MLB commerce season is right here. The clock is ticking as executives attempt to put together their groups for the stretch run earlier than the deadline at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2. All eyes are on Juan Soto, the 23-year-old Washington Nationals celebrity who’s immediately on the commerce block.

We will probably be following each twist and switch of the commerce winds round Soto and the remainder of the league proper right here. Examine again for updates because the insanity unfolds.

Astros get a catcher in Christian Vázquez

The Houston Astros have reportedly crammed a gap at catcher by dealing for Boston Crimson Sox backstop Christian Vázquez. A robust defender, Vázquez can also be within the midst of one other robust offensive season. He’s batting .282 with eight homers, and his park-adjusted OPS is healthier than common for the third time in 4 years.

Whereas he’s not the identical offensive power because the Cubs’ Willson Contreras, one of many marquee names on the commerce market, he’s a extra acclaimed defender who is anticipated to extra simply choose up the duties of dealing with a playoff-bound pitching employees. He has loads of October expertise, having piloted the 2018 Crimson Sox to a World Collection win.

Astros catchers are hitting a league-worst .159/.228/.297, so this counts as a serious improve. They had been reportedly hesitant to shake up the catching corps an excessive amount of due to the stellar protection and management of Martin Maldonado.

Including a quirk to this deal? The truth that the Crimson Sox are in Houston, so Vázquez’s post-trade journey will encompass strolling to the opposite clubhouse.

The 31-year-old had performed with the Crimson Sox his complete profession, having initially been drafted by the membership in 2008. He’ll attain free company on the finish of the yr.

Dealing away Vázquez wasn’t the one Boston transfer Monday. In addition they flipped reliever Jake Diekman to the White Sox for catcher Reese McGuire, a participant to be named later and money. In the meantime, they reportedly struck a deal for Reds outfielder Tommy Pham to bolster the major-league membership. This looks like a transparent case of shopping for and promoting for a crew that has dropped into the AL East basement however nonetheless has some shot on the playoffs.

Story continues

Astros purchase Trey Mancini from Orioles in 3-team deal

Trey Mancini, the longtime Orioles first baseman and DH, is reportedly heading to Houston in a three-team commerce that can ship outfielder Jose Siri to the Tampa Bay Rays. The best-handed slugging Mancini suits the Astros’ desire of hitters who strike out lower than common and nonetheless pack pop.

Mancini, who was taken by the Orioles within the eighth spherical of the 2013 MLB draft, is hitting .268/.347/.404 with 10 homers, 16 doubles and 35 walks. If something, he is likely to be hitting even higher than it seems; his energy numbers have taken a success as a result of new wall configuration at Camden Yards. This doubtless takes Houston out of the marketplace for Josh Bell, the switch-hitting Nationals first baseman who ought to quickly be a part of a contender’s lineup.

The Astros are at all times out there for strong gamers like Mancini, however with the Orioles trying forward of schedule of their rebuild (they’re simply three video games out of the ultimate wild-card spot with a 51-51 file), some thought the Orioles would possibly maintain on to him to allow them to make a severe playoff push this yr.

As a substitute, it appears the Orioles will at the very least transfer on from a participant set to enter free company and purchase some younger arms — Rays prospect Seth Johnson and Astros prospect Chayce McDermott. The Astros may even get Rays pitching prospect Jayden Murray, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Yankees commerce for Oakland’s Frankie Montas, aid assist

The New York Yankees are dealing for Oakland A’s beginning pitcher Frankie Montas and reliever Lou Trivino, per YES Community’s Jack Curry. The 29-year-old Montas boasts a 3.18 ERA this season and was most likely one of the best starter left on the board after the Seattle Mariners nabbed Luis Castillo.

For the reason that begin of 2021, Montas has a stellar 3.30 ERA over 291 2/Three innings. The sustained success has come alongside a better emphasis on his terrific splitter, which performs off 96 mph warmth that he can throw as a four-seamer or two-seamer. In return, the Yankees will reportedly ship again their finest pitching prospect, left-hander Ken Waldichuk, together with pitching prospects JP Sears and Luis Medina and second base prospect Cooper Bowman. It is a hefty return that clearly compares to the Luis Castillo commerce. The Yankees have been adamant about not buying and selling shortstop prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza, and this transfer was completed with out these children.

Montas was certainly one of few marquee items the A’s held on to after a winter fireplace sale. He’ll stay beneath crew management by way of 2023, giving the Yankees a No. 2-caliber starter to bolster an already robust rotation.

Along with his crew on a 108-win tempo, Yankees GM Brian Cashman is being aggressive. He already added stellar aid pitching rookie Scott Effross from the Cubs on Monday.

Padres purchase Josh Hader from Brewers in shock nearer swap

The San Diego Padres are including one of many sport’s finest closers, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reviews. The Padres are sending their very own nearer, Taylor Rogers, to the Milwaukee Brewers alongside a raft of younger gamers for Josh Hader, the dominant left-hander.

The Brewers, who can both make Rogers the nearer or elevate their very own dominant setup man Devin Williams, have reportedly listened on Hader offers on and off ever since Williams emerged on the scene.

Within the deal, per Passan’s report, they add a number of different proficient gamers, together with Esteury Ruiz, a younger outfielder who may issue into their lineup instantly. The Brewers at present lead the NL Central by three video games over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Juan Soto rumors: May a generational expertise be on the transfer?

Are you prepared for the seismic transfer that may be a Juan Soto commerce? The most recent whispers say the Nationals have three suitors for Soto who’re extra doubtless than the remainder: The San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres and Dodgers, NL West foes, engaged in a bidding battle a yr in the past for a special Nationals celebrity — Max Scherzer. The Dodgers ultimately pulled out a shock blockbuster that secured each Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner.

Stand up to hurry on the potential for a Soto take care of all our protection thus far.

Shohei Ohtani doubtless staying put

The Shohei Ohtani scenario was by no means as pressing because the Soto talks, however the Los Angeles Angels at the very least gauged the market as they spiral towards one more dropping season regardless of using Mike Trout and Ohtani. The New York Put up’s Jon Heyman reported Monday afternoon, nevertheless, that Ohtani will probably be staying put by way of this season.

The 2-way sensation, in rivalry for his first Cy Younger and a second straight AL MVP nod, can develop into a free agent after 2023 and has said a need to play for a successful crew. Because the Angels flail at surrounding him with contending items, it might behoove them to think about buying and selling him this winter.

Performed deal: 2022 MLB commerce deadline strikes

MLB commerce deadline 2022: Who and what to observe