MLB trade rumors: Will Yu Darvish, Justin Verlander, Sonny Gray be dealt?
With the MLB trade deadline just days away, several big-name pitchers could be on the move, including Yu Darvish, Justin Verlander and Sonny Gray.
As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, we will be taking a regular look at some of the biggest names that could be moved.
Yu Darvish, RHP, Rangers
Darvish didn’t do the Rangers any favors with his abysmal performance Wednesday (10 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings pitched).
“Yu Darvish’s start tonight was the worst showcase since Albert Brooks broke out in a flop sweat on the anchor desk in ‘Broadcast News,'” ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted.
Still, the four-time All-Star has been healthy and decent overall this year (4.01 ERA after Wednesday’s debacle) and there’s a chance he’s pitched his last game in a Texas uniform. He is a free agent at year’s end, the Rangers are going nowhere and every contender is looking for starting pitching.
Just a few days ago, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reported “the Rangers were strongly leaning toward not trading Darvish unless they are overwhelmed by an offer or their postseason hopes crash with another losing streak this week.”
Since the, Texas has gone 1-2, including Wednesday’s 22-10 shellacking at the hands of the Marlins. The Rangers are 49-52 and four-and-a-half games out of the second wild-card slot. Four teams are ahead of them.
Let’s be honest, the Rangers do not look like a postseason team. Trading Darvish now for prospects makes the most sense, even if the team intends to pursue a long-term contract with the veteran right-hander in the offseason.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Cubs already landed the controllable starter they wanted when they traded for Jose Quintana. Now, they are eyeing a Darvish rental to help bolster a rotation that has underperformed all year.
One hitch is that Darvish has the Cubs on his no-trade list. But he could waive that.
The Dodgers also have “strong interest” in Darvish. Given Clayton Kershaw’s injury, L.A. and its strong farm system might must be the front-runners to land the Texas righty.
Look for the Yankees and possibly the Astros to get involved as well.
Justin Verlander, RHP, Tigers
Trading the former AL MVP and Cy Young winner will be tough for a number of reasons, even though the Tigers seem willing.
Verlander has struggled to a subpar 4.50 ERA this year. He’s 34, and he’s owed more than $50 million through the end of 2020. Some reports indicate Detroit isn’t willing to eat any of his contract, which will make finding a trade partner difficult.
On top of that, as a 10-5 guy, Verlander has full no-trade rights.
The guess here is that Verlander will still call the Motor City home after July 31. But with contenders desperate for starting pitching, anything is possible.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Dodgers reportedly are not interested, which is bad news for the Tigers. L.A. is one team with deep enough pockets to take on Verlander’s massive contract.
The Cubs are one of the few other teams with the financial flexibility to swing a Verlander deal, and they have some interest. But a Darvish deal would make more sense for any number of reasons.
The Brewers and Astros also have been linked to Verlander. It’s hard to see either team trading for him without Detroit eating a large portion of the contract.
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Sonny Gray, RHP, Athletics
Many baseball observers expect Oakland to move its ace before his scheduled Sunday start, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
After a terrible 2016, the 27-year-old Gray is having a nice bounce-back year (3.43 ERA, 3.25 FIP) and could well be the top prize on the trade market. He is arbitration eligible next year and is under team control through the end of the 2019 season.
It also doesn’t hurt that Gray has postseason experience, having made two effective appearances against the Detroit Tigers in the 2013 American League Division Series.
POSSIBLE LANDING SPOTS: The Yankees have long been thought to be the front-runners to land Gray. The Astros and Mariners also have been linked, but the extent of their interest isn’t known.
Reports that the Nationals were pursuing Gray have been shot down.