MLB Rumors: What will the St. Louis Cardinals do at the trade deadline?
The expectation is neither Paul Goldschmidt or Nolan Arenado will be made available at the trade deadline.
Despite being 32-45 and in last place in the National League Central, the St. Louis Cardinals do not intend to tear their roster apart. They want to keep both Goldschmidt and Arenado and build around them in future seasons.
If the Cardinals do sell, and that is increasingly possible, trade candidates on their roster include starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, relievers Giovanny Gallegos and Jordan Hicks, as well as outfielder Tyler O'Neill, among others.
Perhaps the Cardinals turn things around in the coming weeks. But right now they appear to be trending toward subtracting from their major-league roster, not adding to it.
MLB Rumors: The Pirates are highly unlikely to trade Andrew McCutchen
On Monday morning, a report surfaced that Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is a trade candidate ahead of the July 31 deadline.
A trade is highly unlikely and in the words of one source, there is "no shot" of a deal happening.
McCutchen wanted to return to the Pirates in the offseason and even contacted team owner Bob Nutting to facilitate it. He has made it clear, both privately and publicly, that he does not want to play for another team. He wants to retire in Pittsburgh in a Pirates uniform.
It's unimaginable to think he would change his thinking, despite the Pirates' slide in recent weeks. And while he will surely be mentioned in trade rumors the next four or five weeks, McCutchen is very likely to remain with the Pirates come August 1.
MLB Rumors: What will the Angels do at the trade deadline?
After the Los Angeles Angels traded for Mike Moustakas and Eduardo Escobar, the expectation in league circles is that they are not done.
The Angels want to compete this year. Making the postseason and potentially going on a deep run would only enhance their chances at retaining Shohei Ohtani — and they have indicated, both privately and publicly, that they desperately want to retain him. And their aggressiveness on the trade market only enhances that.
So what will the Angels target ahead of the July 31 deadline? Word is, they're open to anything. Starting pitching. Bullpen. Offense. They will evaluate any and all options and figure out what is best to help their team win in 2023 and beyond.
The additions of Moustakas and Escobar were the appetizer. Now, the rest of baseball is waiting to see what the main course will be as the Angels do whatever it takes to retain Ohtani.