MLB Rumors

The Texas Rangers would figure to be one of the clear-cut sellers entering the 2020 MLB trade deadline.

Texas is just 11-17 despite beating the Oakland Athletics to snap an eight-game losing streak on Monday night, but it is still on the outside looking in when it comes to the American League playoff picture.

However, it would seem the Rangers will not part with their top trade asset.

Veteran right-hander Lance Lynn has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year. He is 3-2 with a 1.37 ERA in his first six starts of the year, striking out 9.6 hitters per nine innings while also boasting a 0.81 WHIP.

The 33-year-old is one of the most valuable pitchers in the game since 2019 and ranks third in fWAR since the start of last year, per FanGraphs, just behind Gerrit Cole and Jacob deGrom.

Not only has Lynn been excellent on the mound, but he also has a team-friendly contract. He is under contract through next season and is due to make just $8 million in 2021, per Spotrac.

Given his performance and affordability, it is likely Lynn could net the Rangers a massive haul should they choose to deal him. But T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reported "club officials have indicated there are no plans to tear the roster down and start over." Texas hopes he can be its ace again next year.

It is hard to blame the Rangers for wanting to retain one of the top pitchers in the game. That said, they have limited other assets. Left-hander Mike Minor has been a disappointment after a stellar 2019, and veteran Shin-Soo Choo had a .662 OPS entering Monday's game.

The Rangers might be able to reap some value from Todd Frazier, who can play multiple positions and hit the ball out of the yard. But he is also 34 years old and is not quite the same everyday player he once was in Cincinnati.

Texas has the 21st-ranked farm in baseball, per MLB.com. It needs young assets moving into the future, especially considering the team came into Monday ranked dead last in both runs scored and OPS.

Perhaps general manager Jon Daniels will reconsider Lynn's status this offseason. But he is rolling the dice on the Rangers getting a similar return this winter or at next year's deadline.

         

Angels Getting Interest in Dylan Bundy   

The Los Angeles Angels are another team expected to sell, despite having Mike Trout and spending hundreds of millions on Anthony Rendon this past offseason.

They have started the year 9-21 after losing to the Houston Astros on Monday night and, like the Rangers, are all but out of the AL playoff picture. The Angels have the 26th-ranked farm in baseball, per MLB.com, and desperately need young pitching.

Interestingly enough, their best asset might be a young pitcher they just acquired this offseason.

Right-hander Dylan Bundy has revitalized his career since the Angels acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles in December. He is 3-2 with a 2.58 ERA and a 10.3 K/9 in his first six starts. He has also given up just four homers in 38.1 innings of work (0.9 per nine innings) after giving up 29 in 2019 and an MLB-worst 41 in 2018. 

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Angels have received "numerous inquiries" on the 27-year-old. There is a constant need for controllable starting pitching at the deadline, which should make him one of the most attractive arms on the market. He has one more year of arbitration next season before hitting the open market in 2022. 

Teams such as the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, New York Mets and a number of others could all show interest in Bundy as they look to solidify their rotations for the second half of the season.

The Angels need to be aggressive—whether they decide to buy or sell—so as to be more competitive in the coming years. Otherwise, they risk potentially wasting Trout's and Rendon's prime years.

                

Trevor Rosenthal Generating Buzz   

Just as starting pitching is at a premium at the deadline, so too are late-game relievers. The Kansas City Royals have a few pitchers to offer in this regard. 

Veteran right-handers Greg Holland, Ian Kennedy and Trevor Rosenthal are all on expiring contracts, and all three could be on the move before Monday's trade deadline.

Rosenthal appears the most likely of the trio to be dealt.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported "several" teams have expressed interest in the 30-year-old, who had a 1.59 ERA and six saves in his first 12 appearances.

Rosenthal has reestablished himself as an elite strikeout pitcher, ranking in the 86th percentile in whiff percentage, per Baseball Savant. He has also toned down some of the command issues that plagued him last year.

Any number of contenders could look to make a move for the Missouri native, with the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies (among others) all needing added depth in the later innings.

The Royals figure to receive a number of offers for Rosenthal, and they have a massive opportunity to accrue farm assets ahead of the 2021 campaign.

          

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.

For all the variables working against a busy MLB trade deadline, an early move may set the tone for more late-August activity.

On Friday night, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired relief pitchers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree from the Boston Red Sox. The deal makes sense for both sides. Boston emerged as one of few sellers with sapped playoff hopes, and Philadelphia badly needed to improve a bullpen possessing MLB's worst ERA by more than two full runs.

Teams will need to replicate that blueprint and find obvious matches to complete more deals.

