We’ll be tracking every twist in the trade winds surrounding Soto and the rest of the league here. Check back for updates as the madness unfolds.
Nationals, Cubs on the clock as deadline approaches
As of midnight on deadline day, August 2, Juan Soto remains with the Washington Nationals. So does Josh Bell, the powerful switch-hitting first baseman who is also expected to move to the 6 p.m. With Soto’s sweepstakes clogging up the market, the other big seller still holding on to key pieces is the Chicago Cubs. Chicago has versatile All-Star outfielder Ian Happ hanging on the trade block, with some suitors seeing him as a backup plan for Soto. Closer David Robertson remains with the Cubs, even though he may be the most notable reliever dealt at the deadline. Beyond that, other key names to watch on Tuesday are Marlins first baseman Pablo Lopez — who is reportedly drawing interest from the Dodgers — and Yankees slugger Joey Gallo, who will likely have a disastrous stint in the Bronx to finish.
The Astros get a catcher in Christian Vázquez
The Houston Astros have reportedly filled a hole at catcher by dealing Boston Red Sox backstop Christian Vasquez. A strong defender, Vázquez is also in the midst of another strong offensive season. He’s hitting .282 with eight homers, and his park-adjusted OPS is better than average for the third time in four years. While he’s not the same offensive force as the Cubs’ Willson Contreras, one of the marquee names on the trade market, he’s a more accomplished defender who should more easily handle the duties of handling a pitching staff in the playoffs. He has plenty of October experience, having piloted the 2018 Red Sox to a World Series win. The story continues Astros hitters are hitting a league-worst .159/.228/.297, so this counts as a significant upgrade. They were reportedly hesitant to shake up the catching corps too much because of Martin Maldonado’s stellar defense and leadership. Add a quirk to this deal? The fact that the Red Sox are in Houston, so Vázquez’s post-trade trip will consist of walking to the other club. The 31-year-old has played with the Red Sox his entire career, having originally been drafted by the club in 2008. He will hit free agency at the end of the year. Vázquez’s departure wasn’t the only move in Boston on Monday. They also traded reliever Jake Diekman to the White Sox for catcher Reese McGuire, a player to be named later who will have cash. Meanwhile, they reportedly closed a deal for Reds outfielder Tommy Pham to bolster the big league club. This seems like a clear case of buying and selling for a team that has fallen to the basement of the AL East but still has a shot at the playoffs.
Astros acquire Trey Mancini from Orioles in 3-team deal
Trey Mancini, the Orioles’ longtime first baseman and DH, is reportedly headed to Houston in a three-team trade that will send outfielder Jose Siri to the Tampa Bay Rays. The slugging right-hander Mancini fits the Astros’ preference for hitters who strike out less than average and still play with pop. Mancini, taken by the Orioles in the 8th round of the 2013 MLB draft, is hitting .268/.347/.404 with 10 homers, 16 doubles and 35 walks. If anything, it might hit even better than it looks. His power numbers have taken a big hit due to the new wall configuration at Camden Yards. That will likely put Houston out of the market for Josh Bell, the Nationals’ first baseman, who will soon enter a contender’s lineup. The Astros are always in the market for solid players like Mancini, but with the Orioles looking ahead to their rebuilding schedule (just three games out of the final wild-card spot with a 51-51 record), some believed the Orioles might to keep him so they can make a serious playoff push this year. Instead, it appears the Orioles will move on from at least one player entering free agency and acquire some young guns — Rays prospect Seth Johnson and Astros prospect Chayce McDermott. The Astros will also acquire Rays prospect Jayden Murray, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Yankees trade Frankie Montas to Oakland, reliever
The New York Yankees are dealing with Oakland A’s starting pitcher Frankie Montas and reliever Lou Trivino, according to YES Network’s Jack Curry. The 29-year-old Montas boasts a 3.18 ERA this season and has been perhaps the best starter left on the board since Luis Castillo was acquired by the Seattle Mariners. Since the start of 2021, Montas has a staggering 3.30 ERA over 291 2/3 innings. The sustained success has come with a greater emphasis on his terrific splitter, which represents the 96 mph heat he can throw as a four-seamer or twin. In exchange, the Yankees will reportedly send back top pitching prospect left-hander Ken Waldichuk, along with pitching prospects JP Sears and Luis Medina and second base prospect Cooper Bowman. It’s a heavy performance that clearly compares to the Luis Castillo trade. The Yankees were adamant about not trading shortstop prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza, and this move was made without those youngsters. Montas was one of the few marquee pieces the A’s kept after a winter fire sale. He will remain under team control through 2023, giving the Yankees a No. 2-caliber starter to bolster an already strong rotation. With his team on a 108-game winning streak, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is aggressive. He already added rookie Scott Efross from the Cubs in stellar relief.
The Padres acquire Josh Hader from the Brewers in a surprise closer trade
The San Diego Padres are adding one of the best closing games, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports. The Padres are sending their own closer, Taylor Rogers, to the Milwaukee Brewers along with a slew of young players for Josh Hader, the dominant left-hander. The Brewers, who can either make Rogers closer or elevate their own dominant shortstop Devin Williams, have reportedly been listening to Hader deals since Williams came on the scene. In the deal, according to Passan’s report, they add several other talented players, including Esteury Ruiz, a young outfielder who could be an immediate addition to their lineup. The Brewers currently lead the NL Central by three games over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Juan Soto rumors: Could a generational talent be on the move?
Are you ready for the seismic movement that would be a Juan Soto trade? The latest whispers say the Nationals have three suitors for Soto who are more likely than the rest: The San Diego Padres, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres and Dodgers, NL West foes, engaged in a bidding war a year ago for a different Nationals superstar — Max Scherzer. The Dodgers finally pulled off a surprise blockbuster that secured both Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner. Learn about the possibilities of a Soto deal with all the coverage we have so far. Washington Nationals shortstop Juan Soto is in the spotlight at the trade deadline. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Shohei Ohtani will likely stay put
Shohei Ohtani’s situation has never been as urgent as Soto’s talks, but the Los Angeles Angels at least gauged the market as they head toward another losing season despite using Mike Trout and Ohtani. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday afternoon, however, that Ohtani will remain solid this season. The two-way prospect, in contention for his first Cy Young and a second consecutive AL MVP nod, can become a free agent after 2023 and has indicated a desire to play for a winning team. With the Angels struggling to surround him with struggling pieces, it might behoove them to consider trading him this winter.
