Trade Deadline Looms: Teams Eye Last-Minute Deals

The August 3 trade deadline is fast approaching, with only five days to go before the 6 p.m. ET deadline on Monday. Despite the significant Connelly-Early-for-Curtis-Mead swap being the summer’s most notable trade so far, teams are expected to make several blockbuster deals in the coming days.

According to reports, several teams have interest in Mets rental righty Freddy Peralta, despite his down season. His surface stats (4.99 ERA) and under-the-hood numbers (4.47 FIP) are his worst since he became a full-time starter in 2021. The Mets’ poor defense, ranking 25th in outs above average, is partly to blame for Peralta’s poor results.

The Cubs have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Peralta, given his relationship with manager Craig Counsell dating back to their time together with the Brewers. Peralta’s track record is impressive, having finished fifth in the NL Cy Young voting just last year, and several teams believe they can get him back on track at a discounted price.

In other news, Phillies star Bryce Harper has admitted that the team needs a boost at the trade deadline. ‘I think we need some help. But you know, I think we’ve proved pretty much all year we’ve done a pretty good job. But anytime you can get some help in here and reinforcements, I think it helps,’ Harper said, via MLB.com.

Philadelphia is struggling, having gone 3-8 since the All-Star break and scoring only 43 runs in those 11 games. They badly need another outfielder, specifically a right-handed hitter, plus a third base upgrade over Alec Bohm. Brian Keller’s elbow injury has also created a need in the bullpen. The Phillies currently hold a two-game lead on a wild-card spot.

Scouting Report: Diamondbacks, Rays, Red Sox, and More Eye Clay Holmes

The Diamondbacks, Rays, Red Sox, White Sox, and others had scouts in attendance for Clay Holmes’ rehab start on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Holmes, a right-hander for the Mets, threw 59 pitches in four scoreless innings in Low Class-A, averaging 93.1 mph with his sinker.

It’s likely that Holmes will decline his $12 million player option after the season and become a free agent. This makes him a rental, but his experience as a starter and in the bullpen makes him an attractive option for teams in contention.

The Rangers have made a deal with the Angels for catcher Logan O’Hoppe and reliever Chase Silseth. O’Hoppe, 26, is under team control through 2028 and has a .209/.271/.295 (62 OPS+) batting line with -0.6 WAR this season. Silseth, 26, has a 2.72 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts against 22 walks in 39 ⅔ innings.

Twins Ready to Add, Not Sell

The Twins are preparing to add at the trade deadline, not sell, according to GM Jeremy Zoll. ‘It wasn’t some situation where (we) were prepping to sell and we’re switching. Now we’re looking forward to try and execute on that work … All along, we were optimistic we were going to be in this spot to be able to add,’ Zoll said, via The Athletic.

The Twins have one of the deadline’s top rentals in catcher Ryan Jeffers. Controllable starter Joe Ryan would also be in demand. Considering they’re carrying three catchers (also Victor Caratini and Alex Jackson), it’s possible the Twins could trade Jeffers anyway, but in a deal that brings back MLB talent rather than prospects.

Marlins Open to Trading Hicks

Thanks to the emergence of rookie Joe Mack, the Marlins are open to trading first baseman/catcher Liam Hicks, reports MLB.com. Miami wants controllable players in any trade, not rentals, according to The Athletic.

Six teams are known to be in the market for catching help: Dodgers, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, White Sox, and Yankees. Hicks, 27, is under team control through 2030 and has a capable backstop, but he is only catching once every four or five games right now in deference to Mack.

The Cardinals aren’t expected to deviate from their long-term plan, despite hanging around the wild-card race. Rental pitchers Dustin May and Ryne Stanek are likely to be moved, and St. Louis is looking to acquire players with control beyond this season, not rentals.

Trading May would open a rotation spot for Hunter Dobbins, who has pitched well in spot starter duty. Rental lefty JoJo Romero is on the injured list after having an appendectomy, but could still be moved at the deadline. Lars Nootbaar, however, will remain under team control next season, so there is no urgency to move him.