MLB Rumors: Mets active trade deadline won't involve off-limits Pete Alonso

It's not necessarily a foregone conclusion that the New York Mets are going to be surprise sellers — at least a surprise in relation to preseason expectations — at the trade deadline. However, with each passing day and with the Mets falling farther out of playoff contention, it seems incredibly likely that would be the case.

However, the big issue that the Mets face is who they will trade. There figures to be a market for outfielders Tommy Pham and Mark Canha, the same of which is true for a number of reliever with little club control remaining. But those deals, while they may help, aren't going to bring Steve Cohen players who can help the team turn their fortunes around in the near future.

Trading Pete Alonso, one of the best power hitters in baseball, could do that, however. But if you're a Mets fan worried about that happening, you can stop fretting. According to a report from Andy Martino of SNY, Alonso is essentially off-limits in any trade talks for the Mets as they don't have any plans to move the start first baseman.

The case for trading Alonso isn't difficult to see. He would return the most lucrative trade package to New York at the deadline and, as of now, he's only under contract for one more season after this year with the club. It's clear, though, that Cohen and Billy Eppler plan on keeping Alonso as part of the team's core well beyond that.

With Alonso not on the table at the trade deadline, though, Cohen and the Mets might have to get a bit creative or try to package multiple trade chips together if they want to bring back a return package that is truly going to move the needle for the organization moving forward.

MLB Rumors: Rays emerge as top Cardinals trade partner for Montgomery, Flaherty

It might be the worst-kept secret in baseball that the struggling St. Louis Cardinals plan to sell off pieces at the MLB Trade Deadline. As of now, it seems as if their stars aren't going anywhere with Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt staying put. Moreover, the most coveted trade chips appear to be starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, both of whom are on expiring contracts.

With a dire need for starting pitching for several contenders throughout baseball, the market for these players should be quite hectic. That will obviously help the Cardinals as the front office has actively stated that the goal is to get major-league-ready talent, pitching in particular, who can help St. Louis win in the 2024 season.

Taking that into account, a phenomenal trade partner has entered the chat for the Red Birds: the Tampa Bay Rays.

Still narrowly clinging to the AL East lead, the Rays have fallen off after a ridiculously hot start to the 2023 season and, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, they are looking to upgrade the pitching staff at the trade deadline. Nightengale also reports that the Rays have heavily scouted both Montgomery and Flaherty ahead of the trade deadline as well.

The Cardinals have to like the sound of that. The Rays came into the 2023 season with the fifth-ranked farm system in baseball according to Keith Law of The Athletic (subscription required) and, though that may have dropped with Taj Bradley now in the bigs, they still have plenty of prospects.

Should the Cardinals explore this trade with the Rays, Tampa could send St. Louis someone like Mason Montgomery or one of a number of enticing position players to replenish the depth there too. There is a lot to like in the Rays' system, without question, and if they want to bolster the rotation to make a push, the moves are there to be made.

MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani price in trade revealed by insider

By all accounts, the likelihood of the Los Angeles Angels trading Shohei Ohtani before the Aug. 1 deadline is still not high. But much to the liking of Lloyd Christmas, they're telling us there's a chance.

When it comes to Ohtani, though, it's all uncharted territory. There has never been a player, perhaps ever but especially in the modern era, who is simultaneously one of the best hitters and best pitchers in baseball. So what a trade, even for a two-month rental, would cost any partner dealing with the Angels is hard to totally configure.

MLB Network insider Jon Morosi reported where the starting point is, though. According to Morosi, the Angels are in "listening mode" when it comes to an Ohtani trade right now, but any offer that would perk up their ears would have to begin with "multiple Top 100 prospects" and then go from there.

As Morosi noted, this should be music to the Dodgers' ears.

Not only are the Dodgers considered the favorites to sign Ohtani in the offseason when he hits free agency, but the other team in Los Angeles also boasts one of the highest-end farm systems in baseball with Morosi counting nine prospects who are inside the Top 100 for MLB.

Of course, the Dodgers aren't the only team that will be making the Angels listen on an Ohtani trade. At the same time, with LA considered in the driver's seat for the Japanese superstar's free agency, there is a chance that other teams could back off a deal knowing they'd have to give up multiple Top 100 prospects in order to just get Ohtani for two months and then leave the franchise high and dry.

Not that this needed clarification, though, but if Shohei Ohtani gets traded, the Angels are going to make the trade partner give up the king's ransom that he's worth.