Trade Talk: Archer, Gausman, Dozier, Harvey

As today's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches, we'll keep you up to date with the latest news, buzz, rumors and more.
Pirates reportedly 'have deal in place' for Archer
July 31: After years of being a regular on the rumor mill, Chris Archer finally is being traded, according to numerous reports. The Pirates appear to be the landing spot, as they "have a deal in place," Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

That syncs with what others had been hearing leading up to the Deadline.

MLB Network insider Joel Sherman reported that the Pirates were "in front" in talks for Archer. 

ESPN's Buster Olney had the same, noting that Pittsburgh and the Rays were "deep in talks." 

Archer is controllable through 2021 on a remarkably team-friendly salary -- signed for just $7.7 million in '19 with club options for '20 and '21 totaling only $20 million.
O's deal Gausman to Braves, Schoop to Brewers
July 31: While they had already moved a number of their trade pieces prior to Tuesday, including Manny Machado, Zach Britton and Brad Brach, the Orioles continued to work right up to the 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline, sending right-hander Kevin Gausman to the Braves and reportedly dealing second baseman Jonathan Schoop to the Brewers.
The 27-year-old Gausman owns a 4.43 ERA this year but has flashed mid-rotation upside throughout his first six seasons in the Major Leagues. Furthermore, he comes with two years of control beyond 2018, which fits what the Braves were seeking.
In exchange for Gausman and reliever Darren O'Day, who is out for the season following left hamstring surgery but is under contract for 2019, the O's acquired right-hander Evan Phillips, infielder Jean Carlos Encarnacion, catcher Brett Cumberland and left-hander Bruce Zimmerman as well as international signing bonus money from the Braves.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, is reportedly sending right-hander Luis Ortiz, shortstop Jean Carmona and infielder Jonathan Villar to the O's for Schoop.

The Brewers, of course, already traded for third baseman Mike Moustakas and shifted Travis Shaw to second, so it's unclear how the club will align its infield with Schoop in the fold.
Dodgers reportedly acquire Brian Dozier from Twins
July 31: The Dodgers had been quiet on the trade front since they acquired Manny Machado during the All-Star break, but they swung a deal to add second baseman Brian Dozier from the Twins shortly before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on Tuesday, sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.
Per Feinsand, Los Angeles is sending second baseman Logan Forsythe, Luke Raley and Devin Smeltzer to Minnesota.

Despite being in the middle of a rocky offensive season, Dozier provides notable power for a middle infielder. The 31-year-old, who will be a free agent this offseason, averaged 29 home runs from 2013-17 and still has 16 homers with 52 RBIs this year even while carrying a slash line of .224/.305/.402 entering Tuesday.
There appeared to be a questionable market for Dozier after the Brewers, Phillies, D-backs and Red Sox all acquired infielders in the past week, but the Dodgers evidently view Dozier as an upgrade over their other options at second base. The Dodgers were connected to Dozier prior to the 2017 season, but ultimately declined the Twins' asking price and instead picked up Forsythe from the Rays.
Nats not expected to trade Harper; others still available?
July 31: While rumors have swirled about the availability of Bryce Harper, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Jamal Collier Tuesday that the superstar outfielder isn't going anywhere.
That may be the case for most of Washington's key players, based on Rizzo's comments to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.
"I believe in this team," Rizzo said.

Still, the Nats may continue taking offers for some of their assets before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline. Besides Harper, Washington has a number of veterans on expiring contracts, including Ryan Madson, Kelvin Herrera, Shawn Kelley, Daniel Murphy and Gio González.
Matt Harvey: Will strong run in Cincinnati convince a contender?
July 31: Harvey's final audition before the Deadline was a strong one -- five innings of two-run, two-hit, five-strikeout ball Saturday against the NL East-leading Phillies. And it was just one of a slew of solid outings for the Reds -- in six of his final seven starts before the Deadline, Harvey allowed two earned runs or fewer.
But was it enough? Will Harvey's performance sway a contender to pulling the trigger on a deal, or improve the return from a potential trade partner?
The Brewers and Cubs have been the apparent favorites to trade for Harvey, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The Cubs hold one of the worst starting ERAs in the big leagues, with pitchers José Quintana and Kyle Hendricks struggling this season and Yu Darvish on the shelf. 

