MLB Trade Rumours: In search of a starter

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.

Moving Pinstripes

Aroldis Chapman might not be the only Yankee pitcher on the move at the trade deadline. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney New York has been “pushing Ivan Nova in trade talks”.

The 29-year-old has a 7-5 record with an ERA of 4.65 in 93 innings of work in his first full season since returning from Tommy John Surgery.

Nova started the year in the bullpen, but made the move to the starting rotation on May 9.

The right-hander has spent his entire seven-year career with the Yankees and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

Rangers searching for starter

The Texas Rangers are looking to add to their starting rotation and Phillies’ starter Vincent Velasquez could be that piece according to a report by Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. 

The 24-year-old was purchased by the team last year from the Houston Astros in the Ken Giles trade. In his first full season as a starter Velasquez is 8-2 with 3.34 ERA.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney the Rangers are also interested in the Royal’s Edinson Volquez.

The 32-year-old starter is 8-8 with a 4.56 ERA in 21 starts for Kansas City and started three games for the Royals during their World Series run last year.

The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2005 and has suited up for six different MLB clubs since then.

The break up 

This past December the Arizona Diamondbacks obtained starter Shelby Miller from the Atlanta Braves, but it came at a hefty price. Less than eight months later the pitcher is on the trade block once again according to a report by Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. 

The 2015 All-Star in Miller has been experiencing a rough year to say the least. The 25-year-old holds a 2-9 record with a whopping 7.14 ERA in 14 starts. The Dbacks sent the starter to Triple-A earlier this month. 

Starter headed South?

According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of MLB on Fox Sports the Miami Marlins may be on the verge of acquiring Phillies’ starter Jeremy Hellickson. Some of Philadelphia’s scouts were spotted checking out possible return pieces for their pitcher. 

The 29-year-old is 7-7 with a 3.84 ERA in 20 starts. He's set to be an unrestricted free-agent at the end of the season.

Looking for an arm

The Texas Rangers are leading the AL West and gearing up for another playoff run, and appear to be targeting an arm for their rotation to solidify their roster.

According to a report from Dallas Morning News' Rangers beat writer Evan Grant, the Rangers are eyeing Edinson Volquez of the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals.

The 33-year-old Volquez is 8-8 this year with a 4.72 ERA. Dealing away Volquez could be a sign the Royals, who sit third in the AL Central one game below .500, are in sell mode just a year after winning the World Series.

Catcher for a catcher?

The New York Mets appear interested in an upgrade at catcher.

MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman reports the Mets, who are in the thick of the NL wildcard chase, have tried for Milwaukee Brewers' backstop Jonathan Lucroy, but calls the deal unlikely at the moment.

Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports the Mets had offered their current catcher, Travis d'Arnaud, in a deal.

Lucroy, an All-Star this year, is batting .302 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs and would represent an upgrade over d'Arnaud (.246, two HRs, 10 RBI) for the Mets.

Brave New World

According to Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal the Atlanta Braves are “aggressively shopping"  Erick Aybar.

Aybar is batting .214 with one HR and 17 RBI’s in 79 games with the Braves. The 32-year-old is in his first season with Atlanta after spending the first 10 years of his career with the Los Angeles Angels.

The second baseman / shortstop will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Rosenthal also reports that the Braves are no longer shopping rightfielder Jeff Francoeur.