The MLB trade deadline is several weeks away. Check in here for a running list of MLB Rumors, trade chatter and news from Robert Murray and the FanSided MLB staff.
For the latest MLB rumors, news and notes, the FanSided MLB Rumors page has you covered.
MLB Rumors: Why the Cardinals are unlikely to trade Nolan Arenado
FanSided's Robert Murray: In an interview with the New York Post, St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado said that he was bracing for the team to sell at the trade deadline — and even admitted the possibility that he could be on the move.
But every indication is that the Cardinals have no intention on moving either Arenado or star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
MLB Rumors: What will the Padres do at the trade deadline?
FanSided's Robert Murray: The Padres struggles have led people to ask whether they should sell at the deadline — and all indications, at least as of right now, are that the team does not want to move stars Juan Soto, Josh Hader or Blake Snell.
Perhaps that could change if the Padres completely bottom out in the next 10-14 days. Then all bets could be off. But as of July 11, they want to keep each player, and keep themselves in position to bounce back in the second half.
MLB Rumors: Yankees, 2 surprise teams 'motivated' to trade for Shohei Ohtani
FanSided's Kristen Wong: Shohei Ohtani in pinstripes? Don't count it out. One MLB pundit believes the phenom could land in New York this year if the Angels make him available.
It's a bit obvious, no? If the best player in baseball were to become available in 2023, the New York Yankees, one of the most valuable MLB franchises, would pick up the phone.
But before indulging that proposition, a pivotal fact must be addressed: Would the Los Angeles Angels trade Shohei Ohtani in the first place? All signs right now point to no.
As funny as it would be to see the Yankees pillaging their farm system to acquire Ohtani only to lose him in free agency next year, an Ohtani trade is probably not in the cards right now.
In the unlikely event it does happen, ESPN's Buster Olney scratched that itch for all Yankees fans. Per Olney, New York could be the "most motivated" to pursue Ohtani in the middle of the 2023 season; the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays also make the short list as surprise suitors.
MLB Rumors: Phillies court Juan Soto with tampering-adjacent gesture near MLB trade deadline
FanSided's Cody Williams: Reports have also indicated that the Padres don't plan to sell and, instead, could be aggressive to buy at the deadline, which would obviously mean not moving Soto.
But just in case a Soto trade is, in fact, on the table, the Philadelphia Phillies are trying to get a leg up. After the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, the Phillies reportedly offered Soto a flight to Philadelphia as the Padres come out of the break with a series in the City of Brotherly Love.
3 best Shohei Ohtani destinations that meet all of his wishlist items
FanSided's Mark Powell: For the most part, Shohei Ohtani's upcoming free agency demands have remained a secret. That's credit to Ohtani's agency and his camp, as most star free agents give a tell or two during the regular season.
It's not secret that Ohtani will demand a large sum of money, and that the Angels seem unlikely to match. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have long been considered two of the primary destinations for Ohtani, but both feature a flaw or two. Ohtani is said to value three factors above all else:
- He wants to win
- He wants to be on the West Coast
- He prefers a private lifestyle