Clubs have only had a month to ascertain their status as buyers or sellers. Those deciding to strengthen their squads before August 31's deadline will have just another four weeks to vie for one of 16 playoff spots.

Don't expect any blockbusters, but these latest rumors could foreshadow some other possible moves of intrigue.

                 

Miami Marlins Are Buyers?

It's late August, and the Miami Marlins have 11 wins. In 2020, that means they are eyeing their first playoff bid since winning the World Series in 2003.

Despite losing a week of their season to multiple players testing positive for COVID-19, the Marlins remain one game over .500. That's good for second place in an underperforming NL East.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Marlins will look to pounce on their unexpected opening:

Source: The #Marlins -- currently occupying a playoff position -- plan to be buyers at the upcoming Trade Deadline, with a focus on adding bullpen help. The #Royals are one team whose relievers the Marlins are monitoring. @MLB @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 22, 2020

Led by Pablo Lopez and Elieser Hernandez, Miami has received solid starting pitching in its first 21 games. The rotation will only get stronger by welcoming rookie Sixto Sanchez as it awaits the returns of Sandy Alcantara and Caleb Smith.

The bullpen, however, entered Saturday saddled with an MLB-worst 6.10 FIP. Even if they sneak into the expanded playoffs, the Marlins would struggle to last long without any reliable high-leverage relievers.

It's also a weakness the organization is most likely to improve without relinquishing any key top prospects. FanGraphs still gives the Marlins just a 21.9 percent probability of reaching the postseason and 0.2 percent chance of hoisting their third championship, so CEO Derek Jeter shouldn't unload the farm just yet.

While a minor acquisition wouldn't turn the Marlins into a dangerous player, even the slightest win-now planning is refreshing from a franchise notorious for selling its stars in money-saving teardowns.

                  

Trevor Rosenthal Drawing Interest

If the Marlins are exploring the Kansas City Royals as a trade partner, chances are they are considering Trevor Rosenthal. It appears they wouldn't be alone in pursuing the closer.

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, there's heavy interest in the hard-throwing 30-year-old:

One of the hottest names on the trade market so far is Royals reliever Trevor Rosenthal. Several teams have expressed interest, per sources, and many expect him to move by Aug. 31.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 22, 2020

After missing all of 2018 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Rosenthal returned to yield 40 runs and 42 walks in 30.1 professional innings last year. That makes his comeback all the more commendable. He's ceded just one run over 10.1 frames, accruing 14 strikeouts, four walks and six saves.

Not harboring serious thoughts of contention, the Royals inked Rosenthal to an inexpensive one-year, $1.75 million deal last winter in hopes of catching lightning in the bottle. At 11-16, it behooves them to cash out and sell him to any contender needing a bullpen boost.

It shouldn't be difficult to find one in this environment.

Fringe contenders like the Marlins could envision Rosenthal as a low-cost upgrade with the potential for a high reward. Looking at other mid-level NL playoff hopefuls, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres would all benefit immensely from late-inning help. And no matter the time of the trade deadline, the Washington Nationals are never not in need of bullpen reinforcements. 

An organization with a bit more urgency to compete in October will likely shell out a more significant prospect than Miami.

                              

Angels Are 'Clear Sellers'

Few teams seemed better positioned to exploit MLB's playoff expansion than the Los Angeles Angels. Despite making the postseason just once in the past 10 years, they have averaged a respectable 79 wins per season. They fell short of the playoffs with at least 80 wins in six of those campaigns.

Playing .500 baseball could have sent Mike Trout to the postseason for the first time since 2014. Instead, they are 9-19 and already looking ahead to 2021.

After they lost eight of nine games, Morosi reported that the Angels aren't holding out hope for a turnaround:

Trade Deadline update: The #Angels are among small number of clear sellers, and infielder David Fletcher fits virtually every contender due to his defensive versatility and reliable bat. However, the price tag on him is extraordinarily high — as it should be. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 21, 2020

A bright spot to their dim 2020, David Fletcher is batting .316/.374/.470 with a higher WAR (1.2) than Trout (1.0). The 5'9" infielder has played his way into a full-time role as an exceptional catalyst atop the lineup.

"I talked about him before the season began in spring training with a tremendous amount of platitudes, but now I see how good of an infielder he is," Angels manager Joe Maddon said of Fletcher, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "He's really that good."

Since he's yet to enter his first of three arbitration years, the Angels should have no urgency to deal Fletcher unless presented too good an offer to refuse. If they want to sell an early standout performer, Dylan Bundy is the more sensible choice.

Following four erratic seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, the 27-year-old righty has registered a 2.48 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through five starts. Sidelining an ineffective four-seam fastball in favor of more stellar sliders has propelled him to post 38 strikeouts and seven walks in 32.2 innings.

