MLB Rumors: Angels chips, inside Pirates’ decision at No. 1 and more

With the MLB trade deadline two weeks away, here’s the latest on the Angels, White Sox and the Pirates’ decision at No. 1.

MLB Rumors: Inside the Pirates’ decision with the No. 1 pick in MLB Draft

Paul Skenes, Dylan Crews, Max Clark, Wyatt Langford and Walker Jenkins were among the names publicly linked to the Pittsburgh Pirates, who held the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft.

But Skenes and Langford were the two most prominent names inside the Pirates’ building entering Sunday morning. Skenes would be the most expensive of the two — he’s regarded as the best pitching prospect to enter the draft since Stephen Strasburg in 2009 — while Langford would be cheaper and offers five-tool upside in the outfield.

Skenes, a right-hander out of LSU, was always the favorite and was ultimately the team’s selection at No. 1.

“We got our ace,” one team executive said.

MLB Rumors: What will the Angels do at the trade deadline?

After the Los Angeles Angels got off to a soaring start and acquired Mike Moutakas and Eduardo Escobar, the expectation was that they would be aggressive buyers at the trade deadline as they attempt to keep Shohei Ohtani.

But with the Angels at 45-46, and 1-9 in their last 10 games, is it possible that they could actually become sellers?

There’s no word on if the Angels would actually consider going in that direction. Selling at the deadline and punting on the 2023 season would all but ensure that Ohtani leaves in the offseason. But they do have a plethora of players signed to deals that expire at the end of this season — Ohtani, Hunter Renfroe, Escobar, Moustakas and Matt Moore — who could all help contending teams.

The most likely scenario, however, is that the Angels further add at the deadline to increase their chances at the postseason in order to entice Ohtani to stay.

MLB Rumors: Who are the Chicago White Sox’s trade chips?

The Chicago White Sox’s most intriguing trade chip is right-hander Dylan Cease. The team is expected to listen to inquiries from opposing teams — all teams do — but a trade is considered unlikely because of a high asking price.

Their most likely trade chips are pending free agents Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Keynan Middleton. Right-hander Lance Lynn and shortstop Tim Anderson, who are both signed through 2024, will draw trade interest and could also be dealt.

After the All-Star break, the White Sox figure to be busy on the trade market. And all signs point to them subtracting from their major-league roster following yet another disappointing season.