Let the Rumors begin

[molsaniceman]

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Twins "are showing strong interest" in Madison Bumgarner.
Nightengale notes that the Twins are not on Bumgarner's no-trade list, although dealing Mad Bum to a team that is on his no-trade list isn't expected to be a major obstacle. The veteran left-hander has had only a so-so season with a 4.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 104/24 K/BB ratio across 102 2/3 innings. He is coming off one of his best outings of the year, having fanned a season-high 11 Rockies on Tuesday. Adding Bumgarner to their postseason rotation would be a big move for the Twins even if he's not the ace he used to be.

 

[Gopherfan84]

We always "show interest" without anything ever coming of it. That's just the ownership trying to convince the fans that they actually want to win so they can make more money.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

We always "show interest" without anything ever coming of it. That's just the ownership trying to convince the fans that they actually want to win so they can make more money.

Exactly. It ain’t happening.

 

[molsaniceman]

Scott Mitchell of The Sports Network reports that the Yankees and Twins have inquired with the Blue Jays about a trade involving both Marcus Stroman and Ken Giles.
As Mitchell notes, however, general manager Ross Atkins is going to want to maximize the return for his two big trade assets and the way to do that rarely involves including them in the same deal. Stroman is currently sidelined with a pectoral injury, but it's to his non-throwing arm and he's expected to avoid the injured list. Both Stroman and Giles are under team control through 2020.

 

[molsaniceman]

en Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Red Sox are "pushing to add a starting pitcher" and "would prefer to act sooner rather than later."
Rosenthal adds that the Red Sox are "casting a wide net" in their search for rotation help. He's reported previously that they scouted one of Matthew Boyd's recent starts, and the other starter in that game was Mike Minor, who is also a potential trade chip. Rosenthal's colleague, Jen McCaffrey, has listed Zack Wheeler, Tanner Roark and Jon Gray as potential targets for Boston. The fact that the Red Sox seem so interested in adding a starter further suggests that they'll bring Nathan Eovaldi back as a reliever, as has been reported.

 

[molsaniceman]

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic said Monday that he expects the Indians to be "aggressive listeners" on Trevor Bauer leading up to the trade deadline.
Cleveland has won six in a row and is back in the thick of the playoff hunt, so trading a marquee starter might be a tough sell. However, as Rosenthal notes, Bauer is fully expected to leave as a free agent after 2020, so dealing him now -- particularly if you can get offensive help for 2019 -- might make sense. The Indians are expected to get Corey Kluber (arm) and Danny Salazar (shoulder) back in the second half and hopefully Carlos Carrasco (illness), as well. Rosenthal added that the Yankees sent their top scout to watch Bauer pitch Sunday in Cincinnati

 

[molsaniceman]

oel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Red Sox have begun preliminary discussions with the Mets involving a trade for starter Zack Wheeler.
The Red Sox aren't alone in their desire to possibly obtain Wheeler, as Sherman notes that as many as 10 teams have checked in on the 29-year-old right-hander. He's coming off a rough start Sunday against the Phillies, but Wheeler has posted an excellent 130/34 K/BB ratio over his 119 total innings this season. Boston needs help in the rotation, and a guy like Wheeler would certainly represent an upgrade.