However, this isn't the first time that Bundy has enjoyed a brief stretch of dominance. He recorded a 2.68 ERA last May, only to surrender a 5.68 ERA the following month.

Bundy opened 2018 with a 2.97 ERA through four starts that had backers believing in a breakout the way they do now. He proceeded to permit 22 runs in the next three outings, which lasted only nine innings.

Because he's a fairly young and durable pitcher under team control through 2021, Bundy could fetch a sizable return on the open market. Since his new-found status as a rotation cornerstone is far from set in stone, the Angels should test those waters.

             

Note: All advanced stats are courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.

There is no hiding the fact the Boston Red Sox are no longer perennial contenders in the American League.

All the concerns about the pitching staff prior to the start of the year were amplified when Chris Sale underwent Tommy John surgery, and the Mookie Betts trade deprived the franchise of one of its best and brightest stars.

Indeed, Boston's staff has struggled at a historic rate, with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez also out for the year due to a heart condition related to his bout with COVID-19.

Additionally, stars like J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers have scuttled out of the gate, while Andrew Benintendi is hitting below the Mendoza Line. 

The result has been a 7-18 record, and that includes a win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

Boston's struggles would seem to suggest it will be a major seller at the deadline. Guys like Mitch Moreland and Jackie Bradley Jr. are on expiring contracts, and Martinez can opt out of his contract at the end of the year, if he so chooses. 

The Red Sox have 25th-best farm in baseball, per MLB.com, and new team president Chaim Bloom and Co. need to start adding young assets as they build for the future.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic suggested now might be the best time to trade star shortstop Xander Bogaerts. The X-Man is coming off a career year and signed a lucrative extension ahead of the 2019 season.

But Rosenthal noted Bogaerts will gain a full no-trade clause once he reaches his seventh year of big league service, meaning it could be now or never. Bogaerts would also likely net the Red Sox the biggest haul of any player on the roster, if they could find a suitor to make the financials work.

However, Rosenthal also reported people in Boston's organization feel Bogaerts is "extremely important" to the franchise moving forward, and it would seem Bloom agrees.

While Bloom said he is unwilling to deem any one player "safe," he also suggested the Red Sox want Bogaerts (and Devers) on their roster for the long haul (h/t Ian Browne of MLB.com):

"Those guys are core players for us and they're incredibly important to our future, just as they've been important here for a while. As I said earlier, I think philosophically I don't like to think in terms of absolute no's, but those guys are key players for us and we're very hopeful they're going to be part of our next championship group."

To Bloom's point, Bogaerts is still young. He will only be 28 years old in October, meaning he still has a sizable chunk of his baseball prime remaining.

Perhaps Bloom also feels the Red Sox could be just a pitcher or two away from contending. Sale will be back in the mix next year, and Rodriguez will also hopefully be healthy enough to pitch.

Things seem bleak for the Red Sox at present, but Bloom seems optimistic the Red Sox can build around the likes of Bogaerts and Devers as they hope to be more competitive in the near future.

     

Andrelton Simmons Close to Returning   

The Los Angeles Angels are another team struggling out of the gates, thanks mostly to pitching woes. 

Despite the heroics of Mike Trout and production from unheralded players like Brian Goodwin and infielder David Fletcher, the Angels are just a half-game above the AL West cellar with an 8-17 record.

But the Halos might get a boost from the impending return of shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who has been on the injured list since July 28 because of an ankle injury.

Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reported Simmons joined the team in San Francisco and also worked out prior to Wednesday's game against the Giants, and it seems the former Gold Glove winner could be back on the field within the next day or two.

The 30-year-old was struggling to start the season, notching just three hits in 16 at-bats. But perhaps Simmons can infuse some more production in L.A.'s lineup.

Simmons was also hampered by injuries in 2019, resulting in just 103 games and a .673 OPS. But he can be productive when healthy, posting a career-high .754 OPS and 75 RBI in 2018.

Of course, Simmons also provides exceptional defense. He ranked second among shortstops with 16 outs above average (OAA) in 2019, per Baseball Savant. 

Simmons might have been a potential trade candidate if healthy, given he is on an expiring contract. Instead, the Angels will hope he can help them be more respectable as the season rolls along.

      

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.

The St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2020 campaign knowing they might need more in terms of outfield production. But they also had a top prospect waiting in the wings.

Dylan Carlson has long been on the Redbirds' radar. The 21-year-old was ranked as the No. 17 prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com, and it seemed likely after the team's summer camp he would have the opportunity to get some at-bats at the big league level.

