MLB Trade Rumours: Chapman a wanted man

With the MLB Trade Deadline quickly approaching (Aug. 1), teams will need to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers as we head into the final two months of the season. Check out TSN.ca's rumours blog for all you need to know about the MLB Trade Deadline. 

Chapman a Hot Commodity

Relief pitching appears to be the most sought after commodity heading to the deadline, with the Yankees bullpen drawing the most interest. 

While there has been some speculation on both Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, it would appear that flame-throwing left-hander Aroldis Chapman is generating a great deal of interest according to ESPN's Buster Olney:

The 28-year old Cuban, who is set to become a free-agent at season's end, is enjoying a solid season.  He has 40 strikeouts in 28.1 innings while picking up 19 saves with a 2.22 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.  

Deal Shot Down?

There appears to be some conflicting reports when it comes to Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies.

On Tuesday, MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reported that the Washington Nationals were in talks with the Rockies about leadoff-hitting centrefielder Blackmon. On Wednesday, Nats general manager Mike Rizzo said the rumour "is not accurate" while on a DC radio show.

The 30-year-old is hitting .307 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs over 80 games this season, his sixth with the Rockies.

Blackmon is arbitration eligible at the end of the season. 

Infielder for a Pitcher?

It appears teams are very interested in Texas Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar.

According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers have received a "ton of calls" regarding their talented 23-year-old utility player.

Profar is hitting .316 with four home runs and 14 RBIs over 41 games this season for the first-place Rangers. This is his third year in the Majors.

Sullivan suggests the Tampa Bay Rays could become a trade partner with starting pitchers Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi or Drew Smyly possibly going the other way.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick is hearing similar things as well.

All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy of the Milwaukee Brewers could be of interest as well.

Reliever Alert

The San Francisco Giants want to bolster their bullpen. 

According to Crasnick, the Giants have scouts looking at bullpen arms on the Phillies and Brewers. 

Jeanmar Gomez, 28, is 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA this season while David Hernandez, 31, sports a 1-3 record with a 4.43 ERA, both for the Phillies.

Brewers reliever Will Smith, 27, is having a solid year with a 1-2 record and a 2.12 ERA over 20 games. Jeremy Jeffress, 21, has been sharp as well, posting a 2-2 record with a 2.29 ERA and 23 saves for the Brewers. 

The first-place Giants could really use some help in the pen as they currently sit 16th in the league in reliever ERA at 3.88, just one spot ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays.