MLB rumors: Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox

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Let’s start Friday with some of the latest MLB rumors, including tidbits on the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox.

MLB rumors: Seattle Mariners may be looking ahead to 2024

Entering Thursday’s play with a 47-48 record after dropping their last two games and going 5-5 over the last 10 contests, Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto hinted that his team may use the trade deadline as a springboard for more success in 2024 as the team tries to overcome recent mediocrity as it chases a Wild Card spot in 2023.

After calling the Mariners “average” on offense, Dipoto mentioned the lack of bats in the farm system who could make an immediate impact in Seattle. That could well determine what the Mariners are looking for to strengthen the team for the rest of this season and beyond.

“It’s going to require some creative moves because we don’t have a next wave of bats at Triple-A ready to come and push us over that edge,” Dipoto said in the interview. “We need our young players to step forward moving forward, and we’re probably going to need to address something from outside as well.”

Dipoto continued by discussing trade deadline possibilities.

“We are headed into the trade deadline. We’ve not really separated ourselves in a meaningful way to be aggressive on the buying end, but we’re constantly trying to find ways to make ourselves better,” Dipoto added. “We’ll use these next couple of weeks of July to consider those ways, whether it’s better to make a push for the ’23 season or to better situate ourselves for ’24.”

Jun 6, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (36) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB rumors: Could Yankees and Cardinals once again be trade partners?

After last season’s Harrison Bader-Jordan Montgomery swap that gave New York a late-season boost, could the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals be trade partners again in 2023?

In an interview published in The Athletic (subscription required), Katie Woo, who covers the Cardinals for the publication, suggests that, in a crowded outfield, the Cardinals may be willing to part with Brendan Donovan for the right price, and that the Yankees might be a fit.

“The Cardinals direly need pitching, and their preference is talent that is close to being big-league ready,” Woo said. “So, would the Yankees be willing to part with Randy Vásquez, Clayton Beeter or Missouri native Will Warren?”

Chris Kirschner, who serves as the Yankees beat writer for The Athletic, countered with what he considered could possibly be a trade chip that New York would be willing to move for Donovan.

“I’m thinking the cost would likely start at something like starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt, who’s emerged over the past two months as one of the team’s best pitchers, and top outfield prospect Everson Pereira, who’s currently in Triple-A,” Kirschner said. “If that’s not enough, the Yankees could also throw in Beeter, who was acquired for Joey Gallo last season, or either Vásquez or Brito.”

Jul 8, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story (10) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB rumors: Boston Red Sox getting key piece back for postseason run?

What the Boston Red Sox may do at the MLB trade deadline could potentially be impacted by the return of Trevor Story from offseason elbow surgery.

Story, signed in the offseason prior to the 2022 campaign, is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Friday, with MLB.com’s Ian Browne reporting, “He will play five innings at shortstop on Friday, get a few at-bats as the DH on Saturday and play another five innings at shortstop on Sunday.”

If all goes well, Story could be moved to Triple-A for the start of a homestand next week, Browne wrote. That means that the 30-year-old Story would be one step closer to returning to the Red Sox lineup. He could potentially be back with Boston before the August 1 MLB trade deadline, giving Boston some stability at second base or shortstop, positions where the Red Sox rank 27th and 26th, respectively, out of MLB’s 30 teams when measured by bWAR.

Stability in the infield and another bat in the lineup could help the Red Sox focus in on other needs that would boost the team in the second half of the season. With Boston just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot heading into Thursday’s action, look for the Red Sox to be active at the MLB trade deadline while also improving from within thanks to Story’s return.

Next. Will Shohei Ohtani's timing make for a hectic trade deadline?. dark

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