Cardinals outfielders have struggled in the early goings, notably center fielder Harrison Bader. Once a top prospect himself, Bader is just 1-for-11 to start the season. Considering Bader is coming off a season in which he hit .205 with a .680 OPS, it would seem the Cardinals would be open to promoting Carlson so as to spark a sense of competition.

But fans anticipating Carlson's MLB debut will have to wait a while longer.

Mark Saxon of The Athletic reported Carlson will most likely not be joining the team for its weekend slate against the Milwaukee Brewers. Saxon said that Carlson has not been named to the taxi squad and also added "as of midday Thursday, the Cardinals hadn't asked Carlson to start his engine, per a source."

This does not mean Carlson's debut is not on the horizon. The Cardinals offense has sputtered over the course of the last few games.

St. Louis has lost each of its last three, scoring a combined four runs in those losses. The Cardinals were held to just one run by Mitch Keller and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday and did not advance a single runner into scoring position against Minnesota Twins veteran left-hander Rich Hill on Wednesday, as Saxon noted.

Outfielder Tyler O'Neill has a pair of homers in the team's first five games, but those bombs account for two of just three hits in 15 at-bats. Dexter Fowler has fared slightly better, though he has struck out six times in 17 plate appearances. Lane Thomas is hitless in four plate appearances off the bench.

Still, it is Bader who seems to be the most glaring hole in the Cardinals lineup. The 26-year-old has a career strikeout rate approaching 29 percent, per FanGraphs. This includes five punch-outs in his first 13 plate appearances in 2020.

Granted, five games does not offer much in terms of a sample size. But given the Cardinals are dealing with a more competitive National League Central division and a shortened season, might now be the time to give Carlson a look in the outfield?

Carlson excelled in the minors last season. He hit 21 homers and stole 18 bases in 108 games at Double-A last season before slashing .361/.418/.681 with five homers, four doubles and a pair of triples in 18 games at the Triple-A level.

The Cardinals are looking for a run-producer in the outfield after losing Marcell Ozuna in free agency, and it is possible Carlson is the eventual solution. But for now, the youngster will have to wait for his shot with the big league club.

         

Astros Signing Fernando Rodney

The Houston Astros are turning to veteran right-hander Fernando Rodney for bullpen depth.

Adam Spolane of SportsRadio 610 in Houston reported the Astros have bought out Rodney's contract from the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Constellation Energy League.

Houston is dealing with an assortment of injuries in the bullpen, with the latest casualty being right-hander Joe Biagini, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com:

"Biagini joins Austin Pruitt (elbow) and Brad Peacock (shoulder) on the IL while Chris Devenski and Ryan Pressly are dealing with elbow soreness, though general manager James Click is hopeful they won’t need an IL stint. The Astros placed starting pitcher Justin Verlander (forearm) on the IL on Monday and starter Jose Urquidy has been on the IL since July 12. Veteran reliever Joe Smith is on the restricted list and likely won’t play this year."

As a result, the Astros have had to rely on a number of inexperienced arms in the bullpen. McTaggart noted Tuesday Houston has nine rookies in its bullpen.

But the Astros have been active in combating this problem. Houston acquired right-hander Hector Velasquez from the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, and will look for Rodney to provide quality innings.

Rodney got off to a rocky start with the Oakland Athletics at the start of the 2019 season, but he posted a respectable 4.05 ERA and 3.72 fielding independent pitching (FIP) mark in 33.1 innings with the Washington Nationals at the end of the year.

The 43-year-old still has decent strikeout stuff and a changeup which recorded a 43.8 percent whiff rate last season, per Baseball Savant. But Rodney has also had command issues throughout his career, averaging 4.5 free passes per nine innings.

Houston will hope Rodney can be effective in later innings as it hopes to overcome a number of injuries to key arms in the bullpen.

           

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.

Philadelphia Phillies star catcher J.T. Realmuto is in his final year of arbitration, and he is looking for record-breaking money when he hits the open market.

Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported sources have heard "for months" Realmuto is looking for a multi-year deal worth more than $23 million in annual average value (AAV). Anything over $23 million AAV will eclipse the record previously held by former Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.

Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper has long lobbied for the team to extend Realmuto. As Salisbury noted, Harper shouted "Sign him!" after Realmuto homered during an intrasquad scrimmage, and Bryce also made a "signature" motion after the All-Star catcher went yard against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

Owner John Middleton answered a series of Salisbury's questions regarding a potential Realmuto extension, notably whether he felt Mookie Betts' creative contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers might serve as a baseline, of sorts. He responded, "There's no reason why not."

