MLB Rumors: With the trade deadline approaching, here are some big-time rumors surrounding the Orioles, Braves and the White Sox Lance Lynn.
MLB Rumors: Braves pursuing a potential reunion with Adam Duvall
Every year, it seems like the Atlanta Braves win the trade deadline. Sometimes it comes with small moves that have a big effect in the long run, but other times it's through the addition of big-time names in blockbuster trades. This year should be no different than years past, as Alex Anthopoulus looks to work his magic once again.
One target on his mind is former Brave Adam Duvall. The first hold up in this trade comes on Boston's side. Boston sits just a few games out of an AL Wild Card spot where the season is far from over. Will Boston be aggressive at the deadline, either as sellers or buyers? That's certainly a potential path for them to take. But realistically, they'll play pretty conservative, floating around the middle, avoiding an all-out prospect dump for MLB talent.
For the Braves though, Duvall would be a great re-addition to their roster. His OPS in 2023 is as high as it's been in four years. For Boston to get rid of him, it could end up being a trade between major league talent, where the Braves are parting with some relief pitching and potentially a prospect in order to acquire Duvall. Nothing official or pending just yet, but the Braves are seemingly on board and Alex Anthopoulus has a good track record at the deadline.
MLB Rumors: Lance Lynn's no-trade clause gives the righty some leverage
Lance Lynn has found himself on one of the biggest fire-sales in recent MLB history. The Chicago White Sox could completely empty their tank, trading the likes of Lynn, Michael Kopech and Lucas Giolito among others. For the most part, they have some pretty enticing options, but Lynn may be the least enticing potential trade piece that they're shopping. For the season, his ERA sits above a 6 and he's allowed more home runs than any other pitcher.
Not only is Lynn struggling in 2023, but he also has a no-trade clause that gives him the ability to block a trade to ten different clubs. The veteran could use this clause as leverage towards a contending team if they look to acquire him, potentially forcing their hand to pick up his $18 million club option if they acquire him. This kind of leverage plummets his value even lower and could make him untradable to his ten elected teams.
The White Sox are likely to be active at the deadline, potentially more active than any other team in the league. But it's quite unlikely that Lynn would drive too much of hard time in any potential trade. He likely would be happy to be moved to any contending team in an attempt to make a push for the World Series.
MLB Rumors: Orioles could be in the market for more relief pitching instead of starters
As everyone knows and understands at this point, starting pitching is one of the hardest things to acquire at the trade deadline. Each year, starting pitchers are shipped around the MLB in return for a ton of prospect capital. But for a lot of teams, they're willing to part with these prospects for serviceable starting pitching. The Baltimore Orioles aren't like every other team though, and they could prove rather stubborn in parting ways with their top prospects. This would limit their ability to acquire a starter tremendously.
But this stubborn attitude may not spell certain disaster for the 2023 Orioles. The first thing of note is their starting pitching is still getting the job done. Per Baseball Reference, Baltimore ranks 10th in the league in quality start percentage at 39%. It could absolutely use some work, but the O's still hold the second-best record in the league.
One pivot they could make, if they decide to not opt for pursuing a starter is to load up on bullpen talent. They've already added a high potential reliever in the Athletics Shintaro Fujinami. Loading up on bullpen talent, when their bullpen is already so lights out, could result in them basically shortening the length of games down a few innings because of the reliability in their bullpen. The O's could go either direction, but definitely look for them to add pitching in the next week.
