MLB Trade Deadline 2014: Live Trade and Rumor Blog

Well folks, trade deadline day is finally upon is and the deals are going to start flying off the shelves  as we count down to the 4:00pm (EST) deadline.

We are going to try and keep you up to date on the latest rumors, whispers, and deals as they come down the line. Whether or not the Blue Jays are involved will remain to be seen, but the team has been tied to a number of players that should be on the move. With that in mind, we’ll be on top of every player the Blue Jays are or were possibly tied to, from Jon Lester and Asdrubal Cabrera, to Aaron Hill and Martin Prado, to David Murphy and many more.

David Price going from Rays to Tigers in 3-team deal

Details to come, but Price is heading to Tigers (per Ken Rosenthal) to team with Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, and Max Scherzer to form rotation to compete with A’s trio.

Jon Heyman is reporting that Austin Jackson and Drew Smyly are involved in Price deal.

Austin Jackson is heading to the Seattle Mariners in the deal, who are flipping Nick Franklin to Tampa, who also gets Smyl

Baltimore Orioles land Andrew Miller in trade with Red Sox

We thought we had dodged most of the bullets the Orioles were looking for, but unfortunately Miller got through, with Baltimore sending LHP prospect Eduardo Rodriguez per Alex Speier.

Now this is a move that smells of gearing up for the Blue Jays, a team that has struggled against southpaws all season long. Miller, who holds a .420 OPS against left-handed hitters, gives Baltimore 4(!) left-handed relievers out of its bullpen now. Blue Jays have 9 games remaining against the Orioles, starting with a 3-game set next week. Ughh…

Asdrubal Cabrera traded by Cleveland Indians to Washington Nationals

Asdrubal Cabrera was another candidate for trade the Blue Jays were looking at as an upgrade at second base. However, the Nationals are ultimately the winner of this sweepstakes, per Jordan Bastion.

In return, the Nats send SS prospect Zach Walters to the Clevaland Indians. Good prospect with pop, and nearly MLB ready. Blue Jays had nothing of that caliber to offer.

Mariners get Chris Denorfia from Padres

The Seattle Mariners have completed a trade with the San Diego Padres for outfielder Chris Denorfia per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Ken Rosenthal confirmed the deal and included the Padres were receiving Abraham Almonte & Stephen Kohlscheen in return.

The Blue Jays had initially discussed Denorfia as a platoon outfielder with a right-handed bat. However, the return of Nolan Reimold from the disabled list likely tempered their interest in that regard.

Blue Jays may not sit out deadline after all…or will they?

Hey what do you know…something Blue Jays related. Apparently both Shi Davidi and Mike Wilner are hearing that the Blue Jays may still make some sort of move before the deadline today, but that nothing is imminent.

So in other words, the answer to whether the Jays make a move is likely “yes” or “no”. Decisive.

Red Sox send John Lackey to St. Louis Cardinals

The Boston Red Sox are staying busy at the deadline, sending starting pitcher John Lackey and his $500K option for 2015 to the St. Louis Cardinals, in a deal first broken by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Peter Gammons just finalized the deal, sending starter Joe Kelly and outfielder Alan Craig to the Red Sox. Another nice power bat and a controllable pitcher in return. Another good move for Boston.

Again, a deal that doesn’t really impact the Blue Jays, except for the fact that the Orioles are not acquiring Lester or Lackey.

Blue Jays add reliever, from internally

No trade made here, but Shi Davidi is reporting the Blue Jays are expected to recall Chad Jenkins from Buffalo prior to tonight’s game. Not sure yet what the corresponding move will be. Would hopefully add a reliever via trade but Jenkins is likely the fallback.

Twins trade Sam Fuld to Oakland for Tommy Milone

Not a big deal, but an obvious one for the A’s, given their trade of Cespedes earlier today. Milone was an extra piece many teams had asked about. However, one would have thought he’d bring a bit more back than Sam Fuld. Still, a need is a need. Credit to Ken Rosenthal via Twitter.

First Deal of the Day

Well it didn’t take long for a blockbuster to unfold, as the Boston Red Sox found a new home for ace Jon Lester, sending Lester and Jonny Gomes to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and the second pick of the Competive Balance round B. This is a huge win for both teams. Oakland builds a staff that can tangle with anyone in their bid for the World Series. Meanwhile, the Red Sox get the power bat they really wanted in Cespedes and a draft choice to make up for losing the compensation pick on Lester. Alex Speier was the first to report.

Win for both teams. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays just never would have matched up with a deal of that quality for Lester, despite our wildest dreams to see him in a Toronto uniform.