At the same time, Middleton told Salisbury the team will lose $100 million this season, with both his family and partners each tossing in $50 million to "underwrite" losses. Additionally, Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said, "I don't feel pressure to make a deal one way or another."

Still, Realmuto believes Betts' deal is proof big-market franchises will be willing to spend for top talent (h/t Salisbury):

"It was definitely positive to see for baseball, knowing that teams still do have that money. Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, I still think that the teams at the top of the market are going to be willing to spend money. Some teams are going to take advantage of the situation, where half or even three-quarters of the league might not be as interested in spending as much money. Other teams are really going to go for it and push for those players. It was definitely good to see him get what he deserves."

The 29-year-old has good reason to bet on himself.

Realmuto posted career-high marks in homers (25) and RBI (83) in his first year with the Phillies, finishing the year with a .820 OPS and also winning his first Gold Glove Award.

The former Marlin has set the standard for catchers in recent years. Realmuto ranked 15th in fWAR last season, per FanGraphs. He also leads all catchers in fWAR since 2017.

Aside from hitting for average and power, Realmuto is one of the finest defensive catchers in the game. He led all catchers in FanGraphs' defensive value last season, and also ranked ninth in catcher framing, per Baseball Savant.

One of the reasons Harper took a lower AAV when he signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies last year is so the team would have the capital to spend on stars like Realmuto. Time will tell whether Middleton and Klentak indulge his subtle hints.

Regardless, Realmuto appears intent on getting a big payday.

      

Astros Close to Deal with Fernando Rodney

The Houston Astros are dealing with a plethora of early season pitching woes.

Right-hander Justin Verlander was shut down over the weekend with a "forearm strain," though the 2019 American League Cy Young Award-winner said he hopes to return in due time.

Meanwhile, the team's bullpen depth is thinning by the day. Joe Smith is still on the restricted list. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reported right-hander Chris Devenski is dealing with elbow soreness, while Austin Pruitt has been shut down. McTaggart also reported Ryan Pressly is day to day with elbow soreness. 

The Astros are turning to right-hander Fernando Rodney for help. Adam Spolane of SportsRadio 610 in Houston reported the team is "nearing an agreement" to purchase Rodney's contract from the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Constellation Energy League.

Rodney is a three-time All-Star, and he had a 4.05 ERA in 38 games with the Washington Nationals after a rough start with the Oakland Athletics. The 43-year-old also made three appearances in the World Series, though he walked six batters in just two innings of work.

It remains to be seen whether Rodney still has some gas left in the tank, but Houston is hoping the veteran can be effective in the bullpen amid its slew of injuries.

      

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.  

The Los Angeles Dodgers might boast more talent than any team in Major League Baseball, but that doesn't make them indestructible.

Their seemingly overloaded starting pitching rotation is suddenly hurting for healthy bodies after Alex Wood hit the injured list Tuesday with shoulder inflammation. Whispers on where the Dodgers might turn to fill the latest void leads our latest batch of MLB buzz.

               

Clayton Kershaw To Take Wood's Spot?

Wood, who lasted just three innings against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, hits the IL just one week after Clayton Kershaw was scratched from his Opening Day start with back stiffness. Prior to that, the Dodgers lost Jimmy Nelson to season-ending back surgery, and David Price opted out of the campaign due to health concerns.

So, where does L.A. turn now? Maybe the same place it tried to start.

Kershaw is the "top option" to take Wood's spot in the rotation, according to Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young, is conveniently eligible to come off the IL on Friday, which was scheduled to be Wood's next start.

If Kershaw doesn't get the call, Castillo mentioned the Dodgers could go with Dennis Santana or a bullpen game. Other internal options from the team's alternate training site include highly touted prospects Tony Gonsolin or Josiah Gray.

                  

Astros Signing Fernando Rodney?

Few MLB players are as well-traveled as Fernando Rodney. The 43-year-old hurler has suited up for 11 different teams over his major league career.

The Houston Astros aren't one of them, but that could be changing soon.

The Astros are "are nearing an agreement" to buy out Rodney's contract with the independent Sugar Land Skeeters, according to SportsRadio 610's Adam Spolane. Rodney would likely report to Houston's alternate training site, and the big league club would need to open a 40-man roster spot before promoting him.

It's fair to wonder what Rodney might have left given his age and the fact he's coming off a rough 2019 campaign (5.66 ERA and 1.615 WHIP across 47.2 innings with the Oakland A's and Washington Nationals). Saying that, the three-time All-Star and 2014's MLB saves leader was a capable contributor just the season prior, when he had a 3.36 ERA over 68 appearances for the Minnesota Twins and A's.