Meanwhile, according to a report from MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal on Sunday, some teams might not be convinced, even with Harvey's stuff looking sharper of late. Per Rosenthal, "rival clubs still don't sound terribly excited about him, viewing him as No. 4-No. 5 starter."

On Saturday, Harvey's four-seam fastball averaged 95.2 mph and reached as high as 97.9 mph on a first-inning strikeout of Odúbel Herrera -- Harvey's fastest pitch of the season. Harvey struck out three batters -- Herrera, Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams -- on fastballs thrown 97 mph or harder. The last time he had gotten multiple swings-and-misses on 97-plus mph fastballs was Game 5 of the 2015 World Series.
Harvey remains Cincinnati's most likely player to be traded -- the 29-year-old will be a free agent this winter and can't bring the Reds any Draft-pick compensation (he's ineligible for a qualifying offer because he was an in-season acquisition from the Mets).
Milwaukee has had "ongoing" talks with the Reds about Harvey, as MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported this week. Heyman reiterated Saturday that the Brewers "are in" on Harvey and would be "a great spot for him." According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Atlanta is determind to get a starter by Tuesday's 4 p.m. Trade Deadline, and the Braves are in the mix for Harvey.

Having moved Pham, could Cards sell more pieces?
July 31: The Cardinals made a surprising deal Tuesday morning, sending outfielder Tommy Pham to the Rays for a trio of prospects. For a club that entered the day at 54-52 and only four games out of a National League postseason spot, this could indicate St. Louis is planning to sell. If so, what's next?
"I think the Cardinals are willing to shake things up right now," insider Jon Heyman said on MLB Network. "They're not happy with the way things are going. They're barely over .500 … and clearly are in a sell mode."

Right-hander Bud Norris, their 33-year-old closer, is having a strong year (3.07 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 11.3 K/9) and will be a free agent at season's end, which makes him a possible trade chip as has been rumored.
Same goes for slugger José Martínez, who began 2018 as the club's starting first baseman before falling out of favor under new manager Mike Shildt, in part for his limited defensive capabilities. The 30-year-old is hitting .294/.358/.459 with 13 homers and 59 RBIs and comes with club control through 2022.
One other intriguing name that might not be entirely out of the question? Marcell Ozuna, an outfielder the Cards acquired last offseason with the expectation he would solidify the middle of their lineup. The 27-year-old, however, has struggled to find consistency in his first year in St. Louis (.708 OPS). The club might not want to sell low on Ozuna; then again, it just did with Pham, who was fantastic in his breakout 2017 before slumping to .248/.331/.399 in '18.
Rays trade Ramos to Phillies
July 31: Wilson Ramos is on his way to Philadelphia. The Rays traded the catcher to the Phillies for a player to be named later Tuesday, less than an hour before the 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline.
In the final season of a two-year deal with Tampa Bay, Ramos has recorded a .297/.346/.488 slash line with 14 homers and 53 RBIs in 78 games. He was set to start behind the plate for the American League in this year's All-Star Game before injuring his left hamstring. Ramos, 30, is still on the disabled list, but that apparently wasn't enough to prevent the Phils from dealing for him.
The Phillies have been involved in trade discussions regarding several major names throughout July, including Manny Machado, Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Andrew McCutchen, but adding Asdrúbal Cabrera from the Mets had been their biggest move.
The Phillies' current starting catcher, Jorge Alfaro, owns a .704 OPS with 104 strikeouts and just 13 walks in 275 plate appearances this season. The former top prospect may still be part of Philadelphia's future plans, but the club was evidently looking to shore up the position, at least for 2018.
As an added bonus for the Phillies, the acquisition of Ramos keeps him away from the division-rival Nationals, who had also been connected to the catcher. Ramos played for Washington from 2010-16.
Mets holding on to deGrom, Syndergaard, Wheeler?
July 31: This season hasn't been up to expectations for the Mets, but it seems they're holding out hope for 2019 -- by holding on to their three top starting pitchers.
While there has been nearly non-stop speculation all month long about the Mets' plans for Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler amid an underwhelming market for starters, it became evident Monday afternoon that the three right-handers just might be staying put, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.

