The MLB just got interesting.
Not that it wasn't before, but things really kick up now with the All-Star break in the rear view, a summer of trades and teams jockeying for postseason position right down the road.
While a notable team like the New York Yankees might be close to getting off on an exit along the way, it could throw them right into the land of major trades with sellers looking to dump talent and contenders looking to gobble it up.
From Carlos Gonzalez to Evan Longoria and more, there's plenty in the way of major notes MLB fans should understand as the march toward the postseason continues.
Carlos Gonzalez Watch
The Colorado Rockies know all about getting subjected to rumor after rumor, mostly thanks to the aforementioned Gonzalez.
Six games under .500 and third in the National League West, the Rockies once again enter the fray as a team finally perhaps ready to move on from Gonzalez, who has been with the team since 2009.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal revealed (37-second mark) the Rockies have once again received calls and offers on Gonzalez, but the front office hasn't gone out of its way to pursue anything so far.
This meshes well with strong public denials about a trade meeting earlier this month from general manager Jeff Bridich, according to SB Nation's Chris Cotillo.
The Rockies have made unexpected trades in the past, but Gonzalez is still just 30 years old and rolling right along with a .318/.367/.548 slash line with 19 homers and 56 RBI. For the most part, he seems on pace for another strong campaign even if the team isn't performing as well as the front office might like.
It could change in an instant, but for now, the Rockies don't sound like a team willing to deal a core piece.
Dodgers-Rays Trade?
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays might want to strike a deal.
This is simple enough. The Dodgers sit well ahead of the Rockies in the NL West at 52-42, hoping to keep pace with the San Francisco Giants, a team sitting 5.5 games ahead. The Rays, on the other hand, sit dead last in the American League East at 35-57, a full 18.5 games out of first place.
MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi cited sources saying the two teams are engaged in talks, referencing Los Angeles' president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, as the catalyst thanks to his past role as Tampa Bay's general manager.
On the topic of Longoria, Morosi wrote the following: "Based on information from sources over the past several days, I believe there's a low probability of the Dodgers acquiring Longoria before the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline."
On one hand, it's easy to see why the Rays would keep the 30-year-old slugger around. He's going for .289/.338/.543 this year with 21 homers and 50 RBI—an epic tear for a guy who hasn't shown any signs of slowing.
On the other hand, as Morosi noted, no team would scoff at Longoria's contract, and Tampa Bay getting out of the biggest contract in franchise history could turn out to be a smart decision in the long run.
Also of note is the fact Longoria's value may never be higher. Given trading for players with long deals doesn't happen often, Tampa Bay might decide to throw in the proverbial towel and strike a deal now. It'll hurt the team and fans to lose one of MLB's most recognizable faces, but so it goes.
The Dodgers can only hope the Rays see the logic.
Cleveland Wants Andrew Miller?
It's easy to name the Cleveland Indians' biggest weakness this year because there's only one: a left-handed reliever.
The Indians sit on a 54-38 mark in the AL Central and have a mind to pluck talent from the middling, .500 Yankees. An odd role reversal, but it is what it is, as Rosenthal pointed out:
This is far from the first time Andrew Miller has come up in trade rumors, with Bill Ladson of MLB.com also recently noting the Washington Nationals have an interest in his services, as well as Aroldis Chapman's. Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball said the Chicago Cubs do as well.
What's the hype with Miller? At 31 years old, he's putting up one of the best years of his career, sitting on a 1.31 ERA with seven saves over 41.1 innings pitched. According to Spotrac, he's also only boasting a base salary of $9 million over two more years after the current campaign.
Odds are the Yankees don't cough up such a talent unless a trade offer blows the front office out of the water, meaning the Indians will have to come with a major offering.
It's up to the Indians to make the call. The current composition of the roster has the team reaping the benefits of smart moves over the years. Messing with it and perhaps dishing a key part to bring Miller on board could hurt the winning equation.
Then again, pitching wins titles. If it comes to a bidding war for Miller's services at the deadline, expect the Indians to remain right in the thick of it.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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