If he has more left in the tank, the Astros would be glad to get it. Austin Pruitt and Brad Peacock are both on the injured list, Joe Smith is on the restricted list and manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Ryan Pressly and Chris Devenski are both day-to-day with elbow soreness.

                      

Mets Adding a Catcher?

Bruce Maxwell could soon be back in baseball.

The 29-year-old catcher, who has the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice, has reportedly agreed to a minor league pact with the New York Mets, per Newsday's Tim Healey. The agreement is pending a physical and Maxwell passing the coronavirus intake testing.

Maxwell played three seasons in Oakland (2016-2018), hitting .240 with five homers and 42 RBI over 127 games. But he's much more known for kneeling during the anthem, an action he told ESPN's Howard Bryant led to "death threats and harassment."

Maxwell, who had relocated to Mexico and was the starting catcher for the Monclova Acereros, had an opportunity to rejoin Oakland in spring training, but he turned them down. "He was happier in Mexico," Bryant wrote.

It's impossible to say what led Maxwell back to the U.S., but if his deal becomes official, he'll join the Mets' 60-player pool and work out at their alternate site, per Healey. New York has four catchers on its current 40-man roster, including veteran Wilson Ramos, who inked a two-year, $19 million deal with the team in Dec. 2018.

A unique 2020 MLB season could make for a unique trade deadline.

With barely a month between Opening Day and the Aug. 31 deadline, teams must rush to judgment on whether they're buying, selling or standing pat.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, a team in transition after four straight years without a playoff trip, are among the clubs that might already know where it stands (or at least has a hunch). That has sparked some speculation about how Pittsburgh could handle its roster, and we'll get to the latest below.

                  

Josh Bell Playing Final Season in Pittsburgh?

The Pirates spent a 2011 second-round pick on Bell, and they never got a greater return on that investment than they did last season.

The 6'4" slugger replaced his bat with a rocket launcher ahead of the campaign and promptly unleashed a barrage of home run blasts. He smacked a career-high 37 in all, driving in 116 runs and scoring 94. He made his debut appearances in both the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby.

The 27-year-old also may have priced his way out of Pittsburgh's future. His venture to 2022 free agency is closer than you'd think, and if the Pirates don't plan on ponying up the big bucks to keep him, they might want to trade him for a small mountain of assets.

As Joe Starkey opined for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates might already have a Bell replacement on the roster in the red-hot Colin Moran. Should Pittsburgh deal Bell in the offseason, Starkey wrote the team could slide Moran, a third baseman, into the first base spot and clear a path for celebrated hot-corner prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes.

This all comes down to how much the Pirates believe in Bell and whether they're willing to spend what it will take to keep him around.

His 2019 breakthrough was breathtaking at times, but it was also a tale of two halves. He went into the All-Star break with a .302 batting average and 27 homers with 84 RBI in 88 games. But after intermission, he managed just a .233 average with 10 homers and 32 RBI in 55 games.

The Pirates—and any possible trade suitors—will surely keep close tabs on Bell this season to try and get a feel for whether he's more like the first-half or second-half version. The former was a cornerstone. The latter was a liability.

               

Could Pirates Put Colin Moran on Trade Block?

The sixth overall pick of the 2013 draft and a former top-100 prospect who found his way to Pittsburgh in the 2018 Gerrit Cole trade, Moran is loudly hinting at a breakout.

It's obviously early, but considering the prospect pedigree, it's OK to get excited about Moran's quick start: 6-for-15 with three homers, a double and five runs. For someone who delivered just 25 homers over his first 309 games, this mini-power binge suggests something might have clicked with his bat.

If it has, it leads the Pirates to an interesting crossroads.

"What do the Pirates do with Moran if he continues to bash the baseball?" Starkey asked. "'Trade him' would be on answer. His stock might never be higher. His price is soon to go up."

With Moran stationed at the hot corner, he's standing directly in the path of Hayes, a 23-year-old who can't develop outside of the majors when there is no minor league ball this year. If Pittsburgh thinks Moran might be a flash in the pan, trading him is a chance to strike while the iron is scorching-hot.

Then again, if the Pirates think Moran is turning the corner, they might want to be careful about letting him go. As mentioned above, Pittsburgh's infield of the future could easily include Moran at first base and Hayes at third.

But when taken in conjunction with Bell's uncertainty, the biggest takeaway is that the Pirates could have a series of important infield decisions to make sooner than later. If Hayes, son of longtime major leaguer Charlie Hayes, is as good as advertised, then one of Moran or Bell likely has to go.

Bats are cracking, balls are leaving the yard, and pitchers are bringing the heat.

Major League Baseball is back, and so is its always entertaining trade rumor mill.

