MLB Rumors: Mariners targeting trade for Rockies star C.J. Cron?
After getting to the playoffs last season, the expectations for the Seattle Mariners in 2023 were sky-high and for good reason. With young superstar Julio Rodriguez headlining an enticing lineup and being accompanied by one of the better pitching staffs in baseball, the M's seemed to be on the verge of legitimately contending.
The diamond, however, has not shown that as the Mariners are set to host the All-Star Game this week. They come into the break at just 45-44 on the season, six games back of the Rangers in the AL West and four games out of the wild card race as well. With that said, they aren't giving up and could be buyers trying to change their outlook at the trade deadline.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required), noted that the big need is for a potent bat to add more pop to a lineup that has ranked just 16th in runs scored this season. One name that the insider floated was Rockies first baseman and designated hitter C.J. Cron, an All-Star a season ago for Colorado.
Cron, who is set to hit free agency this offseason, has only played in 47 games due to injury this season, but has continued to be an excellent hitter, albeit a bit down with the time off seemingly interrupting his flow. He's slashing .244/.286/.424 on the year, but the 33-year-old has a combined 57 home runs, 59 doubles and 194 RBI over the previous two seasons with the Rockies.
One roadblock for the Mariners, however, is that Seattle has already reportedly told teams that George Kirby is a non-starter in trades. Ad other young arms could be tough to justify moving given injuries to Robbie Ray and Marco Gonzalez this season that have tested the depth of the rotation already.
In actuality, this could come down to what the Rockies want for Cron as to whether or not the Mariners are in on pending free agent and, more importantly, if they'll be able to land him.
MLB Rumors: Blake Snell trade makes sense, but Padres have other plans
Blake Snell is dealing. That's nothing new, but the Padres southpaw has been completely lights out since the start of June, posting an 0.87 ERA over five starts in June and not allowing a run in two July starts to this point. He's also averaging more than 10 strikeouts per start over that run as well.
Unfortunately, that hasn't changed the fortunes for San Diego in the 2023 MLB season. The overpriced roster comes into the All-Star break four games below .500 (43-47) and 8.5 games out of first place in the NL West.
Their unseemly positioning in the standings has led some around the league to believe that the Padres should sell at the upcoming trade deadline. In fact, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported on Sunday that rival general managers in the league believe that San Diego should trade Snell and reliever Josh Hader, both of whom are set to hit free agency this offseason. He also furthered that other teams believe the Friars should listen to Juan Soto offers.
But will they do it?
Nightengale has that answer as well and, in the firmest terms, absolutely not. Instead, the insider reports that two GMs in MLB have been told the Padres will be aggressive at the deadline and are more likely to be buyers than anything.
With the way San Diego has pot-committed itself with aggressive team-building over recent years, this isn't wholly a shock, to be sure. But for what guys like Snell and Hader (and Soto) could fetch on the trade market where they all could fill big needs for real contenders, it's hard to believe that they are going about smart business with this reported approach.
MLB Rumors: Braves trade for Cubs RP Michael Fulmer could help both sides
As noted by FanSided's John Buhler, the Atlanta Braves don't necessarily need to make the moves that some expected them to early in the year at the trade deadline. If Alex Anthopoulos does want to improve the roster, however, the most logical place to improve would be in the bullpen. And the Chicago Cubs could potentially offer an answer.
Much of the trade-related buzz with the Cubbies right now is rightfully concerned with NL Cy Young candidate Marcus Stroman and former MVP Cody Bellinger. While both would make the Braves better in a vacuum, they don't address the most immediate need. Michael Fulmer, on the other hand, could be a huge asset for Atlanta. He was also listed by MLB Trade Rumors as one of the top 50 players who could be dealt before Aug. 1.
The 30-year-old right-hander will become a free agent after this season and, as the Cubs waffle between what the plan will be at the deadline, he could be expendable whether or not they buy or sell — especially in a trade with the Braves.
On the surface, the 4.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP for Fulmer might seem a bit pedestrian for Atlanta to consider. However, those stats are colored heavily by an awful April and May. Since then, he's been quite dominant, posting an 0.66 ERA in 12 June appearances and a 2.08 ER in three games thus far in July. Moreover, his track record has proven he's a good asset in the bullpen.
Meanwhile, if the Cubs want to push to try and win the lowly NL Central, flipping Fulmer for help to improve a needy lineup for someone like Travis d'Arnaud could be a huge help for the offense. But even if Chicago is selling, they could still help the future dealing with Atlanta, targeting another bat like Vaughn Grissom or pursuing young, controllable starting pitchers such as Jared Shuster or Dylan Dodd.
There's a lot to like here for both the Cubs and Braves. No matter where Chicago lands on the spectrum of buyers and sellers, involving Fulmer means there's a deal to be made between the two organizations.