Rocky banks are likely to hold Bard
According to The Athletic, the Rockies will “almost certainly” retain closer Daniel Bard at the trade deadline. Bard, 37, will be a free agent after the season, though Colorado hopes to re-sign him. Last year the Rockies didn’t trade Trevor Story and Jon Gray at the deadline and both left in free agency. The team didn’t even receive compensation for Gray. Bard, the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, remains a top hitter without a bat and a ground ball winner. He could help any contender’s bullpen. There’s still plenty of time for the Rockies to change their minds and change their offers for Bard, though they have a history of zigging when other teams have zapped. Keeping Bard would be too much of a stretch for the last place Rockies.
Blue Jays interested in Fulmer
The Blue Jays are among the teams interested in Tigers shortstop Michael Fulmer, MLB.com reports. Fulmer pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Toronto on Friday. The Tigers have plenty of relievers to sell at the deadline — Andrew Chafin and All-Star Gregory Soto are among them — though Fulmer is an impending free agent, so there’s some urgency to move him. Pitching is the top priority for a Blue Jays team that has been on a tear offensively in recent weeks. Fulmer has morphed into a slugging machine who lacks bats, though he also struggles with walks. He’s the type of rental reliever who moves at the deadline every year and is an upgrade on any prospect.
Montas now the Yankees’ No. 1 target
With Castillo off the board, righty Frankie Montas is now the No. 1 target for the Yankees, USA Today reports. Everything has to go in Oakland, and Montas is the team’s top remaining brand. The right-hander missed two starts with a minor shoulder problem earlier this month, but has looked strong in his back two starts, and has been at a high level for several years. New York is looking for a rotation upgrade and will likely have to win a bidding war to acquire Montas. Several other contenders need rotation help, and Montas is appealing because he will remain under team control next season as an arbitration-eligible player. He’s not a rental, and as the Castillo trade showed, the price for two postseason runs of a contending starter is high. Check the opt-in box to confirm you want to join.
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A’s, the Brewers talked to Laureano
The Athletics and Brewers have discussed outfielder Ramón Laureano, according to the New York Post. Laureano is one of the A’s top remaining trades and will remain under team control through 2025, so he’s a long-term addition. Center has been a weakness for the Brewers all season, and Laureano represents an upgrade over the Jonathan Davis/Tyrone Taylor platoon. Currently in first place in the NL Central, Milwaukee could use another bat to lengthen the lineup, and Laureano also brings an element of speed. His defense tends to be overrated — Laureano’s arm is tops, though his range and walks are fine — but Brewers center fielders have hit .213/.272/.313 this year, and that’s not going to fly when you’re fighting for a division title.