Given this campaign's abbreviated schedule, all roster-construction decisions must be accelerated. The season isn't even a week old, and the trade deadline is essentially one month away.

Since time as already at a premium, let's not waste any more of it and get to the latest murmurings.

                  

J.D. Martinez a Trade Candidate?

With 124 homers and 339 RBI in the last three seasons, J.D. Martinez has clearly established himself as one of the game's premier power hitters. While that could give him centerpiece status in some organizations, one expert wonders whether the Boston Red Sox may view him differently.

ESPN polled a group of general managers, assistant general managers and scouts about various topics, one of which is whether an All-Star will be traded this season. Eight respondents said yes, and one identified Martinez as the star who will swap jerseys.

The slugger is signed through 2022, but it's possible to envision Boston's dynamics putting the 32-year-old on the trade block. The Red Sox missed the playoffs last season, traded away Mookie Betts in February and lost Chris Sale to Tommy John surgery in the spring. They subsequently opened this campaign by losing a home series to the lowly Baltimore Orioles.

If the Sox feel bearish about their short-term future, this could be the time to move Martinez for long-term building blocks.

                   

Kris Bryant the Odd Man Out in Chicago?

Hopefully, Chicago Cubs fans are still getting some level of appreciation from their 2016 World Series win, because the nucleus of that banner-raising group might soon become too expensive to keep.

Barring any extensions between now and then, the Cubs will see Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Anthony Rizzo and Kyle Schwarber all reach free agency in 2021. That's a lot in terms of quantity, and it's even more in quality. Last season, the quartet combined for 125 homers and 348 RBI.

Chicago might not be able to afford all four going forward, and despite Bryant's recent comments on hoping to stick around, one expert isn't sure that can happen.

"For reasons too long and complex to get into here, Bryant remains less likely than the others to stick around," ESPN's Jesse Rogers wrote. "The Cubs simply can't pay everyone."

Bryant soared to stardom, earning Rookie of the Year honors and an All-Star selection in 2015, then following that up with an MVP effort in 2016. But his last two seasons have been his least productive, both in games played (249 of a possible 324) and wins above replacement (5.6, or as many as he had in 2017, when he didn't make the All-Star team).

Saying that, he's a 28-year-old who delivered 138 homers, 403 RBI and 486 runs over his first five seasons. If the Cubs don't want to (or can't) pay him, someone else gladly will.

                

Francisco Lindor Leaving Cleveland in the Offseason?

Francisco Lindor is no stranger to the trade rumor mill, which feels strange to say about a 26-year-old with four All-Star trips under his belt.

But he's only under contract for this season and next, and his earnings potential could price him out of the Cleveland Indians' plans. The two sides discussed a contract extension in the spring, but they didn't get particularly close before tabling those talks, per the Athletic's Jason Lloyd.

If the Indians don't think they can afford their star shortstop, they might want to move him for what should be a big return. It could be a matter of when not if, and one expert opined the when could be this offseason.

"I don't think we'll see a lot of big trades during the season," ESPN's Dan Mullen wrote. "But if spending in free agency is down after all of the lost revenue of the shortened season as expected ... that could make teams even more inclined to trade for someone like Lindor this winter."

If the Indians reach the point of dealing Lindor, they can (and should) ask for a small army of assets. He has two Gold Gloves, two Silver Slugger awards and five-plus-year totals of 93 stolen bases, 130 homers, 385 RBI and 478 runs. He's a legitimate superstar, and given his age, it's possible he hasn't even played his best baseball yet.

The New York Yankees already possess one of the best bullpen units in baseball.

New York's bullpen ranked second in fWAR last season, per FanGraphs. Guys like Chad Green could be deployed as an opener or in the later innings, while Zach Britton and Adam Ottavino often left runners stranded.

But with closer Aroldis Chapman still sidelined because of continued positive tests for COVID-19, the Bronx Bombers are seeking additional depth.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Friday the Yankees have come to an agreement with veteran left-hander Fernando Abad.

The 34-year-old from the Dominican Republic initially signed a deal with the Washington Nationals this winter, but he was released July 17.

Abad will now have the chance to revitalize his career in the Big Apple. He has a career 3.67 ERA in nearly 331 innings of work and spent the 2019 campaign with the San Francisco Giants, appearing in 21 games and posting a 4.15 ERA. Abad missed the entirety of the 2018 season, in part because of a suspension stemming from a positive steroid test.

As good as New York's bullpen was last season, it lacked left-handed depth outside of Chapman and Britton. Luis Avilan also made the 40-man roster, but Abad should give Yankees manager Aaron Boone more flexibility in the middle innings.

