MLB Rumors: The latest on Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels
The chances of a Shohei Ohtani trade appear slim at best, as people in and around baseball cannot envision a scenario in which Arte Moreno is the owner responsible for trading arguably the best player in baseball history.
Internally, the Angels don't know which direction they will go in at the deadline. At 48-48, they are nine games back in the division. They can buy and give it one last chance at a postseason run while Ohtani is on the roster with the hope of enticing him to return long-term.
If the Angels do buy, and that is a very real possibility, look for them to be creative in upgrading the roster. They believe most of their recent woes can be blamed on injuries and will be opportunistic if the right deal presents itself.
But what those opportunities will look like is unclear as all of baseball continues to wait for clarity on the trade market.
MLB Rumors: An underrated need for the Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers need for a right-handed bat has been evident for some time. Then outfielder Jake Marisnick left Tuesday's game with a left hamstring injury that will likely put him on the Injured List, and that need was heightened even more.
In the interim, the Dodgers are expected to call up outfielder Jonny DeLuca, sources say, as first reported by The Athletic.
The Dodgers can also play Chris Taylor primarily in left field when he comes off the Injured List, but the team has insisted that they will be "sensitive" with his workload in hopes of preventing a setback with his right knee.
But adding another right-handed bat is an area that the Dodgers are likely going to explore adding at the trade deadline, in addition to starting pitching and bullpen reinforcements.
MLB Rumors: Blue Jays motivated to be buyers at trade deadline
At 53-42, and 5.5 games back in the American League East, the Toronto Blue Jays are in a prime position to go for it at the trade deadline. And they have every intention of buying.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told reporters, including Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, that the team has both bullpen and starting pitching on its radar — specifically a starter with minor-league options and a left-handed reliever.
On offense, the Blue Jays are happy with their current lineup but Atkins said the team would benefit from a "really accomplished right-handed hitter."
While it is not known who they could potentially target, they will not target catching reinforcements as the team believes in Alejandro Kirk.