MLB rumors: Cardinals interested in Yankees and Mariners targets, Dodgers-White Sox deal, All-Star for Rays?

Let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB rumors swirling, including notes on the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

We begin our MLB rumors roundup in Florida, where MLB insiders are trying to figure out exactly which players might be a good fit for the Tampa Bay Rays as they look to continue with their stranglehold on the top of the American League East.

MLB rumors: Could this All-Star be a fit for Tampa Bay Rays?

MLB insider Jim Bowden wrote in this piece for The Athletic (subscription required) that Kansas City Royals catcher/designated hitter Salvador Perez coming over in a trade to Tampa “would be a game-changer for the Rays.”

Tampa Bay is currently ranked 24th out of MLB’s 30 teams in bWAR at the catching position, so adding someone like Perez and his .246/.289/.435 slash line that he has produced this season would certainly be a plus.

However, Perez told me personally during the recent All-Star Game’s media availability that he is “100 percent” happy to be in Kansas City and a part of the direction the franchise is moving. Bowden even admits in his article that, “Perez has full no-trade protection as a player with 10 years of service, five consecutive with the same club, and the Kansas City front office doesn’t appear to want to entertain offers for him.”

While Perez may be a good fit for the Rays (and many other teams), don’t expect to see him moved at the MLB trade deadline.