MLB rumors: Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox

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We’re getting closer to the MLB trade deadline, which means more and more MLB rumors will start swirling. In today’s rumors roundup, we’ll take a look at the whispers of potential moves surrounding the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox.

Chicago White Sox rumors: Could Tim Anderson be on the move?

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Anderson’s trade value is going up, thanks to the fact that he has shown he can play second base in pressure-packed situations, including the recent World Baseball Classic.

The chances of a Tim Anderson trade are increasing, especially if he plays 2B, as in the WBC.

Anderson has slashed .375/.444/.417 since the break.

That's a small sample size, but teams have been wanting to see evidence that his approach is back.@MLBNetwork @670TheScore
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 21, 2023

Anderson is certainly heating up at the right time, but will the White Sox actually deal him? His seven-year, $37.5 million deal runs out at the end of this season (although there is a team option in place for the 2024 season). He would merely be a rental for whichever team would land him in a trade, but that team would obviously have the option to extend the 30-year-old two-time All-Star if they like.

Should the White Sox choose to trade him, it will be interesting to see if Anderson thrives in a new location. After starting the season slowly because of injury and ineffectiveness at the plate, his name has often been connected as a “change of scenery” candidate. Like many of the White Sox players who could be traded, Anderson may not be dealt at the MLB trade deadline. It’s an interesting scenario to watch with not only Anderson, but also pitchers such as Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Joe Kelly.

A general view of a Tampa Bay Rays hat and glove. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

MLB rumors: Could this be a potential Tampa Bay Rays trade chip?

Also from Morosi on Friday was a potential look-ahead to one of the main trade candidates for the Tampa Bay Rays if they make a deal at the MLB deadline.

Rays prospect Jonathan Aranda, 25, is the trade candidate we're not talking about enough.

Aranda has a 1.048 OPS at Triple-A this season but has been limited to 36 career @MLB games because the Rays have established players at his primary positions (1B, 2B, 3B).@MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 21, 2023

Thanks to injuries and ineffectiveness, it certainly appears that the Rays will go after pitching at the trade deadline, meaning that Aranda could potentially be dealt as one of the chips that would bring a starting pitcher to the Rays in time for the postseason push.

Aranda, however, has struggled in a small sample size as a member of the Rays, slashing .194/.265/.312 over 93 at-bats in 2022 and this season. In those 93 at-bats, he struck out 29 times, indicating it will take him some time to adjust to MLB pitching. Can a team be patient enough with what he has shown in the minors to make him part of the package in return from Tampa Bay? His versatility might make it easier to have the patience with him that could be required with his fresh start.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher John Schreiber. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB rumors: Boston Red Sox bullpen boost could pivot trade deadline strategy?

We talked in Friday’s rumors roundup about the upcoming return of Trevor Story and how that could change how the Boston Red Sox attack the MLB trade deadline. Well, there’s another return coming for Boston that could tweak Chaim Bloom’s plans as well.

As NESN.com reported, John Schreiber is close to returning from a right teres major strain that landed him on the injured list retroactive to May 16. It’s been more than two months since Schreiber, who posted a 2.12 ERA/3.17 FIP/1.294 WHIP in 17.0 innings over 18 games before his injury, took the mound. With him back, Boston will have another right-handed option in the bullpen, something that will shift the dynamics of the Boston relief corps that has leaned heavily on lefties since Schreiber’s injury.

If Schreiber can return and once again be effective for the Red Sox before the trade deadline, it could be the solution for yet another need that Bloom and Boston would be looking for at the trade deadline. It’s very possible that Boston will still be a buyer at the trade deadline, but it seems the Red Sox will also be improving in the field and on the mound with the return of a pair of players whose presence has been missed greatly.

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