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The trade deadline has been quiet so far, but a lot of that has to do with the sheer number of teams still within believable distance of a postseason spot. As teams become more aware that they aren’t going to win in 2016, as competitors get more desperate and realize the teams they’re chasing or fending off could upgrade, the moves will start to happen. Maybe the biggest of those will involve the Brewers’ Jonathan Lucroy, who has bounced back offensively in 2016 and was always known for his high-quality defense behind the plate as well.
The Indians, Red Sox and Mets are all still chasing Lucroy, while the Rangers, Astros and a mystery team have all been linked at some point this week, too. The Indians have an obvious need with Yan Gomes injured, but Lucroy’s bat would also boost a below-average lineup that’s seen its catchers hit all of .169/.216/.292 on the season. The Red Sox best bet offensively at catcher is Blake Swihart, but he’s injured and also maybe not ready to catch in the majors just yet, anyway. The Mets have been struggling with Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Plawecki and Rene Rivera all season, and they’re in desperate need of another bat, but it’s also reported that they’re "behind" in negotiations at the moment.
The Brewers are in a great spot, as Lucroy is under contract for 2017 as well thanks to a ridiculously low-cost $5.25 million option. They don’t have to move him now if the offers aren’t there, so they can wait for one of these teams to reach the expected price and still move Lucroy in the winter when there are potentially more suitors. Given how few options are available for teams to make a massive upgrade with this deadline, though, you have to assume someone chasing Lucroy is going to blink so that he can be theirs.
- Joe Morgan is selling his house, and if you want carpeted bathrooms (and bathtubs!) then it’s the house for you.
- You’re waking up to a trade, as Andrew Cashner has reportedly been sent to the Marlins. That’s one less starter on the market for everyone else, and while Cashner isn’t amazing, he’s still one of the deadline’s more significant arms.
- Speaking of mystery teams, let’s try to rank who will play the role of the 2015 Rangers and surprise us all before the deadline.
- Remember, you can find every important trade rumor in one place this weekend.
- The Twins traded their All-Star, Eduardo Nunez, to the Giants. He’ll be an oft-used utility man for San Francisco, which is a reminder of the gap between the good and the bad teams in the league.
- Matt Wisler has been struggling for the Braves for months now, and Atlanta tired of seeing it in big-league games. Wisler has been optioned back to the minors to find the promising pitcher that he’s shown himself to be in the past.
- The White Sox are playing a part in this trade deadline freeze period. Thanks a lot, White Sox.
- Ichiro pinch-hit on Thursday night and ripped a double, so he’s now just two hits shy of 3,000 in MLB.