It is July 31st, 2017, the MLB Trade Deadline will officially come to pass at 4pm EST.
The Rays, so far, may be the most active team of the deadline season as they’ve made several notable acquisitions with Adeiny Hechavarria and Trevor Plouffe being brought in, just over a month ago, as well as four moves made over the past week.
Rays moves so far
7/28 - Acquired RHP Steve Cishek from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for RHP Erasmo Ramirez
7/27 - Acquired 1B Lucas Duda from the New York Mets in exchange for RHP Drew Smith
7/27 - Acquired LHP Dan Jennings from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for 1B Casey Gillaspie
7/22 - Acquired RHP Sergio Romo from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations
6/26 - Acquired SS Adeiny Hechavarria from the Miami Marlins in exchange for OF Braxton Lee and RHP Ethan Clark
6/17 - Acquired 1B Trevor Plouffe from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for cash considerations
What to watch for
Despite all the trades thus far, the Rays are reportedly still on the look for extra bullpen help as well as an extra bat to the lineup. They were in on both JD Martinez and Howie Kendrick, before losing out to other clubs.
There are several notable players who could all be with new clubs by the end of the day with Sonny Gray and Yu Darvish being the most coveted starting pitchers, but both would take a steep price. Meanwhile, almost any reliever from any non-contending team is likely on the market.
Article to be updated throughout the day
Update - 8:05 AM
We have our first completed trade of the day and it was for one of the most coveted relief pitchers on the market
FINALIZED: #Cubs acquire Justin Wilson and Alex Avila from #Tigers for Jeimer Candelario, Isaac Paredes and PTBNL or cash. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2017
Update - 9:10 AM
Slow developing morning thus far, but just a quick trip around the beats
Trade deadline day. All eyes are on Sonny Gray, Yu Darvish and Brad Hand. 7 hours and 20 minutes to go.
— Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) July 31, 2017
red sox weighing whole pen arms (reed, kintzler, johnson, smith, hand, brach, britton - tho uncertain if o's would deal w/them) tight market
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
chisox, who already have brought in a bonanza of prospects, still seeking deals for clippard, gonzalez and holland
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
Rays were in the mix for Justin Wilson, per source. Tampa Bay still trying to acquire another reliever.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
Source: #Indians not only in mix for Darvish (despite no-trade), but also #Mets’ Addison Reed. Seem to be aiming for one high-impact move.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
Update - 10:30 AM
Rumors are beginning to swirl, as the talks continue
yanks remain the strong favorite for sonny gray. but braves are at least one other team that's still in contact with oakland.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
Hearing #Redsox are moving closer to getting Addison Reed from #Mets. Deal not done yet, but getting there.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2017
dodgers will not part with buehler or verdugo - 2 of game's very top prospects -- for rental, even a star. doesnt mean anyone's untouchable.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
Executive from another team has been told that Addison Reed is on the move. Boston appears to be the destination, though not confirmed.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
Update - 10:50 AM
We have our first trade (not yet official) but it seems the Boston Red Sox are adding a great bullpen arm. The Orioles meanwhile, may move one of their own.
It's Jamie Callahan, Gerson Bautista, and Stephen Nogosek to the Mets in the agreement for Addison Reed.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 31, 2017
#Yankees checked in on Hand yesterday, but seems monitoring at best. #Padres focused on #Dodgers #Astros in particular
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2017
Report from @hoynsie says #Indians “pushing hard” for Britton. Per sources, #Dodgers, #Astros also in.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
Source: Braves "are still talking" to Oakland about Sonny Gray, but Yankees remain the favorites if he's dealt today.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
Update - 12:15 PM
Not much has happened since the Red Sox acquired Addison Reed (still not official), although things can change quickly.
Interest in Twins reliever Brandon Kintzler is "definitely mounting" as 4 p.m. approaches, source tells SBN.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 31, 2017
For teams thinking prices on RP market would come down as 4pm gets closer, they're not. Hand, Britton, Kintzler all garnering huge interest.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
A's came off Frazier/Torres package and asked for Florial/Mateo package + more. #Yankees will not make that deal either. 4 hours to go.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) July 31, 2017
Update - 1:20 PM
Things are starting to pick up slightly, but still, it has been a relatively quiet deadline thus far
The #Astros are on verge of acquiring Francisco Liriano from #Bluejays, but deal not yet complete. @Ken_Rosenthal 1st mentioned in talks
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2017
Astros still looking for RP. Source doesn't think it's Kintzler. Hand/Britton possible, though remains to be seen if Luhnow will pay price.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
It's getting increasingly harder to see Yu Darvish going to the Dodgers. Teams simply aren't matching up despite plenty of discussions.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2017
The Red Sox are still waiting on medicals on Addison Reed.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 31, 2017
Hearing #Rays working hard, somewhat optimistic of another deal by today's deadline. Targets have been another bullpen arm and/or RH hitter
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2017
Update - 2:00 PM
A couple of deals have gone down in the past half hour
#Mets are listening but would be surprised if make another deal besides Reed today. Will see in Aug on Cabrera/Walker/Bruce/Grandy
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 31, 2017
Source: #Indians working diligently to add relief pitcher. There is optimism that they will do so. Little more than 2 hours to go. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2017
One source describes #Astros’ pursuit of Britton as “serious.” Executive with one of clubs involved believes deal with HOU is close.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
Source: #Dodgers remain engaged with #Orioles on Britton. Talks fluid.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2017
#Dbacks acquire infielder Adam Rosales from the A’s for minor league pitcher Jeferson Mejia.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 31, 2017
Welcome to Arizona, Rosie! pic.twitter.com/ltkDpmbJAB
The ebb and flow of deadline day; now hearing #Rays could end up standing pat. And that'll probably change again in another hour
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2017
things heating up a bit with brad hand. nats, astros, dodgers, maybe yanks, indians all possible players.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
Update - 3:05 PM
The Yankees have finally gotten their man, reportedly acquiring Sonny Gray
Source: Sonny Gray will be traded to the Yankees.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 31, 2017
Source: Gray to Yankees done. Fowler, Mateo, Kaprelian coming back.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2017
astros still working on pen. liriano is a piece, but not THE piece. 1 of a few talking about britton. also hand.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2017
Twins “Getting closer but still no offer that puts them over the top” in a Brandon Kintzler deal #Nationals #Rays #Rockies #Diamondbacks
— Jim Bowden (@Jim_BowdenSXM) July 31, 2017
Update - 3:50 PM
Just 10 minutes left
**BREAKING** Source: I'm still in the Tigers locker room. https://t.co/2XJu9v3cHz pic.twitter.com/g86ra4u1C4
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) July 31, 2017
#Tigers and #Dbacks discussed Jose Iglesias, source confirms @MLBBruceLevine, but deal appears unlikely. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2017
Multiple GMs right now believe Yu Darvish and Zach Britton will stay put. Deadline is 18 minutes away.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2017
Source: Angels get RHP Luis Madero from D-Backs for David Hernandez.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 31, 2017
Public service reminder: Deals don't have to be announced by 4, just submitted to MLB. Can be after 4 before word gets out
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 31, 2017