Let's explore some of the latest MLB rumors, including thoughts on the Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs.
We'll start our tour around the MLB rumors mill in Denver, where the injured list keeps growing for the Colorado Rockies. That list now includes a veteran outfielder who was drawing some whispers as a potential trade candidate.
MLB rumors: Charlie Blackmon of Colorado Rockies likely off the trade market
Blackmon, who will turn 37 on July 1, is in the final year of a six-year, $113 million deal with the Rockies and his future in the Mile High City is uncertain. While the Rockies are the only team that Blackmon has ever played for (and Blackmon reportedly has an extensive no-trade clause in his contract), there was still a thought that the bearded wonder could end up with another team at the MLB trade deadline because of his skills as a left-handed hitter.
However, when Blackmon was struck by a pitch in the right hand on June 3, all of that changed. Blackmon went on the injured list on June 10 and is not expected back into the Colorado lineup for four to six weeks, pushing him right up to the MLB trade deadline on August 1.
Blackmon is slashing .265/.347/.422 this season in 242 plate appearances, but the fractured hand along with all of the other things behind the scenes that could keep Chuck Nazty in Colorado will likely do just that.
MLB rumors: Boston Red Sox shifting around its infield
Speaking of the Rockies, Colorado won its second consecutive game inside Fenway Park on Tuesday night, and those two games have pushed Boston below the .500 mark for the season.
Part of the issues with the Red Sox has been the team's defense, and Boston is making some shifts to try to strengthen it. One of those moves includes inserting Justin Turner at first base, a position where he slotted in last night for the 17th time this season (and 56th time in his career).
The move is necessary as Triston Casas has struggled with his defense at first base. However, even with the move, Boston's defense showed some holes on Tuesday night, with Turner missing a throw at the bag that resulted in an error.
Boston also looks like it is going to give anyone other than Kiké Hernandez a shot at shortstop, with manager Alex Cora talking about his team's poor infield defense before Tuesday's loss.
"That's Rule No. 1. You play bad defense, you don't win games. That's the bottom line," Cora told reporters. "When you give the opposition more than 27 outs, they're going to cash in. We can go back, the last 10 days, certain plays we didn't make that gave the opposition an extra run."
MLB rumors: Position tweak pushing toward Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros trade?
While Cody Bellinger may still be on the injured list, there's a real possibility that he could be seeing time at first base when he returns to the Chicago Cubs. That could be very good news for the Houston Astros if they were to pursue a trade with the Cubs for the former National League MVP.
Bellinger has played first base in 262 MLB games over his seven big league seasons, so the move is not a big surprise. With Bellinger slashing .271/.337/.493 in the midst of his one-year, $17.5 million "prove it" deal with the Cubs, the franchise will likely have to decide well before the MLB trade deadline if he is a part of their future plans or could be used as a trade chip at the MLB trade deadline.
Should the Cubs go with Plan B, the Astros would very likely be interested in talking. Houston ranks dead last out of MLB's 30 teams when it comes to bWAR at the position (minus-2.0), further proof that the Jose Abreu signing this offseason has been a complete dud.
With the Astros wanting to get back to the World Series, first base will likely be a priority for the team as the MLB trade deadline approaches. If Bellinger can keep hitting and the Cubs are willing to move him, the fit in Houston could be quite nice as Bellinger's redemption arc could potentially continue in south Texas.
