MLB Rumors: Orioles play it conservative in terms of potential Shohei Ohtani trade
When the Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani began to see his name thrown around in trade rumors, there weren't very many teams with a realistic chance of acquiring him. Ohtani is in the midst of one of, if not the best, seasons in MLB history. That kind of trade would require a ridiculous prospect return.
One of the teams with the potential to trade for the two-way sensation was the Baltimore Orioles, who find themselves sitting in first in the AL East. Their rebuild has gotten off to a much better and faster start than anybody could have expected. But that's exactly what it is. A rebuild. So, it should come as no surprise that Baltimore won't empty the tank of their farm system for a rental, no matter how special he is.
"We can't set the minor league system on fire just because we're in first place," The Orioles general manager Mike Elias stated when asked about dealing prospects at the deadline.
Acquiring Ohtani would have done just that: set the Orioles' farm system on fire. But this statement doesn't take them out of the buyers' market. They are still very active among trade discussions and look to add a few players at the deadline. Elias will just look to hold onto one of the best farm systems in the MLB, while still making win-now moves.
MLB Rumors: A Michael Lorenzen trade increasingly likely by the day
Starting pitching is the hottest thing on the trade market this year and with names like Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez and Kyle Hendricks rumored to be discussed in trades, there's no shortage of trade targets.
The White Sox kicked off the deadline in terms of starters since they've dealt Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn over the past few days. With every contender looking for a starting pitcher, one of the best targets could come from Detroit by way of Michael Lorenzen. And his odds for a trade are increasing day by day.
Lorenzen chose the perfect time to play his best baseball, as he has a chance to be selected the AL Pitcher of the Month for July. In the month, he's thrown 23.2 innings while allowing just 3 runs and 13 hits. This kind of hot streak has opposing General Managers drooling over a trade for him.
It's being reported, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network that the Marlins and Orioles are among the teams with interest in Lorenzen. Heyman also states that Lorenzen "surely will be dealt" ahead of the trade deadline. It just makes too much sense to trade him for the Tigers to opt any other way.
The starting pitcher market is set incredibly high and he's an expiring contract. If a team needs starting pitchers, Detroit may be the first call they make before the August 1st deadline.
MLB Rumors: Jordan Hicks will be moved if he doesn't get an extension
Ever since Jordan Hicks initially had his name thrown around in trade rumors, it always came with a big "if". IF the Cardinals can't agree on an extension with him, he may be moved. And as days have turned to weeks, this statement continues to ring true.
St Louis continues to try to work on an extension with the flamethrowing righty, but the two sides have yet to come to terms on anything, or even see reports come out that the two sides are close to a deal. With the Cardinals likely selling any and all expiring contracts, Hicks would surely be moved if this extension isn't agreed upon.
Plenty of teams have interest in the righty, with the Rangers, Rays and Diamondbacks being noted as interested landing spots, per Mark Feinsand. Imagine a Rangers bullpen with Aroldis Chapman AND Jordan Hicks in the backend. That's frightening for any lineup to try to time up.
But as nearly all contenders begin to search for more bullpen help, it seems as though Hicks' days in a Cardinals uniform are numbered. Expect teams like the Astros, Dodgers, Reds, and Angels to throw their names in the hat for Jordan Hicks as well. I wouldn't count out an extension, but signs, at this moment, are pointing toward a trade instead.