With deGrom, 30, in the middle of a career campaign -- featuring an MLB-best 1.82 ERA -- and under club control through 2020, New York had no pressure to deal him and had set an astronomical asking price.
Meanwhile, it was unlikely the Mets would sell low on the 25-year-old Syndergaard, who has been limited to 13 starts due to a strained ligament in his right index finger and, most recently, being on the DL with hand, foot and mouth disease.
Wheeler, 28, had been garnering the most interest over the past week or so, as teams have been taking notice of his improved performance and velocity increase dating back to the start of June (3.20 ERA in past 11 starts). But Andy Martino of SNY would consider it "very surprising" if Wheeler is traded today.

Heyman: Realmuto trade talks 'nonexistent'
July 31: It looks as though J.T. Realmuto will be staying with the Marlins beyond Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline, as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports that trade discussions for the catcher are "nonexistent."

Miami, though, is still exploring additional deals after sending reliever Brad Ziegler to the D-backs and reportedly trading outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Mariners on Tuesday. Per Heyman, the Marlins are talking to teams about utility player Derek Dietrich and first baseman Justin Bour.

While the Marlins have discussed Realmuto with the Nationals since the offseason, those talks have continually stalled as Miami's asking price has remained exorbitant.
Of course, it's no surprise that the Marlins want a huge haul for Realmuto. He's a standout at the catcher position in every phase of the game.
Realmuto is hitting .309/.359/.529 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs in 79 games this season. He's the fastest catcher in baseball by Statcast™'s sprint speed metric. Behind the plate, he has the fastest average pop time on steal attempts of any regular catcher, as well as one of the strongest arms. Not only that, he's just 27 years old and remains under club control through 2020.
McCutchen trade considered unlikely?
July 31: Several contenders have reportedly considered trading for Andrew McCutchen, but a deal may be unlikely.
"I don't see that happening today," a Giants official told MLB Network insider Jon Heyman.

MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported Monday that the Yankees, Indians and Phillies had all shown interest in the 31-year-old right fielder, who is hitting .253/.348/.405 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs for San Francisco this year.
Cleveland, however, might be out of the mix after addressing its outfield need by getting Leonys Martin from the Tigers on Tuesday.
McCutchen could be a good fit for the Yankees, who are currently seeking an outfield bat, ideally a righty hitter, with Aaron Judge on the disabled list. But New York's interest in the 2013 NL MVP is "soft," according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, who notes that the Yankees appear to be targeting other outfielders ahead of McCutchen.

McCutchen is in the final year of a seven-year deal that's paying him $14.75 million this year, $2.5 million of which is being picked up by his former team, the Pirates. 
Padres arms could be on the move
July 31: For teams still in need of pitching, the Padres could prove to be the answer.
MLB.com's AJ Cassavell reports that contending clubs have recently checked in on starter Tyson Ross as well as relievers Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen. Ross, 31, will be a free agent after this season, but he has re-established his value as a starter after returning to San Diego in the offseason. In 21 starts this year, he is 6-8 with a 4.41 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and an 8.0 K/9 rate.
Yates and Stammen are both under team control beyond this season, however. Yates, 31, is under contract through 2020, while the 34-year-old Stammen won't reach free agency until after 2019. Both have been excellent out of the Padres' bullpen this year, with Yates posting a 1.60 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP while Stammen holds a 2.63 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Accordingly, San Diego seems likely to move at least one arm prior to the Deadline.
Could Grandy return to the Bronx?
July 30: The Yankees took further steps to bolster their rotation Monday by adding Lance Lynn, and could now turn to the outfield as their chief priority before the Deadline. MLB.com's Jon Morosi reports the Bronx Bombers' targets could include an old friend: Granderson.

Granderson enjoyed a fruitful four-year run in the Bronx from 2010-13, which included two All-Star Game selections and a fourth-place finish in AL MVP voting in '11 when he paced the Junior Circuit with 119 RBIs. Granderson could give New York some outfield depth as the club awaits Aaron Judge's return from the disabled list, and he still remains a viable bat against right-handed pitching.
The Phillies have checked in on outfielders Joey Gallo and Adam Jones, and so Morosi's report reaffirms their search for outfield depth.