MLB Rumors: The Orioles have assets to burn
The Baltimore Orioles window is as wide open as ever. Their time to spend in order to win is now, which is why Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic considers them a potential buyer come the trade deadline, should they choose.
O's general manager Mike Elias acknowledged the team is looking to buy at the deadline just a few days ago.
"As things stand today, our deadline work is identifying potentially available players that will increase our odds at a playoff run," Elias said. "I think we have the talent in the system that other teams will find it appealing to talk to us. The breadth and depth of the sell side of the trade market is hard for me to read right now, though."
For years, the Orioles hoarded prospects, and failed to upgrade the on-field product. They were (and still are) among the lowest payrolls in baseball. Yet, with that prospect hype finally delivering, the front office must now invest in the right assets to put this team over the hype. Is Elias the man for the job?
This is where the O's general manager will make his money. As Rosenthal writes, "Elias' challenge at the deadline and beyond will be deciding which players to keep and which to trade. He has enough talent in his system to acquire virtually any player who becomes available."
Baltimore has plenty of prospects sellers will deem valuable. But do the Orioles consider these same prospects available at the right price?
MLB Rumors: Latest on Yankees-Cubs trade for Cody Bellinger
With the Chicago Cubs faltering heading into the All-Star Break, it seems more likely they will sell off some assets come the trade deadline. Enter Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman, both of whom are performing well and are likely to test free agency after the season.
Bellinger, in particular, has drawn interest from the New York Yankees. Chicago just won their first series even at Yankee Stadium, but instead the focus was on Bellinger, who could find himself in pinstripes sooner rather than later.
"The Yankees obviously mean a lot to our family," Bellinger told NJ Advance Media on Friday. "He won a few championships here, a role player and pretty good player. It was obviously all in the old stadium, but still feels the same."
Bellinger is alluding to his father, Clay, who won two World Series with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000.
Still, there's some concern amid the fanbase of giving up assets for a player who is just a year removed from reinventing himself entirely. These fans don't want another Joey Gallo on their hands, but FanSided's Marci Rubin insists they don't have to worry:
"The last time the Yankees traded for a left fielder back in 2021 didn't go so well. The boos from the crowd in the Bronx probably still ring in Joey Gallo's ears. The bright lights of New York proved to be too much for Gallo, who hit .160 with the Yankees in 2021 and .159 in 2022 before being shipped out.
There's a key difference between Bellinger and Gallo that spells a recipe for success if Bellinger finds himself in the Bronx. Bellinger is no stranger to a big market team. The former Dodger spent six seasons in Los Angeles. During his time with the Dodgers, he became a World Series champion, a two-time All-Star, the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year, and the 2019 NL MVP."
This, plus the backing of former Dodger and current Yankee Willie Calhoun, should be enough to quell some of those concerns.
MLB Rumors: Rangers have interest in White Sox pitcher
With Jacob deGrom out for the year, the Texas Rangers could use some starting rotation depth as they prepare for a postseason run in the American League. Texas's return to prominence came perhaps a year early, but management won't complain. Rangers general manager Chris Young has some work to do around the deadline, and one of his first calls was to the Chicago White Sox about Lance Lynn, per Bob Nightengale.
"The Texas Rangers have shown strong interest in White Sox veteran starter Lance Lynn, who struck out a franchise-record 16 batters and 11 batters in two of his last four starts. Lynn is earning $18.5 million this year with an $18.5 million club option or $1 million buyout in 2024.
Teams who have inquired say the White Sox continue to have a high asking price for him."
As Nightengale mentions, Lynn is coming off an impressive start in which he gave up just one hit against the Toronto Blue Jays over seven innings while striking out 13. Still, his regular-season ERA is over six for a reason. Lynn is a former All-Star, and it makes sense that the White Sox would demand a lot for him, but that price is bound to come down barring an impressive turnaround.
Texas should not overpay for Lynn, who has a club option for next season and will make $18.5 million this year. Considering his current value, he's overpaid, and Chicago would be lucky to get much of anything for him.
