Major League Baseball’s commercial deadline is set for today at 4 p.m. ET and with 16 teams participating in the playoffs this season, there are plenty of buyers in the market. Follow TSN.ca’s MLB commercial rumors blog.
Jays moving for Villar?
The Toronto Blue Jays are talking to the infielder’s Miami Marlins Jonathan Villar, according to a report by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Jays sought help in the infield to replace the wounded Bo Bichette and at one point we were looking at the Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
Villar has appeared in 28 games this season and has two homers, five RBI and a championship lead at nine stolen bases. The Marlins acquired Villar last December in an exchange with the Baltimore Orioles.
The 29-year-old also appeared for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros in his eight-year MLB career.
Bichette is currently on the IL for the Jays after suffering a sprained right knee. The 22-year-old was one of the Jays’ smartest players before suffering the injury, currently averaging .361 with five homers and 16 RBI in 14 games this season.
The Blue Jays currently hold second and last wild card spot in the American League and may even be in the market for third baseman.
In his deadline primer, ESPN’s David Schoenfield points to third base as a necessity for the Blue Jays, who finish last in the MLB in OPS in the position.
Schoenfield indicates Kyle Seager of the Mariners and Washington Nationals awaiting free agents Asdrubal Cabrera as potential options for Toronto.
The Blue Jays have already made two exchanges with the Mariners this month, having acquired Daniel Vogelbach before their pitcher move Taijuan Walker.
Clevinger expected to move
Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Toronto Blue Jays are not very involved in landing lotteries Mike Clevinger, but that the Cleveland starter should move at some point before the deadline. It has the San Diego Padres, the Atlanta Braves and possibly the Chicago White Sox as possible destinations.
Clevinger has pitched well this season with a 3.18 ERA in four starts but fell out of favor with his team after leaving the team’s hotel on the street and lying afterwards. He and teammate Zach Plesac were put on the limit list and eventually sent to the alternative training site. The 29-year-old returned to the mound earlier this week, throwing six strong innings in a win over the Minnesota Twins.
Clevinger had spent the previous five seasons in Cleveland and sports a career ERA of 3.20.
Tigers don’t sell Schoop
The Detroit Tigers do not accept calls to second base Jonathan Schoop, a free agent on hold, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Schoop has played in 30 games this season for the Tigers and has seven homers, 18 RBI and an average of .298. The eight-year veteran also spent time with the Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins.
The Tigers are currently 16-16 and sit two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the final playoff spot in the American League.
Twins looking to throw
The Minnesota Twins are looking to trade for an appetizer today and have considered Dylan Bundy of the Los Angeles Angels e Lance Lynn of the Texas Rangers, according to a report by Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Morosi adds that the twins may also have to face one of their best potential customers Alex Kirilloff o Trevor Larnach, to acquire a starter who has control of the team beyond the 2020 season.
Adam Frazier available?
There has been a certain buzz around the Pittsburgh Pirates infelder Adam Frazier, according to a report by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Frazier has appeared in 29 games this season for the Pirates and has averaged .202 with four homers and 11 RBIs. His numbers have dropped significantly from last season when he finished with a .278 mark and hit 10 homers with 50 RBI.
The 28-year-old, who also saw action on the outfield, is in his fifth MLB season, all with the Pirates.
Busy day?
With 16 teams entering the playoffs for the first time this year and no shortage of financial worries for teams during COVID-19, many have wondered if this year could be a quiet day.
However, ESPN’s Buster Olney told Sunday Night Baseball that there is a growing belief that Monday will see a flurry of deals despite the problems listed above.
Olney pointed to the Texas Rangers pitcher Lance Lynn as a possible candidate to be moved on Monday. Lynn, 33, is 4-1 this season with 1.93 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
