MLB Rumors: The Brewers could package 2 starts

In a roundup by MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Milwaukee Brewers could pull off another unpopular trade deadline move and package two of its stars — say Willy Adames and Corbin Burnes — to pick up as much prospect capital as possible near the trade deadline. Such a move still seems unlikely right now, of course, given the Brewers are in first place in the dreadful NL Central.

Milwaukee hasn't blinked before, dealing Josh Hader despite some relative success leading up to last year's deadline. They had a successor lined up for Hader in Devin Williams, and that trade has worked out well for the Brewers. Any trade for Adames and Burnes — both of whom are set to be free agents in 2025 — would net them a large prospect return:

"Officials believe a Burnes deal, if it does happen, is likelier to come in the winter, but if the deadline market shrivels and starting pitching is at a premium, the Brewers have shown they are willing to make value plays even when they're uncomfortable and unpopular. And if there's no [Dylan] Cease-and-[Tim] Anderson or [Shane] Bieber-and-[Amed] Rosario deals to be had, a Burnes-and-Willy Adames package would be plenty tempting," Passan wrote.

This year's trade deadline sounds far more likely to be a dud than to include huge trades such as those listed above. It's important to note that Passan did not list any sources with that inclination, suggesting it was more informed speculation that anything else.

MLB Rumors: Could the Blue Jays be sellers?

As Jeff Passan notes in his column, the likelihood of Toronto dropping out of contention is slim to none, but the AL East is far more competitive than, say, the AL Central. The Rays, Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox are all formidable foes. If Toronto considers this season a lost cause by late July, they would be wise to trade off some of their rentals.

Players like Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt — all valuable veterans who would help a contender — would prefer to do so in Toronto. Heck, push comes to shove, Blue Jays management would rather the team they invested millions in play to the best of their ability. But if that's not enough, expect Toronto's front office to do the right thing and sell.

"Again, the Blue Jays, and the teams that follow, almost certainly won't be giving up on the season. But baseball is weird. Good teams go bad. And every so often, deadline deals of which nobody could conceive actually do happen," Passan wrote.

It's a stretch, yes, but the Jays are nine games back of the Rays in the AL East. That's a lot of ground to make up, and the AL Wild Card is no guarantee. If Toronto's front office doesn't think this year's team is World Series-caliber, then what's the point of holding on to players who will likely leave this offseason anyway?

MLB Rumors: Will the Phillies trade Aaron Nola?

The defending National League champions have looked anything but that over the last month, despite the return of Bryce Harper. Nick Castellanos tried to will his team to victory on Friday night with five RBIs, but it wasn't enough, and they lost again to the Washington Nationals.

Aaron Nola is on the final year of his contract, and is the undeniable homegrown ace of this staff. He and Zack Wheeler make a formidable one-two punch, and should they make the postseason again, the Phillies will be as scary as ever. But, what if Rob Thomson's group cannot right the ship?

Nola and Phillies front office executive Dave Dombrowski could not agree to a new contract in spring training, thus signaling the Nola may get to test the market next winter (if not traded first).

"We think the world of him, quality pitcher, quality human being, but sometimes you get to this point where you're not able to consummate a deal that both sides feel comfortable," Dombrowski said at the time. "We're very open minded to trying to sign him at the end of the season. We're hopeful he'll remain a Phillie for a long time."

Hopeful is a lot different from certain.

Nola has a 4.70 ERA so far this season. If he doesn't improve by late July, then the Phillies would be trading him when his value is lowest — in a down year with little contract flexibility. Should he improve, however, then the Phillies have a tough question to ask themselves: Will they actually put forth the necessary resources to re-sign Nola, and will it be enough?

"Because the Phillies are over the luxury-tax threshold, if Nola leaves, their only compensation will be a pick after the fourth round. This is one of those scenarios that will take more than a month to play out," Passan noted in his column.

There's no right answer at the moment, but Dombrowski has much to think about.