Biggest rumor right now is a reliever Milwaukee might want.
Not a lot of news on the Milwaukee Brewers making a big trade before the July 31 deadline.
Well, the first trade deadline – the nonwaiver one – while it seems MLB teams trade right up through the playoffs.
Milwaukee could be in the mix for Philadelphia Phillies reliever Pat Neshek, according to FOX’s Ken Rosenthal.
So, while the Brewers contemplate how to handle being in first place, as the Cubs inevitably close the gap — they’re just 2.5 games back now, after being 5.5 back at the all-star break (which was five days ago) — other teams are making big moves.
The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired J.D. Martinez and the New York Yankees got Todd Frazier and some relief pitchers.
Martinez landed three prospects for Kansas City.
The 29-year-old, who’s making $11.75 million this season, will be a free agent in 2018. Martinez is hitting .305 with 16 home runs and 39 RBI.
In the AL, along with Frazier, NY got relief pitchers David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle as the Chicago White Sox continue to clean house.
Reliever Tyler Clippard and three prospects got sent back to the White Sox, who just traded ace Jose Quintana to the Cubs for four minor leaguers.
The change of scenery might do the 31-year-old Frazier some good, as he’s hitting just .207 but has 16 HRs and 44 RBI. He had 40 HRs last season. Like Martinez, he too will be a free agent next season.