Abad is hardly the same kind of "power pitcher" as many of the other arms in New York's bullpen. Instead, his ability to locate and mix his breaking stuff and off-speed pitches helps him thrive. 

Opponents have traditionally had limited success against Abad's slow curveball, hitting just .160 against the pitch in 2017, per Baseball Savant. He also takes something extra off the changeup, relying on finesse to generate whiffs and have success.

It remains to be seen when Chapman will return to the closer role. In the meantime, Abad is a potential option to throw an inning here or there as the Yankees look to get out to a commanding lead in the American League East.

                  

Multiple Teams Interested in Josh Harrison

   

Heyman also reported veteran infielder Josh Harrison is garnering interest from a number of teams, including contenders like the Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds.

Harrison spent spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies, though his time with the team might not have been as "good" as Heyman suggests. The 33-year-old had just four hits in 22 at-bats, though two of those hits were homers.

The Phillies granted Harrison his release Tuesday.

The two-time All-Star has had a hard time sticking in recent years. Harrison had a .656 OPS in 97 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 and followed with a paltry .480 OPS in 36 games with the Detroit Tigers last year.

Harrison offers positional versatility both in the infield and outfield. Indeed, he has mostly been a plus defender at multiple positions throughout his career. However, he remains a soft-hitting position player who strikes out far too often for someone with a 4 percent career walk rate, per FanGraphs. 

It will be interesting to see whether any of these teams agree to terms with Harrison, perhaps in an effort to add speed and defense.

            

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.

Veteran reliever Bryan Shaw might not have to wait long before finding another job, even despite his $9 million vesting option.

The right-hander was released by the Colorado Rockies on Friday, but Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Shaw could be on his way to Seattle to join the Mariners. 

Shaw could never establish a foothold in Colorado. He had a 5.61 ERA and 1.547 WHIP in two seasons with the Rockies and blew 10-of-11 save opportunities between the two seasons.

With results like those and an expensive vesting option for 2021, it might have seemed like Shaw was a long shot to get picked up for the 2020 campaign. However, it should be noted the Mariners can sign him to the prorated minimum.

Not to mention, Shaw had actually been one of the better middle relievers in the game prior to his forgettable stint in Colorado.

Shaw broke into the league with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011, spending two seasons in the desert before being traded to the Cleveland Indians. 

It was in Cleveland where Shaw really made his mark. He was effective in his first season with the team in 2013, posting a 3.24 ERA in 75 innings of work. But Shaw really shined in his second year in Cleveland, leading all relievers with 80 appearances and posting a 2.59 ERA in just over 76 frames.

The upward trend continued for much of Shaw's tenure with the Indians. He led all big-league relievers in appearances once again in 2017, a year in which he posted a career-best 2.96 fielding independent pitching (FIP) mark.

Shaw's effectiveness helped land him a three-year deal with Colorado, though things obviously spiraled shortly thereafter.

The Mariners are seemingly banking on Shaw bouncing back. Colorado is not the easiest place to pitch, and Rockies relievers also faced the added burden of throwing early and often due to a starting rotation that lacked quality depth.

Shaw might also have had bad luck with the Rockies. There were massive discrepancies in terms of expected batting average and slugging numbers against his breaking ball, per Baseball Savant. Granted, Shaw still ranked toward the bottom of the league in terms of average exit velocity. But the "Coors Effect" most certainly could have been in play.

In any case, it looks like Seattle will offer Shaw a chance to get his career back on track.

     

Burl Carraway Expected to Join Cubs' 60-man Pool

   

It was not much of a secret what the Chicago Cubs were going for when they selected left-handed reliever Burl Carraway in the second round of the 2020 MLB Draft.

Carraway displayed elite potential as a power arm while at Dallas Baptist University, striking out 72 batters in just over 41 innings of work in 2019 while also notching 17 punch-outs in a little over nine innings before the 2020 season was canceled. 

Cubs vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz alluded to the team's plans for Carraway after the draft, saying he could be a "fast mover."

Indeed, Carraway could be in the mix from the jump. Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic and MLB.com's Jordan Bastian both reported the 21-year-old is expected to be added to Chicago's 60-man player pool in South Bend.

Bastian also noted Carraway has to go through the intake screening process. But, barring any setbacks, he will become readily available for the Cubs.

Chicago's bullpen will be more makeshift in nature this year. The Cubs added fringe relievers like Jharrel Cotton and Jeremy Jeffress in the offseason but will ultimately place their faith in (mostly) unproven guys such as Rowan Wick and Brad Wieck in addition to a bounce-back year from closer Craig Kimbrel.

Perhaps Carraway can give the Cubs another hard-throwing, left-handed presence at some point during the shortened 2020 season.

      

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.