recently told The Athletic that he remains committed to try to win another World Series title in New York.

Phillies looking for right-handed bat

Philadelphia took a big step towards replacing Rhys Hoskins for the remainder of 2023 with Bryce Harper impressing in his debut at first base. But the team is still searching for additional help from the right-handed side of the plate, per the Philadelphia Inquirer, after Hoskins went down with an ACL injury in spring training and Trea Turner has struggled this far in his first season with the Phillies.

The Phillies are reportedly open to that bat being a corner outfielder, keeping Harper at first as he continues to recover from offseason Tommy John surgery while moving Kyle Schwarber or Nick Castellanos to the designated hitter role that had been occupied by Harper. Of course, an outfielder who also has the ability to play first base when needed could open the door for Harper, a world-class defender when healthy, to return to the outfield himself this season as his recovery continues.

JULY 21

White Sox trading Tim Anderson?

The chances of Chicago moving the former batting champion are "increasing," MLB Network reported. Anderson, a two-time All-Star, is in the midst of the worst season of his MLB career, low-lighted by him totaling zero home runs and just 15 RBIs while owning a .235/.274/.275 slash line through 73 games. He is under team control through the 2024 season.

José Quintana on the move?

Quintana has piqued teams' interest across the sport, SNY reported. The southpaw is in the first season of a two-year, $26 million deal with the Mets and recently made his 2023 debut, as he was previously recovering from a rib injury. In said start, the 34-year-old Quintana surrendered just two runs across five innings.

JULY 19

Yankees could take multiple paths at deadline

As the Yankees sit in last place in the AL East this late in the season for the first time since 1990, their approach at the deadline appears in question. New York could end up being both buyers and sellers, according to Rosenthal. However, the Yankees are over the highest luxury tax threshold, which carries extreme tax penalties, and New York could want to get under that threshold, per Rosenthal. 

Astros among teams interested in Dylan Cease, have checked in on pair of Cubs

Houston's rotation is in a rough spot with injuries. So the Astros are seeking pitching help at the deadline, and the White Sox ace is among the players they'd "love" to add, MLB Network reported. However, the White Sox have made Cease "close to untouchable," according to the report. Cease has followed his breakout 2022 campaign with a middling 4-3 record and 4.18 ERA in a league-high 20 starts so far in 2023. 

Cease isn't the only Chicago player the Astros have their eyes on. The Astros have checked in with the Cubs on Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman, according to USA Today. Both pending free agents could be available at the deadline, depending on the Cubs' performance the rest of the month. 

JULY 18

Cardinals selling, focusing on pitching

No team has been more publicly vocal that they are sellers than the Cardinals, as president of baseball operations John Mozeliak reiterated recently. Mozeliak also made his specific priority clear: "Pitching, pitching, pitching," he told reporters Monday, per The Athletic. 

That applies to both what the Cardinals are looking for in return — young, MLB-ready pitchers under team control for the next few seasons who have some upside — and what they have to trade away. St. Louis's pitching staff has been its biggest issue this season, but pending free agents — such as starters Jordan Montgomery (3.23 ERA) and Jack Flaherty (4.29 ERA) and reliever Jordan Hicks (3.86 ERA in 38 appearances) — could draw interest. Switch-hitting outfielder Dylan Carlson is also a likely trade candidate with Tyler O'Neil expected to supplant Carlson as the team's everyday left fielder upon O'Neil's return from the injured list, per MLB.com.

Reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and All-Star Nolan Arenado, who both have no-trade clauses, are likely not going anywhere, though Mozeliak said he wouldn't rule that out despite having "no intentions" to trade his biggest stars.

JULY 17

Yankees looking at corner outfielders

The Yankees reportedly want some more corner outfield help with Aaron Judge still sidelined and the team's depth pieces struggling at the plate. Randal Grichuk (Rockies) and Dylan Carlson (Cardinals) are possible options, per MLB.com. Surging Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger's name has also come up, per the New York Post. The Yankees are also seeking upgrades at catcher, in the starting rotation and in the back end of their bullpen, per MLB.com.

JULY 16

Corbin Burnes won't be moved

The Brewers' ace won't be traded ahead of the deadline, or at least that's what he's been told. Burnes shared with reporters that general manager Matt Arnold assured him in a recent private conversation that he wasn't going to be traded ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline. Arnold previously indicated that he wouldn't be trading his top two players, Burnes and Willy Adames, after the Brewers dealt Josh Hader to the Padres last season despite being in the playoff hunt. 

JULY 15

Reds eyeing pitchers

The Reds have reportedly made inquiries to several teams regarding the availability of starting pitchers. Among the teams they have reached out to is the White Sox for Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn and potentially Dylan Cease, although the likelihood of acquiring Cease appears lower.

JUNE 30

Chas McCormick on the move?

The Yankees have expressed interest in acquiring McCormick from Houston, The Athletic reported. McCormick, 28, is under team control through 2026 and would give the Yankees outfield depth with an injured Judge.

JUNE 27

Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, Royals' Salvador Perez likely to stay put

McCutchen and Perez are both beloved among their respective fan bases. McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP with the Pirates had an emotional return to the franchise he started his MLB career with and reportedly hopes to retire in Pittsburgh. 

Perez, a seven-time All-Star, has spent his entire 13-year MLB career with the Royals and was a crucial part of their 2015 World Series championship team. However, both the Pirates and Royals are currently well out of contention even in weak NL and AL Central races, respectively, and both veterans might get a better-than-anticipated price in what is anticipated to be a weak trade market.