The MLB trade deadline is heating up and players like David Price, Cole Hamels and Mike Leake could be the main targets for teams like the LA Dodgers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants by Friday, as those teams are looking for starting pitching depth for the stretch run into the playoffs.
The Dodgers and Royals have already made moves for pitchers ahead of the deadline, with LA trading for Mat Latos and Kansas City adding Johnny Cueto. Those players are now off the market and that makes Cole Hamels and David Price the top players left to trade for among pitchers. According to Bob Nightengale at USA Today, there could be an "all-out bidding war" over Price if the Tigers decide to trade the pitcher and teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yankees and Blue Jays could be interested.
Price is heading towards free agency and that makes him a major target for teams along with Leake, who is also heading into free agency. Leake is more of a third or fourth starter and teams unwilling to pay the price for Hamels or Price could go after the Reds starter instead. The Tigers have been debating for a week whether to be sellers or buyers and they also have Yoenis Cespedes as a target as well. Price likely will be moved if the Tigers think they are out of it, as they could stock up on some prospects after making deals the past few years.
Hamels is also getting a ton of attention and the Phillies are very likely to trade the pitcher at the deadline this season. Hamels has been mentioned in trade rumors for the past couple years and the attention on him is rising as the week has gone on. Jayson Stark at ESPN reports that "momentum is building" for a deal and that teams have started to improve their offers for Hamels. The Dodgers were considered one of the favorites for Hamels along with the Texas Rangers, but now that the team has added Mat Latos, there is a chance they do not go after that deal.
The Yankees have reportedly been unwilling to give up top prospects for either Hamels or Price, but that could change as the deadline gets closer. Mike Leake could be a batter option for the team, as Brian Cashman said that he is not looking to trade Aaron Judge or Luis Severino at the deadline. The Yankees have needed some rotation depth all season with CC Sabathia struggling and Masahiro Tanaka coming off of elbow surgery and that could lead to Leake. Price also could be a target, but Cashman has tried to avoid making a huge move for prospects.
The Blue Jays could be going for it, as the team just traded for Troy Tulowitzki with the Rockies for Jose Reyes to help add to an already stacked offense. The team reportedly is interested in Leake, as that would require fewer high class prospects, as the team just traded away some for Tulo. The Blue Jays are also an option for the Hamels deal if they step up and make a nice package for the Phillies.
