MLB trade rumors: Mets focusing on buying at the deadline, Angels listening to offers on closer.
The Mets’ recent surge makes them look like a trade deadline buyer. The 2024 MLB trade deadline is on Tuesday, July 30. Already, Luis Arraez (Marlins to Padres) and Aaron Civale (Rays to Brewers) have been traded. I assure you that more trades will come. Here are the newest deadline rumors.
Mets emphasis on purchasing.
The Mets, who have won 18 of their last 25 games and are within 1.5 games of a wild-card place, are looking to add players at the trade deadline, as reported by the New York Post. Bullpen assistance is a priority. A high-end starting pitcher with control after 2024 would also make sense. (It would apply to any team, of course.)
Edwin Díaz has missed 15 days due to a shoulder problem and is currently serving a 10-game sticky stuff suspension. Even when healthy, he hasn’t always been as dominant. Journeyman players Reed Garrett and Dedniel Núñez have outperformed veterans Jake Diekman and Adam Ottavino due to their recent hard work. One or two legitimate late-inning arms would make sense as a deadline target for the Amazin’s.
Reds are unsure about purchasing or selling.
On Thursday, the Reds want to complete a three-game sweep of the Yankees in New York. They start the day 3.5 games out of a wild-card place, with five clubs ahead of them, although GM Brad Meador recently stated that the club is still unclear about their deadline strategy. They could purchase or sell. Cincinnati is 41-45, despite having a plus-17 run differential.
“We’ll see how we finish the road trip and the upcoming homestand,” Meador told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We are talking about it. We would love to be able to add. But, realistically, we’ll simply have to see how things proceed.
Following the Yankees series, the Reds will face Tigers, Rockies, and Marlins before the All-Star break. This is a favorable schedule and an opportunity to stack wins before the deadline. If the Reds make a purchase, they will look for bullpen help as well as an outfield player. If they sell, rental players such as Frankie Montas, Lucas Sims, and Brent Suter would be ideal trade candidates.
Angels are listening to Estévez.
According to FanSided, the Angels are currently considering bids for rental closer Carlos Estévez. Estévez has pitched exceptionally well this season, with a 3.00 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and three walks in 27 innings. Two of the three walks were also purposeful. Estévez is owed the remainder of his $6.75 million salary, making him extremely affordable, plus he is a bat-misser with high leverage experience. The Angels will have no issue finding a bidder (the Mets?), and Estévez will most likely be traded before the deadline.